How to Solve Common Google Search Issues

TL;DR

John Mueller from Google discusses common issues webmasters face with Google Search, such as location-based search results, link penalties, and indexing problems. He provides practical solutions like using feedback forms for incorrect search results, understanding link disavowal, and optimizing site crawling. The session also covers structured data, hreflang tags, and the impact of site speed on indexing.

Transcript

JOHN MUELLER: All right. Welcome, everyone, to today's Google Webmaster Central Office Hours Hangout. My name is John Mueller. I'm a Webmaster Trends Analyst here at Google in Switzerland. And part of what we do are these Office Hour Hangouts together with Webmasters, STOs, folks who make great websites. And part of what we try to do is answer any ... Read More

Key Insights

• Location-based search results can show content from other countries due to search settings and relevance.
• Google uses a disavow file to manage unwanted links without affecting search rankings.
• Indexing issues can take time to resolve, especially for large sites with millions of pages.
• Simplifying crawling by using clean URLs, canonicalization, and sitemaps can speed up indexing.
• Structured data should be specific to the page's primary topic and not aggregated across unrelated pages.
• Link signals can flow in any direction, affecting both higher and lower-level pages.
• AMP is a responsive design framework that can be used for both mobile and desktop sites.
• Google Search Console is evolving to consolidate reports and improve usability for webmasters.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why am I getting search results from other countries?

Location-based search results may show content from other countries due to your search settings and the relevance of the results. Sometimes the best result for your query is from a company in a different country. If you believe the results are incorrect, you can submit feedback through the search results page.

Q: How does Google handle link penalties?

Google uses a disavow file to allow webmasters to indicate which links they don't want considered in search rankings. This helps manage unwanted links without negatively impacting the site's ranking. The Penguin algorithm update also shifted focus from demoting sites with bad links to simply devaluing those links.

Q: How long does it take to see improvements after fixing indexing issues?

The time it takes to see improvements after addressing indexing issues varies. Google reprocesses sites regularly, but the speed depends on the site's size and the changes made. Simplifying crawling by using clean URLs, canonicalization, and sitemaps can help speed up the process.

Q: What is the impact of structured data on search results?

Structured data should be specific to the page's primary topic and not aggregated across unrelated pages. It helps Google understand the content better, which can improve how your site appears in search results. However, misuse or incorrect implementation can lead to issues.

Q: Can link signals flow upwards on a website?

Yes, link signals can flow in any direction on a website, affecting both higher and lower-level pages. Google considers the context of links to understand the relationship between pages, which influences how signals are passed through the site.

Q: Is AMP only for mobile sites?

AMP is a responsive design framework that can be used for both mobile and desktop sites. It provides a fast, consistent experience across devices. While initially focused on mobile, AMP's capabilities extend to creating fast-loading pages for any platform.

Q: What changes are happening in Google Search Console?

Google Search Console is evolving to consolidate reports and improve usability. Some features are being combined, like the Rich Results and Structured Data reports, to provide a clearer picture. While no major features are being removed, the interface is being streamlined for better user experience.

Q: How does Google handle SafeSearch and explicit content?

SafeSearch aims to filter explicit content from search results. If your site is incorrectly flagged, you can submit feedback for review. This process can take several weeks. It's important to ensure no hidden or hacked content could trigger SafeSearch filters inadvertently.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• John Mueller addresses issues like location-based search results, which can show content from other countries due to search settings and relevance. He advises using feedback forms for incorrect results and explains that sometimes the best result is from another country.

• Google's link disavowal tool helps manage unwanted links without affecting search rankings. John discusses Google's past link penalties and how changes in algorithms, like the Penguin update, have shifted from demoting to devaluing bad links.

• Indexing problems can take time to resolve, especially for large sites. John suggests simplifying crawling by using clean URLs, canonicalization, and sitemaps to help Google process changes faster. Structured data should be specific to the page's primary topic.