English Google SEO office-hours from September 2023

TL;DR

Google SEO Office Hours addresses common SEO concerns.

Transcript

[MUSIC PLAYING] SPEAKER: Hello, and welcome to another episode of Google's SEO Office Hours. In these videos, we aim to answer your questions about SEO and Google Search. These questions were submitted using the form link below over the past month. To answer them, we have folks from Google's Search Quality team. Joining me today is Gary. So let's g... Read More

Key Insights

• The use of bloom filters in Search Console can cause discrepancies in data, offering faster lookups at the expense of some accuracy.
• Google Sites URLs can be indexed but are not ideal for SEO; using a custom domain improves tracking and indexing.
• Guest posts for backlinks are against Google's guidelines unless links are marked as nofollow or sponsored.
• Semantic HTML helps Google understand page content better, but incorrect use of HR tags typically doesn't affect indexing.
• Google can index URLs blocked by robots.txt if they are highly sought after, but only the URL is indexed, not the content.
• Infinite scrolling is acceptable if each piece of content is accessible through a unique URL for Googlebot to crawl.
• Google can index public PDF files on Google Drive, treating them as any other URL.
• AI-generated content should be reviewed for quality; low-quality content should be removed or improved to maintain SEO standards.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why is Google indexing the www version of my website?

Google indexing the www version of your site is not an issue if your server redirects correctly and sets the canonical link element properly. Both www and non-www versions are acceptable to Google, but ensure your server configurations are correct to avoid indexing confusion.

Q: Why is filtered data higher than overall data on Search Console?

Filtered data may appear higher due to the use of bloom filters, which speed up data handling by predicting item existence in a dataset. This method sacrifices some accuracy for efficiency, leading to potential discrepancies in reported data.

Q: Why are my Google Sites pages not being indexed properly?

Google Sites URLs can be indexed, but they are often complex and not ideal for SEO. Consider using a custom domain for better tracking and indexing. Google Sites may not be the best choice if SEO is a primary concern, so exploring other platforms might be beneficial.

Q: Can Google crawl links fetched by clicking buttons on my site?

Generally, Googlebot does not click on buttons, so links fetched through button clicks may not be crawled. Ensure important links are accessible through standard HTML links for effective crawling and indexing by search engines.

Q: Is using guest posts for backlinks against Google's guidelines?

Yes, using guest posts for backlinks is against Google's spam policies unless the links are marked with rel nofollow or rel sponsored attributes. It's crucial to signal that these links do not influence search results to comply with Google's guidelines.

Q: How does Google handle incorrect semantic HTML tags?

Semantic HTML aids Google in understanding page content, but incorrect use of tags like HR typically doesn't affect indexing. While proper semantic structure is beneficial, minor errors in tag usage are unlikely to have a significant impact on how search engines interpret your page.

Q: Does Google index PDF files on Google Drive?

Yes, Google can index public PDF files on Google Drive, treating them like any other URL. However, the indexing process can vary in time, from a few seconds to potentially never, depending on various factors like demand and accessibility.

Q: How should I handle unwanted AI-generated content on my website?

Unwanted AI-generated content should be reviewed for quality and either improved or removed. Publishing low-quality content can harm your site's reputation and SEO. Consider whether the content adds unique value to the web before deciding to retain or delete it.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Google SEO Office Hours in September 2023 addressed various SEO-related questions, including issues with indexing, the use of bloom filters, and semantic HTML. The session provided insights into SEO best practices and guidelines, emphasizing the importance of quality content and proper link attribution.

• Key topics included handling multiple URLs, the implications of using Google Sites, and the importance of using semantic HTML for better content understanding. The session also touched on the challenges of infinite scrolling and the indexing of PDF files on Google Drive.

• The session highlighted Google's stance on guest posts for backlinks, the potential pitfalls of AI-generated content, and strategies for improving website indexing. The importance of addressing technical SEO issues and maintaining high-quality content was emphasized throughout the discussion.