English Google Webmaster Central office-hours hangout

TL;DR

John Mueller addresses webmaster issues in a live hangout.

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 from Google in Switzerland, and part of what we do are these office-hour hangouts, where webmasters and publishers can join us and ask any questions that might come up with regard to their web... Read More

Key Insights

• John Mueller hosts office-hour hangouts for webmasters to ask questions about their websites and web search.
• A participant from Babble.com discusses issues with subdirectories and subdomains affecting traffic and Google News visibility.
• Mueller advises on handling CDN changes for images, emphasizing the importance of redirects and maintaining both CDNs during transitions.
• The discussion includes A/B testing practices, recommending that Googlebot should be treated as a normal user in tests.
• Subdomains and subdirectories are treated similarly by Google, but it's suggested to keep content within the same site if possible.
• Canonical and hreflang tags should be used correctly, linking between canonical versions of pages.
• Mueller suggests using the webmaster help forum for feedback on site visibility issues, emphasizing peer insights.
• Handling affiliate links and potential SEO impacts are discussed, with recommendations to use robots.txt for intermediate URLs.

Questions & Answers

Q: How can we address traffic loss after switching from subdomains to subdirectories?

Traffic loss issues after switching from subdomains to subdirectories can be complex. It's essential to ensure proper setup and configuration of geo-targeting settings. Mueller suggests reviewing technical aspects and possibly reaching out to Google News for specific visibility concerns. Engaging with the webmaster help forum for peer feedback can also provide insights.

Q: What is the best practice for handling CDN changes for images?

When changing CDNs for images, it's crucial to ensure that image URLs redirect to new URLs. Keeping both CDNs live during the transition can help minimize impact. Redirecting old URLs to new ones is ideal, and maintaining consistent URLs through subdomains can simplify future CDN changes.

Q: How should A/B testing be conducted concerning Googlebot?

For A/B testing, it's recommended to include Googlebot in the tests to treat it as a normal user. If JavaScript is used for testing, ensure that primary content remains consistent. Blocking JavaScript files in robots.txt is an option if Googlebot doesn't need to see A/B test variations.

Q: Is there a difference between subdomains and subdirectories for Google?

Google treats subdomains and subdirectories similarly, but keeping content within the same site is generally preferred. Subdomains can be used for distinct content. The choice depends on specific site needs, but for most cases, either approach can work effectively.

Q: How should canonical and hreflang tags be used on paginated pages?

Canonical and hreflang tags should be applied to canonical versions of pages. For paginated pages, hreflang links should point to canonical versions, ensuring consistency across language versions. This helps Google understand the preferred version for indexing and ranking.

Q: What should be done if a site experiences a sudden drop in rankings?

If a site experiences a sudden drop in rankings, it's important to review the site's content quality and technical setup. Engaging with the webmaster help forum can provide peer insights and feedback. Sometimes, algorithm changes can affect visibility, and external perspectives can help identify issues.

Q: How can affiliate links affect SEO, and what precautions should be taken?

Affiliate links can impact SEO if not managed properly. Using robots.txt to block intermediate redirect URLs can prevent passing of signals. It's important to ensure that affiliate links are not misleading and are clearly branded. Consulting the webmaster help forum for advice on widget links can also be beneficial.

Q: What is the impact of using 404 vs. 410 status codes for removed content?

Both 404 and 410 status codes lead to content being removed from Google's index. A 410 status may result in faster removal, but the difference is generally minimal. For long-removed content, either status code is acceptable. Choosing between them depends on how quickly removal is desired.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• John Mueller conducts a Google Webmaster Central office-hour hangout, addressing various webmaster-related issues. Participants ask questions about site traffic, technical configurations, and SEO best practices. Mueller provides guidance on subdomains, subdirectories, and Google News visibility.

• The hangout covers topics like handling CDN changes for images and A/B testing practices. Mueller emphasizes the importance of treating Googlebot as a normal user in tests and maintaining redirects during CDN transitions to avoid SEO issues.

• Mueller advises on using canonical and hreflang tags correctly, linking between canonical versions of pages. He suggests using the webmaster help forum for feedback on site issues and discusses handling affiliate links with potential SEO impacts.