English Google SEO office-hours from December, 2022

TL;DR

Google SEO experts answer diverse queries about search optimization.

Transcript

LIZZY: Hello, hello, and welcome to the December edition of the Google SEO Office Hours, a monthly audio recording coming to you from the Google Search Team answering questions about Search submitted by you. Today you'll be hearing from Alan, Gary, John, Duy, and me, Lizzy. All right, let's get started. SPEAKER 1: Vertical Web asks, "My old site is... Read More

Key Insights

• 301 redirects are supported by Google, but mistakes during migration can lead to traffic loss. It's advisable to redirect on a per-URL basis.
• Google resumes counting links to pages once they are back online, provided the links are still relevant.
• Core Web Vitals are important for site speed and user experience, but not the only metric affecting rankings.
• Google employs spam-specific algorithms like SpamBrain to demote or remove spam results, though manual actions on user reports are not immediate.
• Having many 301 redirects is not inherently negative, but focus should be on actual issues to avoid unnecessary work.
• Product reviews should follow Google's best practices to avoid being mischaracterized, and non-product pages are unlikely to be affected.
• Deleting obsolete domains or redirecting them is recommended to avoid confusion for search engines and users.
• Google can crawl links in mouseover menus if they are proper A tags with HREF attributes, ensuring they are visible in HTML.

Questions & Answers

Q: How should I handle a large number of 301 redirects when reducing my site's product count?

Google recommends keeping your existing domain name and redirecting only necessary URLs. While redirecting to a new domain is supported, it carries a higher risk of losing traffic if errors occur. It's fine to let old pages return a 404 or redirect to new versions.

Q: Do links to a page that was previously a 404 get ignored by Google?

Once a page is back online, Google will count links to it again, provided the linking pages are re-crawled and the links are deemed relevant. Links are not ignored permanently if the page status changes from 404.

Q: Do metrics other than Core Web Vitals affect my site's search rankings?

Yes, different metrics can affect rankings, as speed tests vary in methodology. It's essential to understand the different testing approaches to determine the most suitable for your site. Core Web Vitals are part of the Page Experience ranking factor but not the sole determinant.

Q: Why doesn't Google remove all spam pages immediately?

Google uses algorithms like SpamBrain to demote or remove spam, but user reports are not acted upon immediately. Spam reports are used to monitor and improve future spam updates. For persistent spam issues, reporting through the Spam Report Form is advised.

Q: Do too many 301 redirects negatively impact search rankings?

Having numerous redirects is not problematic, even if it reaches millions. Focus should be on addressing actual issues rather than creating unnecessary work. It's acceptable to have 404 pages drop out of search without redirecting every one.

Q: How does Google classify product review pages for updates?

Google uses best practices outlined in Search Central documentation to determine product review pages. Non-product pages are unlikely to be misclassified, and any ranking impact is more likely due to other factors or algorithm changes.

Q: Should I delete my obsolete Google domain after moving to self-hosting?

It's advisable to redirect the old domain to your new one or delete it if it's obsolete. Keeping outdated sites online can confuse search engines and users, so proper management of domain transitions is crucial.

Q: Can Google follow links in menus that appear on mouseover?

Yes, Google can follow these links if they are visible in the HTML and are proper A tags with HREF attributes. Use the URL Inspection Tool in Search Console to verify how Google sees your site's HTML and menu links.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The December 2022 Google SEO Office Hours covered a range of topics, including URL redirects, the impact of Core Web Vitals, and handling spam pages. Experts advised on best practices for maintaining domain integrity, managing redirects, and ensuring site speed.

• Questions about indexing, mobile-first indexing, and structured data were addressed, with insights on how to manage staging sites, handle hacked pages, and ensure proper site structure for optimal search performance.

• Google experts discussed the importance of content quality, the effects of frequent URL changes, and strategies for addressing copied content. They emphasized creating user-focused content and maintaining a logical site structure for better visibility in search results.