English Google Webmaster Central office-hours hangout

TL;DR

Webmaster tips on geo-targeting, mobile-friendly updates, and duplicate content.

Transcript

JOHN MUELLER: All right, welcome everyone to today's Google Webmaster Central Office Hours Hangout. My name is John Mueller. I am a webmaster trends analyst here at Google in Switzerland. And part of what I do is talk with webmasters and make sure that any open questions can be answered and also bring the feedback back to the engineering team inter... Read More

Key Insights

• Geo-targeting settings in Google Webmaster Tools can significantly impact traffic distribution across countries. Removing geo-targeting may cause initial traffic fluctuations.
• The mobile-friendly algorithm update is rolling out gradually, and its effects should be noticeable over a week or so.
• Duplicate content does not incur a penalty but can affect search rankings. Unique content and user engagement are key differentiators.
• Google's algorithm may view tabbed or below-the-fold content as less important, but large articles with relevant images are acceptable.
• Responsive design is recommended by Google, but separate mobile sites are also supported. Choose based on your needs.
• The 'if modified since' header helps Google crawl sites more efficiently but does not directly impact rankings.
• App indexing is a ranking signal for both installed and non-installed apps, but the impact is currently similar.
• Sitemaps should reflect the URLs you want indexed. Redirects should be set up for any URL changes to maintain SEO benefits.

Questions & Answers

Q: What should a website do if it is geo-targeted incorrectly?

If a website is incorrectly geo-targeted, it should adjust the settings in Google Webmaster Tools. Instead of deselecting the geo-targeting checkbox, it should choose 'unlisted' or 'no-entry' to indicate a global audience. This adjustment will be recognized quickly, typically within a week, allowing traffic to balance across target regions.

Q: How is Google's mobile-friendly algorithm update being rolled out?

The mobile-friendly algorithm update is being rolled out gradually across different data centers. It is expected to take about a week to a week and a half for full implementation. Users may not notice immediate changes, but comparing results from previous weeks should reveal differences, especially for sites that are not mobile-friendly.

Q: Does Google penalize duplicate content?

Google does not impose penalties for duplicate content but aims to identify the original source. Sites should focus on providing unique content and features, such as user reviews or additional information, to stand out. This approach helps Google understand the site's value and rank it appropriately.

Q: How does Google handle tabbed or below-the-fold content?

Google may consider tabbed content or content below the fold as less important if the page is filled with ads above the fold. However, if the layout is user-friendly and the content is relevant to the user's query, it is not considered thin content. Sites should ensure a good user experience and relevant content.

Q: What is Google's stance on responsive design versus separate mobile sites?

Google recommends responsive design but supports all configurations, including separate mobile URLs and dynamic serving. All options are treated equivalently in terms of ranking and mobile-friendly status. Webmasters should choose the setup that best suits their needs and capabilities.

Q: Does the 'if modified since' header affect rankings?

The 'if modified since' header does not impact rankings directly. It helps Google crawl websites more efficiently by indicating whether content has changed since the last crawl. Efficient crawling can lead to faster indexing of new content, which can be beneficial for sites with frequently updated information.

Q: How does app indexing influence search rankings?

App indexing is a ranking signal for both installed and non-installed apps, and it currently has a similar impact on both. However, this is a developing area, and changes may occur as Google continues to refine how app relevance is determined and how it affects search results.

Q: Why should sitemaps reflect the URLs you want indexed?

Sitemaps should accurately reflect the URLs you want indexed to provide consistent signals to search engines. This consistency helps Google understand which version of a URL to prioritize. Redirects should also be set up for any URL changes to maintain the SEO value of the original URLs and ensure smooth transitions.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The hangout addressed various SEO topics, emphasizing the importance of correct geo-targeting settings in Google Webmaster Tools, which can affect international traffic distribution. John Mueller advised on the best practices for removing geo-targeting to ensure minimal traffic loss.

• Mobile-friendly updates are being rolled out gradually by Google, with noticeable changes expected over a week. The update affects only mobile search results, with no impact on desktop rankings. Responsive design is recommended, but separate mobile URLs are supported.

• Duplicate content does not result in penalties but can influence search rankings. Google recommends adding unique content and user interactions to differentiate your site. Additionally, Google's algorithm may see tabbed content as less important, but large articles with relevant images are acceptable.