Google clarified that search engines no longer require special handling for paginated content, as the `rel="prev"` and `rel="next"` attributes are discontinued. He emphasized that Google can recognize unique content in paginated series without special treatment, meaning valuable content will be indexed regardless of its pagination. Mueller advised against combining paginated pages into a single URL, as Google's systems can effectively process and index unique content.
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John Mueller from Google clarified the handling of 404 errors and redirects during website migrations, focusing on Search Console's validation process. He explained that the 'mark as fixed' feature tracks progress, not speeds up reprocessing. Returning a 404 for non-existent pages is acceptable, but proper redirects and status codes are crucial. Changes are processed quickly, but larger sites may take longer. Proper implementation is vital for maintaining search rankings.
Google's John Mueller downplayed Core Web Vitals' impact on search rankings, stating they are not major factors. Researcher Andrew Mcleod's study showed traffic drops linked to performance metrics, sparking debate. Mueller emphasized content quality over technical metrics for rankings and noted smaller sites' agility in making changes. SEO professionals should prioritize user experience and rethink Core Web Vitals' impact.
John Mueller, Google's Search Advocate, explained on LinkedIn that URLs blocked by robots.txt but appearing as "Indexed, though blocked by robots.txt" in Google Search Console are not a major concern. If a page is disallowed in robots.txt, Google can't see the noindex tag, and these URLs are unlikely to appear in regular search results. He advised not to worry about this issue as it isn't harmful to SEO. The key is to avoid making these pages both crawlable and indexable.
SEO discussions question the optimal number of outbound links in blog posts, suggesting 2-5 internal and 1-3 external links for a 1000-word post. Google's John Mueller clarifies that Google does not count links or words and recommends writing for the audience. Key points include focusing on content quality and relevance rather than specific link counts. Effective SEO involves creating valuable, engaging content with useful links that enhance the reader's experience.
Google released its August 2024 core update on August 15th, followed by a large search ranking bug. SEOs and site owners struggle to differentiate between the two. Google's John Mueller advises waiting until the core update fully rolls out to judge its impact. The update will take about a month, and the bug's effects may linger. Compare data from before and after the update for accurate assessment.
Google's recent Search Console recommendations highlight data limitations, revealing only 35% of performance data is shown. John Mueller clarified the extent varies by site, with larger sites more affected. Bulk export is recommended when discrepancies are detected. Tools like Search Analytics for Sheets can access more data. Regular data export can provide a comprehensive view of site performance, emphasizing the need for thorough data collection in SEO.
"Link tags" are preferred over "canonical tags" for better canonicalization in SEO. The term "canonical tag" is technically incorrect; the proper term is a link tag with rel=canonical. Using accurate terminology is crucial when working with web developers unfamiliar with SEO jargon. Precise language can enhance respect and ensure correct implementation of SEO recommendations
Google advises against changing existing canonical setups from desktop to mobile URLs for sites with separate mobile URLs (m-dot). They recommend maintaining the current setup or transitioning to a responsive design that uses the same URLs for both versions. Switching canonical links can create confusion and technical complications. The best practice is to keep existing canonical setups as they are or move to a responsive design.
