The world of SEO is constantly evolving, and staying informed about the latest search engine recommendations is crucial for a successful strategy. That’s why Josh Hiemstra, digital strategist for Simpler Strategies, regularly attends Google SEO office hours, gleaning valuable insights directly from the source.
These Q&A sessions feature John Mueller, a Google search advocate, answering pressing questions about SEO challenges. Topics range from ranking factors and website structure to content optimization and algorithm updates. In this article, we review key SEO information gleaned from Google SEO office hours related to content.
Where should I start when trying to create high-quality content to help with SEO rankings?
Creating high-quality content for SEO is challenging, especially in competitive niches. Instead of focusing solely on SEO, consider the broader business implications. Identify areas where you can establish yourself as a leader or offer a unique product. This strategic approach will help you stand out in the crowded marketplace and improve your SEO rankings.
Should we create multiple posts that focus on one keyword, or have only a few posts that focus on multiple keywords?
The best approach depends on your website’s structure and competitive landscape.
- Fewer, more generic pages often have stronger SEO, especially when starting out.
- Multiple pages can spread out SEO value, but can also target niche topics effectively.
- High competition might benefit from fewer, more focused pages.
- Lower competition allows for more flexibility with multiple pages.
Ultimately, the optimal strategy is to:
- Start with fewer pages.
- Expand as your website grows.
- Focus on quality content and relevant keywords.
For a new brochure website, what is the best approach to rank for keywords? Should I focus the home page and landing pages on one topic or set up a website with all of my services?
When launching a new website, it’s often beneficial to focus on a specific area. This helps Google understand your website’s primary topic. If you offer multiple services, consider a more targeted approach initially and expand your website over time.
Additionally, targeting a niche can be advantageous for a new website. If you’re locally active, optimizing your Google My Business profile can significantly improve your visibility in local search results.
Does creating content on Google platforms (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Calendar) and then putting them onto your website help SEO rankings?
According to John, the short answer is no. Google doesn’t prioritize websites that use Google platforms for content creation.
Where is the best place to start when building a website you want to rank highly for SEO?
John cautioned against generalizing the top steps for SEO. However, he emphasized the importance of creating high-quality content as a strong foundation. Additionally, he recommended actively promoting your content to reach influential individuals and increase your website’s visibility. Remember, avoiding the purchase of links is crucial for ethical and effective SEO practices.
For an eCommerce website, does Google Search use the price of the product as an SEO ranking factor?
No, Google Search does not use price as a ranking factor. It’s not the case that cheaper websites will automatically rank higher.
Will a large number of no-index pages negatively impact my SEO rankings?
While no-index pages themselves won’t directly affect your SEO rankings, having a significant number of them might indicate a missed opportunity. If you have a large volume of no-index pages, it could be beneficial to review them and consider updating them to be indexed, especially if they contain valuable content that could benefit your SEO strategy.
Remember, Google Search primarily focuses on indexed pages when determining rankings. So, while no-index pages won’t harm your SEO, optimizing your indexed content remains crucial for achieving higher rankings.
Google Search doesn’t consider the star ratings I add to my website. Where should I direct customers to leave feedback to boost my SEO rankings?
The best approach is to guide customers to third-party websites where they can review your product or service. These platforms often have a significant impact on search engine rankings.
Our articles are appearing on Google, but the displayed date is incorrect. How can we ensure Google shows the correct post date?
Google considers multiple factors when determining the article’s date. These include structured data and page text. If date and time information isn’t consistent throughout your website, Google may struggle to identify the most relevant date.
Best Practice: Ensure your structured data and page text align with the desired post date. This consistency will help Google accurately display the correct publication date.
I’ve improved my website’s content quality. When can I expect to see changes in my SEO rankings?
Timeline after improvement can be 6 months to a year. It takes a long time to rebuild the quality score in Google search.
How do you know if you have actually improved the quality if it takes 6 months to a year for SEO rankings to change?
While improvements can sometimes be seen sooner, it’s generally realistic to expect a timeline of 6 months to a year for significant ranking changes. Rebuilding a strong quality score in Google search takes time.
What is a good ratio of affiliate links on a webpage to not negatively affect SEO rankings?
There’s no specific limit or ratio for best practices regarding affiliate links. Google doesn’t view affiliate links as problematic on a page. However, it’s crucial to focus on creating high-quality, valuable content. Google prioritizes results that provide useful information to users.
Instead of worrying about affiliate link ratios, concentrate on delivering exceptional content. This will help your website rank well in search engine results.
There are competitor websites that rank highly in Google Search for multiple service + city keywords. They use the same content on the different city-focused pages. It appears they don’t have good content or backlinks. Why do they rank so high?
Several factors contribute to search engine rankings. It’s challenging to directly compare your website to others. However, if a competitor website seems to disregard certain guidelines, Google might overlook those areas and focus on other strengths. This is common among smaller businesses.
I’m translating a medical website into multiple languages. Should I focus on local dialects or a more medical perspective?
While Google may not be able to discern subtle nuances, it’s essential to prioritize content that resonates with your target audience. Consider the following factors:
- Target Audience: Who are you trying to reach? If your audience primarily consists of medical professionals, a more technical approach might be appropriate. However, if you’re targeting patients, a more accessible and localized approach could be beneficial.
- Cultural Considerations: Different cultures may have varying expectations and preferences. Research cultural nuances to ensure your content is culturally sensitive and relevant.
- Language Variations: Consider the specific language variations within your target regions. While a standard translation might be sufficient, localizing content to dialects can enhance relevance and engagement.
Ultimately, the best approach is to strike a balance between medical accuracy and cultural sensitivity. By understanding your audience and tailoring your content accordingly, you can create effective translations that resonate with your target market.
Can a poorly translated new language version negatively impact the SEO ranking for the original, main language version?
Yes, a poorly translated new language version can negatively affect the SEO rankings of the main language version. Google Search evaluates the overall quality of a website. If significant portions are low-quality, regardless of the reason, Google may consider the entire website less valuable. This can have negative consequences for the website’s overall rankings.
How does Google Search determine if a site has low-quality translations of text?
Google Search doesn’t have a direct way to assess the quality of translations. Instead, it focuses on the overall quality of the website. There isn’t a specific checklist, such as “5 misspelled words equals low quality.”
In 2021, does Google understand sarcasm better? Or should it be avoided?
While Google has made significant strides in understanding natural language, it’s still advisable to avoid sarcasm in your content, especially when conveying critical information. There’s a risk that the algorithm might misinterpret the intended meaning, leading to unexpected search engine results.
For the best possible results, aim for clear and concise communication that accurately conveys your message.
When having medical articles written for our website, does it help SEO rankings to have a high-ranking Doctor write the article?
While having a high-ranking doctor as an author can enhance the perceived credibility of your medical content, it doesn’t directly impact SEO rankings. Google doesn’t consider author credentials when determining search engine rankings. However, a doctor’s expertise can significantly influence your audience’s trust and engagement, which may indirectly benefit your SEO efforts.
How long does it take to improve the SEO quality score of a website?
John states that improving a website’s SEO quality score can take several months to six months. Google needs time to re-evaluate the site after the changes are implemented.
What advice do you give to young websites to help compete in SEO rankings with older websites with many links?
Google doesn’t solely focus on backlinks. That’s an oversimplified view of SEO. To compete with older websites, consider your overall business structure and how you can differentiate yourself. Google doesn’t favor new or old websites.
By doing something unique and creating different content, you can stand out and improve your SEO rankings.
My company name is similar to a common phrase. My website used to rank highly for the common phrase search, but now it has dropped. Why?
When a company name is a common phrase, Google might struggle to determine if a user is searching for your website or the general term. If Google interprets the search as a general query, your website might not appear in the results.
Interested in other Google SEO Office Hours takeaways?
Explore our full article series:
- Insights related to technical SEO
- Insights related to crawlability & indexing
- Insights related to high-quality content
- Insights related to backlinks
- Insights related to user experience
Interested in exploring how Simpler Strategies can improve your website’s visibility? Reach out to our team.
