Hello, dear SEMrush blog readers!
We have something new for you this time. Our previous Twitter Chat was quite extraordinary and challenging. Usually we cover just one topic during the chat, but this time we decided to cover six topics at once!
We asked six dumb SEO questions to smart SEOs. And here are the results!
By the way, if we didn't answer your question during this chat, we'll be happy to answer your questions in the comments section. Enjoy!
Just imagine – you worked so hard on your website and you can’t wait to see it appearing at the top of Google search. But for some reason, you don’t get a desirable result. What might have gone wrong?
Let’s find out!
A1) Bad robots.txt file, no-index meta-tags, messed up. #semrushchat
— Adam Dince (@AdamDince) February 11, 2015
One of the most common reasons for failure – you “blocked the bots from crawling the site in the robots.txt file” Donald Macgregor @MacDonie. Also, your pages might not be crawled because of noindex meta tags. Luckily, this issue is easy to fix. Remove the noindex page tag or the disallow on the robots.txt - Rivka Fogel @FogelRivka.
A1: The noindex can be either as a meta-tagor as a HTTP header X-Robots-Tag: noindex. #semrushchat
— Edwin Jonk (@wejonk) February 11, 2015
Also, you need to “set up a Webmaster Tools account, run a Crawl as GoogleBot to see if there's anything blocking” Thom Craver @thomcraver.
A1: Also make sure the site does not includes the same title tag & description for each page, see this alot with smaller sites #semrushchat
— Phil Aston (@geniusloci) February 11, 2015
Another reason Googlebot can’t reach certain pages on your website – you didn’t submit your sitemap to Google Webmaster Tools or you’ve messed up your site architecture. “Make sure your site architecture is easy for Googlebot to crawl” Beth Kahlich @BethKahlich.
A1: New sites & low quality, duplicate content filled sites are often deindexed. Get links & improve quality to fix these. #semrushchat
— Luke Jordan (@LJordanOnline) February 11, 2015
Duplicate content, low-quality content, toxic backlinks – these can all prevent your site from going up. Well, I guess you know what to do here – run a complete site audit, create new content, and cleanup your backlink profile. Spammy backlinks can also lead to penalties, causing your site to go down.
A1: Noindex in meta, blocking in robots.txt , poor iframe use & Black hat penalties. Remove the code for 1-3. 4 is harder. #semrushchat
— Jacques Bouchard (@jacquesbouchard) February 11, 2015
And, yes, it is the most difficult problem to deal with. If you want to know more about this topic, check the recap of one of our previous Twitter chats – “How to Avoid Google Penalties.”
A1 cont. Site is programmed completely in flash #semrushchat
— Matthew Young (@MatthewAYoung) February 11, 2015
Be sure that Googlebot will find something to crawl. Having all of your text in a PDF image is probably not the best idea.
If you want to get more - read this!"8 Reasons Why Your Site Might Not Get Indexed" by Bob Jones.
First of all, let's talk basics. What is the difference between HTTP and HTTPS? The answer is quite simple – HTTPS is a version of HTTP with additional security capabilities. HTTPS protects your browser from all kinds of third-party attacks.
Google’s policy is all about user comfort, so it’s easy to come to the idea that moving your website from HTTP to secure HTTPS can increase your rankings – is it true? And the answer is..
A2: No! I would also be willing to bet that you stand a higher chance of losing traffic vs gaining it in most cases. #semrushchat
— AJ Ghergich (@SEO) February 11, 2015
It seems like there is no magic behind this move, but is it totally useless?
“Still, it couldn’t hurt. More security is always a plus, and it gives customers more peace of mind” Beth Kahlich @BethKahlich.
A2: By itself? No. As a component of a wider strategy to improve the user experience? It will definitely have an impact. #semrushchat
— Dan Smith (@itsdansmith) February 11, 2015
User experience is a number one priority for e-commerce websites; and if you are running an online store, you should definitely think about HTTPS. You don’t want your users’ credit card data to become public property, do you?
A2: A bigger win for eCommerce sites, but something all sites should be transitioning to. Get ahead of the curve. #semrushchat
— Annalisa M. Hilliard (@ahilliardm) February 11, 2015
But let’s get back to our question. As we’ve just learned, migrating to HTTPS doesn’t influence ranking, because Google doesn’t consider it as a ranking factor; but things change, you know. So stay informed!
.@semrush Likely not right now, but Google is giving you some insights into what they think about the future. Take note. #semrushchat
— George Williams (@George_Williams) February 11, 2015
More useful reading! "HTTPS vs. HTTP – analysis: Do secure sites really get higher rankings?" by Marcus Tober.
And as usual — one of our answers is visual. Check out this "15 Local Search Tips," which will help to compete in local search.
Special thanks to the following participants:
@LJordanOnline
@LocalSEOJenny
@michaeldoesSEO
@oozn
@TechAchari
@timwhand
@writingforseo
Re-launching a site is a lot of work for each member of a team. So, weigh all the pros and cons. Weigh all of the possible benefits, access your time and human resources, and create a clear plan.
First and foremost, be careful with your links – “don't lose good links… that's like doing negative SEO on yourself” Michael Morgan @michaeldoesSEO.
A4: Maintain the same URLs or be sure to 301 redirect any changed URLs, particularly those of ranking pages #semrushchat
— Jeff Riddall (@JRiddall) February 11, 2015
And the best way to do this – keep the same site structure. If this is not possible (and it probably will be hard to keep), think about a proper redirection strategy. Otherwise, you may lose traffic – worst case scenario!
A4: Proper redirects from old URL to new URL. But I would suggest an XML sitemap too. Most CMS can churn these automatically #semrushchat
— Andrew Epperson (@eppand) February 11, 2015
A4) Avoid many to one 301 redirects. If you don't have a new relevant page to redirect an old page to, let it 404 or 410 #semrushchat
— Adam Dince (@AdamDince) February 11, 2015
I guess this kind of 404 will not disappoint your user – “Speaking of effective 404 pages - Best One Ever” Tim Capper @GuideTwit. Don’t underestimate their importance – they can play an important role in keeping users on your website.
#SEMrushChat [Q4] If moving domain: use GWT Change Address Tool, keep old URLs, limit changes and release over time.
— Richard Hearne (@RedCardinal) February 11, 2015
And of course it’s important to inform your users about changes!
#SEMrushChat [Q4] If moving domain: use GWT Change Address Tool, keep old URLs, limit changes and release over time.
— Richard Hearne (@RedCardinal) February 11, 2015
A5: Creating interesting and unique content tailored to your customers is a great way to help open the door for potential links #semrushchat
— Devin (@DevDawg) February 11, 2015
Maintain a blog, create a FAQ page with information relevant to your products, tutorials, guides – there are many ways you can create content. And don’t just focus on your product; it‘s more important to highlight a lifestyle that involves your product or service.
A5 Define your values and make them your linkable asset. Green? Made in USA? Offer a scholarship? Go pitch that, not product. #semrushchat
— Tim Hand (@timwhand) February 11, 2015
Also, don’t forget about competitor intelligence - “create some exclusive content to set you apart from competitors selling the same products,” Shap Cooper @Shap_Digital.
A5: Create content that puts product into real life use/context to create natural sharing and linkable assets. Personify. #semrushchat
— Shap Cooper (@Vertical_Coop) February 11, 2015
Create relationships with your audience and partners – people are more likely to trust third-party opinions than your advertising or a “we-are-the-best” kind of slogan.
A5: sponsorships, donations and blogger events.. So that you can build relationships.. Relationships = Links :) #semrushchat
— Onur Ozcan (@oozn) February 11, 2015
And of course, care about your customers – they have the power to makes websites trustworthy and authoritative. Social media is definitely your best friend.
A5: go where your audience is, groups, communities, build any links naturally. Be patient listen and help others #semrushchat
— Phil Aston (@geniusloci) February 11, 2015
Give your customers what they need! A great user experience and excellent customer service may not immediately boost your links, but it will guarantee good reviews.
#SEMrushChat [Q5] Try to do something out of the ordinary e.g. amazing customer service, quirky/likable service etc. Happy customers link!
— Richard Hearne (@RedCardinal) February 11, 2015
I guess you can hear condemnation in my voice already, but let’s see what our participants had to say.
A6: Bad idea. It may be more harmful in the long term than beneficial in the short term #semrushchat
— Sergio Redondo (@sergio_redondo) February 11, 2015
Having a controlled network really can give you the result you‘re looking for; but in the long run, you might get penalized by Google. “Don't depend on it to take you through 2016,” Suneel Thomas @TechAchari.
A6.) PBN's will eventually get you Google Slapped >> then Slap Yourself for using PBN's #semrushchat pic.twitter.com/vxJv7n8IF4
— Tim Capper (@GuideTwit) February 11, 2015
Yep, Google is taking actions against PBNs, because, bottom line, this is manipulation and Google doesn’t like it.
A6: PBNs are going to go away slowly. Google is taking them down one by one risk vs reward is not there. Work for longevity. #semrushchat
— William Lau (@WLau89) February 11, 2015
Still not convinced that PBNs are a bad idea? One more injection of common sense:
A6. PBNs are just link schemes with a pot of gold at the end of the SPAM rainbow. I can do without SPAM and rainbows #semrushchat
— Matthew Young (@MatthewAYoung) February 11, 2015
OK, that's it for today. Any other SEO questions? Leave us a comment!
We'll see you at the next Twitter Chat – same time, same place, same hashtag, this Wednesday at 11 a.m. (EST). Don’t forget to use #semrushchat!
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Occasionally takes part in conversations.
SEMrush employee.
Occasionally takes part in conversations.
SEMrush employee.