How Does Google Index New Websites
How Does Google Index New Websites? Today there was a very interesting question on the English Google Webmaster Central Office-Hours Hangout about how to get a large number of URLs indexed on a new website.
Is Guest Blogging a Legitimate SEO Technique?
In theory guest blogging is a great way to build free content for SEO. However, spammers have recently started using it to build back-links.
Here is a real example.
I was recently forwarded an email from a client who specialises in pensions. In it the lady said that she had read a certain article on our blog and that it had really resonated with her. She went on to describe how her mum had been left destitute after retiring and that she had struggled to find a way to support her. It went on at some length and was really well written and convincing. She said that she was so passionate about the subject that she, a trained journalist, had decided to dedicate her life to spreading the message through guest blogging and that she thought our company blog would be an ideal platform. It wasn’t until you got to the end that you realised that it was from a person based in the US who was quoting US federal laws. Not something that is relevant to a UK business who is governed by the FSA.
In this article entitled A reminder about links in large-scale article campaigns, Google states that:
Lately we’ve seen an increase in spammy links contained in articles referred to as contributor posts, guest posts, partner posts, or syndicated posts. These articles are generally written by or in the name of one website, and published on a different one.
Personally, I don’t use guest authors. I find the process too difficult to manage. But, if you can be sure that their articles will be unique, and won’t be featured on any other website, then it can be a great way to build content.
Meta Descriptions and Better Search Engine Snippets for Users
Today I read an interesting article on Meta Description Tags that I wanted to share with you. It was featured on the Google Webmaster Central Blog and is entitled Better Snippets for your Users. Read more
How Search Engines Work and the Librarian Metaphor
SEO is much easier if you understand how search engines work and my favorite metaphor is to think of a search engine as a librarian. Read more
What is AMP and What Effect Does it Have on SEO?
I often get asked about AMP (Accelerated Mobile Pages) and what effect it has on SEO and so here is a short blog post on the subject. Read more
No Meta Description Tag – How does Google handle it?
Meta Description tags “may” (but not always) be used by Google to create the two lines of text (ie: the snippet) used in the search results. But what happens if you don’t have a Meta Description tag? Read more
Save Time and Money with WordPress Themes
A WordPress theme is a ready-made set of pages that allow you to create a high-quality result in a fraction of the time. Using a WordPress theme allows you to create a world-class website without having to pay many thousands of pounds in deign costs. WordPress themes offer a lot of variety in both style and presentation and have all of the production problems already solved. With a theme selected, you are then free to add your own logo, images and content and give your website its own unique look and feel. Read more
SEO Ranking Factors: AWS EC2 Hosting Vs 1and1 Dedicated Server
Site speed is an important SEO ranking factor. The argument is that fast sites provide a better user experience. This leads to higher engagement and repeat visits. Read more
Google will use HTTPS as a SEO ranking factor
Google have today announced that HTTPS will be used as a ranking factor.
Initially Google say that HTTPS will only be a mild ranking factor so Webmasters have a chance to make the necessary adjustments to their websites. Google warn that the weighting could change in the future.