Three Tips for Troubleshooting Technical SEO Issues
Technical issues can often hinder a website’s indexing and ranking on search engines. However, Google provides valuable tips to help identify and resolve these problems effectively. In this article, we will explore three essential tips offered by Google for troubleshooting technical SEO issues. By following these guidelines, website owners can ensure that their pages are properly indexed and optimized for search engines.
1. Is Your URL Indexable?
One common issue that website owners often overlook is whether their URLs can be indexed by search engines. To check this, Google recommends utilizing the URL inspection tool available in Google Search Console. This tool not only indicates whether a page has been indexed but also determines if it is indexable.
The URL inspection tool provides valuable information, including the last crawl date, which indicates the level of interest Google has in the page. It is important to note that if a page rarely changes, Googlebot may decide to crawl it less frequently. This is done to conserve resources on both Google’s end and the website’s server.
If a page is not indexable, the URL inspection tool will offer suggestions as to why Google might be having trouble indexing it. Additionally, this tool allows website owners to request a crawl, ensuring that Googlebot revisits the page for indexing purposes.
2. Check for Duplicate Content and Canonicalization
Another crucial step in troubleshooting technical SEO issues is checking for duplicate content and canonicalization. Google advises website owners to determine whether a page is a duplicate or if another page has been designated as the canonical URL.
In some cases, another page may be selected as the canonical URL, and this is generally acceptable. Google explains that even if the canonical URL differs from the expected one, the content will still be indexed and displayed in search results. This ensures that website owners can still achieve visibility and traffic, despite canonicalization differences.
It is worth noting that using the cache or site:search operators for diagnostic purposes is not recommended. These operators are not intended for debugging and may provide misleading outcomes. Instead, website owners should focus on utilizing proper SEO techniques and tools for troubleshooting technical issues.
3. Review the Rendered HTML for Code Related Issues
The third tip from Google involves reviewing the rendered HTML for code-related issues. It is important to understand that checking the HTML via the source code is not equivalent to reviewing the rendered HTML. The rendered HTML represents the code generated for browsers and Googlebot to display the webpage accurately.
By examining the rendered HTML, website owners can identify any anomalies or errors related to JavaScript or other technical issues. Google advises checking both the rendered HTML and the HTTP response to uncover unexpected issues such as error messages or missing content due to server or application code problems.
To view the rendered HTML, website owners can utilize the URL inspection tool in Google Search Console. This tool provides a step-by-step process for inspecting the URL and accessing the rendered HTML. Alternatively, Chrome DevTools can also be used to view the rendered HTML by opening the Developer Tools menu and selecting the rendering option.
See first source: Search Engine Journal
FAQ
1. How can I determine if my website’s URLs are indexable by search engines?
Google recommends using the URL inspection tool available in Google Search Console. This tool not only checks if a page has been indexed but also assesses its indexability. It provides information about the last crawl date and offers suggestions if Google is having trouble indexing the page. Additionally, you can request a crawl through this tool to ensure Googlebot revisits the page for indexing.
2. What should I do if I find duplicate content or canonicalization issues on my website?
Google advises website owners to determine whether a page is a duplicate or if another page has been designated as the canonical URL. In some cases, canonical URLs may differ from the expected ones, but Google still indexes and displays the content in search results. Website owners should avoid using the cache or site:search operators for debugging and focus on proper SEO techniques and tools for troubleshooting.
3. How can I review the rendered HTML for code-related issues on my website?
To review the rendered HTML, website owners can use the URL inspection tool in Google Search Console. This tool provides a step-by-step process for inspecting the URL and accessing the rendered HTML. Alternatively, Chrome DevTools can also be used to view the rendered HTML by opening the Developer Tools menu and selecting the rendering option. This helps identify anomalies or errors related to JavaScript or other technical issues in the rendered HTML and HTTP response.
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