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SEO Best Practices: Do's and Don'ts for Google

Understanding Google’s algorithm and creating an SEO friendly website isn't rocket science, but it does require a thoughtful approach. Here's a user-friendly guide to understanding the dos and don’ts of maximizing Google's understanding of your content.

DO: Let Google see your page like a user would

Ensure Googlebot can access the JavaScript, CSS, and image files used by your website for optimal rendering and indexing. This helps Google algorithms render and index your content correctly, leading to better rankings.

The URL Inspection tool can be incredibly helpful here, allowing you to see how Google renders your content and identify any potential issues.

DO: Use accurate and unique page titles

A <title> element tells users and search engines the topic of a specific page. Make sure to create a unique title text for each page, placing it within the <head> element of your HTML document.

DON’T:

  • Use unrelated text in the <title> element.
  • Use default or vague text like "Untitled" or "New Page 1".
  • Use the same <title> element across multiple pages.

Each page should have a unique title that accurately reflects its content.

DO: Keep title elements brief but descriptive

A good <title> element is short, informative and relevant. Long titles may be truncated in search results or replaced by an automatically generated title link.

DON’T:

  • Use overly long <title> elements.
  • Stuff unnecessary keywords in your <title> element.

DO: Utilize meta description tags

Meta description tags give search engines a summary of your page and can be used as snippets in search results. They should be placed within the <head> element of your HTML document.

DON’T:

  • Write meta descriptions that don't relate to your page's content.
  • Use generic descriptions like "This is a web page."
  • Stuff the description with keywords.
  • Use the same meta description across multiple pages.

Create unique, descriptive meta descriptions for each page.

DO: Use heading tags appropriately

Heading tags are essential for highlighting important topics and creating a hierarchical structure for your content, making it easier for users to navigate. Think of them as the outline of a paper, clearly defining the main points and sub-points of your content.

DON’T:

  • Use headings that aren't helpful in defining your page structure.
  • Swap heading tags for <em> and <strong> tags.
  • Irregularly swap between different heading tag sizes.
  • Overuse heading tags on a page.
  • Use very long headings.
  • Use heading tags just for styling text.

Heading tags should be used sparingly, meaningfully, and in a manner that aids user navigation.

Remember, SEO is not a one-time task, but an ongoing process. By following these do's and don'ts, you'll be well on your way to better website visibility and higher Google rankings.

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