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SEO Audit Checklist
A comprehensive 318-point checklist covering technical SEO, on-page optimization, and user experience. Check off items as you audit your website.
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HighWhy it matters
Users decide in seconds whether to stay. Unclear purpose = high bounce rate, which correlates with poor rankings.
How to checkLoad page on mobile. Can a stranger understand what you offer without scrolling? Time it.
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HighWhy it matters
Core Web Vital. Google confirms this is a ranking factor. Slow Largest Contentful Paint = lower rankings in competitive niches.
How to checkPageSpeed Insights → check 'Largest Contentful Paint' metric. Field data preferred over lab data.
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HighWhy it matters
Core Web Vital and ranking factor. Layout shifts frustrate users and signal poor page quality.
How to checkPageSpeed Insights → Cumulative Layout Shift score. Also visually test: do elements jump around as page loads?
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HighWhy it matters
Google penalizes pages with popups that block content on mobile. Direct ranking impact.
How to checkLoad on mobile. Does a popup cover >50% of screen before you can read content? If yes, fix it.
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HighWhy it matters
Pages in main nav get more internal link equity and are crawled more frequently.
How to checkCheck nav links. Are your most important commercial pages accessible from every page?
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HighWhy it matters
Homepage has highest PageRank. Links from it pass significant authority to target pages.
How to checkCount links from homepage to your priority pages. Each should have at least one contextual link.
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HighWhy it matters
Fails mobile usability if too small. Google Search Console will flag this. Poor UX = higher bounce rates.
How to checkGoogle Search Console → Mobile Usability report. Or Chrome DevTools → device mode → tap each button.
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MediumWhy it matters
Trust affects conversion. Higher engagement metrics indirectly benefit rankings.
How to checkAbove fold: is there at least one trust element (star rating, 'trusted by X', security badge)?
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MediumWhy it matters
Internal search pages often create duplicate/thin content issues if not handled properly.
How to checkSearch for a term. Check if results URL is noindexed or canonicalized. Verify in Google Search Console.
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MediumWhy it matters
Helps Google understand your entity. Can trigger Knowledge Panel and rich results.
How to checkRich Results Test on homepage URL. Look for Organization/LocalBusiness schema.
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MediumWhy it matters
HTML sitemap aids crawling. Legal pages (privacy, terms) expected by Google for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness.
How to checkScroll to footer. Privacy policy, terms, HTML sitemap link present?
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MediumWhy it matters
Inconsistent nav confuses crawlers and dilutes internal link equity.
How to checkSpot-check 5 random pages. Is the main navigation identical in structure and links?
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MediumWhy it matters
Hero images are often the Largest Contentful Paint element. Unoptimized = slow LCP = ranking penalty.
How to checkPageSpeed Insights → check if hero image flagged. Verify format (WebP/AVIF) in DevTools Network tab.
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HighWhy it matters
Title is a confirmed ranking factor. Truncation in search engine results pages loses click-through impact.
How to checkView page source → find <title> tag. Character count tool. Is keyword in first 30 chars?
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HighWhy it matters
Not a ranking factor, but affects Click-Through Rate which influences rankings indirectly.
How to checkView source or Screaming Frog. Does it sell the click? Unique per page?
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HighWhy it matters
H1 signals primary topic to Google. Multiple H1s dilute topical focus.
How to checkDevTools → document.querySelectorAll('h1') in console. Should return exactly 1.
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HighWhy it matters
Google often pulls featured snippets from early content. Users want fast answers.
How to checkRead first paragraph. Does it provide the core answer or just preamble?
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HighWhy it matters
Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness signal. Google patents reference author authority. Critical for YMYL topics.
How to checkIs author name visible? Does it link to a bio page? Does bio show credentials?
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HighWhy it matters
Freshness is a ranking factor for time-sensitive queries. Builds trust.
How to checkCan you see when the article was published and last updated on the page?
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HighWhy it matters
Distributes PageRank. Helps Google understand content relationships. Reduces bounce.
How to checkCount internal links in body content (not nav/footer). Are they contextually relevant?
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MediumWhy it matters
Citing sources signals quality content. Google Search Quality Guidelines reference this.
How to checkAre factual claims linked to reputable sources (.gov, .edu, major publications)?
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MediumWhy it matters
Proper hierarchy aids accessibility and helps Google understand content structure.
How to checkDevTools → check heading tags in order. H3 should always follow H2, not H1.
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MediumWhy it matters
Alt text helps Google understand images. Accessibility requirement. Can rank in image search.
How to checkInspect images → check alt attribute. Does it describe the image accurately?
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MediumWhy it matters
Can trigger rich results (author photo, date in search engine results pages). Validates content metadata.
How to checkRich Results Test → check for Article schema and all recommended properties.
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MediumWhy it matters
Can generate sitelinks in search results. Improves UX and time on page.
How to checkFor long content: is there a clickable TOC? Do anchor links work?
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MediumWhy it matters
FAQ schema can win additional search engine results page real estate. Answers long-tail queries.
How to checkDoes page have FAQ section? Rich Results Test → verify FAQPage schema valid.
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HighWhy it matters
Google devalues content that adds nothing new. 'What does this page offer that others don't?'
How to checkSearch your target keyword. Read top 3 results. What unique angle/data/insight do you add?
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HighWhy it matters
Thin content is explicitly called out in Google spam policies. Depth correlates with rankings.
How to checkDoes the content thoroughly address user intent? Compare word count/depth to ranking competitors.
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HighWhy it matters
Duplicate titles cause keyword cannibalization and confuse Google about which page to rank.
How to checkScreaming Frog → Page Titles report → filter duplicates. Or Google Search Console → check for 'Duplicate' issues.
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HighWhy it matters
Duplicate descriptions reduce Click-Through Rate variety. Google may ignore and auto-generate.
How to checkScreaming Frog → Meta Description report → filter duplicates.
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HighWhy it matters
Prevents duplicate content issues. Tells Google your preferred URL version.
How to checkScreaming Frog → Canonicals report. Check for missing or mismatched canonicals.
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HighWhy it matters
Broken links waste crawl budget and leak PageRank. Poor user experience.
How to checkScreaming Frog → Response Codes → filter 4xx. Google Search Console → Coverage → check 'Not found (404)'.
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HighWhy it matters
Click depth affects crawl priority. Deeper pages get crawled less frequently.
How to checkScreaming Frog → Crawl Depth report. Or manually count clicks from homepage.
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HighWhy it matters
Accessibility requirement. Helps Google understand and index images.
How to checkScreaming Frog → Images → filter 'Missing Alt Text'. Fix any above 0.
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MediumWhy it matters
Mixed case URLs can cause duplicate content. Underscores not treated as word separators.
How to checkScreaming Frog → URL report. Filter for uppercase characters or underscores.
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MediumWhy it matters
Orphan pages may not be crawled or indexed. Waste of content investment.
How to checkCompare sitemap URLs to crawled URLs in Screaming Frog. Gaps = orphan pages.
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HighWhy it matters
Without hreflang, Google may show wrong language version. Critical for international SEO.
How to checkScreaming Frog → Hreflang report. Check for errors, missing return tags.
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LowWhy it matters
Controls social sharing appearance. Better social engagement can drive links.
How to checkFacebook Sharing Debugger or LinkedIn Post Inspector. Check title, description, image render.
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HighWhy it matters
Google spam policy violation. Can result in manual penalty.
How to checkDevTools → search for 'display: none' or 'visibility: hidden' on text content. Check white-on-white text.
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MediumWhy it matters
Helps screen readers and Google understand page language.
How to checkView source → check <html lang='en'> or appropriate language code.
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HighWhy it matters
Domain property shows complete data. URL-prefix properties miss cross-subdomain issues.
How to checkGoogle Search Console → Settings → Ownership verification. Is it 'Domain' type or URL-prefix?
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HighWhy it matters
Ensures Google knows about all your pages. Errors = missed indexing opportunities.
How to checkGoogle Search Console → Sitemaps. Status should show 'Success'. Check 'Discovered URLs' count.
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HighWhy it matters
Errors prevent indexing. Each error = lost ranking opportunity.
How to checkGoogle Search Console → Indexing → Pages. Filter by 'Error'. Investigate and fix each.
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HighWhy it matters
Warnings often signal issues that may become errors. Proactive fixing prevents problems.
How to checkGoogle Search Console → Pages → 'Valid with warnings'. Common: indexed without content, robots.txt issues.
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HighWhy it matters
Google may exclude pages you want indexed. Regular audit catches problems early.
How to checkGoogle Search Console → Pages → 'Not indexed'. Check each exclusion reason. Are any important pages listed?
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HighWhy it matters
Poor CWV URLs may rank lower. Prioritize fixing pages with traffic.
How to checkGoogle Search Console → Experience → Core Web Vitals. Click 'Poor' to see affected URLs. Fix highest-traffic first.
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HighWhy it matters
Mobile usability errors affect mobile rankings (majority of searches).
How to checkGoogle Search Console → Experience → Mobile Usability. Should show '0 pages with issues'.
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HighWhy it matters
Manual actions tank rankings. Must be resolved immediately.
How to checkGoogle Search Console → Security & Manual Actions → Manual actions. Should say 'No issues detected'.
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HighWhy it matters
Security issues can get your site delisted or show warnings in search results.
How to checkGoogle Search Console → Security & Manual Actions → Security issues. Must be clean.
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MediumWhy it matters
Invalid structured data won't generate rich results. Wasted opportunity.
How to checkGoogle Search Console → Enhancements → check each schema type. Fix any 'Invalid' items.
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HighWhy it matters
Early detection of drops allows faster diagnosis and recovery.
How to checkGoogle Search Console → Performance. Compare last 7 days vs previous period. Investigate >10% drops.
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MediumWhy it matters
Request indexing to speed up re-crawling of updated content.
How to checkGoogle Search Console → URL Inspection → enter URL → 'Request Indexing' (if eligible).
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MediumWhy it matters
Find queries driving impressions but low clicks = content/title optimization opportunities.
How to checkGoogle Search Console → Performance → Queries. Sort by impressions. Low Click-Through Rate queries = optimization targets.
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HighWhy it matters
GBP is the single biggest local ranking factor. No GBP = invisible in local pack.
How to checkSearch your business name. Does your GBP panel appear? Is it claimed (not 'Own this business?')
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HighWhy it matters
Inconsistent Name, Address, Phone number confuses Google and dilutes citation trust signals.
How to checkCompare GBP to website footer/contact page. Character-for-character match including formatting.
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HighWhy it matters
Primary category heavily influences which searches you appear for.
How to checkGBP Manager → Info → Category. Is there a more specific category than what you have?
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HighWhy it matters
Secondary categories expand which searches you can rank for.
How to checkGBP → add categories for all services you legitimately offer. Don't spam irrelevant ones.
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HighWhy it matters
Wrong hours frustrate customers. Google may demote businesses with complaints about hours.
How to checkGBP → Info → Hours. Set regular hours + special hours for upcoming holidays.
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HighWhy it matters
Response rate and speed are ranking factors. Shows engagement to Google.
How to checkGBP → Reviews. Any unanswered reviews? Set up notification alerts.
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HighWhy it matters
Review count, rating, and recency are ranking factors. Fresh reviews beat old ones.
How to checkWhen was last review? Implement a review request process for happy customers.
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HighWhy it matters
Reinforces local entity signals. Schema Name, Address, Phone number should match GBP exactly.
How to checkRich Results Test on contact page. LocalBusiness schema present with correct address?
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HighWhy it matters
Multi-location businesses need unique, substantial pages per location for rankings.
How to checkDoes each location have its own URL with unique content (not just address swap)?
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MediumWhy it matters
Citations still matter. Inconsistent citations hurt rankings.
How to checkSearch business name + city. Check Yelp, BBB, industry directories. Is Name, Address, Phone number consistent?
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MediumWhy it matters
Photo quantity and recency are ranking factors. Photos also drive engagement.
How to checkGBP → Photos. When was last upload? Are all categories covered?
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MediumWhy it matters
Posts show activity. Can appear in brand searches. Engagement signal.
How to checkGBP → Posts. When was last post? Create an offer, update, or event weekly.
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MediumWhy it matters
Anyone can answer questions. You should answer first with accurate info.
How to checkSearch your business on Google → Q&A section. Any unanswered questions?
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MediumWhy it matters
Controls which geographic searches you appear for.
How to checkGBP → Info → Service area. Defined by cities/zip codes you actually serve?
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HighWhy it matters
Required for free listings and Shopping ads. No verification = no product visibility.
How to checkMerchant Center → Settings → Business information → Website. Verified status?
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HighWhy it matters
Errors prevent products from appearing in Shopping results.
How to checkMerchant Center → Products → Diagnostics. Check for item disapprovals and feed errors.
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HighWhy it matters
Each disapproved product = lost sales opportunity.
How to checkMerchant Center → Products → Diagnostics → Item issues. Filter by 'Disapproved'.
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HighWhy it matters
Account issues can lead to suspension. Fix immediately.
How to checkMerchant Center → Home. Any red warning banners? Products → Diagnostics → Account issues.
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HighWhy it matters
Title is primary matching factor. Poorly optimized titles = lower visibility.
How to checkReview top 20 products. Does title include brand, product name, size/color/key specs?
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HighWhy it matters
GTIN allows Google to match your product to its database. Missing GTIN = disadvantage.
How to checkMerchant Center → Diagnostics → filter 'Missing GTIN'. Add GTINs where manufacturer provides them.
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HighWhy it matters
Price mismatch = automatic disapproval. Crawl lag can cause this.
How to checkCompare 10 random products: Merchant Center price vs website price. Exact match?
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HighWhy it matters
Showing 'in stock' when out of stock = disapproval and bad UX.
How to checkFeed update frequency sufficient? Manual check: 5 products stock status in feed vs website.
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HighWhy it matters
Image quality affects click-through rate. Watermarks can cause disapproval.
How to checkMerchant Center → Products → select items. Review images. Meet Shopping image requirements?
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MediumWhy it matters
Descriptions help Google match products to searches. Weak descriptions = less visibility.
How to checkReview 10 product descriptions. Do they include features, specs, use cases, keywords?
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HighWhy it matters
Free exposure in Shopping tab. No reason not to enable.
How to checkMerchant Center → Growth → Manage programs. 'Free listings' enabled?
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HighWhy it matters
Wrong shipping info frustrates customers and can cause disapprovals.
How to checkMerchant Center → Shipping and returns. Do settings match actual shipping costs/times?
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MediumWhy it matters
Required for certain programs. Transparency builds trust.
How to checkMerchant Center → Shipping and returns → Return policies. Matches website return policy?
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HighWhy it matters
Stale feed data causes price/availability mismatches = disapprovals.
How to checkMerchant Center → Products → Feeds → Feed settings. Scheduled fetches set? Daily or more?
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HighWhy it matters
Content not in initial HTML depends on JS rendering which Google may miss or delay indexing.
How to checkView Source (Ctrl+U) → search for key content/headings. Is it there, or only after JS runs?
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HighWhy it matters
Difference shows what requires JS to render. Large gaps = indexing risk.
How to checkView Source = raw HTML. Inspect = rendered DOM. Compare main content, links, headings.
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HighWhy it matters
Shows exactly what Google sees after rendering your JavaScript.
How to checkGoogle Search Console → URL Inspection → enter URL → View Tested Page → Screenshot tab. Content visible?
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HighWhy it matters
Google can't follow JS-only links. onclick navigation = missed internal links.
How to checkInspect internal links. Are they <a href='/page'> or <div onclick='navigate()'>?
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HighWhy it matters
Client-side meta injection may be missed by Googlebot.
How to checkView Source → are <title>, meta description, canonical in raw HTML <head>?
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HighWhy it matters
Blocked resources = Google can't render your page properly.
How to checkGoogle Search Console → URL Inspection → 'Page resources' section. Any blocked?
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HighWhy it matters
SSR ensures content is in initial HTML. Most reliable for SEO.
How to checkView Source on critical pages. Is full content there? If using Next/Nuxt, check pre-rendering config.
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HighWhy it matters
Lazy-loading hero content can hurt Core Web Vitals.
How to checkDisable JS → reload page. Is above-fold content visible? Or does it depend on scroll trigger?
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MediumWhy it matters
Hash-based routing (#) can cause indexing issues. Proper URLs required.
How to checkNavigate through SPA. Do URLs change properly (/page) not (/#/page)?
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MediumWhy it matters
Pure infinite scroll = Google can't access content beyond first load.
How to checkHow does pagination work? Are there /page/2/, /page/3/ URLs, or only infinite scroll?
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MediumWhy it matters
API-fetched schema may be missed during rendering.
How to checkView Source → search for 'application/ld+json'. Is schema in raw HTML?
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MediumWhy it matters
Graceful degradation ensures crawlers get essential content.
How to checkChrome DevTools → Settings → Disable JavaScript → reload. Can you navigate? Is content there?
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HighWhy it matters
Blocked pages can't be indexed. Blocked CSS/JS prevents rendering.
How to checkGoogle Search Console → Settings → robots.txt. Test important URLs. Screaming Frog → filter 'Blocked by Robots.txt'.
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HighWhy it matters
Sitemap errors waste crawl budget and signal poor site quality.
How to checkScreaming Frog → crawl sitemap → check status codes, canonical mismatches, noindex directives.
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HighWhy it matters
Ensures Google knows about all your URLs.
How to checkGoogle Search Console → Sitemaps. Status column should show 'Success' not 'Has errors'.
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HighWhy it matters
Long chains waste crawl budget and lose PageRank.
How to checkScreaming Frog → Response Codes → Redirect Chains. Filter chains >2.
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HighWhy it matters
Soft 404 = 200 status but error content. Google may still index them as thin content.
How to checkGoogle Search Console → Pages → 'Soft 404'. Also: Screaming Frog → filter low word count pages returning 200.
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HighWhy it matters
URL parameters create duplicate content at scale if unmanaged.
How to checkDoes your site have ?sort=, ?filter=, ?ref= URLs? Check they canonical to clean URL.
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HighWhy it matters
Faceted nav can create millions of URL combinations = infinite crawl path.
How to checkCrawl category pages. Do filter combinations create unique, indexable URLs? Should they?
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MediumWhy it matters
Large sites: Google has limited crawl budget. Don't waste on thin/duplicate pages.
How to checkGoogle Search Console → Settings → Crawl Stats. What's being crawled? Too many 404s, parameters, or duplicates?
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MediumWhy it matters
Pages with more internal links get crawled more frequently.
How to checkScreaming Frog → Inlinks report. Do priority pages have most internal links?
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MediumWhy it matters
Slow server response reduces crawl rate and hurts user experience.
How to checkWebPageTest or Chrome DevTools → Network → first response Time to First Byte.
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LowWhy it matters
Logs reveal what Google actually crawls (not what you think it crawls).
How to checkParse access logs. Filter Googlebot. What URLs are crawled most? Any surprises?
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HighWhy it matters
Session IDs create infinite duplicate URLs.
How to checkBrowse site. Do URLs contain ?PHPSESSID= or similar? Should be in cookies, not URLs.
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HighWhy it matters
JSON-LD is easier to maintain and Google's preferred format.
How to checkView Source → search 'application/ld+json'. If using Microdata, consider migrating to JSON-LD.
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HighWhy it matters
Invalid schema won't generate rich results.
How to checkRich Results Test → test all template types (homepage, article, product, etc.).
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HighWhy it matters
Helps Knowledge Panel accuracy and brand understanding.
How to checkRich Results Test on homepage. Organization schema with name, logo, sameAs (social profiles)?
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HighWhy it matters
Can trigger article rich results with author, date.
How to checkRich Results Test on article. Author, datePublished, dateModified, headline, image present?
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HighWhy it matters
Required for product rich results (price, availability, reviews in search engine results pages).
How to checkRich Results Test on product pages. Price, availability, review/rating showing?
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MediumWhy it matters
Triggers breadcrumb display in search engine results pages. Schema must match visible UI.
How to checkRich Results Test → BreadcrumbList. Does it match the breadcrumbs users see?
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MediumWhy it matters
Can win extra search engine results page real estate. Must match visible Q&A on page.
How to checkIs FAQ schema on page? Is there actually visible FAQ content matching it exactly?
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HighWhy it matters
Critical for local pack and Maps visibility.
How to checkRich Results Test on contact/location pages. LocalBusiness with address, phone, hours?
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HighWhy it matters
Self-serving review markup is penalized. Must be actual customer reviews.
How to checkIs AggregateRating based on real reviews collected on your site? Not self-published claims?
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MediumWhy it matters
Enables video rich results and video indexing.
How to checkRich Results Test on video pages. VideoObject with thumbnailUrl, duration, uploadDate?
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HighWhy it matters
Schema for non-visible content is spam. Can cause manual penalty.
How to checkCompare schema properties to visible page content. Everything in schema visible to users?
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HighWhy it matters
Errors prevent rich results. Warnings may indicate issues.
How to checkGoogle Search Console → Enhancements → each schema type. All items 'Valid'?
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MediumWhy it matters
Properly nested schema provides complete context to Google.
How to checkReview schema in code. Is Review nested within Product? Is Organization referenced?
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HighWhy it matters
Standard location makes it easy for search engines to find.
How to checkGo to yoursite.com/sitemap.xml. Does it load? Is it valid XML?
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HighWhy it matters
Ensures all crawlers find your sitemap.
How to checkCheck robots.txt for 'Sitemap: https://yoursite.com/sitemap.xml' line.
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HighWhy it matters
Confirms Google knows about it and shows any errors.
How to checkGoogle Search Console → Sitemaps. Your sitemap listed with 'Success' status?
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HighWhy it matters
Sitemap should be curated list of pages you want indexed.
How to checkCrawl sitemap URLs with Screaming Frog. Filter for non-200, noindex, non-canonical.
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HighWhy it matters
Contradictory signals: sitemap says index, robots says don't crawl.
How to checkScreaming Frog → crawl sitemap → filter 'Blocked by Robots.txt'.
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MediumWhy it matters
Google's hard limits. Exceeding = parsing errors.
How to checkCheck file size and URL count. If over, split into multiple sitemaps with index.
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MediumWhy it matters
Organizes large sites. Allows logical segmentation (products, posts, pages).
How to checkIf >50k URLs or multiple content types, using sitemap index file?
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MediumWhy it matters
Inaccurate lastmod dates erode trust in your sitemap signals.
How to checkCheck 5 random URLs. Does lastmod match actual last modification? Don't auto-update daily.
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HighWhy it matters
Redirects in sitemap waste crawl budget and signal poor maintenance.
How to checkScreaming Frog → crawl sitemap → filter 3xx status codes. Update sitemap with final URLs.
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MediumWhy it matters
Manual sitemap updates get forgotten. Automation ensures freshness.
How to checkHow is sitemap generated? CMS plugin? Build process? Does new content auto-appear?
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LowWhy it matters
Helps Google discover and index important images.
How to checkDo you have separate image sitemap or <image:image> extensions in main sitemap?
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MediumWhy it matters
Google News requires specific sitemap format.
How to checkIf news site: do you have /news-sitemap.xml with articles from last 48 hours?
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HighWhy it matters
Core Web Vital and ranking factor. >4s is 'Poor' and likely impacts rankings.
How to checkPageSpeed Insights → mobile. Check Largest Contentful Paint metric. Google Search Console → Core Web Vitals → mobile URLs.
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HighWhy it matters
Replaced First Input Delay as Core Web Vital in 2024. Measures all page interactivity.
How to checkPageSpeed Insights → Interaction to Next Paint metric. Chrome DevTools → Performance panel during interactions.
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HighWhy it matters
Layout instability frustrates users. Core Web Vital ranking factor.
How to checkPageSpeed Insights → Cumulative Layout Shift. Visually test: do elements jump as page loads?
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HighWhy it matters
HTTPS is a ranking signal. Mixed content warnings hurt trust.
How to checkCheck padlock icon. Run SSL test at ssllabs.com. Any mixed content warnings in console?
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HighWhy it matters
Google explicitly penalizes popups that block content on mobile.
How to checkLoad on mobile. Any popup covering >50% screen before content accessible?
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HighWhy it matters
Largest Contentful Paint is usually hero image or heading. Optimizing it directly improves LCP score.
How to checkPageSpeed Insights → identifies Largest Contentful Paint element. Is it preloaded? Properly sized? WebP/AVIF?
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HighWhy it matters
Missing dimensions cause layout shift when images load.
How to checkInspect images. Do <img> tags have width and height attributes or CSS aspect-ratio?
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MediumWhy it matters
Prevents invisible text during font load (FOIT). Improves perceived performance.
How to checkDevTools → Network → filter Fonts. Check CSS: @font-face has font-display: swap?
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HighWhy it matters
Third-party scripts are leading cause of poor Interaction to Next Paint and TBT.
How to checkDevTools → Network → filter third-party. Lighthouse → 'Reduce impact of third-party code'.
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MediumWhy it matters
Reduces transfer size significantly. Easy win for performance.
How to checkDevTools → Network → check Content-Encoding header on text resources. Should show gzip or br.
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MediumWhy it matters
Returning visitors load faster. Improves repeat visit experience.
How to checkDevTools → Network → check Cache-Control header on static assets. Should have max-age.
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MediumWhy it matters
Gets important resources loading earlier in the waterfall.
How to checkView source → look for <link rel='preload'> for critical assets. PageSpeed may suggest additions.
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MediumWhy it matters
Slow Time to First Byte delays everything. CDN and caching help.
How to checkWebPageTest or DevTools → first request timing. Time to First Byte column shows server response time.
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MediumWhy it matters
Lab tests don't match real-world. Test actual user conditions.
How to checkUse real mid-tier phone on 4G. Chrome Remote Debugging for real device DevTools.
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HighWhy it matters
4xx/5xx robots.txt = Google assumes full allow. Missing = unpredictable behavior.
How to checkVisit yoursite.com/robots.txt. Does it load? What status code?
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HighWhy it matters
Disallow blocks crawling. Blocked pages won't be indexed (unless linked to externally).
How to checkGoogle Search Console → robots.txt tester. Test important URLs. Should show 'Allowed'.
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HighWhy it matters
Blocking these prevents Googlebot from rendering pages properly.
How to checkGoogle Search Console → URL Inspection → 'Page resources' on key pages. Any blocked resources?
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HighWhy it matters
Helps all search engines find sitemap automatically.
How to checkView robots.txt. Contains 'Sitemap: https://yoursite.com/sitemap.xml'?
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HighWhy it matters
Syntax errors may cause unexpected blocking.
How to checkGoogle Search Console → robots.txt tester. Any syntax warnings? Also: Google 'robots.txt tester'.
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HighWhy it matters
Staging sites indexed = duplicate content nightmare.
How to checkrobots.txt on staging: 'Disallow: /'? Better: password protect or IP restrict staging.
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MediumWhy it matters
No SEO value. Wastes crawl budget.
How to checkAre /admin/, /wp-admin/, /cart/, /checkout/ disallowed? Review if indexing these makes sense.
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MediumWhy it matters
Search results pages create near-infinite thin content URLs.
How to checkIs search URL pattern (e.g., /search?q=) disallowed? Test in robots.txt tester.
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MediumWhy it matters
Robots.txt is publicly visible. Don't hint at hidden admin paths.
How to checkReview robots.txt. Any disallowed URLs that reveal sensitive paths?
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HighWhy it matters
Disallow prevents crawling but page can still be indexed (from external links).
How to checkPages to hide from search: use noindex meta tag in addition to/instead of Disallow.
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LowWhy it matters
Google doesn't respect crawl-delay. Use Google Search Console to reduce crawl rate if needed.
How to checkCheck robots.txt for Crawl-delay. Only useful for Bing. Remove if causing confusion.
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HighWhy it matters
Tells Google 'this is the preferred URL'. Prevents duplicate issues from parameters, etc.
How to checkScreaming Frog → Canonicals → filter 'Missing'. Should be 0 for indexable pages.
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HighWhy it matters
Inconsistent canonical domains split signals and cause duplicates.
How to checkCrawl site. All canonicals use same domain format? Match your preferred version?
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HighWhy it matters
HTTP canonical = preference for insecure version. Always use https://.
How to checkScreaming Frog → Canonicals. Any starting with http:// instead of https://?
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HighWhy it matters
Canonical must return 200. Can't canonical to redirect, 404, or noindex page.
How to checkScreaming Frog → Canonicals → check status codes of canonical targets.
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HighWhy it matters
Each page in series is unique content. Canonicalizing all to page 1 hides pages 2+.
How to checkCheck /page/2/, /page/3/ canonicals. Should self-reference, not point to page 1.
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HighWhy it matters
?utm=, ?ref=, ?sort= versions should canonical to parameter-free URL.
How to checkAdd ?test=123 to a URL. Load it. Does canonical point to clean URL?
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HighWhy it matters
Multiple canonicals = conflicting signals. Google may ignore all.
How to checkView source → search 'canonical'. Should find exactly one.
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HighWhy it matters
Canonical says 'prefer this URL', sitemap says 'index this URL'. Should agree.
How to checkCompare sitemap URLs to canonical tags on those pages. Mismatches?
-
LowWhy it matters
Non-HTML files can't have <link> tag. Use Link: header instead.
How to checkFor PDFs: check response headers for 'Link: <url>; rel=\"canonical\"'.
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MediumWhy it matters
If you republish others' content, canonical should point to original.
How to checkSyndicated content: canonical pointing to original publisher URL?
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HighWhy it matters
English page should not canonical to German page. Each version self-canonicals.
How to checkInternational pages: does each language version canonical to itself?
-
MediumWhy it matters
Google found duplicates and you didn't specify canonical = Google chose for you.
How to checkGoogle Search Console → Pages → 'Duplicate without user-selected canonical'. Review and add canonicals.
-
HighWhy it matters
Missing redirects = lost rankings, traffic, and backlink equity.
How to checkExport all URLs from old site crawl. Map each to corresponding new URL. No gaps.
-
HighWhy it matters
302s don't pass full equity. 301s signal permanent move.
How to checkTest sample URLs with redirect checker. All returning 301 (not 302)?
-
HighWhy it matters
Chains A→B→C waste crawl budget and lose equity at each hop.
How to checkScreaming Frog → crawl old URLs → check for redirect chains. Max 1 redirect.
-
HighWhy it matters
Internal redirect links waste crawl budget and slow users.
How to checkCrawl new site. Any internal links pointing to old URLs or causing redirects?
-
HighWhy it matters
Old URLs in sitemap confuse Google about what's current.
How to checkSubmit new sitemap. Should contain only new, indexable URLs. Remove old sitemap.
-
HighWhy it matters
Old canonical URLs = telling Google to prefer the old (redirected) page.
How to checkCrawl new site → verify all canonicals point to new URL structure.
-
HighWhy it matters
New domain needs its own Google Search Console property to monitor performance.
How to checkGoogle Search Console → Add property → new domain. Verify ownership.
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HighWhy it matters
Tells Google explicitly about the domain change. Speeds up migration.
How to checkOld Google Search Console property → Settings → Change of Address. Select new property.
-
MediumWhy it matters
Schema with old URLs = errors in Rich Results reports.
How to checkRich Results Test on new pages. All URLs in schema using new domain?
-
HighWhy it matters
Old hreflang = broken international targeting.
How to checkCheck hreflang tags on new pages. All pointing to new URLs?
-
MediumWhy it matters
Direct links to new URLs pass more equity than redirected links.
How to checkExport top backlinks. Contact referring sites for important ones. Request URL update.
-
HighWhy it matters
Migration issues surface as crawl errors. Catch them early.
How to checkGoogle Search Console → Pages → Errors. Check daily. Set up email alerts for spikes.
-
HighWhy it matters
Traffic drop signals migration issues. Quick detection = faster fix.
How to checkGoogle Search Console → Performance. Compare week-over-week. Investigate any >10% drops immediately.
-
HighWhy it matters
Backlinks and bookmarks point to old domain. Redirects must stay live.
How to checkDon't let old domain expire. Don't remove redirects. Monitor for at least a year.
-
HighWhy it matters
GBP links to old URL = broken user experience.
How to checkGBP → Info → Website. Updated to new URL?
-
HighWhy it matters
Duplicate/generic titles cannibalize. Specific titles match specific searches.
How to checkSample 20 products. Are titles unique? Include brand, model, size/color if relevant?
-
HighWhy it matters
Manufacturer descriptions = duplicate content across all retailers selling same product.
How to checkCheck 10 product descriptions. Are they unique? Search a sentence to check duplication.
-
HighWhy it matters
Required for product rich results. Price/availability in search engine results pages increases Click-Through Rate.
How to checkRich Results Test on product pages. Product schema valid with all recommended properties?
-
HighWhy it matters
Category pages often rank for head terms. Thin category pages won't compete.
How to checkVisit category pages. Is there intro content beyond just product grid? Unique per category?
-
HighWhy it matters
Filters create thousands of URL combinations. Index explosion if unmanaged.
How to checkApply filters. Are filtered URLs noindex? Canonical to main category? Or properly indexed?
-
HighWhy it matters
Deleting pages loses rankings. Keep page if product may return; show alternatives.
How to checkFind out-of-stock products. What happens to the URL? 404, redirect, or maintained?
-
HighWhy it matters
UGC adds unique content. Review signals help rankings and conversions.
How to checkProduct pages have review section? Active review generation process in place?
-
MediumWhy it matters
Helps users and Google understand hierarchy. Rich results opportunity.
How to checkCategory → subcategory → product. Breadcrumbs visible? Schema validates?
-
MediumWhy it matters
Cross-links between related products distribute equity and help discovery.
How to checkProduct pages show 'related products', 'customers also bought'? Are they real links?
-
HighWhy it matters
Search results = thin, duplicate content. Should never be indexed.
How to checkPerform site search. Check search results page for noindex tag.
-
MediumWhy it matters
Page 2, 3, etc. contain unique products. Should be crawlable (not just infinite scroll).
How to checkNavigate to page 2 of category. Unique URL? Links to other pages? In sitemap?
-
MediumWhy it matters
URLs have ranking equity. Don't 404 seasonal products; redirect or keep as reference.
How to checkDocument strategy: seasonal products kept year-round or redirected? Not 404ed.
-
MediumWhy it matters
Each variant unique URL = duplication. Usually: canonical to main product or single URL.
How to checkCheck product with variants. Do colors create new URLs? How are canonicals set?
-
MediumWhy it matters
Conversion rate affects business viability. Poor checkout = high abandonment.
How to checkComplete test purchase. Any friction points? Mobile checkout easy?
-
HighWhy it matters
Google indexes mobile version. Hidden content on mobile = not indexed.
How to checkCompare mobile vs desktop content. Anything missing on mobile? Accordions hiding content?
-
HighWhy it matters
Google's official tool. Fail = likely mobile ranking issues.
How to checksearch.google.com/test/mobile-friendly → enter URL. Should pass.
-
HighWhy it matters
Small/close targets cause frustration and Google Search Console mobile usability errors.
How to checkGoogle Search Console → Mobile Usability. Any 'Clickable elements too close' errors?
-
HighWhy it matters
Small text = Google Search Console mobile usability error. User annoyance.
How to checkGoogle Search Console → Mobile Usability. 'Text too small' errors? Visually verify on phone.
-
HighWhy it matters
Content wider than viewport = mobile usability failure.
How to checkLoad on phone. Any need to scroll horizontally to see content?
-
HighWhy it matters
Required for responsive design. Missing = desktop layout on mobile.
How to checkView source → <meta name='viewport' content='width=device-width, initial-scale=1'>
-
HighWhy it matters
Popups blocking content on mobile = ranking penalty.
How to checkLoad pages on mobile. Popups covering content before you can read?
-
HighWhy it matters
Most mobile users on slower networks. Test real conditions.
How to checkPageSpeed Insights mobile. Chrome DevTools → throttle to 'Fast 3G' → test load.
-
HighWhy it matters
Mobile CWV is what Google uses for rankings (mobile-first).
How to checkPageSpeed Insights → mobile tab. Google Search Console → Core Web Vitals → Mobile.
-
MediumWhy it matters
Mobile users expect tap-to-call. UX signal and conversion factor.
How to checkPhone numbers have tel: link? Tap on phone → does it initiate call?
-
MediumWhy it matters
Long forms with tiny fields = abandonment.
How to checkFill out your forms on mobile. Easy? Appropriate keyboard (email, phone, etc.)?
-
MediumWhy it matters
Fixed-width images break mobile layouts.
How to checkCheck images on phone. Do they scale properly? Any cut off or causing horizontal scroll?
-
MediumWhy it matters
Some video embeds don't work on mobile. Flash is dead.
How to checkPlay embedded videos on phone. Do they work? Properly sized?
-
LowWhy it matters
Swipe gestures that interfere with scroll frustrate users.
How to checkNavigate site on phone. Any unexpected swipe behaviors interfering with scroll?
-
HighWhy it matters
Required for video rich results (thumbnail in search engine results pages).
How to checkRich Results Test on video pages. VideoObject schema valid?
-
HighWhy it matters
These properties needed for rich results eligibility.
How to checkCheck schema for all required properties. Missing any?
-
HighWhy it matters
Video rich results only for pages where video is primary purpose.
How to checkIs video the reason users visit this page? Or just supporting content?
-
HighWhy it matters
Thumbnail is what appears in search engine results pages. Click-Through Rate depends on it.
How to checkCheck thumbnail quality and dimensions. Compelling? Min 1280x720px.
-
HighWhy it matters
Video title/description help Google understand and match queries.
How to checkReview video titles/descriptions. Clear? Include target keywords naturally?
-
MediumWhy it matters
Google can't watch video. Text content helps indexing. Accessibility requirement.
How to checkDoes video have CC/transcript? On-page transcript visible?
-
MediumWhy it matters
Helps Google discover all videos and their metadata.
How to checkDo you have video-sitemap.xml? Submitted to Google Search Console?
-
MediumWhy it matters
Auto-playing video above fold can destroy Largest Contentful Paint score.
How to checkPageSpeed Insights → is video file flagged? Is video the Largest Contentful Paint element?
-
MediumWhy it matters
Without poster, empty space or loading spinner shows. Poor UX.
How to checkReload page. Does thumbnail show while video loads? Check <video poster=> attribute.
-
MediumWhy it matters
YouTube SEO is its own discipline. Titles, descriptions, tags, timestamps all matter.
How to checkFor YouTube-hosted: optimized title, description, tags, chapters, cards, end screens?
-
MediumWhy it matters
Some embed configs block indexing of the video.
How to checkCheck iframe src and page meta tags. Nothing preventing video indexing?
-
MediumWhy it matters
Google values videos that offer something beyond text content.
How to checkDoes video add value? Not just someone reading the article aloud?
-
LowWhy it matters
Enables key moments in search results. Improves UX.
How to checkLong videos have timestamps in description or chapters? Shows in YouTube progress bar?
-
HighWhy it matters
ccTLD (.de, .fr) strongest geo signal but separate domains. Subdirectory consolidates authority.
How to checkWhat structure are you using? Document rationale. Subdirectory often easiest to manage.
-
HighWhy it matters
Tells Google which page serves which language/region. Required for international SEO.
How to checkCheck hreflang in source or headers. Present on all international pages?
-
HighWhy it matters
Wrong codes = ineffective hreflang. Use ISO 639-1 language + ISO 3166-1 region.
How to checkVerify codes: en-US, en-GB, de-DE, fr-FR, etc. Not 'english' or 'uk'.
-
HighWhy it matters
x-default tells Google fallback when no specific match. Usually your main/English version.
How to checkCheck for hreflang='x-default' pointing to your default/fallback URL.
-
HighWhy it matters
Page A must link to B AND B must link to A. Non-reciprocal = invalid.
How to checkCheck: if EN page hreflang references DE page, does DE page reference EN page?
-
HighWhy it matters
Every page should include itself in hreflang set.
How to checkCheck hreflang on any page. Is current URL included in its own hreflang set?
-
HighWhy it matters
Google detects low-quality translation. Users hate it. Proper localization required.
How to checkHave native speakers review translations. Any obvious errors or awkwardness?
-
MediumWhy it matters
Wrong currency = instant bounce. Users expect local pricing.
How to checkCheck prices on localized versions. Correct currency? Localized pricing (not just converted)?
-
HighWhy it matters
Auto-redirect prevents Googlebot from accessing versions, breaks hreflang.
How to checkUse VPN to access from different country. Are you force-redirected? Or given a choice?
-
MediumWhy it matters
Users should easily switch versions. Don't force based on IP/browser language.
How to checkIs there visible selector? Easy to find? Actually works?
-
HighWhy it matters
Each language version should self-canonical. Don't canonical all to English version.
How to checkCheck German page canonical. Points to German page (itself)? Not English version?
-
MediumWhy it matters
Each ccTLD needs its own Google Search Console property for proper monitoring.
How to checkIf using .de, .fr, etc.: each has own Google Search Console property? Monitoring each?
-
MediumWhy it matters
Links from local sites signal relevance to that market.
How to checkAre you building links from sites in target countries? Local directories, press, partners?
-
HighWhy it matters
Different markets search differently. Literal translation misses local phrasing.
How to checkHave you done keyword research in each target language? Not just translated English keywords?
-
HighWhy it matters
Discover is visual. Small/low-quality images rarely featured.
How to checkCheck hero images on content pages. Minimum 1200px wide? High quality?
-
HighWhy it matters
Required to allow Google to show large image preview in Discover.
How to checkView source → <meta name='robots' content='max-image-preview:large'>
-
HighWhy it matters
Discover penalizes misleading headlines that don't deliver.
How to checkDo headlines accurately represent content? Would user feel satisfied, not tricked?
-
HighWhy it matters
Discover surfaces content people are interested in, not just searching for.
How to checkIs your content about things people actively want to read? Trending topics? Genuine interests?
-
HighWhy it matters
Discover favors trustworthy sources. Author credentials, site reputation matter.
How to checkIs author expertise clear? Is site established authority in topic?
-
HighWhy it matters
Ad-heavy pages unlikely to be featured. User experience matters.
How to checkScroll through content on mobile. Ads overwhelming? Content > ads ratio good?
-
HighWhy it matters
Rehashed content doesn't surface. What's new, unique, or valuable here?
How to checkWould someone who read other articles gain something new from yours?
-
MediumWhy it matters
Sites known for topics get featured on those topics. Topical authority.
How to checkDo you consistently cover specific topics? Or random one-off articles?
-
MediumWhy it matters
Headline should generate interest genuinely, not through manipulation.
How to checkWould headline work in a newspaper? Intriguing but honest?
-
MediumWhy it matters
Discover favors visually interesting content.
How to checkDoes content include compelling visuals? Not just stock photos?
-
HighWhy it matters
Discover traffic tracked separately. Understand what works.
How to checkGoogle Search Console → Performance → Search appearance: Discover. What content performs?
-
LowWhy it matters
Web Stories have dedicated Discover placement. High-visual content suits this.
How to checkDo you create Web Stories? Potential additional Discover visibility.
-
HighWhy it matters
Google values content from people who have actually done/used/experienced the thing.
How to checkDoes content show you've personally experienced this? Photos, personal anecdotes, specific details?
-
HighWhy it matters
Review content should show actual use, not just spec aggregation.
How to checkFor reviews: original photos? Mention specific experiences using it? Not just paraphrased specs?
-
HighWhy it matters
Content on medical topics by doctors ranks better than by random bloggers.
How to checkIs author qualified to write this? Credentials visible? Bio demonstrates expertise?
-
HighWhy it matters
Author pages validate expertise and connect author's body of work.
How to checkClick author name → detailed bio page? Credentials, experience, other articles?
-
MediumWhy it matters
External validation of author identity and credentials.
How to checkAuthor bio links to LinkedIn, professional associations, or other authoritative profiles?
-
HighWhy it matters
Are you known for this topic? Do others cite you?
How to checkSearch your brand + topic. Are you mentioned as a source? Do others link to you?
-
MediumWhy it matters
Links from authorities transfer authority.
How to checkWho links to you? Any from recognized authorities in your space?
-
HighWhy it matters
Factual accuracy critical, especially for YMYL topics.
How to checkIs information verifiable? Sources cited? Anything potentially inaccurate?
-
HighWhy it matters
Shows research basis. Allows verification. Builds trust.
How to checkAre factual claims linked to sources? Especially for statistics, studies, quotes?
-
HighWhy it matters
Hidden commercial relationships erode trust.
How to checkSponsored content labeled? Affiliate relationships disclosed?
-
HighWhy it matters
Basic trust signal. No excuse for HTTP in 2026.
How to checkSite is HTTPS? No mixed content warnings?
-
HighWhy it matters
Anonymous sites are less trusted. Who's behind this?
How to checkEasy to find contact info? About page with real business details?
-
MediumWhy it matters
Site reputation from external sources factors into trust.
How to checkGoogle your brand + 'reviews' or 'scam'. What do others say?
-
HighWhy it matters
Outdated content (especially YMYL) damages trust.
How to checkReview content for outdated info. Update dates visible? Info still accurate?
-
HighWhy it matters
Health, finance, legal content requires demonstrable expertise and accuracy.
How to checkFor YMYL: expert author? Cited sources? Fact-checked? Medical/legal review if applicable?
-
HighWhy it matters
Every page should have clear, beneficial purpose.
How to checkWhat is the purpose of this page? Is it achieved? Would a quality rater score it highly?
-
HighWhy it matters
GA4 is the current Google Analytics. Required for proper analytics.
How to checkGA4 → Admin → Data Streams. Web stream created? Code on all pages?
-
HighWhy it matters
Wrong domain config = data in wrong property.
How to checkGA4 → Data Streams → Web. Shows your correct domain?
-
HighWhy it matters
Confirms tracking is actually working.
How to checkGA4 → Realtime. Visit your site. Does your visit appear?
-
HighWhy it matters
Enables Google Search Console data in GA4. Combined analysis.
How to checkGA4 → Admin → Product Links → Search Console. Connected?
-
HighWhy it matters
Without conversion tracking, you can't measure SEO ROI.
How to checkGA4 → Admin → Events. Key business actions marked as conversions?
-
HighWhy it matters
Free engagement tracking. No reason not to enable.
How to checkGA4 → Data Streams → Enhanced measurement. All toggles on?
-
HighWhy it matters
Longer retention allows YoY comparison.
How to checkGA4 → Admin → Data Settings → Data Retention. Set to 14 months?
-
MediumWhy it matters
Better user journey understanding across devices.
How to checkGA4 → Admin → Data Settings → Data Collection. Google Signals on?
-
MediumWhy it matters
Your team's visits skew data.
How to checkGA4 → Admin → Data Streams → Configure tag settings → Internal traffic. IPs defined and filtered?
-
MediumWhy it matters
Default events may not capture everything important to your business.
How to checkWhat actions matter to your business? PDF downloads? Video plays? Are they tracked?
-
MediumWhy it matters
Segment users for advertising and deeper analysis.
How to checkGA4 → Admin → Audiences. Key segments defined (purchasers, high-value, etc.)?
-
MediumWhy it matters
Enables conversion import and audience sharing.
How to checkGA4 → Admin → Product Links → Google Ads. Connected?
-
LowWhy it matters
Explorations allow deeper analysis than standard reports.
How to checkGA4 → Explore. Created explorations for your common analysis needs?
-
HighWhy it matters
Anchor text tells Google what the target page is about. 'Click here' tells nothing.
How to checkReview internal links. Using descriptive text ('pricing plans') or generic ('click here')?
-
HighWhy it matters
Internal links distribute PageRank. More links = more authority to that page.
How to checkScreaming Frog → Inlinks. Do your priority pages have more inlinks than random pages?
-
HighWhy it matters
Broken links waste crawl budget and frustrate users.
How to checkScreaming Frog → Response Codes → filter 4xx. Or use Google Search Console Coverage errors.
-
HighWhy it matters
Links in body content carry more weight than nav/footer links.
How to checkAre important deep pages linked from related blog posts, service pages, etc.?
-
HighWhy it matters
Required by Google. Failing to disclose paid links = spam guidelines violation.
How to checkAffiliate links and sponsored content links have rel='sponsored'?
-
MediumWhy it matters
Tells Google these links aren't editorial endorsements.
How to checkComment links, forum posts, etc. have rel='ugc'?
-
HighWhy it matters
Nofollow on internal links wastes PageRank. Use only when appropriate externally.
How to checkAre you nofollow-ing internal links? Stop. Review external link usage of nofollow.
-
MediumWhy it matters
Linking out to good sources shows depth of research. Not a ranking factor but quality signal.
How to checkDo articles link to sources? Reputable sites (.gov, .edu, major publications)?
-
HighWhy it matters
Link schemes violate Google guidelines. Can result in manual penalty.
How to checkHave you purchased links? Excessive reciprocal linking? PBN links? Stop.
-
MediumWhy it matters
All 'best widgets' anchors looks manipulative. Natural variation expected.
How to checkCheck internal anchors for key pages. All identical? Or natural variety?
-
MediumWhy it matters
Competitors can build spam links to you. Monitor and disavow if necessary.
How to checkGoogle Search Console → Links → Top linking sites. Any suspicious domains? Consider disavow if clear spam.
-
MediumWhy it matters
Best links come from creating content worth linking to.
How to checkWhat content earns links? Create more of it. Data studies, tools, comprehensive guides.
-
MediumWhy it matters
A links to B which redirects to C. Update A to link directly to C.
How to checkScreaming Frog → crawl → check for internal links causing redirects. Update source links.
-
HighWhy it matters
Showing different content to Googlebot = immediate spam violation.
How to checkCompare what you see vs Google Search Console URL Inspection rendered HTML. Same content?
-
HighWhy it matters
Text same color as background, CSS hidden content, tiny font = spam.
How to checkCtrl+A on pages to reveal hidden text. Check for display:none on visible content.
-
HighWhy it matters
Unnatural keyword repetition harms rankings and triggers spam filters.
How to checkRead content aloud. Does keyword usage sound natural? Or forced and repetitive?
-
HighWhy it matters
Multiple pages optimized for specific locations/keywords funneling to same content.
How to checkDo you have many similar pages for different cities with thin, templated content?
-
HighWhy it matters
Copying others' content without adding value = spam policy violation.
How to checkIs all content original? Search random paragraphs to check for duplication.
-
HighWhy it matters
Manipulating links violates Google guidelines.
How to checkHave you purchased links? Sold links? Participated in link exchanges?
-
HighWhy it matters
Redirecting users to different content than expected.
How to checkClick through to pages from search results. Landing where expected?
-
HighWhy it matters
Pure AI-generated content without human enhancement/review risks spam classification.
How to checkIf using AI: is there substantial human editing, expertise, value-add?
-
HighWhy it matters
Spammers post links in comments. You're responsible for content on your site.
How to checkCheck comments, forum posts. Spam links? Implement moderation and rel='ugc'.
-
HighWhy it matters
Hacked sites get spam injected. Keep everything updated.
How to checkAll plugins/themes/CMS core updated? Automatic updates enabled?
-
HighWhy it matters
Thin affiliate pages with no added value = spam.
How to checkAffiliate content adds genuine reviews, comparisons, analysis? Not just affiliate links?
-
HighWhy it matters
Buying expired domains just for their backlinks and redirecting = spam.
How to checkDid you acquire domains primarily for their links? That's abuse.
-
HighWhy it matters
Mass-producing low-quality content = spam.
How to checkPumping out high volumes of thin/AI content at scale?
-
HighWhy it matters
Allowing low-quality third-party content to benefit from your domain's reputation.
How to checkAny pages not editorially controlled by you? Sponsored content, coupons, payday loans?
-
HighWhy it matters
Manual penalties for spam violations. Must be resolved.
How to checkGoogle Search Console → Security & Manual Actions → Manual Actions. Clean?