Boost Your Website’s Visibility with Google Sites SEO Strategies
In the ever-evolving world of SEO, understanding the best practices for optimizing your website is crucial. With Google being the dominant search engine, it’s natural to wonder how their own website creation service, Google Sites, fares when it comes to SEO. In this article, we will delve into the topic and explore what Google has to say about the SEO potential of Google Sites.
Understanding Google Sites
Before we dive into the SEO aspect, let’s first understand what Google Sites is all about. Google Sites is a website creation service that allows users to build websites with a simple and intuitive interface. It’s hosted by Google and offers a range of features to create and customize websites without any coding knowledge. One can choose to use the default sites.google.com domain or opt for a custom domain.
The Indexability of Google Sites
One of the concerns raised by users is whether Google Sites webpages can be indexed by Google. According to Google’s John Mueller, URLs on Google Sites can indeed be indexed by Google. However, he did point out that tracking the URLs used in Google Sites can be a bit challenging, as the public version may differ from the URL seen when logged in. This means that while Google Sites pages are technically indexable, they may not be ideal for SEO purposes.
Google Sites and SEO
In a recent discussion, John Mueller downplayed the SEO potential of Google Sites. He mentioned that while Google Sites can be indexed by Google, it is not the best option for SEO. Mueller suggested exploring other options and weighing the pros and cons before committing to Google Sites for SEO purposes. He specifically recommended considering the use of a custom domain instead of the default sites.google.com domain.
Benefits of Using a Custom Domain
Using a custom domain for your Google Sites content offers several advantages, particularly when it comes to SEO. Mueller highlighted the following benefits:
- Performance Tracking in Search Console: By using your own domain name, you can easily track your website’s performance in Google Search Console. This allows you to gather valuable insights and make data-driven decisions to improve your SEO strategy.
- Ease of Migration: Using your own domain name makes it easier to migrate your website in the future, should you choose to do so. This gives you more flexibility and control over your website’s SEO and overall online presence.
- Ownership Verification: Having a custom domain allows you to verify ownership of the entire domain in Search Console. This strengthens your credibility and authority in the eyes of both Google and your users.
The Popularity of Google Sites among Spammers
While Google Sites can be a useful tool for legitimate website creation, it has also gained popularity among spammers. Spammers often utilize Google Sites to create links on Google subdomains as part of a tactic called “Google Stacking.” This practice involves interlinking various Google subdomain pages, such as Google Sheets and Google Docs, to manipulate search engine rankings.
However, it’s important to note that there is no inherent “trust” or “authority” associated with Google subdomains that can be transferred to spammer sites through links. Google’s algorithms do not consider such factors when evaluating the quality and relevance of websites. Therefore, Google Stacking is an ineffective and misguided strategy for improving SEO.
John Mueller’s View on Trust and Authority
In another discussion, John Mueller clarified that Google does not have specific metrics for measuring trust or authority. While some may believe that links on Google subdomains can transfer trust, Mueller emphasized that trust is not a tangible factor that can be quantified. Instead, Google evaluates websites based on a range of signals, including relevance, quality of content, and user experience.
Conclusion
Google Sites, while technically indexable, is not considered an ideal platform for SEO purposes. John Mueller, a prominent figure at Google, has suggested exploring alternative options, particularly using a custom domain for improved performance tracking, ease of migration, and ownership verification.
It’s important to remember that SEO success relies on a comprehensive strategy that encompasses various aspects, such as technical optimization, quality content creation, and building authoritative backlinks. While Google Sites may have its advantages for website creation and collaboration, it’s advisable to consider alternative platforms if your primary goal is to achieve optimal SEO results.
By staying informed about the latest SEO trends and best practices, you can make informed decisions about the platforms and strategies you choose to employ. Remember, SEO is a continuous process that requires adapting to the ever-changing landscape of search engine algorithms and user behavior.
