Author name: admin

Received a ‘Pure Spam’ Manual Action Notice? Here’s What It Means and How to Fix It

If you’ve received a Pure Spam Manual Action notification in Google Search Console, it means Google has determined that your website engages in severe spam tactics that violate Google’s spam policies. This can have serious consequences, including deindexing of your site, meaning it won’t appear in Google Search results.

This guide explains why your site was penalized, how to recover, and what steps to take to prevent future penalties.


What Is a ‘Pure Spam’ Manual Action?

A Pure Spam Manual Action is issued when Google manually reviews your site and finds aggressive spam techniques being used. These may include:

🔹 Automatically generated content (scaled content abuse).
🔹 Cloaking (showing different content to users and Googlebot).
🔹 Scraped or copied content from other websites.
🔹 Massive link manipulation (participation in link schemes).
🔹 Doorway pages or deceptive redirects.
🔹 Hacked or compromised content used for spammy purposes.

Once this manual action is applied, it can affect your entire site or specific pages, drastically reducing your visibility in Google Search results.


Why Does Google Issue Manual Actions?

Manual actions exist to protect search quality and prevent spammy or manipulative sites from ranking above legitimate, high-quality content.

Google aims to:
Ensure users find trustworthy and useful results.
Prevent ranking manipulation through spam tactics.
Maintain a fair ecosystem for all webmasters.

Even if your site doesn’t appear overly spammy, subtle violations can trigger a manual action—making a comprehensive site audit essential.


How to Check If Your Site Has a Pure Spam Manual Action

If your site has been penalized, you’ll find a notification in Google Search Console under:

🔹 Search Console → Security & Manual Actions → Manual Actions

The report will show:
Which pages are affected.
Details of the violation detected by Google.
Steps you need to take to resolve the issue.

🚨 If your entire site is removed from Google Search, this means a site-wide penalty has been applied.


How to Recover from a Pure Spam Manual Action

Step 1: Understand the Violation

Read through Google’s spam policies to determine what violations led to your penalty:
🔹 Google Spam Policies


Step 2: Conduct a Full Website Audit

A thorough review of your site will help identify problematic content or techniques that triggered the manual action.

Review Content:

  • Check for duplicate, scraped, or AI-generated spam content.
  • Remove automated or thin pages with no real value.
  • Rewrite pages to focus on original, high-quality content.

Check SEO Techniques:

  • Ensure you aren’t using cloaking or deceptive redirects.
  • Avoid keyword stuffing and spammy on-page tactics.

Analyze Backlinks:

  • Use Google Search Console’s Link Report to identify spammy or manipulative backlinks.
  • Disavow harmful backlinks using Google’s Disavow Tool if necessary.

Check for Security Issues:

  • If your site was hacked or injected with spammy content, clean up all malware and unauthorized code.
  • Request a security scan from your hosting provider.

Step 3: Make the Necessary Fixes

Remove or rewrite low-quality and duplicate content.
Fix deceptive or manipulative SEO practices (cloaking, hidden text, doorway pages).
Clean up unnatural backlinks if link spam is involved.
Secure your website to prevent future hacking or unauthorized modifications.


Step 4: Submit a Reconsideration Request

Once your site is fully cleaned and compliant, you must request a manual review in Google Search Console:

📌 How to Submit a Reconsideration Request:
1️⃣ Go to Search Console → Manual Actions.
2️⃣ Click Request Review.
3️⃣ Provide a detailed explanation of:

  • What violations were present.
  • The changes made to fix the issues.
  • Examples of removed or improved content.
    4️⃣ Click Submit and wait for Google’s response.

🚨 Important Notes:

  • Manual reviews take time—Google may take days to weeks to respond.
  • If your request is denied, go back and thoroughly recheck your site before submitting again.

What Happens After a Manual Action Is Removed?

Your site can reappear in Google Search, but ranking recovery is not immediate.
✔ Google will need time to recrawl and reassess your site.
✔ Focus on long-term quality improvements rather than quick fixes.

🚨 Important: Getting the penalty removed does not guarantee you’ll regain your previous rankings. A well-structured SEO strategy is essential for long-term recovery.


Key Considerations for Long-Term SEO Success

1️⃣ Compliance Over Quick Fixes

  • Keep your content, links, and site structure in line with Google’s policies.
  • Avoid any black-hat or manipulative SEO tactics.

2️⃣ Focus on User Experience

  • Make sure your content provides real value.
  • Improve site speed, mobile-friendliness, and usability.

3️⃣ Regularly Monitor Google Search Console

  • Keep an eye on Manual Actions and Security Reports.
  • Set up alerts for unexpected ranking drops or indexing issues.

FAQ: Common Concerns About Pure Spam Manual Actions

1️⃣ Can Fixing Just a Few Pages Remove the Manual Action?

No. Google expects the entire site to be cleaned before lifting a penalty. Partial fixes won’t work.


2️⃣ What If I Fixed the Issues But My Site Still Isn’t Ranking?

Even after penalty removal, rankings won’t bounce back immediately. Continue improving your content, SEO, and user experience for long-term recovery.


3️⃣ Do I Need to Start Over with a New Domain?

No, a Pure Spam Manual Action doesn’t mean your domain is permanently banned. You can recover by fixing the issues and aligning with Google’s guidelines.


4️⃣ Why Are Other Spammy Sites Still Ranking While Mine Was Penalized?

Google’s spam detection isn’t perfect—some sites might temporarily evade penalties. However, eventually, spammy sites get caught.


5️⃣ My Site Lost Traffic, but I Didn’t Get a Manual Penalty. What Should I Do?

Traffic drops could be due to:
✔ Google algorithm updates.
Technical SEO issues (indexing errors, slow site speed).
Loss of backlinks or competitor improvements.

Perform a detailed SEO audit to identify the root cause.


Final Thoughts: Recovering from a Pure Spam Manual Action

Identify the root cause—understand why your site was penalized.
Conduct a full site audit—remove spammy content and bad SEO practices.
Make necessary changes—focus on quality, security, and compliance.
Submit a reconsideration request—explain the fixes made and request a review.
Rebuild trust—long-term SEO best practices matter more than quick fixes.

📌 Helpful Resources:
🔹 Google Spam Policies
🔹 Search Console Manual Actions Report

A Pure Spam Manual Action is serious, but recovery is possible if you take the right steps. By focusing on compliance, improving content quality, and following Google’s best practices, you can restore your site’s search presence and rankings over time.

Duplicate, Google Chose Different Canonical Than User’ for Localized Content? Here’s What You Need to Know

If you manage a website with localized content (such as multiple country-specific or language-specific versions of a page), you may encounter the message “Duplicate, Google chose different canonical than user” in Google Search Console.

This can be frustrating because it suggests Google is ignoring your preferred canonical URL and choosing a different one instead. However, in cases involving localized content, this behavior is normal and expected.

In this guide, we’ll explain why Google does this, how hreflang can help, and what steps (if any) you should take to ensure users are directed to the right version of your content.


Why Does Google Ignore Your Canonical Choice for Localized Content?

Google automatically canonicalizes similar content across different pages, even if they are localized versions.

What This Means:

🔹 If multiple pages have similar content (even if they are in different languages), Google may only index one version and treat others as duplicates.
🔹 Even if you set a canonical tag, Google may override it and choose a different version as the preferred URL.
🔹 This can happen even across different languages, not just within the same language.

🚨 Important: This behavior CANNOT be turned off—Google decides which version to index based on its algorithms.


How to Guide Google’s Indexing Behavior Using hreflang

While you can’t force Google to index all versions, you can guide it using hreflang tags.

What Does hreflang Do?

🔹 hreflang tells Google that multiple versions of a page exist for different languages or regions.
🔹 It doesn’t force indexing, but it helps Google serve the correct version to users based on their location or language settings.

📌 Example of hreflang Implementation:

htmlCopyEdit<link rel="alternate" hreflang="en-us" href="https://example.com/us/page.html" />
<link rel="alternate" hreflang="en-gb" href="https://example.com/uk/page.html" />
<link rel="alternate" hreflang="fr-fr" href="https://example.com/fr/page.html" />
<link rel="alternate" hreflang="x-default" href="https://example.com/global/page.html" />

How This Helps:

✅ Even if Google only indexes one version, users searching in different countries will be directed to their local version.
✅ If the US version is indexed, an Indian user searching for the same content will still be sent to the India-specific page.

🔹 Further Reading: Google’s hreflang Guide


Can You Get All Localized Versions Indexed?

No, it’s unrealistic to expect every version to be indexed.

However, if you implement hreflang correctly, Google will recognize your different localized URLs and serve them appropriately without necessarily indexing each one.

What Happens in Search Results?

🔹 Google may only index one version, but the correct localized version will still appear for users in different regions.
🔹 Users may see a localized URL in search results but the Google Search Console report will still track activity under the canonical version.

🚨 This is normal and expected! Even though the localized URL is shown in search results, it won’t appear in Search Console’s Performance Report because Google attributes the traffic to the canonical page.


FAQ: Handling Canonicalization for Localized Content

1️⃣ How Should I Set Up rel=canonical for Localized Pages?

✅ Each localized page should be self-canonical—this means:

  • The US version should have:htmlCopyEdit<link rel="canonical" href="https://example.com/us/page.html">
  • The French version should have:htmlCopyEdit<link rel="canonical" href="https://example.com/fr/page.html">

🚨 DO NOT set one page (e.g., the US version) as the canonical for all pages in the set. Google will ignore this and choose its own canonical anyway.


2️⃣ Should I Change My Canonical Tag to Match Google’s Selection?

No. Do not adjust your canonical tags to match Google’s preference because:

  • Google’s canonical selection can change over time.
  • If you change your canonical and Google updates its preference later, you may end up in a situation where neither version is indexed properly.

3️⃣ My Localized Versions Aren’t Ranking—How Can I Fix This?

🔹 Remember, Search Console’s Performance Report only shows the canonical version’s performance.
🔹 Even if a user clicks a localized URL in search results, Search Console will still record activity under the canonical version.

📌 How to Check if Users Are Seeing Localized URLs:
✅ Use Google Analytics or server logs—these will show the actual URLs users are landing on.


4️⃣ Should I Remove rel=canonical to Avoid Conflicting Signals?

Yes, this is an option. If you don’t specify a canonical tag, Google will classify the pages as “Duplicate without user-selected canonical”, which is also acceptable.

🚨 Important:

  • If you remove the canonical tag, Google may still choose one version as the indexed URL but will handle the rest as alternate versions.
  • If hreflang is set up correctly, Google should still serve the right version to users based on their location.

5️⃣ What Happens if I Use Geo-Redirects for Localized Pages?

Geo-Redirects are acceptable, but they must not prevent users or search engines from accessing content.

📌 Correct Use of Geo-Redirects:
1️⃣ Each localized page should be accessible via direct URL (i.e., do not force redirects on Googlebot).
2️⃣ Use a “We noticed you’re in [Country]. Want to switch?” banner instead of an automatic redirect.
3️⃣ If redirects are necessary, make sure they only apply to users, not to Googlebot.

🔹 Example of hreflang Setup with Geo-Redirects:

htmlCopyEdit<link rel="alternate" hreflang="x-default" href="https://www.example.com/global/page.html" />  
<link rel="alternate" hreflang="en-us" href="https://us.example.com/page.html" />  
<link rel="alternate" hreflang="en" href="https://en.example.com/page.html" />

🚨 Do NOT redirect localized versions to each other (e.g., US visitors redirected from /en/ to /en-us/). Each version must be accessible as a standalone page.


6️⃣ Should I Use x-default or hreflang=”en” for a General Version?

🔹 If you have a landing page that helps users select their country, use x-default:

htmlCopyEdit<link rel="alternate" hreflang="x-default" href="https://www.example.com/chooser.html" />

🔹 If you simply want an English version to be the default for unspecified regions, use hreflang="en".

📌 It’s also fine if you don’t specify a default page—Google will pick the closest match.


Final Thoughts: Managing Localized Content & Google’s Canonical Selection

Expect Google to override your canonical choices—this is normal for localized content.
Use hreflang to ensure users are served the correct local version in search results.
Check traffic via Google Analytics or server logs—not just Google Search Console.
Don’t remove localized pages just because they aren’t indexed—Google still uses them for geo-targeting.

📌 For More Info:
🔹 Google’s Guide to Managing Multi-Regional Sites
🔹 Hreflang Best Practices

If Google is choosing a different canonical than the one you set, remember—it’s part of how indexing works for localized content, and it doesn’t prevent your local versions from being shown to the right users!

No or Partial Core Web Vitals Data in Google Search Console? Here’s Why & What to Do

If your Google Search Console Core Web Vitals Report is showing no data or only partial data, you might be wondering why. Core Web Vitals (CWV) is a crucial performance metric that Google uses to assess user experience, but not every website will have enough data to generate a full report.

This guide explains:
✅ Why your Core Web Vitals report may show “Not enough usage data”
✅ Why fewer URLs are reported than expected
✅ How Core Web Vitals data is collected
✅ How to measure your site’s performance when there’s no data
✅ Whether missing data impacts rankings


Why Don’t I Have Core Web Vitals Data in Search Console?

Google Search Console’s Core Web Vitals report relies on real-world user data collected via the Chrome User Experience Report (CrUX).

How CrUX Data Collection Works:

🔹 Data comes from real Chrome users visiting your site.
🔹 Only users who are logged in to Chrome, have sync enabled, and have opted into usage reporting contribute to the dataset.
🔹 iOS users are not included (since Chrome on iOS uses a different rendering engine).
🔹 The data is aggregated over a rolling 28-day period and updated with a slight delay.

Because of these factors, if there isn’t enough traffic or data collected, Google won’t report anything in Core Web Vitals.


Common Core Web Vitals Data Issues & How to Fix Them

1️⃣ “Not Enough Usage Data in the Last 90 Days” Warning

If you see this message in Search Console, it means there weren’t enough users interacting with your site during the last 28-day data period.

🔹 Why This Happens:

  • Your site is small or has low traffic.
  • You have fewer Chrome visitors (or most visitors use iOS).
  • Your pages have too little engagement for meaningful CWV data.

🔹 What You Can Do:
Increase real-world traffic to the affected pages.
✅ Ensure your site is well-indexed and accessible.
✅ Use Google PageSpeed Insights or Lighthouse to analyze performance (since Googlebot does not contribute to CrUX data).


2️⃣ Some Pages Have Core Web Vitals Data, but Many Are Missing

🔹 Why This Happens:

  • Core Web Vitals reports on groups of similar pages, not individual URLs.
  • Google may only report on pages that receive enough user traffic.
  • Some page templates may have low engagement, leading to missing data.

🔹 What You Can Do:
✅ Use Google’s URL Inspection Tool to check whether individual URLs are indexed and receiving traffic.
✅ Monitor which page groups are included in the report and focus on improving those.


3️⃣ Seeing Data for Mobile but Not Desktop (or Vice Versa)

🔹 Why This Happens:

  • Your site has more mobile visitors than desktop users, or the other way around.
  • If most visitors use mobile devices, there may not be enough desktop traffic to generate data.

🔹 What You Can Do:
✅ Check Google Analytics (or another traffic analysis tool) to see your site’s desktop vs. mobile visitor ratio.
✅ Optimize both mobile and desktop performance in case traffic shifts in the future.


How to Measure Core Web Vitals Without Search Console Data

If Search Console isn’t showing Core Web Vitals data, you can still measure performance manually:

1️⃣ Use Google PageSpeed Insights

🔹 Provides real-world (CrUX) data and lab test results using Lighthouse.
🔹 Allows you to test individual pages even if CrUX data is missing.
🔹 Visit: PageSpeed Insights

2️⃣ Use Lighthouse (Built into Chrome DevTools)

🔹 Tests your site’s Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), First Input Delay (FID), and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS).
🔹 Works locally, without needing real-world user data.
🔹 Steps:
1️⃣ Open Chrome → Right-click → Inspect
2️⃣ Go to the Lighthouse tab
3️⃣ Click Analyze Page Load

3️⃣ Monitor Performance Using Google Analytics 4 (GA4) + BigQuery

🔹 GA4 allows advanced tracking of real-time user performance metrics.
🔹 You can integrate BigQuery for deeper analysis.
🔹 Guide: Core Web Vitals & GA4


Does Missing Core Web Vitals Data Hurt Rankings?

🔹 No, your site will NOT rank lower just because you don’t have CWV data.

  • Core Web Vitals is a small ranking factor—other signals like content quality and relevance are much more important.
  • Google does not penalize sites for missing CrUX data; it simply ignores Core Web Vitals as a ranking factor in such cases.

Why Did My Traffic Drop Along with My Core Web Vitals Data?

🔹 Traffic drops can cause CrUX data to disappear, not the other way around.

  • If fewer users visit your site, fewer data points are collected, leading to missing Core Web Vitals data.
  • The drop in URLs tracked in Core Web Vitals is likely a symptom of the traffic decline, rather than the cause.

Why Do the Number of URLs in Core Web Vitals Reports Keep Changing?

🔹 This happens because:

  • Traffic levels fluctuate, affecting data collection.
  • Google may re-group URLs into new page groups, affecting which pages appear in the report.
  • Sometimes, traffic that meets Google’s eligibility criteria for CrUX fluctuates over time.

Key Tip:
If you see a drop in URLs marked as ‘Good’ but no corresponding rise in ‘Needs Improvement’ or ‘Poor’, it’s likely due to fewer eligible data points rather than actual performance issues.


Final Takeaways: How to Handle Missing Core Web Vitals Data

Check the warning message in Search Console to confirm the reason for missing data.
Use PageSpeed Insights or Lighthouse for lab tests if CrUX data is unavailable.
Analyze user traffic—low visitor numbers may be the cause of missing data.
Optimize your site for better performance even if no CrUX data is available.
Don’t worry about ranking penalties—Google does not penalize sites for missing CWV data.

For more details:
🔹 Google’s Core Web Vitals Report Support Doc
🔹 Google’s Web.Dev Guide to Core Web Vitals
🔹 Chrome UX Report (CrUX) Documentation

If you’re experiencing Core Web Vitals issues in Search Console, focus on improving site performance and increasing traffic, and use alternative tools like Lighthouse or PageSpeed Insights to track your progress.

Received a ‘New Owners Identified by Google’ Email but Can’t Find the User? Here’s What You Need to Know

If you received an email from Google Search Console stating that a new owner has been identified for your property, but you can’t find this user in the Users and Permissions section, don’t panic! This situation is often due to the way Google Search Console handles property verification across different levels.

This guide explains why this happens, how to identify the unknown owner, and steps to secure your property.


Why Can’t You See the New Owner in Search Console?

1️⃣ The ‘Users and Permissions’ Screen Only Shows Users for a Specific Property

In Google Search Console, each property (Domain Property or URL-Prefix Property) has its own list of verified users. If someone verifies a different but related property, you may receive an email notification but won’t see them in your user list unless you access the exact property they verified.


Understanding How Google Search Console Properties Work

Google Search Console allows verification at different levels:
1️⃣ Domain Property – Covers the entire domain and all subdomains (example.com, www.example.com, blog.example.com).
2️⃣ URL-Prefix Property – Covers only a specific URL path (https://example.com/folder/).

The issue arises when:

  • You have a Domain Property verified, but someone verifies a sub-property (such as a subdomain or a URL-Prefix Property).
  • You get an email about “New Owners Identified” but can’t see them in your user list because they verified a different scope of the site.

🔹 Example:

  • You own example.com as a Domain Property.
  • Someone verifies https://ftp.example.com/ as a URL-Prefix Property.
  • You receive an email saying:pgsqlCopyEditNew owner for https://ftp.example.com/ To the owner of example.com
  • Since they verified only a sub-property, their user access does not appear in the main example.com Search Console property.

How to Identify the New Owner and Their Property

Step 1: Check the Email Subject for the Exact Verified Property

The email from Google typically contains a line like:

rustCopyEditNew owner for https://ftp.example.com/

This indicates that the verification was for that specific URL-Prefix Property.


Step 2: Create the Same Property in Google Search Console

If you want to see the new owner’s permissions, you need to add the exact property they verified:

🔹 If the email mentions https://ftp.example.com/, create a new property with the same URL-Prefix in Google Search Console.
🔹 Since you already own the Domain Property, verification will be automatic.
🔹 Now, check the Users and Permissions tab under this newly added property—you should see the unknown owner there.


Common Causes of Unexpected New Owners in Google Search Console

1️⃣ Leftover DNS Records Pointing to Unused Subdomains

Sometimes, a forgotten DNS record might be pointing a subdomain to a server you no longer control. This happens if:

  • You migrated your website to a new host but didn’t update all subdomains.
  • An old hosting provider reassigned the IP address to someone else.
  • The subdomain is still pointing to shared hosting, allowing another person to verify ownership.

🔹 Example Scenario:
1️⃣ Your main site was migrated from oldhosting.com to newhosting.com.
2️⃣ You updated the main www and @ DNS records, but forgot about ftp.example.com.
3️⃣ The old host assigns your previous IP to another client.
4️⃣ The new client sets up a website on that shared IP, causing Google to allow them to verify ownership of ftp.example.com.

🔹 Solution:
✅ Audit your DNS records and remove obsolete subdomains that no longer point to your actual server.


2️⃣ Wildcard DNS Entries Allowing Others to Use Your Subdomains

Some websites use wildcard DNS records (*.example.com) to allow subdomains like www and blog to work without creating individual records.

🔹 The Risk:

  • If you’re on a shared hosting plan, wildcard DNS (*) means that anyone on the server can create a website under your subdomains.
  • This allows external users to claim ownership of your subdomains in Google Search Console.

🔹 Solution:
✅ Remove wildcard (*) DNS records and manually specify only the subdomains you need.


3️⃣ Possible Security Breach

In rare cases, an unauthorized person may have:

  • Gained access to your server and injected verification files.
  • Modified your DNS records to create new subdomains.

🔹 Solution:
Scan your server for unauthorized changes to HTML files, meta tags, or DNS records.
Remove any unknown verification methods from your site.
Change hosting passwords and enable two-factor authentication (2FA).


How to Remove an Unwanted Verified Owner?

Step 1: Check Google Search Console for Verification Methods

  • Go to Users and Permissions (for the affected property).
  • Check which verification methods were used (HTML file, meta tag, DNS record, Google Tag Manager, etc.).

Step 2: Remove the Verification Method

Once you identify how the unauthorized owner got verified:

  • If they used an HTML file, delete the file from your server.
  • If they used a meta tag, remove it from the page’s HTML.
  • If they verified via Google Tag Manager (GTM), check GTM for any unknown accounts.
  • If they used DNS verification, go to your domain registrar and remove the unknown DNS TXT record.

Step 3: Revoke Their Access in Google Search Console

  • After removing the verification method, go to Google Search Console → Users and Permissions.
  • Select the unwanted owner and click Remove Access.

🔹 Google will automatically revoke their ownership the next time it checks for verification.


Final Thoughts: How to Prevent Unauthorized Verifications

Regularly audit your DNS records and remove unused subdomains.
Avoid using wildcard DNS records (*) unless absolutely necessary.
Check for security vulnerabilities that might allow attackers to inject verification files.
Monitor Google Search Console email notifications to stay aware of new verifications.

If you receive a ‘New Owners Identified’ email and don’t recognize the user, follow the steps outlined above to identify, remove, and prevent unauthorized ownership of your Google Search Console properties.

FAQ: Structured Data Markup for Datasets – Everything You Need to Know

If you’re implementing structured data for datasets, you may have questions about how to properly mark up your pages, why certain datasets may not appear in Google Dataset Search, or how to troubleshoot common issues.

This guide compiles frequently asked questions (FAQs) to help you understand how Google Dataset Search works, how to optimize your structured data, and how to resolve common errors.

Before posting a question in forums or discussions, check whether your query is already answered below. If not, feel free to start a new discussion and select “Structured Data” as your category.


1. What is Google Dataset Search, and Where Can I Learn More?

Google Dataset Search is a specialized search tool that allows users to find datasets from various sources across the web. It relies on structured data markup using schema.org/Dataset to help Google understand and categorize datasets effectively.

For additional resources:
✔️ Google Dataset Search Developer Documentation
✔️ Google’s Official Launch Announcement
✔️ Technical Overview of Google Dataset Search

If you’d like to receive announcements and updates about Google Dataset Search, subscribe to Google’s Dataset Search mailing list.


2. How Do I Add My Dataset to Google Dataset Search?

If you have a webpage describing a dataset, follow these steps to ensure it gets included in Google Dataset Search:

Required Steps

1️⃣ Add Structured Data (Schema.org) Markup

2️⃣ Validate Your Structured Data

3️⃣ Submit a Sitemap in Google Search Console

  • If you have multiple dataset pages, create a sitemap.xml and submit it to Google Search Console.

4️⃣ Wait for Google to Crawl the Dataset Pages

  • If the dataset isn’t appearing in Dataset Search after one or two weeks, use the Feedback button in Search Console to report the issue.

3. How Can I See Data on My Datasets’ Visibility in Google Search?

Google introduced a structured data report for Datasets in Google Search Console (September 2019).

🔹 If enabled in your account, you can find it under:
Search Console → Enhancements → Dataset Report

This report provides insights into how your dataset pages appear in Google Search and highlights errors or warnings related to structured data implementation.


4. Why is My Dataset Not Showing Up in Google Dataset Search?

If your dataset isn’t appearing in Dataset Search, possible reasons include:

1️⃣ Missing or Incorrect Structured Data

  • Verify the page’s structured data using Google’s Rich Results Test.
  • Ensure the dataset page has a valid schema.org/Dataset markup.

2️⃣ Dataset Page Has Not Been Crawled Yet

  • Check Google Search Console to confirm the page has been crawled and indexed.
  • Use the URL Inspection Tool to check crawl status.

3️⃣ The Dataset Is Indexed but Not Ranked Yet

  • Sometimes, Google may index a dataset page but not display it immediately.
  • Ensure the page is discoverable, linked from other pages, and provides valuable information.

5. Do I Need a Contract or Special Approval for My Dataset to Appear in Dataset Search?

No. Google Dataset Search is open to all websites that implement schema.org/Dataset structured data.

  • There is no contract or special approval required.
  • The markup is voluntary, and websites can remove or modify it anytime.

6. Will Adding Structured Data Improve My Rankings?

No, adding schema.org/Dataset markup does not affect organic rankings in Google Search.
However, implementing structured data is required for datasets to appear in Google Dataset Search.


7. Can I Expect More Traffic After Adding Dataset Markup?

There are no guarantees of traffic increases. However, structured data can:
✔️ Improve dataset discoverability in search results.
✔️ Attract high-intent users looking specifically for datasets.
✔️ Increase visibility in Dataset Search, leading to more engagement.


8. How Do I Remove a Dataset from Dataset Search?

If you own a dataset page and want to remove it from Dataset Search:
1️⃣ Delete the schema.org/Dataset markup from the page.
2️⃣ Google will eventually stop showing the dataset after the next crawl cycle (which may take a few weeks).


9. Why is Some Structured Data Not Displayed in Search Results?

Google decides what information to display based on user experience. Even if structured data is correctly implemented, Google may choose not to display certain fields in Dataset Search results.

As websites provide more high-quality, structured data, Google continuously improves how results are displayed.


10. What Tools Can Help with Dataset Markup?

Google offers several tools to help webmasters implement and test structured data:

Markup Helper – Generates sample JSON-LD markup.
Rich Results Test – Validates structured data for datasets.
Schema.org Documentation – Detailed schema guidelines.


11. How Should DOIs (Digital Object Identifiers) Be Included in Dataset Markup?

If your dataset has a DOI, structure it as follows:

jsonCopyEdit{
  "@context" : "http://schema.org/",
  "@type" : "Dataset",
  "@id" : "https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.8nm16",
  "url" : "https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.8nm16",
  "identifier": "https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.8nm16",
  "citation":  {
    "@type" : "Article",
    "identifier" : "https://doi.org/10.1111/jav.01596"
  }
}

This markup specifies the DOI properly and ensures accurate indexing.


12. Can Googlebot Load JavaScript When Looking for Dataset Markup?

Yes, Google can execute JavaScript to extract structured data.

  • However, to avoid issues, ensure the markup renders correctly in Google’s Structured Data Testing Tool.
  • If the tool cannot detect structured data, check whether JavaScript execution delays markup rendering.

13. Why is the “identifier” Property Missing in the Structured Data Testing Tool?

This is a known issue in Google’s tool, but it does not affect dataset indexing.
As long as your structured data follows Google’s guidelines, there is no need to worry about this warning.


14. How Should Multiple Authors Be Marked Up?

Use the "citation" property to list multiple authors in structured data:

jsonCopyEdit"citation": [
  {
    "@type": "Person",
    "name": "John Doe"
  },
  {
    "@type": "Person",
    "name": "Jane Smith"
  }
]

This ensures proper attribution and improves dataset visibility.


15. Where Can I Suggest New Features or Report Issues with Dataset Properties?

To propose new structured data properties or report issues, visit:
🔗 Schema.org GitHub Issues


Final Thoughts

Implementing structured data for datasets enhances visibility in Google Dataset Search, making it easier for users to discover and access valuable data.

Follow Google’s structured data guidelines.
Validate your markup using Google’s tools.
Monitor dataset visibility in Google Search Console.

For troubleshooting, refer to the FAQ above or consult Google’s Dataset Search Documentation.

The Google resources that you should know about!

Google offers a wealth of resources to help webmasters, SEO professionals, and business owners optimize their websites for search engines. Whether you’re a beginner looking for SEO fundamentals or an advanced user troubleshooting technical issues, Google provides extensive guides, tools, and communities to assist you.

This article highlights the most important Google resources you should know about to enhance your SEO strategy and stay updated with best practices.


1️⃣ Google Search Central Community – A Hub for SEO Discussions

The Google Search Central Community is an active forum where webmasters and SEO professionals discuss challenges, share insights, and troubleshoot issues together.

Why join this community?
✔️ Connect with other SEO experts.
✔️ Get help debugging technical problems.
✔️ Learn from discussions about Google Search algorithms.

This community operates alongside other official Google resources, making it a great place to expand your SEO knowledge.

🔗 Visit the Google Search Central Community:
Google Search Central Help Community


2️⃣ Google Search Central Website – A Knowledge Hub for SEO

The Google Search Central website is one of the most comprehensive sources for SEO guidance. It provides:

Beginner-Friendly SEO Guides

Advanced SEO Resources

🔗 Explore Google Search Central:
Google Search Central


3️⃣ Google Search Console Help Center – Technical Insights for Webmasters

Google Search Console (GSC) is essential for monitoring and optimizing website performance in Google Search. The GSC Help Center provides:

✔️ Guidance on interpreting Search Console reports.
✔️ Troubleshooting common indexing issues.
✔️ Steps for resolving manual actions and penalties.

🔗 Access Google Search Console Help:
Search Console Help Center


4️⃣ Google Search Central Blog – Official SEO News & Updates

Staying informed about Google’s latest updates and best practices is crucial for SEO success. The Google Search Central Blog publishes:

✔️ Official announcements on algorithm updates.
✔️ Changes to Google Search ranking systems.
✔️ Insights on SEO trends and new features in Google Search Console.

🔗 Follow the Blog for Updates:
Google Search Central Blog

Blogger Site Showing Page Redirect Errors in Google Search Console? Here’s What You Need to Know

If you have a Blogger site and notice Page Redirect Errors in Google Search Console (GSC), you’re not alone. These errors often cause concern, but in most cases, they are not actually an issue—they simply reflect how Blogger handles mobile traffic.

This article explains why these redirect errors occur, how Google processes them, and what actions (if any) you should take.


Why Do Blogger Sites Show Redirect Errors in Search Console?

Blogger uses separate URLs to serve mobile-friendly pages instead of responsive design. When a mobile user visits your blog, Blogger automatically redirects them to a URL with ?m=1 added at the end.

For example:

rubyCopyEdithttps://example.blogspot.com → https://example.blogspot.com/?m=1

This happens on both blogspot.com subdomains and custom domains using Blogger.

Since Google primarily crawls websites as a mobile user, it detects these redirects and logs them in the Page Redirect report in Search Console. While this may look like a problem, it is normal behavior for Blogger and does not impact your site’s ranking or indexing.


Does This Affect My Site’s SEO?

1. No Negative Impact on Search Rankings

Blogger automatically includes:
Correct canonical tags pointing to the desktop version (without ?m=1).
Vary headers and alternate markup to indicate the relationship between mobile and desktop pages.

Google sees these signals and treats the desktop URL as the canonical version—which means your original blog post URL remains the primary indexed version.

2. Why Does Google Search Console Flag This as an Issue?

Even though these redirects are normal, Google logs them in Search Console because, on other websites, redirects could indicate a misconfiguration. The system simply reports what it finds but doesn’t necessarily mean an issue exists.

If you’re seeing redirect errors in GSC related to ?m=1, you can safely ignore them.


What Should You Do About These Redirect Errors?

Nothing—This is Expected Behavior

If your Blogger site is configured correctly, you don’t need to take any action.

  • Over time, when Google crawls your site using a desktop user agent, it will recognize the desktop URLs as the canonical versions.
  • Even if some ?m=1 URLs are indexed, users searching on desktop will be redirected to the correct version.

Use the URL Inspection Tool Correctly

When testing URLs in Google Search Console’s URL Inspection Tool, use the mobile version (?m=1) since Google predominantly crawls as a mobile user.


What Should You Avoid?

Do Not Block ?m=1 URLs in Robots.txt

Some site owners try to block these URLs using robots.txt, thinking it will prevent indexing issues. However, doing this can break Google’s understanding of mobile/desktop page relationships, leading to:

  • Loss of mobile indexing signals.
  • Potential ranking issues in mobile search results.

Do Not Use noindex on ?m=1 Pages

Adding a noindex meta tag on ?m=1 pages prevents Google from processing the connection between mobile and desktop versions, which can result in incorrect indexing decisions.


What If the Redirects Are Not for ?m=1?

If you are seeing Page Redirect Errors in Search Console, but the redirects are not related to ?m=1, this could indicate an actual issue.

How to Troubleshoot Non-?m=1 Redirect Errors:

  1. Check your site’s redirect settings – Ensure no unintended redirections are set in Blogger or domain settings.
  2. Test affected URLs using GSC’s URL Inspection Tool – Identify where the redirects are pointing.
  3. Ask for help in Google’s Support Forums – If you’re unsure, open a thread in the Google Search Console Help Community and provide example URLs.

What If “Alternate Page with Proper Canonical Tag” Appears in GSC?

If your ?m=1 URLs are flagged under “Alternate Page with Proper Canonical Tag”, it means:

  • Google accessed the mobile version (?m=1) during a crawl.
  • It correctly recognized the desktop version as the canonical page.

This is not an error—it simply means Google has properly processed the mobile/desktop relationship. No action is needed.


What If ?m=1 URLs Are Getting Indexed?

Occasionally, Google may index ?m=1 versions of your pages instead of the desktop URLs.

Is This a Problem?

Usually, no. This situation often happens temporarily while Google is still processing canonicalization. Over time, Google will typically choose the desktop version as the primary indexed URL.

How to Check if Canonicalization is Working Correctly?

  • Use Google’s URL Inspection Tool in GSC to confirm that:
    ✔ The canonical tag is present and points to the desktop URL.
    ✔ Google acknowledges the canonical page correctly.

What If the rel=canonical Tag is Missing?

If ?m=1 pages are being indexed more than expected, double-check your site’s settings:

  • Ensure the rel=canonical tag is correctly placed on each page.
  • If using a custom Blogger template, verify that you haven’t accidentally removed the canonical tag.

Final Thoughts

If you’re seeing Page Redirect Errors in Google Search Console on your Blogger site, it is likely just a reflection of how Blogger handles mobile traffic rather than an actual problem.

Key Takeaways:

The ?m=1 redirects are normal and don’t harm rankings.
Google correctly processes Blogger’s mobile/desktop setup over time.
Use the URL Inspection Tool to verify canonicalization.
Avoid blocking ?m=1 URLs in robots.txt or using noindex.

For most Blogger site owners, the best approach is to do nothing and allow Google to process the pages naturally. However, if you’re seeing redirects that aren’t related to ?m=1, a deeper investigation may be needed.

Is Using a ‘site:’ Query a Reliable Way to Check Indexing? Here’s What You Need to Know

When checking whether your pages are indexed by Google, many website owners use the site: query in Google Search (e.g., site:example.com). However, this method is not always accurate and can produce misleading results.

This article explains why the site: query is an imperfect way to check indexing, how it works, and what alternatives provide a more reliable assessment of your pages in Google’s index.


Is the ‘site:’ Query a Reliable Indexing Test?

No, a site: query does not provide a complete or reliable list of indexed pages. While it can show some pages from your website, Google’s search algorithm is designed to display a selection of relevant results rather than a comprehensive list.

Here’s why:

1. Google Filters Search Results, Including Site Queries

Google applies filtering mechanisms to prevent duplicate or redundant pages from cluttering search results. As a result, even if a page is indexed, it may not appear in a site: query because:

  • Google hides duplicate content to improve search experience.
  • It prioritizes relevant results rather than listing every possible match.
  • The total number of results shown is an estimate, not an exact count.

2. Personalized & Safe Search Settings Impact Visibility

Google’s personalization features and SafeSearch filters can cause variations in what users see in search results. This means:

  • One user may see a page in a site: query, while another does not.
  • Pages flagged as sensitive or filtered by SafeSearch may not appear at all.

3. Non-Canonical and Alternate URLs May Appear

Some pages may show up in site: queries even if they are not indexed as primary pages. This happens when:

  • Google finds alternate versions of a page (e.g., due to hreflang tags for multilingual sites).
  • The page exists under multiple URLs but only one is set as canonical.

In such cases, a site: query may return URLs that are technically not indexed in the expected way.


A More Accurate Way to Check Indexing: Use Google Search Console

Instead of relying on site: queries, use Google Search Console (GSC) for a more precise view of your indexed pages.

1. The Page Indexing Report (Coverage Report)

Google Search Console provides a Page Indexing (Coverage) Report, which shows:
✅ The total number of indexed pages.
✅ A list of URLs that Google has indexed.
✅ Errors, warnings, and reasons why certain pages are not indexed.

While this report may be slightly outdated (typically refreshed every few days), it provides a far more accurate snapshot than a site: query.

2. URL Inspection Tool

For a single page, use the URL Inspection Tool in GSC:
1️⃣ Enter the exact URL you want to check.
2️⃣ Google will confirm whether it is indexed.
3️⃣ If not indexed, Google will provide a reason and possible fixes.

This is the most precise way to determine if a page is in Google’s index.


Can You Use a ‘site:’ Query for Indexing Checks?

While not perfect, the site: query can still be useful in certain situations, particularly for checking if a specific page might be indexed. However, it has limitations:

How the ‘site:’ Query Works

  • Protocol (http/https) is ignored – Searching site:example.com checks both http://example.com and https://example.com.
  • Not case-sensitive – Google treats uppercase and lowercase letters the same.
  • Includes subdomains by default – Searching site:example.com/page also includes www.example.com/page, but site:www.example.com does not include example.com.
  • Matches paths, including partial URLs – Searching site:example.com/folder/ will match:bashCopyEditwww.example.com/folder/page www.example.com/folder/page.html www.example.com/folder/page-second.php
  • Does NOT match query strings – Anything after ? in a URL is ignored. For example:bashCopyEditsite:example.com/page?color=red will match site:example.com/page?color=blue as well.

Better Alternative: Use the ‘inurl:’ Operator for More Precision

If you need more precise URL matching, use the inurl: operator instead of site:.

✅ The inurl: operator:

  • Matches any part of the URL, including parameters and query strings.
  • Does not automatically include subdomains.
  • Allows for more specific searches than a site: query.

Example:

bashCopyEditinurl:example.com/page?color=red

This will return only results containing that exact query string.


Final Thoughts: Should You Use ‘site:’ Queries for Indexing?

A site: query is not a definitive way to check whether a page is indexed. While it can provide some visibility into indexed pages, it is subject to:
❌ Filtering and duplicate content suppression.
❌ Personalized and SafeSearch settings.
❌ Non-canonical URLs appearing incorrectly.

For accurate indexing data:
✅ Use Google Search Console’s Page Indexing Report for full-site indexing status.
✅ Use the URL Inspection Tool for checking individual pages.
✅ Consider the inurl: operator for more precise search queries.

If you’re troubleshooting indexing issues, relying on Search Console is the best way to get reliable, actionable insights.

Understanding the “Last Update” in Google Search Console Reports

Google Search Console (GSC) is a powerful tool that provides insights into website performance, indexing status, and technical SEO issues. One of the most commonly overlooked yet important indicators in GSC reports is the “Last Update” timestamp.

This article explains what “Last Update” means in Search Console, how it affects your data interpretation, and what to do if the reports seem outdated or delayed.


What Does “Last Update” Mean in Google Search Console?

The “Last Update” label in Google Search Console reports refers to the most recent date when Google refreshed the data for a particular report. It helps users understand how up-to-date the information is in various sections of GSC, including:

  • Performance Reports (Search Traffic, Clicks, Impressions)
  • Indexing Reports (Pages Indexed, Crawled but Not Indexed)
  • Enhancements Reports (Core Web Vitals, Mobile Usability)
  • Security & Manual Actions Reports

If the Last Update date is recent, the report contains fresh data. However, if it is several days old, the data might be delayed or not reflecting the latest changes on your site.


Where Can You Find the “Last Update” Date in Search Console?

You can find the “Last Update” indicator at the top-right corner of most Google Search Console reports.

For example:

  • In the Indexing Report, the Last Update shows when Google last processed your site’s index status.
  • In the Performance Report, it indicates when the latest search traffic data was added.

Knowing when the data was last refreshed is crucial for accurate SEO analysis and troubleshooting.


Why Is the “Last Update” Important?

1. Helps You Track Recent SEO Changes

  • If you’ve made optimizations (e.g., fixing errors, submitting a sitemap), you can check whether Google has updated the report to reflect these changes.
  • Example: If you submitted a page for indexing, but the Last Update date is old, it may mean Google hasn’t crawled the page yet.

2. Detects Data Delays in Google Search Console

  • Google doesn’t always update reports in real-time.
  • If the Last Update is delayed, recent changes may not be visible yet.

3. Confirms Whether Google is Actively Crawling & Indexing Your Site

  • If the “Last Update” for Indexing Reports is recent, it means Google is actively processing your pages.
  • If it’s outdated, your site might not be getting crawled as expected.

Why is the “Last Update” in GSC Reports Delayed?

Google does not update reports instantly because:

  1. Processing Time – Google needs time to collect, analyze, and aggregate data from millions of sites.
  2. Indexing and Crawling Variability – Some websites get crawled more frequently than others based on factors like content freshness, site authority, and crawl budget.
  3. Data Pipeline Delays – Occasionally, Search Console data processing is delayed, causing reports to show outdated data.
  4. Google System Updates – Major Google updates (e.g., core algorithm changes, Search Console maintenance) may temporarily pause data refreshes.

Common Issues Related to “Last Update” in Search Console Reports

1️⃣ Performance Report Data is Not Up-to-Date

  • The Performance Report in GSC usually updates every 1-2 days.
  • If it’s not updating, it could be due to data pipeline delays.

Solution:
✔ Check Google’s Search Console Data Issues page for announcements about data delays.
✔ Wait a few days, as the issue is usually temporary.


2️⃣ Pages are Indexed but Not Showing in Reports

  • Sometimes, newly indexed pages don’t appear in the Indexing Report immediately.
  • The “Last Update” may show an older date, meaning Google hasn’t refreshed the report yet.

Solution:
✔ Check if your page is indexed using site:example.com/page-url.
✔ Use the URL Inspection Tool and click “Test Live URL” to get real-time indexing status.


3️⃣ Sitemap Status Not Updating

  • After submitting a sitemap, it might not appear as “processed” right away.
  • The “Last Update” in the Sitemaps Report should change once Google processes it.

Solution:
✔ If the sitemap is taking too long, try resubmitting it in GSC.
✔ Ensure your sitemap only contains valid URLs to speed up processing.


How to Speed Up Google Search Console Updates?

While you cannot directly force Google to refresh the “Last Update,” you can encourage faster updates:

Submit URLs for Indexing – Use the URL Inspection Tool and click “Request Indexing” for important pages.
Regularly Update Your Sitemap – Ensure Google has the latest URLs by submitting an up-to-date sitemap.xml.
Improve Crawlability – Avoid blocking Googlebot in robots.txt and use internal linking to help Google discover pages.
Monitor Crawl Errors – Check the Coverage Report to fix any indexing or crawl issues that might slow updates.
Check Google Search Status Dashboard – Sometimes, GSC data delays are caused by Google-wide issues. Check the Google Search Status Dashboard for real-time updates.

AMP Indexing FAQs: Everything You Need to Know

Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) is a Google-backed framework designed to improve mobile page speed and performance. However, ensuring AMP pages are properly indexed in Google Search can be challenging.

This guide addresses frequently asked questions about AMP indexing, common issues, and best practices for troubleshooting.


What is AMP and How Does Google Index It?

Google indexes AMP pages similarly to regular pages but with some key differences:

  • AMP pages must be linked properly from the main (canonical) page.
  • Googlebot crawls and indexes AMP pages separately.
  • Google stores a cached version of AMP pages for faster loading.

Example of AMP linking on a desktop page:

htmlCopyEdit<link rel="amphtml" href="https://example.com/page/amp">

This tells Google where the AMP version of the page is located.


How Can I Check If My AMP Pages Are Indexed?

To check if Google has indexed your AMP pages:

  1. Google Search Console (GSC): Go to AMP Report under Indexing.
  2. Google Search Operator: Enter this in Google Search:bashCopyEditsite:example.com inurl:/amp
  3. URL Inspection Tool in GSC: Enter the AMP page URL and check indexing status.

Why Are My AMP Pages Not Indexed?

If AMP pages are not indexed, some possible reasons include:

  1. No Internal Links to the AMP Page
    • Ensure the canonical (desktop) page links to the AMP version.
  2. Blocked by Robots.txt
    • Make sure AMP URLs are not blocked in robots.txt:makefileCopyEditUser-agent: Googlebot Allow: /amp/
  3. Noindex Meta Tag in AMP Page
    • If your AMP page contains this meta tag, remove it:htmlCopyEdit<meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow">
  4. AMP Validation Errors
    • Use AMP Validator to check for errors.
    • Fix missing required AMP tags or invalid elements.

Should I Use a Canonical Tag on My AMP Pages?

Yes. AMP pages should always reference a canonical URL to avoid duplicate content issues.

  • Canonical tag on AMP page:htmlCopyEdit<link rel="canonical" href="https://example.com/page">
  • AMP HTML link on the desktop page:htmlCopyEdit<link rel="amphtml" href="https://example.com/page/amp">

This setup ensures Google understands the relationship between the AMP and non-AMP versions.


Why is My AMP Page Indexed but Not Appearing in Search Results?

If your AMP page is indexed but not ranking in Google Search, consider the following:

  1. Low-Quality Content – Ensure the content is relevant and engaging.
  2. No Schema Markup – Add structured data to improve visibility in search results.
  3. Slow Loading Time – Even though AMP is designed for speed, poor server response times can affect rankings.

Use Google’s PageSpeed Insights to test loading speed and performance.


How Can I Speed Up AMP Indexing?

To get AMP pages indexed faster:

  1. Submit the AMP Page in Google Search Console
    • Use the URL Inspection Tool and click Request Indexing.
  2. Submit AMP URLs in Your XML Sitemap
    • Add AMP URLs in your sitemap.xml:xmlCopyEdit<url> <loc>https://example.com/page/amp</loc> </url>
    • Then submit it in Google Search Console → Sitemaps.
  3. Use Google’s Indexing API (for publishers and news websites).
  4. Share AMP Pages on Social Media to increase discovery.

What is Google’s AMP Cache and How Does It Work?

Google stores a cached version of AMP pages to improve loading speed for users.

How to View the AMP Cache Version of Your Page:

  • Format:arduinoCopyEdithttps://cdn.ampproject.org/c/example.com/page/amp
  • Test by appending this before your AMP URL:arduinoCopyEdithttps://www.google.com/amp/example.com/page/amp

To Clear the AMP Cache:


Are AMP Pages Still Important for SEO?

AMP is no longer required for Google’s Top Stories, but it still offers benefits:

  • AMP helps improve mobile user experience and page speed.
  • AMP pages can increase engagement and reduce bounce rates.
  • If your site relies on fast-loading pages, AMP can still be useful.

However, Core Web Vitals (CWV) now play a bigger role in rankings. If your mobile pages are already optimized for speed and CWV, AMP may not be necessary.


Summary: Quick Fixes for AMP Indexing Issues

IssueSolution
AMP Page Not IndexedCheck GSC’s URL Inspection Tool
Google Can’t Find AMPEnsure canonical & amphtml tags are correct
Robots.txt Blocking AMPAllow Googlebot access
Noindex Tag PresentRemove <meta name="robots" content="noindex">
Validation ErrorsFix issues in AMP Validator
AMP Not RankingImprove content quality & add structured data

Scroll to Top