Articles in The 'Google-webmaster-guidelines' Tag

Quick Reference Guide for Contacting Google

by Melanie Wahl

There is no magical phone line to reach the organic search department at Google.   As much as we would love to have the equivalent of the number to the flashing red phone used to reach Batman (Adam West version) in the original series, we have instead a twisted maze of online submission links and help forums.   But do not lose hope, depending on your problem, the next step is simply finding the right contact form or help piece.

First, if you are a webmaster, you should bookmark the following five websites:

Google’s Webmaster Guidelines
Google Webmaster Tools
Google’s Webmaster Central Blog
Google Webmaster Help — YouTube Videos
Google Webmaster Help Forum

Second, you should identify your problem.   Is it something that you and your team can work out using the above guidelines, blog posts or videos? Do you need to bring in expert help such as an agency? Or are you looking for the page on which to contact Google about your issue?

The following graphic illustrates a few hurdles that Webmasters may face while in charge of a website (the blue boxes).   The next course of action to take in order to contact Google about such hurdles is delineated in the arrows.   You can read more about the following submissions and requests and find the links on Google’s Webmaster Forum Page: Webmaster Help and Contacts.

Developing content for users first, search engines second

by MoreVisibility

Many people are under the impression that developing multiple pages with irrelevant content is a good long-term strategy for ranking many pages within the site well. This of course is a misconception that needs clarification. The Google webmaster guidelines specifically states not to develop pages for the sole purpose of search engine rankings.

Make pages for users, not for search engines. Don’t deceive your users or present different content to search engines than you display to users, which is commonly referred to as “cloaking.

– Google Webmaster Guidelines

It is true that websites with more relevant content have a higher chance to rank well, so it would be in your best interest to develop these additional pages if and only if the content is unique and relevant. The primary purpose of developing these pages should be for the users that visit the site and ultimately read your content.