May 6, 2024

To be or not to be - indexing links?

This is a question that has been debated by SEO experts for years. Some argue that link indexing is a crucial part of SEO strategy, while others believe that it is not necessary and can even be harmful. In this article, we will explore both sides of the argument and try to come to a conclusion.

On the one hand, link indexing can be a powerful tool for improving a website's search engine rankings. When a search engine crawls a website, it follows links to other pages on the site and to external sites. By indexing these links, the search engine can get a better understanding of the website's content and structure, which can lead to higher rankings. Additionally, if other websites link to a page on your site, indexing those links can help to transfer some of their authority and relevance to your page, further boosting its rankings.

However, there are also arguments against link indexing. Some SEO experts believe that search engines are becoming increasingly sophisticated and are able to understand a website's content and structure without the need for explicit link indexing. In fact, excessive link indexing can actually harm a website's rankings if it is seen as manipulative or spammy. For example, if a website has a large number of low-quality or irrelevant links pointing to it, this can actually hurt its rankings rather than help them.

So, what is the answer to the question of whether or not to index links? The truth is that it depends on the specific situation. In general, if a website has high-quality, relevant links pointing to it, indexing those links can be beneficial. However, it is important to be cautious and avoid excessive or manipulative link indexing. Additionally, it is important to focus on creating high-quality content and building a strong overall SEO strategy, rather than relying solely on link indexing.

In conclusion, the decision of whether or not to index links should be made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the quality and relevance of the links, as well as the overall SEO strategy. By taking a balanced approach and avoiding excessive or manipulative tactics, link indexing can be a valuable part of an effective SEO strategy.

How often should you check your site's indexation?

Checking your website's indexation is a crucial part of maintaining its health and ensuring that it is performing well in search engine results pages (SERPs). But how often should you check your site's indexation? The answer to this question depends on several factors, including the size of your website, the frequency of updates, and the level of competition in your industry.

For smaller websites with infrequent updates, checking your site's indexation once a month may be sufficient. This will allow you to identify any potential issues and address them before they become major problems. However, if you have a larger website with frequent updates, you may need to check your site's indexation more often, such as weekly or even daily.

Another factor to consider is the level of competition in your industry. If you are operating in a highly competitive niche, it's important to stay on top of your site's indexation to ensure that you are not falling behind your competitors. In this case, checking your site's indexation on a weekly or even daily basis may be necessary.

It's also worth noting that there are tools available that can automate the process of checking site's indexation, such as Google Search Console. These tools can provide you with valuable insights into your site's indexation status and alert you to any potential issues that may arise.

In summary, the frequency with which you should check site's indexation depends on several factors, including the size of your website, the frequency of updates, and the level of competition in your industry. By regularly monitoring your site's indexation, you can ensure that it is performing well in SERPs and address any potential issues before they become major problems.

References

[1] Google. (2021). How Search Works. https://www.google.com/search/howsearchworks/crawling-indexing/

[2] Moz. (2021). The Beginner's Guide to SEO. https://moz.com/beginners-guide-to-seo

[3] Search Engine Journal. (2021). Link Building: The Definitive Guide. https://www.searchenginejournal.com/link-building-guide/234532/

[4] Cutts, M. (2014). The decay and fall of guest blogging for SEO. https://www.mattcutts.com/blog/guest-blogging/