Google’s John Mueller clarifies that robotically altering XML sitemap dates doesn’t enhance web optimization and will make it tougher for Google to search out precise content material updates.
The “Freshness Sign” Fantasy Busted
On Reddit’s r/web optimization discussion board, somebody requested if rivals ranked higher by setting their XML sitemap dates to the present date to ship a “freshness sign” to Google.
Mueller’s reply was clear:
“It’s often an indication they’ve a damaged sitemap generator setup. It has no optimistic impact. It’s only a lazy setup.”
The dialogue reveals a typical frustration amongst web optimization professionals. The unique poster was upset after following Google’s guidelines for 15 years, solely to see rivals utilizing “spam techniques” outrank established web sites.
When requested about websites utilizing questionable techniques but nonetheless rating effectively, Mueller defined that whereas some “sneaky issues” would possibly work briefly, updating sitemap dates isn’t one in all them.
Mueller mentioned:
“Setting right this moment’s date in a sitemap file isn’t going to assist anybody. It’s simply lazy. It makes it tougher for search engines like google and yahoo to identify actually up to date pages. This undoubtedly isn’t working of their favor.”
XML Sitemaps: What Works
XML sitemaps assist search engines like google and yahoo perceive your web site construction and when content material was final up to date. Whereas good sitemaps are important for web optimization, many individuals misunderstand the affect they’ve on rankings.
In accordance with Google, the lastmod tag in XML sitemaps ought to present when a web page was actually final up to date. When used accurately, this helps search engines like google and yahoo know which pages have new content material that must be recrawled.
Mueller confirms that faking these dates doesn’t assist your rankings and will forestall Google from discovering your actual content material updates.
What This Means for Your web optimization
Mueller’s feedback remind us that whereas some web optimization techniques may appear to enhance rankings, correlation isn’t causation.
Websites rating effectively regardless of questionable strategies are probably succeeding as a result of different elements, reasonably than manipulated sitemap dates.
For web site house owners and web optimization professionals, the recommendation is:
- Hold your XML sitemaps correct
- Solely replace lastmod dates whenever you change content material
- Deal with creating precious content material as an alternative of technical shortcuts
- Be affected person with moral web optimization methods – they supply lasting outcomes
It may be irritating to see rivals seemingly profit from questionable techniques. Nonetheless, Mueller suggests these benefits don’t final lengthy and may backfire.
This trade confirms that Google’s good algorithms can acknowledge and ultimately ignore synthetic makes an attempt to govern rating alerts.
Featured Picture: Keronn artwork/Shutterstock
