How do I submit a sitemap to Google?
Submit your sitemap in Google Search Console in a few steps, add it to robots.txt as a backup, and read the status that comes back.
Quick answers guides
Practical, step-by-step website launch and SEO health guides.
Categories: Quick answers (100)
Showing 25 to 48 of 100 guides in Quick answers (page 2 of 5)
How do I test if my site supports HTTP/3?
Check HTTP/3 with browser DevTools, the Alt-Svc header, curl or an online checker, and learn why a first load can still show HTTP/2.
How do I use the Rich Results Test?
Step-by-step use of Google's Rich Results Test: test a live URL or pasted code, read errors and warnings, and know what a pass does and does not mean.
How do I verify my site in Google Search Console?
Prove you own your site in Google Search Console using a DNS record, an HTML file, a meta tag or an analytics connection, and keep the proof in place.
How long does a DMARC change take to work?
A new or edited DMARC record takes effect as DNS caches expire, but reports and a safe rollout take weeks. See what to expect and how to check progress.
How long does Google take to index a new page?
There is no fixed time for Google to index a new page. See what affects the wait, how to check progress and which steps help Google find your page.
How long should a meta description be?
Google sets no meta description length limit. Learn a practical range, why snippets get rewritten and how to write a description people want to click.
How long should a title tag be?
Google sets no fixed title tag limit, but long titles get cut off. Learn the practical length range, how pixel width works and how to write a clear title.
How many H1 tags should a page have?
One H1 per page is the clearest choice for readers and screen readers. Learn what Google says about multiple H1s and how to fix a page that has none.
How to create a sitemap.xml file
Create a sitemap.xml that lists your canonical pages, publish it at your site root and tell Google where it is. Includes a copy-ready example file.
HTTP/2 vs HTTP/3: what should I enable on my CDN?
Enable both. HTTP/2 is the dependable base and HTTP/3 adds QUIC for lossy networks. Learn how browsers pick one, and what to check after switching.
JSON-LD vs Microdata: which should I use?
Learn the difference between JSON-LD and Microdata structured data, why Google recommends JSON-LD, and when Microdata is still a reasonable choice.
Lighthouse score vs real user data: which matters?
Lighthouse tests one simulated page load, while real user data records actual visits. Learn how to use each one and which to trust for decisions.
noindex vs Disallow: what is the difference?
Disallow stops crawling and noindex stops listing in search. Learn which to use, why combining them fails and how to apply each correctly.
Should URLs be lowercase?
Yes, keep URLs lowercase. Find out why uppercase letters create duplicate pages and how to redirect mixed-case URLs to a single lowercase form.
Subdomain or subfolder for SEO?
Compare subdomains and subfolders for a blog, shop or help centre, and see which fits your setup, tracking and maintenance needs best.
Trailing slash or no trailing slash on URLs?
Should your URLs end with a slash? Learn how Google treats both forms, how to choose one and how to redirect and canonicalize the other.
WebP vs JPEG vs PNG: which format is best?
Compare WebP, JPEG and PNG for website images: when each fits, how they differ on quality, transparency and size, and how to switch safely.
What are caching headers (Cache-Control)?
Cache-Control tells browsers and CDNs how long to keep a file. See the common values, a safe setup for pages and assets and how to check them.
What are good Core Web Vitals scores?
The target numbers for LCP, INP and CLS, how the 75th percentile rule works and what Needs improvement and Poor mean, in one short reference page.
What are Open Graph tags?
Open Graph tags are meta tags that set the title, description and image shown when your page is shared on social sites and in chat apps. See the main tags.
What are render-blocking resources?
Render-blocking resources are CSS and JavaScript files that stop a page from showing anything until they load. Learn how to spot and unblock them.
What causes layout shift (CLS)?
The usual culprits behind a poor CLS score: images without sizes, late embeds, injected banners, web fonts and animations. Learn how to spot each one.
What do Google and Yahoo require from bulk email senders?
A plain summary of the Google and Yahoo bulk sender rules: SPF, DKIM, DMARC, one-click unsubscribe and spam complaint limits, with where to confirm them.