How to Push Your Pages in Google

How to Push Your Pages in Google – Digital Discovery Q&A (Oct 22, 2024)

Speaker: Katrina Puranik

This session focused on practical techniques to speed up page indexing in Google, ensuring faster content discovery and improved rankings through strategic SEO practices.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Google Search Console & Sitemap Submission:
   
   • Google Search Console is an essential tool for managing organic visibility and SEO efforts. Katrina highlighted that many businesses are either unaware of the tool or under-utilise it.
   • Sitemap Submission: Submitting sitemaps (e.g., sitemap.xml) ensures all pages are indexed by Google. She recommended submitting variations of URLs (e.g., with or without "www" and HTTPS) to avoid missing any indexing opportunities.
2. Page Indexing Techniques:
   
   • Manual Indexing Requests: If a page isn’t automatically indexed, Google allows manual indexing requests via the Console. However, users have a limited number of requests per month, so it's essential to test live URLs before submitting.
   • Troubleshooting Non-Indexed Pages: Pages may remain unindexed due to issues such as missing SEO metadata, restricted access (e.g., login pages), or sensitive content that doesn't need public indexing.
3. SEO Metadata & Keyword Usage:
   
   • Katrina stressed the importance of adding SEO titles, meta descriptions, and keywords to all published content to increase the likelihood of faster indexing.
   • Writing targeted blog articles aligned with core keywords and using these keywords consistently in Google Business Profiles and service descriptions can enhance local SEO efforts.
4. Optimising for Local SEO:
   
   • Use long-tail key phrases in service descriptions and content to align with what customers are searching for.
   • Pairing well-optimised Google Business Profiles with relevant website content ensures better local visibility and higher rankings.
5. Leveraging Analytics for Strategy:
   
   • Katrina discussed how the DataSense Dashboard can help businesses identify underperforming keywords and optimise content accordingly. Tracking impressions and clicks helps determine which keywords need more attention to reach page one of Google.
6. Looking Ahead:
   
   • The next session will focus on website hacks for improving page load speeds through image, video, and content optimisation to prevent visitor drop-off during the critical first three seconds of page loading.

Takeaways and Recommendations:

• Regularly submit sitemaps and check page indexing statuses to ensure all important pages are discoverable by Google.
• Manual indexing requests can speed up the process, especially for new or updated content.
• Consistency across platforms (websites, blogs, and Google Business Profiles) with keyword usage boosts local visibility.
• Use tools like Google Search Console and the DataSense Dashboard to monitor performance and identify optimisation opportunities.

Katrina concluded the session by inviting attendees to register for the next Digital Discovery session on website optimisation techniques scheduled for October 23, 2024.