Google Updates Crawl Budget Docs for Large Sites with Differing Mobile and Desktop Pages and Links
Google has recently updated its documentation on crawl budget management for large websites, particularly those that maintain separate mobile and desktop versions. This Google crawl budget update is essential for websites with substantial content, ensuring efficient crawling and indexing of pages across both versions. Let’s delve into the new guidelines, their implications, and how large sites can optimize their crawl budget to enhance visibility and search performance.
Key Updates in Google’s Crawl Budget Guidelines
Link Parity Requirement
One of the core elements of the Google crawl budget update is the new emphasis on link parity between mobile and desktop versions. Google now strongly advises that large websites should strive to provide the same set of links on both mobile and desktop pages. In cases where maintaining identical link structures isn’t feasible, all significant links should be included in the sitemap file to ensure their discovery by Googlebot.
Since Google primarily indexes the mobile version of a site’s content, having fewer links on mobile pages can lead to incomplete crawling and missed content. For example, if a desktop version has links to newly published articles but the mobile version lacks these links, Googlebot may struggle to identify this new content. This crawl budget for mobile vs desktop recommendation aims to streamline content discovery, especially on mobile-first indexed sites.
Impact on Large Sites
This update is particularly impactful for large websites with over one million pages, especially those that update content frequently. Sites with multiple URLs flagged as “Discovered – currently not indexed” in Google Search Console may benefit from adhering to the updated guidelines. Ensuring crawl optimization for large websites can improve crawl efficiency, leading to faster content discovery and a greater chance of appearing in search results.
Large sites that align their mobile and desktop versions more closely stand to gain from improved indexing rates, as Googlebot will have a more straightforward time navigating through their content. For sites with frequently updated content or broad product ranges, this Google crawl budget update is a valuable opportunity to optimize their link structures and improve visibility.
Crawl Budget Definition
In this update, Google also reiterates the meaning of crawl budget: it’s the number of pages Googlebot can and wants to crawl within a specified timeframe. Effective crawl optimization for large websites is vital, as it ensures that new or updated content is indexed in a timely manner. Inefficient crawl budget management can lead to delayed discovery of fresh content, which could reduce visibility and affect site traffic.
Recommendations for Optimizing Crawl Budget
To maximize the benefits of the Google crawl budget update, here are some key strategies that large websites can adopt to ensure efficient content discovery and indexing:
Audit Link Structures
Regularly auditing link structures on both mobile and desktop versions is essential. Ensure that each version provides a comprehensive link structure that makes it easy for Googlebot to navigate between different sections of the site. Address any gaps or missing links, particularly those that appear on desktop but not on mobile, to adhere to Google’s mobile and desktop page differences in SEO best practices.
Update Sitemaps Regularly
For sites that cannot maintain identical link structures on both versions, updating the sitemap becomes even more crucial. A sitemap should include all significant URLs, especially those on desktop pages that may not appear on mobile. By providing these URLs in the sitemap, you offer Googlebot an alternative path to discover important pages, ensuring that content remains accessible for crawling.
Monitor Crawl Stats
In light of the Google crawl budget update, monitoring crawl statistics is a proactive way to catch any potential issues with content discovery. By examining crawl stats in Google Search Console, you can identify patterns such as delays in indexing or spikes in “Discovered – currently not indexed” pages. These patterns can reveal underlying issues with link parity or sitemap accuracy, allowing you to adjust your approach and improve crawl efficiency.
Leverage Google Documentation for Crawl Budget
Google has updated its documentation to help webmasters understand and implement best practices for crawl budget management. By consulting the Google documentation for crawl budget optimization, site owners can stay informed about the latest recommendations and ensure their large websites are optimized for mobile-first indexing.
Conclusion
The Google crawl budget update offers large sites an invaluable opportunity to improve crawl efficiency by emphasizing link parity and better sitemap management. For sites with differing mobile and desktop structures, aligning link structures and maintaining accurate sitemaps can help ensure that Googlebot indexes content effectively. These updates reflect Google’s dedication to mobile-first indexing and optimizing crawling practices, which are essential for maintaining a strong online presence in today’s mobile-dominated environment.
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