Search Queries
A search query is the word or string of words a user types into a search engine and will be used to determine the most relevant and useful results for what they are looking for. Our Hangout Notes cover insights from Google around how they use and understand search queries, along with recommendations for optimising your site for searcher intent.
Google Doesn’t Apply Semantic Meaning to Registered Trademark Symbols
Registered trademark symbols are treated like other symbols. You can search for them but Google doesn’t apply semantic meaning to them.
Google Found Examples of Searchers Using One Language But Expecting Content in Another
Google has seen quirks where people search in one language but expect to see another e.g. People searching using English characters but expect content in Hindi.
Use Jargon if That’s What Users Search For
If your users search using specific jargon (e.g. Singlish) then it makes sense to use that on your site, as Google should be able to pick that up and recognise these words. Match what users are searching for.
Explicilty Searching Old Content Will Return it in Search Under New URL After a Migration
If you explicitly search for old content following a site migration, Google will try to show it even if they have it indexed under the new URL already. This is because Google’s algorithms are trying to find the content you are looking for.
Google Folds Together Sites With Same Server, Content & URL Paths
If Google finds sites using the same server and have same content and URL paths, these will likely be seen as identical and folded together in search.
Wikipedia and MyBusiness Entries Help Google Understand Brands
It can be tricky for Google to identify brand names from individual words. Making sure a brand is listed in places like Wikipedia page and Google MyBusiness can help Google understand that a search term is a brand name and not individual words.
Google Assistant Uses Desktop Results But Will Change to Mobile Index
Google Assistant uses rich snippets from desktop version of search results and over time will move over to the mobile index.
Plural & Singular Search Queries Seen as Synonyms or Split Apart Dependent on Perceived Meaning
Plural and singular search queries can be folded together as synonyms or split apart by Google’s algorithms depending on if they are judged to have a different meaning
Presence of Rich Snippets in Site: Query But Not in Normal Search Indicator of Low Site Quality
A good indicator of site quality can be gained from using a site: query. If rich snippets are displayed using site: query but not in normal search, this is an indicator Google doesn’t trust your site from a quality point of view.
Site: Search Operator Isn’t True Indicator of All Indexed Pages
Site: search operator isn’t a true indicator of all pages that are indexed on that site. Use a sitemap file to submit the URLs you care about.