Learn how to streamline your website structure without impacting SEO, why not to shift subdirectories and the importance of specifying the root homepage as x-default.
This article discusses Google Search Advocate John Mueller’s valuable insights on website structure simplification shared in a Reddit thread. These tips can help you achieve a streamlined website structure while maintaining SEO integrity.
In this video
- 0:00 Why Google Trusts Specialists Over Generalists
- 0:27 Topical Authority Explained Simply
- 1:58 Case Study Numbers Behind Topical Authority
- 3:17 Hospital Analogy for Website Structure
- 4:34 Homepage Lobby to Specialist Content Pages
- 5:11 SEO Silos and What Your Site Should Look Like
- 5:41 Building 40 to 60 Pages of Organized Content
- 6:47 Inner Hidden Pages Drive 80 to 90 Percent of Results
Should You Remove Subdirectories?
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A Reddit user asked about the impact of retiring /fr and /de subdirectories and directing all European traffic to the /eu subdirectory on their website’s SEO and rankings.
Mueller's Advice:
John Mueller discourages shifting subdirectories to /EU, as it brings no SEO advantage and involves significant work. Instead, he suggests moving “/*” (en-us) into a “/us” folder for clearer separation of sections and applying hreflang to all pages prone to confusion.
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The Role of X-Default
Mueller emphasizes the importance of x-default, particularly when using geo-IP redirects. He recommends setting the root homepage as x-default to avoid misinterpretation by Google and improve the website’s functionality for users from different countries.
Reflections on Geo-Redirects
Mueller advises using geo-redirects only on the main homepage and not on other pages, simplifying the user experience by matching their location. Other alternatives, such as dynamic language change or country-picker, may increase complexity or negatively affect usability.
Key Takeaways from Mueller's Recommendations
Following John Mueller’s advice, you can effectively streamline your website’s structure without negatively impacting its SEO performance. Here are the key takeaways from his recommendations:
Avoid shifting subdirectories, as it offers no SEO advantage and requires significant work.
Move “/*” (en-us) into a “/us” folder for a clearer separation of sections, making it easier for search engines to understand your website’s structure.
Implement hreflang on all pages, especially those prone to confusion, to prevent users from accessing the wrong country version of your site.
Set the root homepage as x-default, ensuring that Google recognizes it as the default page for specific countries and avoids misinterpretation.
Use geo-redirects only on the main homepage, simplifying the user experience by directing users to the closest match to their location.
Final Thoughts
Simplifying your website structure can significantly improve the user experience and make it easier for search engines to index and understand your site. By following John Mueller’s expert advice, you can achieve a more streamlined website structure without sacrificing SEO performance.
Remember that the effectiveness of these recommendations may vary depending on the specific circumstances of your website. It’s essential to analyze and monitor the impact of any changes you make to ensure they deliver the desired results.
In conclusion, adopting Mueller’s recommendations can help you create a more user-friendly and search engine-friendly website, ultimately leading to better search rankings and an enhanced user experience for your visitors.
Read Next: Creating a Documented Content Strategy: Tips and Tricks.
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