Important SEO Updates to Watch for This December 2019
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, staying ahead of search engine optimization (SEO) changes is crucial for maintaining and enhancing your website’s visibility. This December, two significant updates from Google are set to impact how websites are managed and optimized. Understanding these changes now will ensure your site remains secure and properly optimized for search engine crawlers.
1. Google Will Block Mixed Content Starting December 2019
Google is implementing stricter security measures by beginning to block mixed content on HTTPS-secured websites. But what exactly does this mean?
What is Mixed Content?
Mixed content occurs when a secure webpage (served via HTTPS) includes resources such as scripts, stylesheets, images, or other elements that are loaded through an insecure HTTP connection. This creates a security vulnerability because the insecurely loaded resources can be exploited to compromise the integrity of your site.
Why Is This Important?
Browsers like Chrome will increasingly flag or block mixed content, affecting user experience and trust. Not addressing mixed content can also lead to browsers warning users about security risks, which may deter them from browsing your site altogether.
Actionable Steps:
– Audit your website to identify any resources loaded via HTTP.
– Ensure all webpage elements—HTML code, JavaScript files, CSS stylesheets, images, and other linked resources—are served over HTTPS.
– Update your URLs, or better yet, use relative URLs or protocol-relative URLs to avoid such issues.
By proactively resolving mixed content issues, you not only improve your site’s security but also enhance your SEO performance, as Google favors secure websites.
2. Google Bot User Agent Name and Code Will Change
Another noteworthy update taking effect this December involves the Googlebot user agent. Google is planning to update the name and structure of its crawler’s user agent string.
What Does This Mean?
Some website owners and developers implement server-side checks to detect Googlebot—often for custom crawling preferences or content delivery. These checks typically rely on the user agent string.
Why is This Important?
If your site performs conditional behavior based on Googlebot’s user agent, the upcoming change could disrupt those configurations. Most small and standard sites won’t be affected, but larger enterprises or those with custom crawl handling should review their setup.
Next Steps:
– Review your server configurations, scripts, or any custom code that detects Googlebot via the user agent string.
– Update these checks to accommodate the new Googlebot user agent format once officially released.
– Keep an eye on official communication from Google for precise details on the new user agent string.
Ensuring your server detects Googlebot accurately guarantees optimal crawling and indexing, which directly impacts your site’s search visibility.
Final Thoughts
Remaining informed of upcoming SEO and technical updates is vital for maintaining a competitive online presence. By addressing the upcoming HTTPS mixed content restrictions and updating your Googlebot detection methods, you can keep your website secure, accessible, and optimized for search engines.
Stay proactive, stay updated, and continue to excel in your SEO efforts!
