Tag Archives: internal linking

Does Google still use PageRank to rate your website?

Google PageRank toolbar vs internal use for ranking websites

"Ask David" short answer: yes. While you can’t see it anymore, PageRank is still a "core" part of how Google determines which websites are trustworthy and important.

Related: What Makes a Simple Website Feel Trustworthy? (From Real User Experience, Not Theory)

However, the PageRank of today is very different from the simple "0 to 10" score people obsessed over in the early 2000s.

How PageRank Works in 2026

In the early days, PageRank was the primary way Google ranked

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Does “Test Live URL” help Google index your webpage faster?

Google Search Console, Test Live URL, for page indexing
Live Test of a webpage on Google Search Console, passes and says the URL is available to Google and indexable...but not indexed yet.

Does clicking on the "Test Live URL" on Google Search Console after using the "Request Indexing" link make Google index your page sooner? Or was it just a coincidence?

“Ask David” answer: The short answer is no, if you experienced Google indexing your page soon after testing the Live URL, it was just a coincidence. Clicking

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Using a URL Shortener and Passing the SEO Link Juice

azipurl-app-more-than-url-shortener
azipURL is a better version of the URL shortener websites like tinyurl.com and bitly.com – you actually get to delete links with azipURL. And you can build a webpage, password protect, and set up to get stats.

Does using a URL shortener like azipURL or TinyURL not pass on the SEO link juice of having a backlink posted somewhere?

"Ask David" answer:

Actually, using a URL shortener like azipURL, TinyURL, or Bitly generally does pass on the SEO

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What Is the IndexNow Message in Bing Webmaster Tools?

Bing Webmaster Tools, IndexNow message

If you use Bing Webmaster Tools, you may have noticed a banner that says:

“Set up IndexNow and boost your site’s visibility in search engines within minutes.”

At first glance, it looks like an ad.
It sounds promotional, it’s visually highlighted, and it pushes you to click.

But it’s not an advertisement - and it’s also not a Bing-owned service, which is where most of the confusion comes from.

Let’s clear this up properly.

Short Answer

  • ❌ It’s
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7 Underrated SEO Strategies That Actually Drive Traffic (With Examples)

underrated SEO strategies

When it comes to SEO, the advice often sounds the same: write great content, build backlinks, optimize title tags, speed up your site. While those are foundational, some of the most powerful wins come from lesser-discussed tactics that deliver real results - sometimes with very little effort.

Here are 7 underrated SEO strategies that are actually working for real site owners and marketers right now:

1. Seed Backlinks Through Free Stock Photo Platforms

If you take high-quality,

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Keyword Cannibalization: Real SEO Issue or Overblown Myth?

Keyword cannibalization and its effects on search engine rankings - a tug of war between pages

"Keyword cannibalization sounds made up - is it actually a thing in SEO?"

Short Answer: It’s real - but not always harmful. Let’s unpack when keyword cannibalization matters, how to spot it, and how to fix it strategically.

🧐 What Is Keyword Cannibalization?

Keyword cannibalization happens when multiple pages on your website target and rank for the same (or very similar) keywords. These pages essentially compete with each other in the search engine results pages (SERPs).

🚨 When Keyword Cannibalization

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AIO vs GEO vs SEO: What’s the Difference – and How to Optimize for All Three

Relationship between SEO, AIO, and GEO, showing SEO as a foundation with AIO and GEO building upon or extending from it

If you’ve been online lately and you're a web dev like me, you’ve probably heard a lot of hype around AIO (AI Optimization) and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization). These buzzwords are being tossed around as the "new SEO" — but what do they actually mean? And how do they differ practically from traditional SEO?

If you’ve found yourself scratching your head, this post is for you. Let's break it down and get real about what AIO/GEO mean, how

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Do You Need a Lot of Text on Your Website to Rank on the First Page of Google?

quality vs quantity, Google ranking

When it comes to ranking on the first page of Google, one common question many website owners and digital marketers ask is: “Do I need a lot of text on my website to rank well?” The answer isn’t a simple yes or no - it depends on a variety of factors, including the nature of your content, user intent, and SEO best practices.

Quality Over Quantity

Let’s start by debunking a myth: more text doesn’t automatically mean better rankings. Google’s

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Subdomain vs Subfolder: What’s Better for SEO and Your Website Setup?

deciding between subfolders and subdomains for your website structure

Deciding between subfolders and subdomains for your website structure

When expanding your website, you might face a classic web architecture question:
Should I create a subdomain (e.g., blog.example.com) or a subfolder (e.g., example.com/blog)?

In the past, many SEO experts recommended subfolders because they were thought to inherit more SEO authority from the main domain. However, Google has officially stated that it does not inherently favor subdomains or subfolders - both can perform equally well for SEO if implemented properly. The

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How Much Content Does Google Need to Trust Your Site?

writing website content, search engine ranking

If you're building a website or growing a blog, one big question probably keeps coming up: How much content do I need before Google starts trusting my site?

You’re not alone. Many site owners wonder if there's a magic number of blog posts or pages that unlocks search engine visibility. The truth is - Google doesn't rank websites based solely on how many posts you have. But content volume does play an important role when it comes to building trust

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