What to Know:
– Google’s John Mueller recently shared some insight about the time it takes for changes to be processed on larger websites.
– Mueller explained that when a large site makes changes to its URLs, it can take longer for Google to process those changes compared to smaller sites.
– The reason for this is that larger sites have more URLs, which means Google needs more time to crawl and process all the changes.
– Mueller also mentioned that Google’s algorithms prioritize crawling and indexing new content over re-crawling and re-indexing existing content.
– He advised webmasters to be patient and give Google enough time to process the changes, as it can take weeks or even months for larger sites.
The Full Story:
Google’s John Mueller recently shared some insight about the time it takes for changes to be processed on larger websites. In a Google Webmaster Central hangout, Mueller explained that when a large site makes changes to its URLs, it can take longer for Google to process those changes compared to smaller sites.
The reason for this is that larger sites have more URLs, which means Google needs more time to crawl and process all the changes. Mueller mentioned that Google’s algorithms prioritize crawling and indexing new content over re-crawling and re-indexing existing content. This means that when a large site makes changes to its URLs, Google may take longer to re-crawl and re-index those URLs.
Mueller advised webmasters to be patient and give Google enough time to process the changes. He mentioned that it can take weeks or even months for larger sites, depending on the size and complexity of the changes. He also recommended monitoring the crawl stats in Google Search Console to see if Google is making progress in processing the changes.
In addition to the time it takes for Google to process changes on larger sites, Mueller also discussed the impact of changing URLs on search rankings. He explained that when URLs change, Google treats them as new pages and they may lose the accumulated signals and rankings of the old URLs. However, he mentioned that if the new URLs are set up correctly and have the same or better content, they can eventually regain their rankings.
Mueller emphasized the importance of properly redirecting old URLs to the new ones using 301 redirects. This helps Google understand that the old URLs have been permanently moved to the new ones and ensures that users and search engines are directed to the correct pages.
Overall, the key takeaway from Mueller’s insights is that changing URLs on larger sites takes time to process. Webmasters of larger sites should be patient and give Google enough time to crawl and re-index the changes. They should also ensure that proper redirects are in place to maintain search rankings and user experience.
It’s important to note that the time it takes for Google to process changes on larger sites can vary depending on various factors, such as the size and complexity of the site, the number of changes made, and the overall crawl budget allocated to the site. Therefore, it’s crucial for webmasters to closely monitor the crawl stats in Google Search Console and make any necessary adjustments to ensure a smooth transition.
In conclusion, webmasters of larger sites should be aware that changing URLs on their sites can take longer to process compared to smaller sites. They should be patient and give Google enough time to crawl and re-index the changes. Proper redirects should be implemented to maintain search rankings and user experience. By following these guidelines, webmasters can ensure a smooth transition and minimize any negative impact on their site’s visibility in search results.
Original article: https://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-changing-urls-on-larger-sites-takes-time-to-process/506856/