Core Web Vitals Are Non-Negotiable
Google's Core Web Vitals (LCP, INP, CLS) directly impact rankings. LCP should be under 2.5 seconds, INP under 200ms, and CLS under 0.1. Use PageSpeed Insights to check your scores and identify issues.
Crawlability Fundamentals
Search engines need to access your pages. Check your robots.txt isn't blocking important pages, ensure XML sitemap is updated and submitted, and use Google Search Console to identify crawl errors.
Indexation Control
Not every page should be indexed. Use canonical tags to consolidate duplicate content, noindex tags for thin pages, and check Search Console's Index Coverage report for issues.
Site Architecture Matters
Flat site architecture helps users and search engines. Important pages should be within 3 clicks of the homepage. Use internal linking to distribute page authority and help crawlers discover content.
Mobile-First Is Mandatory
Google uses mobile-first indexing. Your mobile site IS your site for ranking purposes. Test with Lighthouse mobile audits in Chrome DevTools and ensure content parity between mobile and desktop. Google retired its Mobile-Friendly Test on 1 December 2023.
HTTPS and Security
HTTPS is a ranking factor and builds user trust. Ensure your SSL certificate is valid, all pages redirect to HTTPS, and there's no mixed content warnings.