John Mueller, a Google Search Advocate, recently participated in an open discussion on the r/BigSEO subreddit, answering questions about various SEO tactics and offering advice for aspiring digital marketers.

Mueller addressed issues such as image geotagging, blogging frequency, and the pursuit of shortcuts to making money online.

In a thread titled “Incoming Dumb Question Barrage,” a Reddit user asks the following questions:

1. Should we geotag images? Does Google care at all?
2. To blog. If we do it, is it every day or once a week with some really solid stuff?
3. Google Company Profile Publishing: Every Day, Once a Week, or Why Bother?
4. Since things like Senuke died 10 years ago, is it about networking with webmasters of similar and same niche sites for links?
5. Piggybacking #4, what about PBNs? are they back If so, does it have to be a group of perfectly legit looking websites versus some cobbled together WP blogs?

Here’s a breakdown of Mueller’s detailed answer to the questions above.

Image geotagging and blogging frequency

In response to a question about geotagging images, Mueller explained that it was unnecessary for SEO purposes.

He also addressed the issue of blogging frequency, suggesting that content creators should prioritize unique and compelling content over maintaining a consistent publishing schedule.

However, he acknowledged that posting regularly could boost traffic and encouraged creators to review successful posts and expand their topics with higher-quality content.

Mueller warned of the dangers of mediocre, “spongy” content:

“The problem with trying to maintain a frequency is that it’s easy to get mediocre, spongy content that search engine quality algorithms might pick up and then assume the entire site is like that.

Taking risks like this in the beginning when it’s easy for you to start over is probably okay if you do it in the long run will be painful when it catches up to you. (All of this is even more true when you’re taking shortcuts with Gen AI content).”

Posting Google business profiles and link building

Mueller didn’t offer specific advice on how often to post Google Business Profiles, but he humorously responded to questions about outdated link-building strategies like SENuke and private blog networks (PBNs).

He warned that discussing such strategies could be taken out of context and used to promote questionable link building tools.

“SENuke hah that’s a name I haven’t heard in ages lol. Forgiveness. Giggle. I have thoughts on links, but people love to take things out of context to further their linking efforts/tools, so maybe someone else will say something sensible or not.

OMG, PBN’s too. What is this thread anyway. Now I will not say anything without a lawyer present.”

The pursuit of shortcuts to making money on the internet

Mueller noted that the questions appeared to be about finding shortcuts to making money online.

He warned that many people are trying the same thing, and some are even selling tools and courses that promise success but ultimately benefit the sellers rather than their customers.

He further explained that the best tools are aimed at businesses that need to manage their online presence, and are not intended for individuals looking for a quick route to wealth.

Advice for budding SEO professionals

Finally, Mueller encouraged people who want to work in SEO to learn HTML, coding and other basic skills to better understand the industry.

“…learn HTML, learn some coding and get going. 90% of the random tricks you come across don’t work, 9% of the remaining ones will level your sites, but if you’re lucky and persistent (is that the same thing?), you’ll come across some things that work for you function.

If you choose to go this route, accept that most – or all – of the things you build will eventually blow up, but maybe you’ll come across a few along the way that make it worthwhile.

And…after a while you might realize that building something of lasting value can also be fascinating, and you’ll start working on a side project that gets things right, where you can put your experience to good use and avoid the slash and burn site/spam building.”

Above all, he emphasizes that there is more to a successful website than just keywords and links. Mueller strongly recommends experimenting and pushing the boundaries of traditional SEO strategies.

Featured image created by the author using Midjourney

source: Reddit