Unexpected Technical SEO Issues

Introduction to Technical SEO Issues

Technical SEO issues can significantly impact your website’s visibility and crawlability. While many common problems are well-documented, there are several lesser-known technical challenges that can prevent search engines like Google from properly indexing your content. In this post, we will delve into three unexpected technical SEO issues: confusing buttons with links, using images as backgrounds, and image lazy loading. We’ll explore the problems these issues pose and provide actionable advice on how to resolve them.

Issue 1: Buttons vs. Links

Confusing buttons with links can lead to serious crawlability issues. When Google crawls your content, it needs to understand the structure and navigation of your website. If you’re using buttons for navigation between pages, it might not recognize these as links, potentially preventing Google from crawling important parts of your site. The solution to this problem is straightforward: use links to point from one page to another, and reserve buttons for triggering actions like adding to cart or submitting a form. This distinction is crucial for both user experience and search engine crawlability.

Issue 2: Images as Backgrounds

Using images as backgrounds via CSS can lead to indexing issues. When you add an image using CSS, it’s not included in the page’s initial HTML payload, which means Google might not index it. This can be particularly problematic for SEO, especially if the images contain important information or keywords. To address this, it’s recommended to use img tags with src and alt attributes instead of CSS backgrounds. Additionally, utilizing the source tag to point to the image location can further enhance discoverability.

Issue 3: Image Lazy Loading

Image lazy loading, a technique used to improve page load times by only loading images when they come into view, can have unintended consequences on SEO. If not implemented carefully, Google might not see all content on a page, especially for users who don’t scroll down. This can lead to poor indexing and reduced visibility in search results. The fix involves ensuring that all images are loaded before Google sees the page. Techniques such as “always-include-image” or adding placeholder images with URLs pointing to the actual image can help achieve this.

Best Practices for Technical SEO

To avoid common pitfalls, several best practices should be observed:

• Use img tags and src attributes instead of CSS backgrounds for images to ensure they are indexed.
• Utilize the source tag to point to the image location, particularly when employing lazy loading techniques.
• Ensure all content is visible to Google by avoiding reliance on user interaction or scrolling. This promotes comprehensive indexing and improved search engine ranking.

Conclusion

Technical SEO issues, even seemingly minor ones, can have a profound impact on your website’s performance in search engines. By understanding and addressing these problems—distinguishing between buttons and links, appropriately using images, and managing image lazy loading—you can significantly improve your site’s crawlability and indexing. Implementing the best practices outlined here will not only resolve unexpected technical SEO issues but also contribute to a more robust and search engine-friendly website structure.