In a recent episode of ‘Ask Googlebot,’ John Mueller, a Search Advocate at Google, sheds light on Google’s stance regarding scores from third-party SEO tools.
Mueller clarifies that when it comes to ranking a site in search results, Google doesn’t consider scores regarding a website’s authority or spamminess from external SEO tools.
It’s important to note that **Google’s algorithms** and assessments take precedence over third-party scores.
As we delve into Mueller’s insights, it’s crucial to understand that while Google doesn’t utilize these scores directly, **data from SEO tools** can still be valuable for improving **on-page and off-page optimization**.
The Significance of SEO Tool Scores
Although Google doesn’t factor in scores from third-party SEO tools, Mueller mentions that these scores can give an overview of how websites perform in terms of SEO best practices.
These scores provide additional insights beyond what Google provides regarding the *optimization level* of a website for search engines.
As Mueller explains:
“Transparently calculated scores can be useful in assessing your website’s standing or identifying actual issues. They can assist with determining the next steps or even validate the work that has been done.”
Mueller accentuates the importance of comprehending the mechanics of the scoring system, as it helps gauge the relevance of the tool to your specific needs.
A Case in Point: Chrome’s Lighthouse
During the discussion, Mueller brings up Google’s Chrome Lighthouse tool as an example of a helpful tool that doesn’t have a direct impact on search engine rankings.
Lighthouse generates scores for website performance, but these scores aren’t utilized by Google in ranking websites in search results.
Even so, Mueller explains how the performance scores from Lighthouse can still be beneficial:
“The score is transparently created based on various tests, which you can examine. By looking at the overall score, you can evaluate how well your website performs in these tests.”
Website analytics scores can help identify issues such as the use of excessively concise anchor text, which may have a negative impact on site navigation.
Although these concerns may not directly influence search engine ranking positions, they can still have an effect on user experience and click-through rate.
In Conclusion
Google doesn’t rely on third-party SEO tool scores for determining search rankings, but Mueller acknowledges their usefulness.
These scores provide insight into the standing of your site, highlight potential issues to address, and aid in evaluating the success of previous SEO efforts.
As Mueller aptly puts it:
“Once again, no, Google does not use scores from third-party SEO tools for search. However, that doesn’t mean that they’re all useless.”
Mueller’s final piece of advice is to comprehend the scoring system and utilize these tools to enhance performance and user experience, rather than as a direct tactic for boosting search rankings.
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Featured Image: Screenshot from YouTube.com/GoogleSearchCentral, August 2023.
