Are Homepages The Most Important To Google?
Explore the role of homepages in Google’s algorithm—gain insights into their importance for optimal online visibility and ranking.
Numerous statements made by individuals employed at Google suggest that the homepage may hold the most significant position in Google’s ranking algorithm.
In fact, a recent statement from a Googler highlights the homepage as the most important landing page of a website. This differs from the general belief within the search community, which views the inner pages of a website as being of utmost importance.
While it is well-known that links play a vital role in indicating which pages of a website are crucial, multiple statements from Google employees suggest that the homepage may hold a more prominent position than previously believed.
Then Vs. Now
In the early days of SEO (search engine optimization), the home page was considered to be the most critical part of a website because links from directories and reciprocal linking predominantly directed towards the homepage. This made the homepage the most powerful page of the site.
However, nowadays, inner web pages hold greater importance for many websites since individuals tend to link to content or build links to it. SEO strategy emphasizes link building as a way to enhance the rankings of specific inner pages, giving them a better chance of ranking higher in organic search results.
What Does Google Say?
It was a bit surprising when Gary Illyes, a Google employee, asserted that the homepage is the most important page of a website for a search engine like Google.
During a Search Off the Record podcast, he made this remark while deliberating on how to ascertain whether a decrease in traffic is due to a technical problem or a quality concern. It is not uncommon for people to quote a few sentences that a Googler spoke or extract a few lines from a 31-page patent to make unfounded claims.
Hence, it is crucial to provide the context so that the statement makes sense as intended. Illyes clarifies that checking if Google can crawl the site is the first step. He then goes on to say that from Google’s perspective, the homepage is the most critical page on the site since it is the first page that individuals see when they enter a domain or hostname.
Google attempts to crawl and index the homepage, making it essential to ensure that it is indexed correctly. If not, there may be some problems.
According to Google’s Webmaster Trends Analyst, Illyes, the first step in determining a website’s searchability is to check if its pages are indexed in Google’s search results. Illyes emphasized that if a page is not indexed, there could be an underlying issue that needs to be addressed.
John Mueller, another Google Webmaster Trends Analyst, echoed Illyes’ sentiments. As far back as 2018, he stated that the homepage was the strongest page on a website. Mueller disclosed that Google frequently utilizes the homepage as an initial point for scanning a website to discover new pages. He also emphasized the importance of the number of clicks away a page is from the homepage. The more clicks it takes to reach a page, the less important it is likely to be in Google’s eyes.
Mueller also reiterated the significance of linking important pages from the homepage. In a well-organized website, the major category pages and other essential pages should be linked from the homepage. This makes it easier for Google to understand the site’s structure and the importance of each page.
How Can I Improve My Homepage?
Understanding the importance of a homepage to Google is crucial for any website owner who wants to improve their site’s search engine rankings. Therefore, website owners should focus technical SEO efforts on making their homepage easily accessible to both their targeted audience and search engines.
They should also improve internal linking, so that important pages are linked from the homepage to make it easier for Google to crawl and understand the site’s structure. By following these best practices, website owners can improve their site’s search engine rankings and visibility on Google.
Although it may not be a universal truth that the homepage holds the most significance to Google in terms of website ranking, it is noteworthy that numerous Googlers have spoken about how links from the homepage serve as a crucial reference point in assessing the relevance of inner pages.
Need Help?
The insights provided by Google employees, particularly Gary Illyes and John Mueller, shed light on the continued significance of a website’s homepage in Google’s ranking algorithm. While the traditional emphasis on inner pages for link building remains crucial, the acknowledgment that the homepage serves as a critical reference point for Google’s assessment of a site’s relevance cannot be overlooked. As website owners strive to enhance their search engine rankings and visibility on Google, considering the importance of the homepage becomes imperative.
To navigate the complexities of SEO effectively, one viable solution is hiring a Fractional Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). A Fractional CMO can offer strategic guidance to things like creating high quality content based on keyword research, improving internal linking, and implementing best practices. This will ultimately contribute to a more robust online presence, improved search engine rankings, as well as better user experience.
