Does it matter how deep your subfolder URL structure is for SEO purposes and Google rankings? No, not really. John Mueller of Google said even recently on Twitter “I don’t think any search engine would care either way.”

This is a topic we covered a bunch of times including (but not limited to):

The only case where Google might do something special for the URL paths are when it comes to separating out adult content and/or location/country/language specific sections of your site.

As I explained before as long as GoogleBot can find the URL, you are good. If you hide a link to a URL deep within your site, on a page that GoogleBot needs to click several times to get to, there is less of a chance Google will find that URL.

John Mueller of Google added that you should likely not change your current URL structure over long paths in the URL, doing so won’t really benefit you. John added “So if you have a reasonable URL structure, flat’ish or deep’ish, I’d just stick to it. If you’re making a new site, pick a structure that makes maintenance & tracking easier for you, and that you can keep for 5-10 years.”

Here are those tweets for context:

I don’t think any search engine would care either way.

— 🐄 John 🐄 (@JohnMu) January 19, 2022

So if you have a reasonable URL structure, flat’ish or deep’ish, I’d just stick to it. If you’re making a new site, pick a structure that makes maintenance & tracking easier for you, and that you can keep for 5-10 years.

— 🐄 John 🐄 (@JohnMu) January 19, 2022

Forum discussion at Twitter.

Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today, through the eyes of the Search Engine Roundtable and other search forums on the web.

Google has dropped FLoC and is trying to replace it with the Topics API – how embarrassing for Google. Google said the product reviews update is for products, but not places or things. Google said deep folder URLs is not an issue for Google or SEO, again. Google Assistant now lets you just say “Stop” to stop it from talking without first saying “Hey Google.” Most SEOs understand that if Google gave over 100% transparency about its search algorithm, it would lead to poorer results.

Search Engine Roundtable Stories:

• Google Drops FLoC For Topics API With 300+ Topics
  
  Surprise, surprise – Google has decided to drop FLoC (Federated Learning of Cohorts), its cookie alternative, with something called Topics API. The Topics API will use browsing topics into 300 or so categories. Yep, FLoC is a FLoP.
• Google Product Reviews Update Not Designed For Reviews Of Places Or Things
  
  Lily Ray asked John Mueller of Google if the product reviews update work also for reviews of places or things. For example, think about comparing universities, online courses, vacation locations, etc. John Mueller said no, “I suspect not, since these aren’t really products,” he said.




• You Can Tell Google To “Stop” Without Saying “Hey Google” First
  
  How many times are you on client calls or meetings and then your Google Assistant device goes off. Then you scramble to say “hey Google — stop.” Well, now all you need to do is say “Stop” and Google will stop, even if you do not first say “Hey Google.”
• Most SEOs Think 100% Google Algorithm Transparency Would Lead To Worse Search Results
  
  Google has often said that if they shared the full details of how its search algorithms and ranking factors would work, it would lead to abuse and poorer quality results. It seems like most SEOs agree with that sentiment.





• Google: Deep Looking Subfolders In URLs Doesn’t Matter For SEO
  
  Does it matter how deep your subfolder URL structure is for SEO purposes and Google rankings? No, not really. John Mueller of Google said even recently on Twitter “I don’t think any search engine would care either way.”




• Cotton Candy At Google Shanghai
  
  Here is a somewhat recent photo from the Google Shanghai office of a Googler who has cotton candy. I guess Google has cotton candy machines at the office? I am not a huge fan of cotton candy but it

Other Great Search Threads:

Search Engine Land Stories:

Other Great Search Stories:

Analytics

Industry & Business

Links & Content Marketing

Local & Maps

Mobile & Voice

SEO

Other Search

Feedback:

Have feedback on this daily recap; let me know on Twitter @rustybrick or @seroundtable, you can follow us on Facebook and make sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or just contact us the old fashion way.

Lily Ray asked John Mueller of Google if the product reviews update work also for reviews of places or things. For example, think about comparing universities, online courses, vacation locations, etc. John Mueller said no, “I suspect not, since these aren’t really products,” he said.

Here are those tweets:

I suspect not, since these aren’t really products. Should it? Would the recommendations still work in cases like this?

— 🐄 John 🐄 (@JohnMu) January 24, 2022

There are tons of affiliate sites that do reviews outside of the product space. So product review sites may review laptops, best camera for 2022, best pair of pants for bloggers, etc. While there are affiliates who create niche sites for reviews of universities, credit cards, vacation rentals, nursing homes and the list goes on – it is infinite. Any one who provides an affiliate program for anything would we elgible.

But when it comes to the product reviews update, that is focused on actual product.

Forum discussion at Twitter.