Log #003: Illuminating Pathways: Golden SEO Protocol's launch and HTML-Sitemap beginnings
Greetings to all,
As we venture further into 2024, reflecting on the journey thus far, I wanted to share the latest twists and turns in the Golden SEO Protocol saga. This journey is as much about the destinations reached as it is about the insights gained along the way.
HTML sitemap insights
I recently implemented an HTML sitemap, a small but significant step toward enhancing site structure and readability for both users and search engines. Since the last log, I've been eagerly monitoring its impact, and I'm thrilled to discuss the initial outcomes. The sitemap's integration has shed some light on the murky waters of indexing and site navigation, providing a clearer path for search engines to discover and understand the content of Golden SEO Protocol. While it's still early days, the preliminary signs are promising, showing improved crawlability and a more coherent site structure.
On December 14, 2023, I added an HTML Sitemap
The most significant shift has been in the ‘Discovered – currently not indexed’ section, meaning that Google has discovered these pages but has not yet indexed them. This shift skyrocketed on December 17, 2023 (only three days after the HTML Sitemap was added to the website. Coincidence?*).
Looking at the indexed pages, we see we went from five to twelve, ultimately thirteen indexed pages in a matter of days (more than doubling the amount). However, to be honest, with that low number of pages, this change is more incremental. Nonetheless, this doubling of indexed pages also occurred on December 17, 2023.
It’s really exciting to see such changes in a short period!
The road ahead
Every tweak, test, and insight brings us closer to our goal of a fully optimized site. The HTML sitemap is just one piece of the larger puzzle, and as we move forward, I plan to dive deeper into more advanced strategies and tools.
A moment of reflection
As I look back on the past year, it's clear that the highlight was the November launch of Golden SEO Protocol. Since then, I've received incredibly positive feedback, which has truly lifted my spirits. It reassures me that this long-term project, aimed at making search accessible to everyone, is resonating with its audience.
New year wishes
Now that we're in the new year, I'd like to extend my best wishes to everyone. I hope the year ahead is productive and brings you closer to your personal and professional goals. Let's tackle the challenges and seize the opportunities of this year with a collaborative and pragmatic spirit.
Gratitude
A special shoutout to everyone who's followed me during the first few months. Here’s to a year of shared growth and success! Stay tuned for more updates, and feel free to share your own stories and strategies. Together, we're not just navigating the SEO world; we're shaping it.
Thank you, and happy SEOing!
UPDATE 8-1-2024
* = As it turns out, the increase in the number of 'discovered - currently not indexed' pages had nothing to do with the addition of the HTML sitemap. Last weekend, Simon Cox suggested inspecting the relevant archive pages via Google Search Console. This led to the discovery that the pages were found through the XML Sitemap, not the HTML one. Thank you, Simon Cox!
Additionally, I've also shortened the title of the article, but that's a side note!
