SEO Computer Systems & Software Updates 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When Google rolls out a broad core algorithm update, what is the recommended first step for SEOs whose sites lost rankings?
- Immediately disavow all backlinks
- Analyze which content types or topics were most affected (Correct answer)
- Submit a reconsideration request to Google
- Migrate the site to a new domain
Correct answer: Analyze which content types or topics were most affected
Identifying which content categories dropped helps pinpoint whether the update targeted thin content, E-E-A-T gaps, or topical authority issues.
Question 2: Which HTTP status code should a server return when a page has been permanently relocated to a new URL?
- 302
- 301 (Correct answer)
- 404
- 200
Correct answer: 301
A 301 redirect signals a permanent move and passes most link equity to the destination URL.
Question 3: How does browser caching affect SEO-related Core Web Vitals scores on repeat visits?
- It has no effect because Google only measures first visits
- It can improve LCP and FCP by serving assets from local cache instead of the server (Correct answer)
- It worsens scores by serving outdated assets
- It only affects Time to First Byte (TTFB)
Correct answer: It can improve LCP and FCP by serving assets from local cache instead of the server
Cached assets load faster on repeat visits, reducing render-blocking time and improving paint metrics.
Question 4: What is the purpose of a robots.txt file in the context of search engine crawling?
- It encrypts page content from crawlers
- It instructs crawlers which URLs to avoid or allow (Correct answer)
- It forces Google to index all listed pages
- It replaces the need for canonical tags
Correct answer: It instructs crawlers which URLs to avoid or allow
Robots.txt uses Disallow and Allow directives to guide crawler access but does not guarantee de-indexation.
Question 5: A site migrates from HTTP to HTTPS. Which action is critical to preserve SEO equity during this transition?
- Create 302 redirects from all HTTP URLs to HTTPS
- Set up 301 redirects from every HTTP URL to its HTTPS equivalent (Correct answer)
- Update only the homepage redirect and leave subpages
- Remove internal links that reference HTTP URLs before launching
Correct answer: Set up 301 redirects from every HTTP URL to its HTTPS equivalent
301 redirects permanently signal the protocol change and consolidate link equity to the secure URLs.
Question 6: Which server-side rendering approach is most favorable for SEO when dealing with JavaScript-heavy web applications?
- Client-Side Rendering (CSR) only
- Server-Side Rendering (SSR) or Static Site Generation (SSG) (Correct answer)
- Lazy hydration with no pre-rendering
- Shadow DOM rendering
Correct answer: Server-Side Rendering (SSR) or Static Site Generation (SSG)
SSR and SSG deliver fully formed HTML to crawlers, eliminating reliance on JavaScript execution for content discovery.
Question 7: When a CMS software update changes URL structures site-wide, what is the most important SEO remediation task?
- Re-submit the XML sitemap without making any redirects
- Implement 301 redirects from all old URLs to new URLs and update internal links (Correct answer)
- Delete old URLs from Google Search Console
- Change the canonical tag on every page to point to the homepage
Correct answer: Implement 301 redirects from all old URLs to new URLs and update internal links
301 redirects preserve link equity and user experience while updated internal links distribute authority correctly under the new structure.
SEO Computer Systems & Software Updates 2
When Google rolls out a broad core algorithm update, what is the recommended first step for SEOs whose sites lost rankings?