A brand new Search Console report referred to as “Video pages” has prompted a lot angst amongst customers. I’ll clear up a few of the confusion on this publish.
What does the report present?
The report consists of two primary sections:
- Pages containing listed movies. Google calls them “host” pages although they could embed or hyperlink to the video, not host it. Google up to now chooses one video per web page regardless of the precise quantity. And the identical video could be related to many pages.
- Pages with movies that Google couldn’t index for causes listed within the report.
The brand new report in Search Console exhibits movies listed and never. Click on picture to enlarge.
What’s the that means of ‘Video listed’?
When it indexes a video, Google is conscious of the file. It makes use of the data within the file and on the web page to discern the that means — and thus the associated queries. That doesn’t imply, by the way, that Google will generate a video rich-snippet in search outcomes.
An listed video could also be eligible for an autoplay preview whereby searchers can view a brief clip when hovering over it, like on YouTube. To date, nonetheless, these previews work primarily for precise YouTube pages in search outcomes, however the report may sign Google’s intention to increase the characteristic.
Why isn’t my video listed?
Google lists many potential the reason why a video isn’t listed. The commonest are defective embed codes. That is typical for older websites that use non-YouTube embeds or a plugin. The repair typically is to replace the code and validate the web page in Search Console.
Defective embed codes are a typical motive for movies not being listed. Click on picture to enlarge.
Different causes for not indexing embody:
- Video is simply too small or too giant. Be certain the dimensions is 140 to 1,080 pixels extensive and no less than 140 pixels excessive.
- Video is hidden behind JavaScript forcing customers to “Click on to view” the video within the overlay. Google claims it might probably generally entry these movies, however there’s no assurance.
- Video is linked however not embedded.
- Host web page isn’t listed or crawled. The report doesn’t embody pages outdoors of Google’s index — maybe as a consequence of a robots.txt directive, a canonical tag pointing to a distinct URL, the noindex tag, or as a result of Google can not in any other case entry the web page.
How can I get my video listed?
A web page with a video that’s not within the “Video pages” report has two potential fixes:
- Wait. The report is new and can finally embody extra pages. Furthermore, new pages take time to seem.
- Affirm that the host web page is listed utilizing Search Console’s “URL inspection instrument.”
For an listed host web page, makes certain your video is seen and playable on that web page.
Moreover, implement lazy-loading on your movies to make sure the code doesn’t gradual web page masses.
Lastly, use structured knowledge to extend the prospect of a video incomes a wealthy snippet. There are free video Schema.org mills for that objective. Movies with Schema.org markup will seem in a separate Search Console “Enhancements” report.
Useful Addition
The “Video pages” report is a useful addition to Search Console, particularly for websites that emphasize streaming. It can be crucial to not overthink the report, nonetheless. Repair the errors after which transfer on. I wouldn’t obsess over it.
