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Hi all,We have some pages being flagged as duplicates by the google search console. However, we believe the content on these pages is distinctly different (for example, they have completely different search results returned, different headings etc). An example of two pages google finds to be duplicates is below. if anyone can spot what might be causing the duplicate issue here, would very much appreciate suggestions! Thanks in advance. 
Examples: https://www.vouchedfor.co.uk/IFA-financial-advisor-mortgage/harborne
https://www.vouchedfor.co.uk/accountant/harborne

Hi all,

A number of our pages have dropped out of search rankings.

It seems they are being marked as "Duplicate, submitted URL not selected as canonical"

However, the page Google is choosing as the canonical is totally different - different headings, titles, metadata, content on the page.

We are completely mystified as to why this is happening. If anyone can shed any light, it would be hugely appreciated!

Example URL is this one:
https://www.vouchedfor.co.uk/IFA-financial-advisor-mortgage/london

Which Google seems to think is a duplicate of this: https://www.vouchedfor.co.uk/solicitor/london

Hi all,

We recently implemented structured data for reviews, specifically aggregateRating, on a few of our pages as a test. An example page is: https://www.vouchedfor.co.uk/financial-advisor-ifa/cambridge/01740-duncan-hannay-robertson

Initially, this seemed to work well and we could see the star ratings and review number showing in Google search results. However, now it seems to have disappeared. Search console and the testing tool seem to suggest the structured data looks fine - when I posted this in the webmasters forum, the response I got was that it was because we're trying to mark what google deems a 'person' as a 'local business', which triggers their spam warning. And you can't have reviews for a person, apparently.

I guess we're unique in that we're a review platform for professional advisers (for example, financial advisers). So whilst the profile is for a person, it's also a business - the reviews are for the professional services clients receive.

Feels unfair to be penalised just because Google hasn't thought of our use case! We'd love to be able to showcase our review content, but feels like we're running out of ideas here.

If anyone has any ideas for how we can make this work, it would be hugely appreciated!!

Absolutely agree on the branding push. There needs to be a long term strategy.

In terms of working out the business case for the blog and working out ROI:

If you have a link to your product on your blog and you track it. When it converts, there is a ROI! To work out the ROI, look at the number of visitors to the blog, then number of people who clicked the link, then number of people converted and what that is worth to you.

Let's say from 100 visitors, 2 clicked the link and 1 person converted to buy our product worth £10. From 100 visits you would get £10 which means each visitor to your website is worth 10p. If you can generate visitors for less than 10p each, then I would say there is a return on investment with your blog!

Thanks for your realistic and practical answer. It is super helpful!

I will definitely share your expectations of SEO returns to stakeholders. But still well worth investing in SEO if the analysis proves there is opportunity. The recording of market share is something I haven't thought of so that is something I will work on!

If you have a good logical approach to work out market share that would be really helpful...

Thanks!

Hi Donald,

Thanks for taking the time to get back to me on my post.

They are good questions. I think the company is willing to invest strategically on SEO but at the same time we should have a good case for it. As I don't work on SEO with other clients I don't have any case studies but that is not to say I can't scan the internet for some. Thanks for your suggestion!

Hi all,

I am currently doing keywords research and matching it to our sales data.

With an input of resources, do you know if there is a good way to create a growth forecast as a result of SEO investment? How do I work out a strategy and align it to a compelling financial forecast?

Your experience on this will be super helpful!

Many thanks,

Eric

The "learn more" bit is a good point. I see it on a lot of successful blog sites. I think it makes the user experience better as it allows you to present your site in a structured way. Better experience then means better conversion rates for whatever you're trying to achieve!

Hi Christy,

I do have some successes to share:

1. Blog. I now have the ability to upload content. It has been a great way to create depth in our keywords. A long way to go but a good start. We have also seen it as an added revenue stream as a result. Key is then to build on this!

Challenges:

1. We are growing and so is the competition in our industry. It is making the SEO efforts even less effective. 
2. Creating an overall picture of where we stand in terms of SEO as a business. Then finding effective solutions to take us further!!

In conclusion, in order for us to compete, I really need to make a case to argue for development resources so we can invest in our SEO, turning in to profits going forward.

Hi all,

I'm trying to breakdown some SEO 101 tips and start from scratch. Starting with Keywords!

I would like to audit our site for main keywords, grouping them in categories and subcategories. My questions are:

1. Is it possible to see where we rank on google AND search trends of visits to our site?
2. What is a good method or structure to document (excel?) 
3. What analysis can be made from finding the results of these keywords and how can I make use of this?

As a beginner your help is much appreciated!!

Hi fellow Moz users!

I am managing SEO at our company. Perhaps some of you out there also have the problem of wanting to make SEO changes on your website but lack the developer resources to make significant changes?

What are some of the things I can do in my power (can't do any backend work) to make SEO better?

Currently, I have:

• Social media (including Moz local tips of business listings)
• Blog site
• Refining pictures
• Google analytics to see where we can improve
• Internal and external links

Please feel free to expand on the above but ideally it will be new things that I could get on with!

Many thanks,
Eric

Hi all,

I'm trying to breakdown some SEO 101 tips and start from scratch. Starting with Keywords!

I would like to audit our site for main keywords, grouping them in categories and subcategories. My questions are:

1. Is it possible to see where we rank on google AND search trends of visits to our site?
2. What is a good method or structure to document (excel?) 
3. What analysis can be made from finding the results of these keywords and how can I make use of this?

As a beginner your help is much appreciated!!

Hi Falguni,

I have been through the process of changing our business details on 9 different sites, so I understand your concern. I will answer your question first, after changing the details on your Google Plus Business listing (and on other websites) it can take 6-8 weeks to change!

More details for Moz Local that really helped me and could also help you - Moz Local has a great feature that will help you find your business on the internet and see the different listings in the public, it can show you inconsistencies and what else you could update. To do this: https://moz.com/local/how

Search your listing on there and see all the different places you can update information for better SEO!

Eric

I have put the time in to review all our business listings and updated it individually.

Are there more advantages in using Moz Local besides the convenience? For those that use it, what else have you found to be beneficial?

Would love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks,
Eric

Hi Logan,

Thank you for the practical suggestions! Will speak to the team about putting these things in action!

Eric

Thank you for clarifying this. We have a social media platform within which I am curating a content schedule for. Knowing how to make the best use of this is essential for SEO I think.

Thanks Justen, this is my first time hearing about the SILO structure so that is really helpful!

Hi all,

I am new to SEO at my company and I would like to complete a SEO audit. As a beginner, I am unsure as the depth to go in to this. A template for such an audit would be amazing! Can this be done without much technical help from the development team is the main question. They often seem stretched with current projects. I'd love to be able to show through the audit the state of our current SEO and then prioritize changes based on data.

Some practical tips and suggestions on tools is greatly appreciated because through measuring the correct data, I will be able to put a case of which areas of our SEO needs work on.

I really hope you can help me with this!

Thanks,
Eric

This is a great practical suggestion that I will be putting forward!

With the ability to manage our site that comes with much more power to make a difference. Thank you.

I recognise that content is king. Also, to be able to build links by connecting with websites that have a similar niche will be hugely beneficial. I will start making a plan for this.

In terms of metrics and measurements. To manage is to measure. What are some of the things I should be measuring, using the tools you have suggested? Do you have any articles or youtube videos that explain this?

The dev resource is indeed a permission issue. If there is a case for it, I can push for it to be done. In this case, measurements are the best forms of data to give to make a case! Cost vs value right.