Google's SEO-related messages and alerts can be complex to understand. Here's a clear explanation of common notifications and how to handle them:

Mobile-First Indexing

• Indicates your site is optimized for mobile viewing
• Google will use the mobile version for indexing and ranking
• No action needed for Squarespace sites (they're already responsive)

Mobile Usability Issues

• Alerts about elements not optimized for mobile (text size, clickable elements)
• These are automated notifications from third-party tools
• Follow responsive design guidelines to ensure mobile-friendliness

Parallel Tracking

• A Google Ads feature for click tracking
• Not supported by Squarespace
• Work with your click management provider if experiencing traffic issues

Robots.txt Errors

• Controls which pages search engines shouldn't crawl
• Common restricted pages include:
  • /search
  • /?author=
  • /?tag=
  • /?month=
  • /?view=
  • /?format=
• These restrictions are normal and can be ignored

No-Index Pages

• Some pages are crawled but not indexed
• Cart and checkout pages automatically have noindex tags
• Cannot be modified for security reasons

Structured Data Warnings

• Indicates missing markup code
• Doesn't affect site indexing or rich snippets
• Use Google's Data Highlighter as a workaround

Crawl Errors Common issues include:

1. 404 Page Not Found
   • Set up 301/302 redirects
   • Request reindexing
2. Soft 404 Errors
   • Check for phrases like "not available" or "out of stock"
3. Redirect Errors
   • Usually related to HTTP/HTTPS redirects
   • Can typically be ignored

Deceptive Behavior Flags

1. Verify site in Google Search Console
2. Remove potentially malicious content
3. Request a site review from Google

Third-Party SEO Tools

• Results may not be accurate for Squarespace sites
• Tools like SEMrush, MOZ, and AHREFS are designed for custom-coded sites
• Focus on Google's direct feedback instead

Remember: Not all Google notifications require immediate action. Many are informational or may not apply to your specific situation.

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