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Hello! I just came across your question. Here is a recent Moz post of mine on how to use log files for technical SEO -- the example screenshots are from the SEO dashboard in Logz.io. Feel free to sign-up at our site and test our public beta to see if it works for you.

Disclosure: Yes, I work for the company.

Google+ is relevant in personalized search results. If I visit a website, like a website's Google+ page, +1 its content in Google+, or share stuff from that website while logged into a Google account, then I will be more likely to see stuff from that website again in the future when I am logged into that Google account.

Furthermore, Google+ authorship markup can still be shown in personalized search for selected Google+ content.

Yes, definitely save or reserve social profiles and so on for the new brand name as soon as you can (whenever possible -- on Twitter, for example, you have to wait to change the user name until you announce the rebrand). (When there are new profiles with the new name, just keep them inactive and don't publicize them yet.)

I don't work for Moz, but I am active in the community here. Yes, I think it's amazing too -- it's why I participate a lot. Welcome!

Thanks for the question! First, I'd go through these guides here and here on Moz to doing domain migration well. It can be complicated. (Note: Be sure to read the referenced posts and documents for more detail!)

Those articles (and referenced links) contain a lot of technical points that I endorse (for what's it's worth -- you don't know me!). Here, I just wanted to make a point about branding. (Specifically, the first post -- and referenced Mozinar -- mentioned above also details Moz's journey from SEOMoz to Moz as far as branding, which is relevant to your move to a new brand name.)

Basically, a branding change is not something that should be done slowly over time. A rebranding creates confusion in the mind of your audience and customers, and you want that confusion to be over as quickly as possible. If you list the new brand on your marketing collateral but then direct people to the website with the old brand, that creates brand confusion.

Instead, I would develop the new website and brand in the dark. Then, once it's ready, unveil the new website and brand all at once. Once the new website is live -- with all of the 301 (not 302) redirects and other technical issues in place -- THEN change your social media profiles, distribute new business cards, release new letterhead, and everything else. Make it a big deal. Celebrate, publicize, and promote the new brand. But make it all happen at the same time so that people become accustomed to the new brand quickly.

Thanks for the question! I'm sure the community would love to help, but the question is a little vague. If it's possible, could you tell us your brand name and website URL? There are numerous issues that could be involved, so it'd be hard to help unless we can get more details.

Thanks for the question! The answer is a bit complex, so I'll break it down by topic.

First, Moz does recommend here that people use top-level domains (such as .uk) and not second-level domains (such as co.uk). This is what you're now doing.

Second, you've done everything correctly as far as 301 redirects and GWT notification of domain change. (One possible note: If your target audience is primarily people in the UK, then you should also state that designation in GWT in Search Traffic > International Targeting.) If you're not doing this already, I'd also select a web host that will give you an IP address that is located in the UK.

Now, it's been only ten days? I'd humbly suggest that it's too soon to make any judgments. Whenever a major change is done to a website -- such as as moving a website to a new domain -- it takes time for Google to "catch up." Until that time, things will be a little "wonky" (to use UK slang). I'd give it a month -- possibly a little longer.

You're correct that the length of time that a domain has actively existed is a ranking factor. But as long as you've done everything correctly to "tell" Google that the domain has moved to a new domain, then that length of time should "carry over."

Lastly, I'd do whatever you can to get high-quality backlinks to the new domain that are 100% earned -- think of how to get natural publicity on any major, authoritive sites that are read by your target audience.

If you're still having problems after a month or so, I'd post here again -- I'm sure the Moz community will be happy to help again. Good luck!

Sure! What you're describing is called "deep linking." Here are some resources I've collected that will give you more information.

Google's portal with information on getting your app's content into Google search results

Wikipedia's page

INMA's tips for using deep linking to drive traffic to your app

Ad Week's comparison of deep linking for Google, Apple, and Facebook

Hope it helps!

Thanks for the question!

For the most part, all rank-tracking tools are pretty much the same. Most tools out there incorporate two things: 1.) Choosing a search engine and country and 2.) Adding a parameter to show non-personalized results. the rankings that will be delivered will then include (only) those two factors.

However, the actual SERP that any person actually sees will be personalized and reflect his search history, the device he is using at the moment, whether he's logged into his Google account, his Google+ activity, his physical location (especially when searching on mobile devices), and a lot more that we probably don't even know.

So, it's important to know that any "ranking" that a person sees via any tool is always going to be an estimation. There are more than 200 ranking factors (as best as we can know) and no tool can incorporate all of them to present the exact same picture that Google sees -- chiefly because we don't know all of those factors and we don't know everything about that factors that we do know.

So, the actual ranking positions that a person sees will often not line up exactly with what a tool shows. Tools pretty much give you a good guess as to a ranking, but it's still just a guess. What I would recommend: People should care more about the overall trend than a specific ranking. If the tools show that rankings are slowly but surely increasing over time, then you're on the right track. It's a marathon, not a race.

Thanks for the question! The simple answer is that your website is too young to make any definitive conclusions. Three weeks is nowhere near enough time to know for sure what Google "thinks" about your website.

Whenever a company does something "new" -- create a website, publish a new piece of content, get a batch of new backlinks, and so on -- it will usually get a quick boost in rankings (and search-result impressions, as you mention) simply because it is new and fresh in Google's eyes. However, that exposure will lessen over time as the "newness" wears off. So, one answer is that it's crucial to keep the site "fresh" as much as possible.

But remember: SEO is a marathon, not a race. Rankings, impressions, and traffic will rise and fall on a daily or weekly basis. But the key is to keep them increasing over the long term in general -- think monthly, quarterly, and yearly, like the stock market. If you see the results going up over the long term, then you know you're doing the right thing. Anything good takes time to be successful. Nothing good comes quickly.

301 redirect each and every page -- not each and every folder. The reason is simple: External links go to specific pages (and not folders). If you want to keep the "link juice" from those links to those pages, then the pages need to be 301 redirected to other desired pages. It's about keeping the specific destination in mind -- for both users and search engines.

Garrett, thanks for the question. I hate to give a complicated answer, but the answer is, "It depends." Specifically, it depends what you and the other SEO mean when you talk about "SEO." The phrase means different things to different people. Let me explain.

If you are referring specifically to helping a website rank more highly in organic search results, then the number of Digg submission, StumbleUpon shares, Reddit links, Diigo saves, and more will not help a website directly. These are not direct ranking factors (one reason, among many, is that it would be too easy for anyone to spam Google's algorithm via these methods).

However, these methods are useful in general online marketing (which some say is to what "SEO" refers) in ways that can help to increase a site's organic prominence indirectly. Here's an example. Say that you use social-bookmarking sites to "spread the word" about a site and its content. People find out about the site and its content via the social-bookmarking sites and then decide to write about the site, share it on their own social networks, and link to it. Then, the mentions and links that result indirectly can eventually help the site in organic search via the natural, earned backlinks.

Here's the key. Social media and bookmarking sites are public relations and communications channels that can be used to reach a targeted audience (for any purpose). One use is to spread the word in the ways that I described above to increase awareness of a site and its content. The more you do this, the more that referral traffic and the resulting mentions and links will follow -- and the more that organic rankings will likely increase as an indirect result. (Of course, do not spam.)

So, I guess my answer is that social bookmarking will not help organic rankings directly. But it can and should be used in a strategic way in terms of what is called off-page SEO, public relations, or content marketing (depending on who you ask) to help long-term organic rankings, sales, conversions, and more over the long term indirectly.

I hope this answer is clear and makes sense!

Thanks for the question! I don't work for Moz, but I just wanted to direct you to the help guide for the Link Analysis page that you have cited. That general part of the Moz website should be able to help you with any questions on Moz Pro / Moz Analytics.

As far as the meaning of the terms you cite:

Total Links -- All external and internal links (of all types) pointing towards a given page or website as a whole.
Total Internal Links -- All links to a given page on your website or the website as a whole from pages on that website.
Internal Equity-Passing Links -- All internal links that pass "link juice," meaning that the "nofollow" attribute or other preventative methods are not being used.

I hope that helps!

Thanks for the question. Although every website is different, here's one general process:

1. Goal identification -- What role does the website play in the marketing process? Is it an e-commerce site that sells B2C products? Is it for B2B lead generation? Think about the big picture and how the website should be optimized to get the traffic to do exactly that. For the latter goal, you may examine landing pages, calls to action, and more and make recommendations as far as conversion optimization. As far as reporting, choose what metrics you will report to the client based on the goals. Set the benchmark numbers before you begin work so you can show your progress.

2. Technical SEO audit -- Nearly every website has problems (duplicate tags and content, 404s, 302 not 301 redirects, slow page-load time, mobile ready, and a lot more). What about local SEO? These types of things are low-hanging fruit that can usually be addressed quickly and will typically give a nice boost to the client at the beginning to prove the future value of SEO. Search Moz posts -- there are a lot of good ones on what should be included in audits.

3. Keyword research and content -- After you've done this, think about how the site should be structured as far as keyword-based hierarchy. What short-tail keyword should be targeted on pages and what long-tail ones should be used for, say, blog posts? Then, write or optimize content based mainly on the user intent behind the keyword. See what types of content rank top in Google for those terms, and do one better than them.

4. Use social media and PR to promote the content on the site and the company a whole.

Repeat three and four indefinitely. Good luck!

First, I highly recommend that you do not use widgets on external websites as part of any "linkbuilding strategy." (I'm not saying that you are using the widgets as a cheap way to build links -- they can have a lot of valid uses, so I just hope that you are using them in the correct way.)

Matt Cutts, the head of Google's webspam team, said in 2013 that any links in widgets on third-party websites should have the no-follow attribute added to them. In Google's eyes, here's the simple reason why: Why should the search engine give you "credit" for a link that you have given yourself? The only links that Google wants to count are those that are 100% natural and "earned." The Penguin updates -- among other actions -- are all aimed at moving the search engine in that direction. (Here's Google's guide to no-follow.)

Secondly, don't even think about keyword-based anchor text. (No-follow or not, you just don't want to risk incurring the wrath of the Penguin.) If you need a link back in the widget, just make the brand name of the website / company into the link.

In summary:

1. Add no-follow to all widget links

2. Make the brand name the anchor text

Here is Google's definition of bad linkbuilding:

Any links intended to manipulate PageRank or a site's ranking in Google search results may be considered part of a link scheme and a violation of Google’s Webmaster Guidelines. This includes any behavior that manipulates links to your site or outgoing links from your site.

Google sites this an example: Excessive link exchanges ("Link to me and I'll link to you") or partner pages exclusively for the sake of cross-linking.

So, basically, if you arrange to get clients to put links to you in their footer in an attempt to increase your search-engine rankings, then you are violating Google's guidelines and risking a penalty. (Nutshell: Google doesn't want to give you credit for a link that you give yourself.) So, I'd make sure that those links are no-followed AND that the anchor text is your brand name and not any desired keywords. The value from those links is the referral traffic, not any help that they give for rankings.

Thanks for the question! The simple answer is that your website is too young to make any definitive conclusions. Three weeks is nowhere near enough time to know for sure what Google "thinks" about your website.

Whenever a company does something "new" -- create a website, publish a new piece of content, get a batch of new backlinks, and so on -- it will usually get a quick boost in rankings (and search-result impressions, as you mention) simply because it is new and fresh in Google's eyes. However, that exposure will lessen over time as the "newness" wears off. So, one answer is that it's crucial to keep the site "fresh" as much as possible.

But remember: SEO is a marathon, not a race. Rankings, impressions, and traffic will rise and fall on a daily or weekly basis. But the key is to keep them increasing over the long term in general -- think monthly, quarterly, and yearly, like the stock market. If you see the results going up over the long term, then you know you're doing the right thing. Anything good takes time to be successful. Nothing good comes quickly.

I did some digging on Moz and found some resources that might help!

A recent extensive case study on recovering from a penalty
Ultimate Guide to Google Penalty Removal
6 Ways to Recover From Bad Links
How to Check Which Links Can Harm Your Site's Rankings
Secrets of Google's Disavow Tool
Link Audit Guide for Link Removal

Hopefully this will help!

Here's the way to look at it. When people search for "best London restaurants," Google doesn't really want to deliver results based on titles, descriptions, and other on-page factors. Google wants to deliver a list of the ten restaurants that human beings in London actually think are the best.

In short, Google is increasingly thinking like a human and not like a machine. I would ask yourself this question: Why does your website deserve to rank for that keyword? Does it deliver the best content and user experience on the Internet for the user intent behind that search term? Has your site built a brand so that people view you has an authority on that topic? If the answer is "no," then why should you rank highly?

Today, the key to "SEO" success is to build an online brand through the following process:

1. Build a great website on a technical SEO level (fast-loading, optimized for mobile, etc.) with a wonderful user experience (UX).

2. Publish original, authoritative content on the topics that would interest your audience.

3. Use public relations and social media to promote both your website as a whole and the content on the website

4. Repeat steps two and three indefinitely, and traffic, links, rankings, and more will grow naturally over time.

It's not easy, and it takes time. But nothing good ever comes quickly.

What I guess I am saying: To be successful today, think less like an "SEO" and more like a "marketer." What makes you special and differentiates you from other similar websites? What is your brand? How will you position the website? What's your messaging? Those questions are more important to answer today than those about keywords and links.

Good luck!

I've collected a list of resources from Moz and elsewhere that should help to address your concerns:

• A Mozinar and subsequent blog post on Moz's change from seomoz.com to moz.com
• How to launch a new website
• An infographic list of things to check
• 10 Things to Check

Good luck!

First, I'd say that just because Moz does not flag a page as duplicate content does not mean Google would not think it is duplicate content. As great as Moz is, even Moz cannot know for sure what Google thinks about any specific issue.

Second, I'd look at your keyword research. Are people searching only for general, category-based terms such as "Acme Pond Pumps"? If so, then you might want to no-index all the specific product pages (that may have duplicate content). But if people are searching on a detailed, specific terms such as "Acme Pond Pump 100" and "Acme Pond Pump 200," then you want all of them to be indexed individually. In the second example, I'd try to make each product page as original as possible -- which is something you seem to be doing.

I wouldn't worry about passing "link juice" upwards. As long as you have a flat hierarchy so that all of the product pages are no more than three levels/clicks away from the home page, there should be no crawling/indexation issues.

I hope that helps -- let me know in a reply if you have any other questions!