Should I put the date on a new content page to show users when it was written or updated?
-
I've been asked this question at work and not certain of the answer.
Personally if I see an 'old' date in a meta description on Google I often scan for more recent articles. In other words it can act as a deterrent.
We are a very big social networking site with a large content section. For some of our content the date might be relevant, such as legal information, but often it isn't.
Are there any SEO factors in dating content?
-
I think it is pretty dependent on the content. It sounds like an overly simplistic answer, but I'd consider using the date when it is time-relevant content and not when it isn't. That way you are only showing relevant, useful content to the users - which has to be good for all. If it helps with CTR from the SERPs then all the better!
Google knows (at least roughly) when the content went up whether you date it or not, so it really is about what you are showing the user both on page and in the snippet. So why bother them with it if it isn't relevant?
-
I have content which is dated and several years old but still ranking for relatively competitive terms on the first page top 3 results and have seen increases in the last few months for ranking. I would however be wary of putting a date on content, as you rightly mention, as most people including you and I will do a search for information and if the date is clear in the SERPs and it hasn't been published recently then you don't click on it. In terms of this I would not be as concerned about the SEO but more the user engagement / CTR.
Got a burning SEO question?
Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
Community Discussion - Are data AND storytelling the missing ingredients for successful content marketing efforts?
Data is an important element of content marketing. Storytelling, too, gets readers' attention and has been shown to be instrumental in prospects and customers forming strong connections to brands. But using data and storytelling helps produce some of the strongest content there is to be shared, says Nichole Elizabeth DeMeré in her latest YouMoz article, Here’s How to Combine Storytelling and Data to Produce Persuasive Content. What are your thoughts? Think data and storytelling work best separately? Read the post are share your thoughts below. RS
Content Development | | ronell-smith2 -
How best to roll out updated website to new responsive layout
We are having an issue about when to upload newly converted pages to website. By going responsive we are basically going with a new layout, different look entirely. I think it's best to wait until every page in the site has been transferred over to the new layout. Partially because some urls are being updated too, and the look is different enough that it may look like half the site got hi-jacked. My partner thinks rolling out/uploading each page as it is complete is the way to go. Need input on pros and cons of either method.
Content Development | | Manifestation0 -
Lonely lonely pages
On my site I have tons of blog posts that have never been visited. (Falls on floor in tears). I of course know why. The content is mediocre in most cases and when it was average to good I didn't market it more. My question is should I go and just scrub the non visited pages or spend the time making these pages better and work on making the content above average? My competition above me do not have as many pages and their ranking is purely (I have researched this to death) from links from sites they have developed - with good authority.
Content Development | | GrangeWeb1 -
Why is redirecting all broken pages to the homepage is a bad idea?
I have a site where all broken pages are redirected to the homepage. I've been told that it's a bad idea in terms of SEO. I just can't figure out why 🙂
Content Development | | VinceWicks0 -
Content building: Ratio of blog messages?
What is a good ratio for publishing blog messages on our company website? Which ratio is "Panda-friendly"?
Content Development | | wellnesswooz0 -
Users reporting that there is a virus on my site.
A few months ago I found out that someone had hacked my site and placed malicious code and modified my .htaccess. I am pretty certain that I have cleared up all of the bad code (within 12 hours of it being infected). Yet, I am getting people telling me that their virus checker is warning them of a trojan on my site. Is there anything that can be done? I have no malware warnings in my Webmaster Tools. The site currently has 2 articles that are going viral and I'd hate for that to be screwed up by a stupid virus!
Content Development | | MarieHaynes0 -
Will using online forum reviews create duplicate content issue?
We are looking at having a text box of 'What customers say' on our product pages using reviews written about us online to remain factual and wanted to know if this will create duplicate content issues? Thanks in advance.
Content Development | | jannkuzel0 -
Should I Have No Index, No Follow On Blog Category & Tag Pages?
At some point in the past I read or was told that No Index, No Follow tags on category and tag pages were a good thing on a standard WordPress blog in order to prevent duplicate content issues. Is this still true or was it ever true?
Content Development | | eTundra0