Introduction to Vibe Coding and Technical SEO
Google Search Advocate John Mueller provided detailed technical SEO feedback to a developer on Reddit who built a website in just two days and launched it on Product Hunt. The developer created a Bento Grid Generator for personal use and received over 90 upvotes within two hours. However, Mueller identified several technical issues affecting the site’s search visibility.
Technical Issues Affecting Search Visibility
Mueller pointed out that the homepage stores key content in a JavaScript file, which is not used by Google or other search engines. He recommended adding a popup-welcome-div in HTML to make the information immediately available to bots. Additionally, Mueller noted that the site only needs title and description meta tags, and the keywords, author, and robots meta tags provide no SEO benefit.
Meta Tags and Structured Data
The site includes hreflang tags despite having only one language version, which Mueller said is unnecessary. He also flagged the JSON-LD structured data as ineffective, noting that Google only supports specific types of structured data. Furthermore, Mueller criticized the hidden h1 and h2 tags, calling them "cheap & useless," and suggested using a visible, dismissable banner in the HTML instead.
Robots.txt File and Search Console
Mueller recommended skipping the sitemap if it’s just one page and suggested adding the domain to Search Console. He also advised making it easier for visitors to understand what the app or site does. By implementing these changes, the site can improve its search visibility and make it easier for search engines to understand its content.
Setting Expectations for Technical SEO Fixes
Mueller set realistic expectations about the impact of technical SEO fixes, stating that they won’t automatically generate tons of traffic. However, he noted that implementing these changes makes it easier for search engines to understand the site, which can lead to increased traffic from search. By addressing these technical issues, the developer can focus on creating content and functionality without needing to rework everything later on.
The Vibe Coding Trade-Off
The exchange between Mueller and the developer highlights the tension between vibe coding and search visibility. While the site achieved immediate user engagement and success on Product Hunt, the technical debt adds up. The fixes aren’t too challenging, but they require addressing issues that seemed fine when the goal was to ship fast rather than rank well. This trade-off is a common challenge for developers who prioritize rapid launch over search visibility.
Conclusion
In conclusion, technical SEO is a crucial aspect of website development that can significantly impact search visibility. While vibe coding can lead to rapid launch and user engagement, it’s essential to address technical issues to ensure long-term success. By implementing the changes suggested by Mueller, developers can improve their site’s search visibility and set themselves up for success. Ultimately, finding a balance between rapid launch and technical SEO is key to achieving both product success and search visibility.