Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
SEO on the OMCP exam tests crawlability, indexation, rendering, keyword intent, on-page optimization, links, and content quality. Expect questions on robots.txt, sitemaps, canonicals, noindex, status codes, JavaScript rendering, Core Web Vitals, structured data, and E-E-A-T.
Core rules and concepts
- Crawling: use robots.txt, XML sitemaps, clean internal links, and proper status codes. Do not block CSS or JavaScript needed for rendering.
- Indexation: canonical tags consolidate duplicates; noindex removes pages. Do not combine canonical and noindex on the same URL as a deliberate strategy without understanding the conflict.
- Handle parameters and faceted navigation; control crawl budget and avoid generating thousands of low-value URLs.
- On-page: title, meta description, one clear H1, internal links, structured data, and content that satisfies intent.
- Core Web Vitals: LCP, INP, and CLS affect user experience and are diagnostic signals.
- Earn editorial links with relevant anchors; disavow only when warranted.
Worked example
An ecommerce site generates 10,000 faceted URLs. Crawl budget is wasted on low-value combinations. The team canonicalizes low-value facets to the base category, applies noindex to empty combinations, keeps high-value facets crawlable, and improves internal links. Reasoning: the goal is to consolidate signals and direct crawling to pages that can rank. Measure indexed pages, crawl stats, and organic entrances after the change.
Traps that cost marks
Blocking CSS or JavaScript, conflicting canonical and noindex, keyword stuffing, buying links, ignoring search intent, treating SEO as one-time work, and leaving duplicate content uncontrolled.
Key points
- Crawlability and renderability are prerequisites for indexation.
- Canonical and noindex solve different problems.
- Faceted navigation needs deliberate parameter control.
- Content must satisfy query intent.
- Track Core Web Vitals: LCP, INP, CLS.