Providing catalogs, price lists, manuals or tutorials in PDF format on your website can be a good way to provide a lot of information to your users. A properly prepared PDF file can be positioned and used to build a stable position of the domain in search results. What should you pay attention to when optimizing PDF files for search engines?
Table of Contents
Google indexing of PDF files
Search engine bots have been excellent at indexing PDF files since 2001, as long as they are not password-protected or encrypted. Text content is analyzed in the same way as content included in the page code. The same applies to links embedded in a document – the search engine treats them the same as links in HTML. The only limitation is that it is not possible to set the nofollow attribute.
For the search engine, it does not matter much whether the content is in an HTML or PDF document. What is important is the text itself and its appropriate keyword saturation. PDF files prevail in the TOP 10 for some specific Internet user queries. If they are properly optimized and contain unique and valuable content, they even pose a threat to HTML files.
Optimize PDF files for search engines
Documents prepared in PDF format, just like websites, must be optimized to have a chance to appear high in the results ranking. What should you pay attention to when creating content in a PDF file?
File name
Make sure your PDF has a title that reflects its content. Use keywords, but don’t force them. This lets both the search engine and users know what’s in the file. Remember that the title of about 50 characters should be natural and encourage people to click on the link.
Most PDF creators allow you to enter not only the title, but also the author, topics and keywords . Complete all fields to increase your chances of getting a good position in the search results.
PDF in text format
Be sure to prepare a PDF file in a text format that allows you to select and copy text. Thanks to the professional PDF editors such as SwifDoo PDF, you can easily edit PDFs as a Word document. It is an inappropriate practice to post content as an image – the search engine will not be able to index it and we will not use the valuable potential of the content.
PDF file size
Heavy and long-loading websites put a strain on the server and discourage users. Check the size of the PDF file and convert it. give up the highest document quality for optimal document quality. Search engine robots will have easier access to it, the content will be indexed faster, and potential customers will open or download the materials they are interested in from your website within a few seconds.
Also, don’t forget about a friendly URL. Some CMS systems can generate an automatic, quite long link that is neither SEO nor user-friendly.
A shorter URL address may even be remembered by the user who will next go to the instructions or price list directly from the browser bar and not from the search engine.
Optimizing ALT attributes
Programs for preparing files in PDF format allow you to add alt and title attributes to graphics included in the document. You should complete titles and descriptions for each image, as this will help search engine robots learn what is presented in them.
Internal linking
Optimizing PDF files for search engines also includes taking into account internal linking. Embed links to other subpages of your website in the content of the document. You will point out important sections of the website to search engine robots and users.
Content optimization and duplicate content
Treat text in PDF as content on a page. Make sure your document is properly optimized by:
- Keyword saturation,
- The use of subheadings, paragraphs,
- Posting tables, bullet points, graphics,
- Using differentiators – bold, italics,
- Exhausting the topic and providing valuable information to the user.
As mentioned earlier, Google treats a PDF file as equal to text embedded in HTML code. Therefore, be careful with duplicate content and do not include the same content both on the website and in the prepared document. And if you must use both forms, make sure that only one of them is indexed.
Summary
Documents posted on the website in PDF format can be another element that attracts users and increases conversions. It is definitely better to publish a multi-page washing machine manual in one, quick-to-download file than to include it in the website’s HTML code.
PDFs are also great for preparing e-books, newsletters, and product catalogs. Thanks to their proper optimization, a high position is within reach.