Log File Analysis
Log file analysis reviews server logs to track how search engine bots crawl a website.
Definition
Log analysis reveals which pages bots crawl, how often, and errors encountered.
Why it matters
It uncovers crawl waste and indexing issues.
Example: Logs show Googlebot never crawls 20% of product pages.
Use Cases
Crawl Budget
Ensure bots crawl important pages.
Error Detection
Find frequent 404 or 500 codes.
Indexing Insights
See which pages bots ignore.
Improve site architecture.
Optimization
Frequently Asked Questions
What is log file analysis?
Reviewing server logs for SEO insights.
Why is it useful?
It shows real bot behavior, not just tools.
How often to check logs?
Monthly or after big site changes.
Can AI analyze logs?
404s, redirects, server errors.
What errors appear?
404s, redirects, server errors.