A few weeks ago, I conducted a poll asking SEOs how they do their job with or without log files. I discussed how log files can be an awesome way to uncover SEO issues including crawling, indexing, and even some ranking issues.
The poll showed that most SEOs, 68%, are doing their SEO services without looking at log files. We had over 350 responses and even with my poll disclaimer, the results are pretty revealing.
Almost 30% of SEOs actually said they do not need log files to do their job and an additional 38% said they would use them if they got them, but they "rarely" are able to get the log files. Only 15% said they always get the log files and 18% said they often get them.
Here are the results of the poll:
Here are some reactions from the poll:
Looks like approx. 68% of SEO's either don't think they need log files, or can rarely get them from clients - https://t.co/JBEL4PAfmM . pic.twitter.com/RGhzmZwCka
— Screaming Frog (@screamingfrog) October 3, 2017
Not shocked about asking and not getting them... but thinking that they’re not needed? That’s worrying :/ https://t.co/5YuDLB8tkh
— Aleyda Solis (@aleyda) October 3, 2017
I get log files access in perhaps 1 out of 20 SEO audits. Never stops me from delivering a good audit.
— Barry Adams 📈 (@badams) October 4, 2017
Job security for the rest of you?
— John ☆.o(≧▽≦)o.☆ (@JohnMu) October 3, 2017
Forum discussion at Twitter.
This post was scheduled to go live today but was written earlier - I am currently offline today.