"Hello SEO experts, I have a website that has been targeting Russian and Ukrainian audiences for the past 10 years. The blog on the site is active and performs well for relevant keywords in those languages. I am considering translating all the blog posts into English, but I have some concerns before proceeding.
Will adding a large number of new English pages affect my current rankings in Russian and Ukrainian? I am worried about how search engines will react to the sudden increase in English content.
Will the domain authority of my existing site help the English pages rank better and faster, or will it be like starting over with a new domain? Does having an established domain provide any advantage?
Is this a wise decision? Am I setting myself up for failure by trying to enter the English-speaking market? Perhaps I should focus on my success in non-English regions and stick to that niche instead.
I would appreciate hearing your thoughts or experiences on this matter. Any advice would be helpful. Thank you!"
Answer:
Translating your blog into English is a potentially beneficial strategy, but it’s crucial to approach it carefully to avoid negatively impacting your existing rankings.
Regarding your concerns:
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Impact on Russian and Ukrainian Rankings: Adding a large number of English pages could potentially affect your current rankings in those languages. Search engines may interpret this as a shift in your target audience and potentially prioritize your English content. To mitigate this, consider using hreflang tags to tell search engines which language version is intended for each country. This helps ensure that users in Russia and Ukraine continue to see the relevant language versions of your content.
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Domain Authority: Your established domain authority will likely benefit your English pages. It signifies trust and credibility in the eyes of search engines, potentially leading to faster and better rankings for your translated content. However, don’t expect immediate success. It will still require SEO efforts like building backlinks and optimizing for English keywords.
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Wise Decision: Whether translating into English is a wise decision depends on your overall goals and resources. If you have the resources and desire to reach a wider audience, it could be a good move. However, if you lack the time, resources, or expertise to adequately optimize your English content, it might be better to focus on your current niche.
Key Recommendations:
- Comprehensive SEO Strategy: Develop a thorough SEO strategy specifically for your English content. This includes keyword research, content optimization, and building backlinks.
- Quality Translations: Ensure accurate and high-quality translations. Poor translations can negatively impact user experience and SEO.
- Monitor Performance: Carefully track the performance of your English pages. Analyze traffic, rankings, and user behavior to adjust your strategy as needed.
Ultimately, the success of translating your blog into English depends on careful planning, execution, and ongoing optimization.