Google has recently announced updates to its site naming system, now offering enhanced support for subdomains on all devices in English, French, German, and Japanese.

The expanded support for subdomains and comprehensive information about how site names function in Search can be found in the blog post at https://t.co/qo2iP0VH67 and our documentation at https://t.co/AGkfEeHDSU #google #seo

— Google Search Central (@googlesearchc) July 28, 2023

Improved Guidance for Site Names In a recent blog post, the tech giant highlighted its efforts to improve the system’s ability to accurately represent sites in search results.

Previously introduced in May, this feature was limited to mobile devices and only supported a few languages. Now, it works on all devices and covers multiple languages.

This latest update to the site name system showcases Google’s dedication to enhancing the user’s search experience.

Google recommends using WebSite structured data to suggest a preferred site name, as outlined in the site name documentation.

The company has now updated this documentation to encourage more frequent use of the alternateName property.

This update is particularly beneficial when a preferred site name is unavailable, for instance, when two globally oriented sites share the same name.

Workaround for Unavailable Site Names

The tech giant has also addressed a potential issue where neither a preferred nor an alternative site name is selected.

This situation may arise when a name is not recognized as unique, concise, or typically associated with a specific site.

Google’s documentation now suggests a workaround: providing a domain or subdomain name as a site name.

Before attempting this fix, Google urges users to verify whether preferred and secondary names are provided via WebSite structured data and supported by other sources on their homepage.

Internal Pages Issue

Google is currently working on resolving a known issue where a site name displayed on the homepage may differ from that on other pages of the same site.

An update is expected to address this concern, and Google assures users that the preferred site name on the homepage will eventually appear on all internal pages.

Google Seeks User Feedback

The company plans to extend site name support to all languages worldwide. Google encourages users to share their queries or concerns on the Search Central help community.

With the inclusion of more languages and devices, your site can reach a broader audience. Google’s focus on providing accurate and representative site names improves the search experience for users and helps them find your site more easily. The suggested workaround for unselected site names could be especially helpful for some.