[Support request] Low LCP and CLS making Google ignore our site

[Fernando]

In general, we do recommend upgrading to the Dynamic Typography System since it’s faster, and it’s the current system in use.

Performance-wise, it’s best to use a System Stack font whether you’re using the new or old Typography system.

[Kris]

Hi Fernando,

I have found some very strange URLs via the Google Site Kit plug in! See img https://i.postimg.cc/C12T2TCb/indexphp.jpg

These URLs all have index.php ending! All of these URLs create the following error: https://i.postimg.cc/QdnnJkjy/indexphppagenotfound.jpg

This might be the cause for all the Low LCP and CLS problems? How do we fix this, mate?

/Kris

[David]

Hi there,

the /index.php generally appears across all URLs if using a custom permalink structure ( Settings > Permalinks ) or there is a rewrite rule in your servers htaccess ( or the equivalent ). Its more likely the latter, and i would suggest asking your host to take a look.

Would this cause LCP and CLS issues ? No.

[Kris]

OK, thanks David!

I’m running out of options to fix the Search Console issue “No good URLs”.

My articles are all fast and optimised, but still “Low LCP and CLS”.

Also Google, Bing and Yandex are having problems (or lagging) in indexing out latest articles.

HostGator support is not as good as it used to be, so they are not really helping with the issue.

Is there a test that we could run in order to find out if the problem is with the hosting/server?

If you can think of anything else, please let me know.

Thanks,
Kris

[Fernando]

I see. For reference, can you share the link to the site in question?

You may use the Private Information field for this: https://docs.generatepress.com/article/using-the-premium-support-forum/#private-information

I don’t think there’s a test to find the specific root of the cause.

[Kris]

Hi Fernando,

I have sent you the URL in the private box.

For instance, in Search Console Page indexing Discovered > currently not indexed just jumped (Nov. 9th) from 22 to 160. This can’t be good, eh?

Most of those are our author pages, which are not that important, but a lot of them were just perfectly normal blog post URL’s.

Thanks,
Kris

[Fernando]

For one, another thing causing bad LCP is Google tag. It’s relatively notorious for causing bad performance.

See here for a potential solution: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/68391231/how-to-avoid-issue-related-to-google-tag-manger-in-page-speed-to-improve-perfoma#:~:text=35-,Google%20Tag%20Manager,-is%20by%20definition

With regards to CLS, I’m only seeing it fail on field tests. Field tests cycle every 28 days. Since you only made changes recently, you won’t see the effects of it in the field data right now. You’ll need to wait for it to cycle.

What we can do for now is to address Lab Data results. Can you try the solution linked above and see if it helps?

[Kris]

OK, I will start working on that Google tag as you suggested.

Just wondering if our htaccess -file might be faulty? It should be created by All In One SEO plugin, but I don’t know if it contains something that might be causing the problem?

[Fernando]

Yes, it may be. If you disable All in One SEO, can you check if this fixes the issue?

Moreover, there’s a code that can be added to remove index.php from the permalink. I found this article that may help: https://ultimateblocks.com/remove-index-php-wordpress/#2-method-2-adding-code-to-htaccess-file-to-remove-indexphp

[Kris]

I went to use Yoast for a few days but it did not seem fix the problem.

Can you have a look if it looks OK to you?

[Kris]

Hi Fernando,

Re. Google tag manager, StackOverFlow suggests that I insert the following

<!– Google Tag Manager –>
<script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({‘gtm.start’:
new Date().getTime(),event:’gtm.js’});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],
j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!=’dataLayer’?’&l=’+l:”;j.async=true;j.src=
‘https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id=’+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);
})(window,document,’script’,’dataLayer’,’GTM-XXXX’);</script>
<!– End Google Tag Manager –>

…but I don’t actually know where that code needs to go. Please advice.

I had the Google Site Kit plugin, but I de-activated it. I don’t think we’d need it in this case.

[Fernando]

It seems to be good. I also tried accessing the same link you tested with /index.php and couldn’t replicate the issue.

See: https://share.getcloudapp.com/z8ulD6jp

Can you re-test? If it still occurs, try clearing your browser’s cache. Or, try using a different browser.

[Fernando]

With regards to Google tag Manager, you already have Google Tag. Don’t copy the entire code from Stackoverflow.

Just replace j.async=true to j.defer=true in your own Google tag code to defer it.

How did you add Google Tag Manager to your site?

[Kris]

I thought Google Site Kit plugin added it automatically. Or maybe MonsterInsights plugin, which is also de-activated.

I found this https://i.postimg.cc/h407xxHq/tagmanager.jpg

It seems I have 2 tags for the site. What if I just click on that Remove Destination -button on them both?

https://i.postimg.cc/tTcRtqtW/tagmanager2.jpg

[Fernando]

Oh I see. I believe Google Site Kit plugin adds the code automatically. You can only alter it if Google Tag Manager is added manually.

See: https://www.wpbeginner.com/beginners-guide/how-to-install-and-setup-google-tag-manager-in-wordpress/

Also see: https://docs.generatepress.com/article/implement-google-tag-manager/

Moreover, are you already using a CDN as mentioned? If not, can you try one and see if it will improve your site’s performance?

[Author]

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