Google: Don't Change URLs When Replacing Old Content With New Content

So let's say you decided to update the content on a page on your web site, the content is super out dated and needs a major revamp. When you update the content, it doesn't mean you need to put that new content on a new URL, you can just update the content on the existing URL. In fact, Google recommends it.

John Mueller said on Twitter " I'd just replace the content on the existing URL." "Changing URLs adds unnecessary complexity in most cases," he added.

If you do happen to put the content on a new URL and redirect the old URL, that is fine - but there is no need to do that.

I don't understand why the webmaster thinks they need to use a new URL but that is for a different question.

Here are the tweets:

TBH I'd just replace the content on the existing URL. Changing URLs adds unnecessary complexity in most cases (and adds uncertainty of canonicalization - which URL is chosen). That said, doing what you mentioned is fine if you need to change URLs.

— John ☆.o(≧▽≦)o.☆ (@JohnMu) May 2, 2018

Forum discussion at Twitter.