The “none” value in the robots meta tag is equivalent to using both the “noindex” and “nofollow” directives simultaneously. When you use “none,” it instructs search engine crawlers not to index the page (noindex) and not to follow any links present on that page (nofollow).
When to Use “none” in the Robots Meta Tag:
The “none” value can be used in situations where you want to prevent a page from being indexed and prevent search engine crawlers from following any links on that page. This could be applicable for pages that are not meant to be visible in search results and do not contribute to the overall SEO strategy of the website.
For example, if you have pages that are for internal use only or contain sensitive information not intended for public viewing, you may use the “none” value to ensure these pages are not indexed and that search engine crawlers do not follow any links present on them.
When Not to Use “none”:
It’s essential to use the “none” value judiciously and only on pages where it is genuinely necessary. Overusing the “none” value may lead to search engines not indexing essential pages or following links that are critical for SEO.
In most cases, using specific directives like “noindex” or “nofollow” individually is sufficient to achieve your SEO goals without resorting to “none.”
In summary, the “none” value in the robots meta tag can be useful when you want to simultaneously prevent indexation and link crawling for specific pages. However, it should be used sparingly and only when the combined effect of “noindex” and “nofollow” is genuinely required for the page’s purpose.
