Jason Barnard Hosts Tea Time SEO: Log File Analysis with Tom Pool, Faisal Anderson, and Julien Deneuville- Practical Tips for Technical SEO
In this Tea Time SEO session, Jason Barnard hosted a hands-on discussion on log file analysis, guiding participants through the key strategies and tools for optimizing crawl efficiency, diagnosing issues, and improving site performance. The session featured technical insights from Tom Poole, Faisal Anderson, and Julia, who each shared actionable tips for applying log file data in real-world SEO projects.
Unlocking Crawl Insights - Faisal Anderson
Faisal Anderson opened the session by sharing practical tips for analyzing server log files efficiently. He highlighted the importance of structured approaches for diagnosing site-specific issues, including monitoring crawl behavior, detecting crawl budget waste, and checking overall site health.
Anderson emphasized automation and data visualization as key tools to communicate SEO insights clearly to stakeholders. He advised using Python and log analysis tools to quickly process large datasets, transform them into understandable graphs, and justify optimization recommendations with tangible evidence.
He also stressed the importance of understanding server setups, from load balancing to content delivery networks, to ensure accurate log collection and prevent misinterpretation of crawl data.
Combining Data and Insight - Tom Pool
Tom Pool reinforced Faizal’s points by showing how combining real crawl data with site architecture and internal linking can uncover overlooked opportunities. He advised using verified Googlebot data rather than fake bots, and cross-referencing with other data sources like Screaming Frog or internal analytics to create a complete view of crawl efficiency.
Pool also highlighted practical examples of crawl budget waste, demonstrating how excessive internal parameters or duplicate content can hinder indexing. He encouraged SEOs to present their findings using clear visuals to secure stakeholder buy-in, making technical audits actionable rather than abstract.
Custom KPIs and Monitoring - Julien Deneuville
Julien focused on custom KPIs and ongoing monitoring, showing how even small sites can benefit from structured, repeatable log analysis. She demonstrated how quick comparisons between bot visits and user visits allow teams to identify underperforming pages and prioritize optimization.
Julien also emphasized collaboration: working closely with IT teams and other stakeholders ensures data integrity, shares costs for premium tools, and leverages collective expertise to improve results. Her tips highlighted the real-world value of log analysis in daily SEO operations, not just one-off audits.
Jason Barnard on Host Insights
As host, Jason Barnard actively guided the discussion, drawing connections between technical insights and business outcomes. He shared practical experiments from his own work, illustrating how log file analysis directly impacts indexing, crawl efficiency, and search visibility. Barnard stressed curiosity and experimentation, encouraging attendees to treat logs as a live tool for discovery rather than static reports.
Key Takeaways
The Tea Time SEO session made one principle clear: log file analysis is a system, not a one-off task. By structuring data, verifying sources, and collaborating across teams, SEOs can convert complex server logs into actionable strategies that improve crawl efficiency, site health, and ultimately, search performance.
Event type: Online webinar
Series: Tea Time SEO (Ultimate SEO Guide)
Host: SEO Jo Blogs, with Carrie Shepherd (Authoritas)
Speakers: Jason Barnard, Faisal Anderson, Tom Pool, Julien Deneuville
