A core algorithm update, the mobile-first indexing rollout begins, zero search results tested, image search captions, subscribe with Google and Ben Gomes takes over Google search. Those are just a handful of the headlines that we covered over the past month that are important to webmasters around Google search.
Yes, Google confirmed this month that they are beginning to roll out mobile-first indexing more broadly. The thing is, I see no evidence that it really began rolling out significantly yet - I guess when we see notices or other signals, we will let you all know.
Google also confirmed a core algorithm update that was big earlier this month released on March 7th. We saw two other unconfirmed updates on March 23rd and March 28th.
Google was bold enough to show zero search results on the Google search results page and then shockingly reverted the test - for now. Google said, despite reports, they are not having indexing issues with new content. Google added captions to image search results pulled from your titles. Google added Subscribe with Google for news publications as well. Finally, Ben Gomes has taken over at Google Search after John Giannandrea left to Apple.
It was a busy week to say the least but the beginning of April has been somewhat relaxing. The ongoing WebmasterWorld thread is somewhat calm.
Here is a recap of the stories you should review, if you were on vacation all of March:
Google Algorithm Updates & Mobile First Indexing Rollout:
- Google Begins Rolling Out Mobile-First Indexing; Few Notice
- Google Search Console Alerts For Switching To Mobile-First Index
- Google Confirmed Weekend Algorithm Ranking Shift As "Core Update"
- Google Algorithm Update Over The Weekend - March 9th, 10th & 11th?
- Google Core Algorithm Update Release Date: March 7th
- Google Core Algorithm Update Continues To Fluctuate For Some
- Google Algorithm Update March 23rd : Chatter & Signals
- Google March 28th Algorithm Ranking Update?
- Google's Mobile First Indexing Is Unrelated To Weekend Algorithm Update
- Google: Focused Search Updates Daily & Core Updates Every Other Month
- Google Shows Answer Without Any Search Results
- Google Reverts Zero Search Results After Search Community Feedback
- Google Promises To Review Feedback On Zero Results
- Google: Indexing New URLs Is Working Fine, No Issues Here
- Google Having Indexing Issues, Not Indexing Some New URLs Within Days
- Google: Structured Data Doesn't Give You A Ranking Boost But Can Help Rankings
- Google Search Console Beta Adds Annotations, Filters, Comparisons, Date Pickers & More
- Google: Nofollow Link Has Not Changed
- Google: Content Publishing Frequency Not A Ranking Signal
- Google: Moving Your Server To A New Country Generally Won't Set The Geotarget
- Google Search Needs A/B Testing Guidelines
- Google: No Set Time Periods For A/B Testing Limits
- Google: Index Status & Index Coverage Reports Are Compiled Slightly Differently
- Google Has No Code To Text Ratio Ranking Algorithm
- Google Still Plans On Deprecating AJAX Crawling Scheme
- Google Has No Reset Button For A Penalized Site
- Is Google Flight Search Spamming Google's Search Results?
- Google Sets Aggressive Limits On Request Indexing Fetch Tool
- Google Image Search Adds Captions To Search Results From Your Page Titles
- Google Launches Subscribe With Google For Publications
- Google Tests Dropping Full Google Logo On Mobile Search Results
- Google iOS Search App Gets iMessage Extension, Safari Related Content & iPad Drag/Drop Support
- Google Air Quality & Pollution Widget Smells Off?
- Google Tests Yellow Map Pin In Search Results Snippets?
- Google Image Search Product Schema Shows New Product Filter
- Google Shows Summaries Of Top Stories In Search
- Google Tests Expandable Sitelinks With Snippet Teasers
- Google Adds Lyrics In-Line Translation In Search
- Google Tests More Results Button Again
- Google Tests Answers In People Also Ask Box Results
- Google: You Can Use Non-English URLs For Non-English Pages
- Google Local Panel Tests About Tab
- Now Google Allows Any Musician With A Knowledge Panel To Use Google Posts
- You Can Edit Your Business Description In Google My Business, Again...
- Google's New Icon For Women-Led Businesses In Local Panel
- Ben Gomes To Take Over Search At Google, Giannandrea Steps Down
- John Giannandrea Leaves Google To Join Apple
Catch up on the previous month over here.
Forum discussion at WebmasterWorld.
