Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today, through the eyes of the Search Engine Roundtable and other search forums on the web.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
- A Year Later, Google Still Requires You To Split Sitemap Files By Type
Over a year ago, we reported that Google Recommends You Split Sitemap Files By File Type. The issue back then, is the same issue some webmasters are experiencing. When you want to create a geo-sitemap, you have to make that sitemap it's own file. Why? Well, because it confuses Google. The <geo:geo> <geo:format>kml</geo:format> </geo:geo> line, if found in the normal sitemap, produces an "Invalid XML tag" error. The only way to fix it is to - Bing's Geo Targeting Algorithm Needs Some Work
Earlier, we noted how Bing, Microsoft's search engine, relied heavily on the meta language tag. Google's Matt Cutts even commented why using that method can lead to issues (don't you love it when the search engines nitpick at each other). In any event, Bing's geo targeting capabilities continue to plague some webmasters. A WebmasterWorld senior member started a thread at WebmasterWorld with his issue with Bing's capability in classifying where his site is targeting. He - Google Money Scams Take To Phone?
We have been reporting about the Google AdSense scam, that rides on the Google name and takes people money, with virtually no return, for a long time now. We first mentioned the Google Money System or Google Kit back in March, and then we blasted Google for allowing AdWords advertisers to advertise for such scams the month after. Finally, Google did something about it by banning these advertisers and then writing about the scam publicly, - How To Handle DMCA Take Downs in Google Webmaster Tools
I thought I knew everything there is to know about Google Webmaster Tools, but I guess there was one thing I did not know. A WebmasterWorld thread talks about how one webmaster received a message from Google that his site had a URL taken down in the Google results due to a DMCA request. I honestly never knew Google notified webmasters of DMCA issues via Google Webmaster Tools. It goes on... The webmaster explained that
Other Great Search Forum Threads:
- Check the Docs Known Issues Page for updates on issues, Google Docs Help Forum Announcements
- My Big Ass List of SEO Blogs, Sphinn
- There is no option to disable the "like" feature, Google Reader Groups
- Use Trends to Keep Your Business Rocking All Year Long, Sphinn
