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.
Google is still working out the kinks with site names in the search results. Google has refine this search overlay in mobile. Google SGE offers products to consider information. Google Local Service Ads has a setting for direct business search. And Google Ads for PMax campaigns has a new auction insights box upgrade.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
-
Google Still Working On Site Name Issues Within Google Search
Google has been battling with site name issues since it launched the site name feature in October 2022 for mobile and then site names for desktop results in March 2023. Danny Sullivan, Google's Search Liaison, responded to my complaints about site name issues, saying the site is doing everything right and that Google will investigate what it can do on its end to fix those issues. -
Google SGE Some Products To Consider Shopping Carousel
Google SGE, the Search Generative Experience, seems to have rolled out a search carousel named "Here are some products to consider." This carousel shows you products from different vendors that you can click on to engage with the Google Shopping graph. -
Google Search Refine This Search Overlay Filter Now Live
Google seems to have rolled out the refine this search filter button that overlays a number of search filters. This seems to be the mobile version of what we saw on desktop and honestly may have been out for some time but I never covered what it looked like (or maybe I did and I am getting old). -
Google Ads PMax Auction Insights Box Adds Competitive Data
Google has updated the auction insights box within the Google Ads console for Performance Max campaigns. The update now shows top advertiser data with comparison data and a new section labeled "competitors entering and exiting". -
Google Local Services Ads Direct Business Search Shows Your Ad On Branded Queries
Google Local Services Ads added a new setting named direct business search. This setting gives advertisers the option to show their ads when someone searches for your brand or business directly. -
Google Pokémon Window Art In London Office
Did you know that the Google London office has Pokémon window art in various offices? I think they have been there for a long time but I am not sure if I covered it here.
Other Great Search Threads:
- Bunch of SEO apps in the new ChatGPT store already, Barry Schwartz on X
- One thing I see quite a lot of is slow LCP caused by very slow TTFB. If your TTFB is high, like the 2.6 secs in this example, then you can't possibly get a 2.5 sec LCP so you're starting from the back foot (or even starting from failure!)., Barry Pollard on X
- These prepared remarks from @jeffjarvis for a Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing today on AI and the future of journalism are very insightful and full of historical context. I think it covers the nuance of the AI/copyright debate, Andy Beard on X
Search Engine Land Stories:
- Microsoft rolls out new AI tool that generates instant banner ads
- TikTok is restricting hashtags in Creative Center
- Google Ads for lead gen: 9 tips to scale low-spending campaigns
- Your SEO strategy checklist for 2024
- How is your career and role changing? Take our survey
- Microsoft Ads unveils major changes to hotel and property ad management
Other Great Search Stories:
Analytics
- Market Opportunity: Definition, Examples, and Analysis Strategies, Semrush
- Using the Wayback Machine and Google Analytics to Uncover Disinformation Networks, Bellingcat
Industry & Business
- How Much Does Google Tag Manager Cost? Pricing & Features, Measure Minds Group
- OpenAI in Talks to License CNN Work to Train ChatGPT as NYT Sues, Bloomberg
- EU court adviser sides with Google, Amazon in Italian rule spat, Yahoo Finance
- Google Cuts Hundreds of Jobs in Engineering and Other Divisions, New York Times
- Google reorganizing Pixel hardware: Fitbit's James Park leaving, 9to5Google
- Google Suffers Setback in Fight Over $2.6 Billion EU Fine, Bloomberg
Links & Content Marketing
- 9 B2C Content Marketing Tactics and Inspiring Examples, Semrush
- Who Links to My Site? How to Find and Analyze Backlinks, Semrush
- Why SEOs should watch content trends carefully, SERP's Up SEO Podcast
Local & Maps
- An Advanced Guide to Google Search Console for Local Search, BrightLocal
- Android Auto to add vehicle-integrated EV route planner for Google Maps, Autoblog
- Google Maps Losing Ground As Rivals Win the Hearts of More Carmakers, AutoEvolution
- Google Maps Still Working On Long-Overdue Live Activities Support, MacRumors
Mobile & Voice
- Gboard adds new physical keyboard toolbar for Android tablets, 9to5Google
- Google Assistant removing 18 features across Android, Home, 9to5Google
- The Pixel Watch receives its first update of 2024, Android Central
SEO
- Audit and fix duplicate content: A guide to helping Google choose what to rank, Wix SEO Hub
- Breaking the Boundaries of Branding: Harness Non-Branded Traffic for Sustainable Growth, Moz
- Why you only need one H1 heading per post or page, Yoast
PPC
- From attribution to experimentation: PPC measurement in 2024 and beyond, Hallam
- The Evolution of Google Ads: Changes in 2023-2024, JXT Group
Other Search
- Brave Search can now deliver results for programming queries, TechCrunch
- Introducing ChatGPT Team, OpenAI
- Introducing the GPT Store, OpenAI
- SearchResearch Challenge (1/10/24): What's the best direction for SRS?, SearchReSearch
Feedback:
Have feedback on this daily recap; let me know on Twitter @rustybrick or @seroundtable, on Threads, Mastodon and Bluesky and you can follow us on Facebook and on Google News and make sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or just contact us the old fashion way.
