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.
This weekend we had massive Google ranking volatility reported by the third-party tools but chatter was not that high. Google Analytics has a Polish referral spam problem. Google Ads updated is change history page for some. Google Search is testing a "most-read articles" carousel. Google reviews has this "beta questions" section, do you know what it is. Will Google make a content deal with Quora next, some signs lead to that.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
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Massive Volatility Reported - Google Search Ranking Algorithm Update?
I am seeing some massive volatility being reported today after seeing a spike in chatter within the SEO community on Friday. I have not seen the third-party Google tracking tools show this much volatility in a long time. I will say, the tracking tools are way more heated than the chatter I am seeing, so something might be off here. -
Google Analytics Referral Spam From Poland - Complaints
There is a large thread in the Google Analytics help forum with complaints from site owners of being flooded with fake referral traffic originating from Poland. This seems to be the typical referral spam issue and it started around February 17th or so. -
Google Ads Tests New Change History Page
Google Ads is testing a new change history page that shows more details on the changes made to your ads and campaigns. It now documents the change overview by user and by performance as a toggle. -
Google Most-Read Articles Search Carousel
Google Search is testing a new carousel named "Most-read articles." I guess Google is using click data to see which articles are being read the most. Or maybe Chrome or Google Analytics data? Maybe? -
Google Reviews Disclaimer For Beta Questions
Now when leaving a review on a business within the Google local and maps results, the disclaimer has a notice about "beta questions." It reads, "For beta questions, your answers may not be displayed publicly during the experiment and may only be visible to you and/or others participating in the experiment. We may delete answers after the experiment." -
Google To Make A Content Deal With Quora Next?
Last week, Google revealed it signed a deal with Reddit to access its content using an API so it can get the content faster and in a structured format. This deal costs Google $60 million annually. There is now speculation that Google might make a similar deal with Quora. -
Concrete Steel Plant At Google
Here is an interesting plant that is at the Google Kirkland, Seattle office. It is a concrete, steel ball with a plant embedded within it. I wonder how that works.
Other Great Search Threads:
- There's a bug in the Google SERP city knowledge panel. It's picking a random mobile number as the area code. See the screenshots for reference. sharing a few screenshots for a reference CC:-@JohnMu, Vijay Chauhan X
- Hi Jaclyn, I don't think anything stands in the way of making videos out of text from a Search POV. It's common to have audio/video & text versions of the same content (for example, audio books). You know your audience best, and how they like to be inform, John Mueller on X
- Indexing API for non-job/event websites?, Reddit
- Is G**** happy with 301+410 responses for the same URL?, Reddit
Search Engine Land Stories:
- Lookback: Google Panda algorithm update launched 13 years ago
- Google: Don’t punish us for our success in Search
- Best of SearchBot: Guide me through a technical SEO audit
- Google investigating Local Services Ads bug
- LinkedIn publishes actionable steps before third-party cookie deprecation
- How to speed up site migrations with AI-powered redirect mapping
- The latest jobs in search marketing
- Project management for in-house SEO teams: 6 best practices
- Google SGE testing and development is ongoing, growing
Other Great Search Stories:
Analytics
Industry & Business
- Google foreshadows its final arguments in search monopoly trial, The Verge
- Search startups DuckDuckGo and Neeva had a tough time competing with Google, court filing shows, TechCrunch
- Google says Microsoft offered to sell Bing to Apple in 2018, CNBC
- AI Increases Data Center Energy Use. Google-Pioneered Technique Could Help, Bloomberg
Links & Content Marketing
- Data-Led Content Marketing Predictions, MarketingProfs
Local & Maps
- Google Maps for Wear OS adds public transit directions, 9to5Google
- Google Maps’ best accessibility feature just got an upgrade at MWC 2024, Tom's Guide
- iOS 17.4 Beta Adds CarPlay Option to Show Upcoming Maneuvers in Instrument Cluster, MacRumors
- Learn about the cultural history of Transport for London, Google Blog
Mobile & Voice
- Apple Ponders Making New Wearables: AI Glasses, AirPods With Cameras, Smart Ring, Bloomberg
- Apple's Vision Pro: Why it's so expensive, CNBC
- MWC Barcelona: 6 Android experiences to see this week, Google Blog
- New Android features coming to phones and smartwatches, Google Blog
SEO
- How to Set And Track SMART Business Goals for Your Website, Wix SEO Hub
- 9 Powerful Python Libraries for SEO, Decode Digital Market
- QUERY Formulas in Sheets with ChatGPT, Decode Digital Market
- Should you bother investing in your product descriptions?, Luke Carthy
- Stock Management for SEO: A Guide for Success in E-commerce, Sitebulb
PPC
- Google is cracking down on scammy advertisers after our Shark Tank report, Check My Ads
- Unlock the Potential of Low to No-Volume Keywords, Level343
- Updates: Errors when linking Merchant Center accounts with Google Ads API, Google Ads Developer Blog
Search Features
Other Search
- What happened with Gemini image generation, Google Blog
- Has Google News’ Bias Moved Further Left?: 2022 and 2023 Compared, AllSides
Feedback:
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