Daily Search Forum Recap: July 18, 2024

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.

We're seeing more Google Search ranking volatility, is this a sign of the core update coming? Google is testing AI Overviews on by default in the UK, even on some Workspace accounts. Google Merchant Center Next is coming to all merchants now. Google's site reputation abuse policy forced a public company to lower earnings forecasts. Google is testing bolding the query in the search box when unselected.

Search Engine Roundtable Stories:

• Google Search Ranking Algorithm Volatility - July 18th
  We may be seeing the start of a Google Search ranking algorithm update, as I am starting to see volatility spiking in the Google Search results and a spike in chatter within the SEO community. I know we are expecting the next core update to touch down in the coming weeks, so maybe Google is testing/evaluating something now?
• Google Tests AI Overviews In Workspace Accounts In The UK
  Google AI Overviews are only really live in the United States, for personal Google accounts (not Workspace accounts) and on Chrome browsers. Well, Google seems to be showing AI Overviews to some Workspace accounts in the UK.
• Google Merchant Center Next Coming To All Merchants
  Google announced that Google Merchant Center Next, the updated version of Google Merchant Center it announced at Google Marketing Live in 2023, is now coming to all merchants this month. Google has already begun notifying merchants and advertisers of this via email and will continue to do so over the month.
• Google's Site Reputation Abuse Update Leads Gaming Affiliate To Reduce Financial Forecast
  Catena Media, a publicly-traded online gambling information company, issued their Q2 earnings update a couple of weeks ago, saying they have reduced its revenues forecast due to the Google Site reputation abuse policy update.
• Google Bolding Query In Search Box When Cursor Out Of Search Box
  Google is testing bolding the query in the search box when you click your cursor outside of the search box, otherwise the query is in normal plain font text. This is a weird one - don't you think?
• Doogler Google Office Bed
  Here is a photo of a Doogler, Google dog, at the Google Dublin office in a dog bed - a Google dog bed. The dog looks a bit tired and for some reason is lying near the bed and not on the bed.

Other Great Search Threads:

• These are the two reviews published on GBP years back. Normally, if we already posted a review, it would show the option to edit the review. However it is now showing a button to write a review, which then takes you to edit, Shameem Adhikarath on X
• Little tip - Sometimes crawling every URL on a site is unnecessary, a sample of templates & page types is enough to make informed decisions, save time & resource. Use the 'Limit by URL Path' feature in 'Config > Spider > Limits' to h, Screaming Frog on X
• Seeing a little positive movement among some HCU sites in the last few days., Lily Ray on X

Search Engine Land Stories:

• Google Merchant Center Next rollout expands
• Survey: Search marketing gender pay gap is widening
• Google tightens AdMob policies, reshaping ad placement rules
• 5 ways to incorporate trends into your SEO content strategy
• The Kanban approach to efficient PPC campaign management
• How to address the top reputation issues impacting brands today

Other Great Search Stories:

Analytics

• CallRevu Releases Updated GA4 eBook and Announces Upcoming, Globe Newswire

Industry & Business

• EU antitrust regulators want to know if Google and Samsung's chatbot deal hinders rivals, Reuters
• Google privacy lawsuits pile up after court denies class action, Reuters
• Google Store Oakbrook is coming fall 2024 outside Chicago, 9to5Google
• Larry Page’s ‘AI Vision’ Dies with Google, Analytics India Magazine
• Italy's antitrust takes aim at Google over personal data usage, Reuters

Links & Content Marketing

• Quality Over Quantity in Digital PR: Using Reporting to Shift Your Client’s Focus from Volume to Impact, Digitaloft
• Experts Reveal the Worst (and Best) Advice on Using Generative AI in Content Marketing, Content Marketing Institute

Local & Maps

• Android Auto may soon be able to control your car's radio, 9to5Google
• Google Maps adding Live Activities for more iPhone users, 9to5Google
• Local SEO Tips to Dominate Your Neighborhood Search Results, Senior Leads

Mobile & Voice

• Google Assistant home commands failing in Pixel Tablet Hub Mode, 9to5Google
• Interviewing Epic Games Founder/CEO Tim Sweeney and Author/Entrepreneur Neal Stephenson, Matthew Ball

SEO

• Landing Your Next SEO Client with the Right Pitch, SERP's Up SEO Podcast
• CWV & Google Page Experience Ranking Factor Updated, Search Engine Journal
• SEO for News Publishers: The Ultimate Guide, Lumar

PPC

• How to enhance your paid search with audience targeting, PPC Hero
• How PMAX is working for advertisers and new updates, Microsoft Advertising
• What Apple’s Taboola partnership means for brands and its ads business, Ad Age

Search Features

• 4 new games and experiments from Google Arts & Culture to inspire your summer, Google Blog
• Microsoft’s Designer app arrives on iOS and Android with AI editing and creation, The Verge
• July 2024 | Google testing NEW Features in Search Results, Gagan Ghotra

Other Search

• Apple says its OpenELM model doesn't power Apple Intelligence amid YouTube controversy, 9to5Mac
• No, Google is not abandoning ChromeOS Flex, Chrome Unboxed
• OpenAI used a game to help AI models explain themselves better, VentureBeat
• Samsung to acquire UK-based knowledge graph startup Oxford Semantic Technologies, TechCrunch

Feedback:

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