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:
- Google: Amazon Alexa Rank Does Not Impact Google Search
This is probably super obvious to most of you but this may be the first time I've heard Google comment about this. Amazon has this Alexa rank feature, they had it since like 1996, a super long time. Google's John Mueller was asked if Google uses it for ranking sites and he obviously said no. - Google's Indexing Bugs Explanation Is A Weak Post Mortem
Yesterday Google posted an explanation or post mortem of the indexing issues the company has experienced over the past few months. I am happy the company posted something but to be honest, I find it to be a weak post mortem at best. - Google JavaScript SEO Docs Adds Meta Noindex Examples
Google recently posted a new help document around JavaScript and SEO. Google received some early feedback from the SEO community around the doc and as of this morning has updated the doc to address those questions and concerns. - New Google Ads Shopping Campaigns Optimization Score
Google Ads announced that shopping campaigns now also get an optimization score. Google said "We recently expanded the score to include Shopping campaigns - in addition to Search campaigns -to provide more, real-time recommendations for improving overall account performance." - New Issue Types Added To Google Search Console Rich Result Reports
Google has added new issue types to the rich results reports within Google Search Console. Specifically Google added product, Sitelink Searchbox, and unparsable types to this report. Google said "the ability to report on these issues is new; the issues reported may or may not be new." - Google's GoogleBot Chinese Fan & Hat
Google is holding a Google Webmaster Conference in Vietnam today and it looks like they are giving out cool swag. Including these Chinese fans and hats, amongst other things.
Other Great Search Forum Threads:
- We are all pretty mystified alas. Did ping @rustybrick for consideration a while ago. If anything, we tend to line up 95% with Big Pharma. And we're damn nuanced., Sol Orwell on Twitter
- @Examinecom @searchliaison @JohnMu Appreciate the feedback. I have passed it on. As the post explains, our updates are not focused on particular sites. I think your post understood that well. But we do keep looking to impr, Danny Sullivan on Twitter
- Average position sunset begins the week of September 30th, Google Ads Help
- Buying backlinks in 2019, WebmasterWorld
- Forcing In-feed, In-article, and Display ads to compete, WebmasterWorld
- I am employed once again! I start today as the News and Information Credibility Lead at Google, sitting within News Lab. The role is very exciting — and a little bit daunting!, Alexios on Twitter
- Often country-targeting maps to language-targeting, but not always :). Making good international websites is hard, we don't get it right all the time either. I'd recommend spending a lot of time rese, John Mueller on Twitter
- Quality raters don't rank websites., John Mueller on Twitter
Search Engine Land Stories:
- How to use Amazon advertising’s dynamic bidding feature
- Prepare to say goodbye to average position in Google Ads on September 30
- Here’s how a learning mindset can propel your marketing career
- More from Google on its indexing issues
- Ecosia says it will boycott ‘search choice’ auction on Android in Europe
- Hotels can now add services, amenities in Google My Business
- Video: Casie Gillette on importance of memorable content for SEO
Other Great Search Stories:
Analytics
- Digital Debrief – Step by Step: Setting up an App + Web Config Tag in GTM, Krista Seiden
- How to use Google Data Studio, Whole Whale
- Technical overview of new APP+WEB Properties, David Vallejo
- The Definitive Guide to Google Optimize, DevriX
- Using Google Analytics’ Learning Resources, Practical Ecommerce
Industry & Business
- How Android helps law firms make their case with mobility, Google Blog
- Fire erupts at site of Google's future Manhattan campus, NY Post
- Google faces (yet another) antitrust complaint, this time over job search, Engadget
- Teen Wins Google Doodle Contest With Heartwarming Message to Mom, Geek
- Three Years of Misery Inside Google, the Happiest Company in Tech, Wired
Links & Promotion Building
- 4 Ways to Capitalize on the Cross-Funnel ROI of Digital PR, Search Engine Journal
Local & Maps
- Google Maps is now highlighting Lime vehicles, BikeBiz
- How to Get a Customer to Edit Their Negative Review, Moz
Mobile & Voice
- How to delete voice recordings on Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant, Washington Post
- Snap introduces Spectacles 3, with two HD cameras and 3D effects on Snapchat, TechCrunch
- UK Bank Tests Voice Banking With Google Assistant, Fortunly
- What Makes an SEO Webinar Great? In Search SEO Podcast, RankRanger
SEO
- #Google Webmaster Hangouts Notes – 9 August 2019, MarketingSyrup
- Why White Hat SEO is No Longer a Thing, Search Engine Journal
PPC
- PPC & SEO Synergy Part 3: Ad Copy Testing & Quality Score Correlation, Distilled
- Robust Reporting with Google Sheets Query Function, PPC Hero
Search Features
- Nvidia claims new breakthroughs in real-time conversational AI, SiliconANGLE
- The secret history of ‘Easter eggs’, San Francisco Chronicle
