Daily Search Forum Recap: August 20, 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.

Google fixed the search ranking bug after four-plus days. Google emailed advertisers that had their ads running on other advertisers' accounts about how they are protecting their privacy, asking them to remove the data. Google AI Overviews has a listen button for some. Google is testing you may also need search refinements. Google is testing rounded outlines for search features. Google is also testing hidden gems search refinements.

Search Engine Roundtable Stories:

• Google Search Ranking Issue Fixed After 4+ Days
  Google has confirmed it has fixed the search ranking bug that started over four days ago. The issue was first confirmed by Google on Friday morning, August 16th at around 1:48 am ET. Google confirmed the ranking issue was resolved today, August 20th, at 8:10 am ET.
• Google Emails Advertisers On Ad Bug & Asked Advertisers To Delete Your Ad Data
  As you know, Google Ads served other advertiser's Merchant Center shopping ads on other advertiser accounts. Google promised to issue credits after hiding the data in reports because of privacy issues. Now, Google emailed advertisers who were impacted about the issue, letting them know they asked the advertisers who have their data to delete that data.
• Google AI Overviews Also Gets Listen Button
  Google has been placing listen buttons in the Google Search results in various locations, like knowledge panels and local packs. So it comes as no surprise to see them also in the AI Overviews.
• Google Search Hidden Gems Refinement Box
  Recently we saw a hidden gems stores section in the Google Search results, which seemed nothing like the hidden gems algorithm from last year. And now I am seeing another variation of that just named hidden gems, under a stores search refinement.
• You May Also Need Google Search Refinements
  Google Search is testing a new category of search refinements named "you may also need." These refinements show products that may be found in a specific e-commerce store.
• Google Tests Rounded Outlines Around Search Feature Snippets
  Google is now testing rounded outlines around some of its search result snippet features. This includes around the snippets in the local pack and also knowledge panels. I do wonder if this is a variation of the snippet background highlights from the other day.
• Perplexity AI Google Colored Letters Hoodie
  Aravind Srinivas, the CEO of Perplexity AI, showed a photo of some new hoodies going around the office there. It is the Perplexity name in Google font colors. When he posted this on X, he wrote, "Don't be evil."

Other Great Search Threads:

• At Microsoft (just as in Yandex) I ran everything: engineering, product, sales., Mikhail Parakhin on X
• Google Ads Rejected My SaaS as Compromised Site, Hacker News
• Hearing that schools in Mountain View and Los Altos have banned Perplexity and ChatGPT, but Google products are allowed, and the schools purchase Chromebooks by default (Mac allowed but not by default)., Aravind Srinivas on X
• I was told an article was deindexed. How can I tell if I'm being told the truth?, Reddit
• This is why you do actually want to pay attention to “unconfirmed” reports of wider rank volatility that @rustybrick reports on- it could be the dips are Google testing something that will take hold (obvi, Mordy Oberstein on X
• We've seen emojis in Q&As, review responses, services, etc. but have you seen emojis in the GBP name? We've seen a few examples of people using emojis in the business name, which shocks me Google approves - especially since, Local Search Forum on X

Search Engine Land Stories:

• Google apologizes to advertisers for major Shopping Ads glitch
• Google Ads removes Audience Recommendations
• Google August 2024 core update: What we’re seeing so far
• The billion-dollar one-person SEO agency: Fiction or the future?
• What winning video advertising creative looks like in 2024

Other Great Search Stories:

Analytics

• How to Use Google Analytics Interface? (Step by Step Guide), Simplilearn

Industry & Business

• AI senate hearing: AI chatbot lands Google execs in a pickle at Senate hearing, The Sydney Morning Herald
• Apple will win the AI race, but analyst says it's already in the stock, CNBC
• Competing in search, Benedict Evans
• Google Play will no longer pay to discover vulnerabilities in popular Android apps, Android Authority
• Google solution is distribution, tech and time, Reuters
• Ex-Googler Says Google's Problem Is Bureaucracy, Not Hybrid Working, Business Insider

Links & Content Marketing

• How Links Impact Organic Results and Local Packs — Whiteboard Friday, Moz
• 17 Ways To Overcome ‘Digital Marketing Fatigue’ Among B2B Consumers, Forbes
• What To Do When the Optimal Strategy Isn’t Optimal, Content Marketing Institute

Local & Maps

• Hacking a Business Phone Number on a Google Listing Is (Still) Easy, Near Media
• Some homeowners now blurring their properties on Google Maps to deter potential burglars, ABC7 Los Angeles
• Wear OS watches including the Pixel Watch 3 are now getting offline Google Maps, TechRadar

Mobile & Voice

• Apple Podcasts launches web app, listen to your Up Next queue and library in a browser, 9to5Mac
• Gemini Live could use some more rehearsals, TechCrunch
• Google denies report that it’s discontinuing Fitbit products, Ars Technica

SEO

• 16 Keys to a Successful Site Migration, BruceClay
• 7 Essential SEO Metrics To Track In 2024, Forbes
• Crawl Me Maybe? How Website Crawlers Work, Ahrefs
• How to Become an SEO Conference Speaker, Ahrefs
• SERP Volatility: Why Your Rankings Are in Flux, Ahrefs
• The SEO Advantage: Real-World Success Stories of Brands Who Chose seoClarity, seoClarity

PPC

• Authorized Buyers OpenRTB migration reminder, and updates to blocked categories, Google Ads Developer Blog
• Have We Been Too Harsh on Broad Match Keywords?, MarlinSEM
• The Future of Paid Advertising: AI, Automation, and Personalization, Bitvero

Search Features

• Google app Search button flirts with leaving bottom nav bar, Android Authority
• Google Search gives 'Search Personalization' a makeover (APK teardown), Android Authority

Feedback:

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