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:
- September 2020 Google Webmaster Report
It was an interesting month for Google Search. We had a confirmed Google search glitch that had a huge temporary impact on the Google rankings and search results. SEOs are bracing themselves for the next core update. Google Search Console launched Insights and a new API infrastructure. - Google To Disallow Ads That Profit Or Blame Others For Sensitive Events
Google updated its Google Ads sensitive events content policy to prohibit ads that potentially profit from a sensitive event and ads that claim victims of a sensitive event were responsible for their own tragedy. This policy goes into effect on October 1, 2020. - Google Indexing Issues Rumblings But I Cannot Replicate
Over the past 12 hours or so, really since last night, I have been hearing rumblings and chatter of Google indexing issues. Truth is, I cannot replicate the issues but it might not be occurring in the US but more so outside of the US in European regions or in other regions. - Google Ads Tax Ad Increase 2% In UK & 5% In Turkey & Austria
Google sent out emails to advertisers yesterday based in the UK, Turkey and Austria that it will begin charging more for its ads there to cover for taxes. Google will be raising the price for its Google Ads by 2% in the United Kingdom and by 5% in Turkey and Austria to cover the cost of digital services taxes in Europe. This tax increase starts in November 2020. - Google Ads Search Terms Report To Hide Some Searches
Google Ads is posting a notice in the Google Ads console telling advertisers that it has updated the search terms report to only include search terms that were searched by a significant number of users. Essentially, you won't be able to use this report to see all your search terms going forward. - Google Tire Tree Swing Sign
Here is a photo from the Google Irvine office in California of the Google sign in the building. It is made of wood and is designed in a tree swing look. From this angle it seems to be made really well
Other Great Search Forum Threads:
- Secure in web security 🔐 ? Today's ⚡️ Lightning Talk ⚡️ starting in 3⃣0⃣ mins ⌚️ Join @JohnMu to learn about HTTPS: 🔒 how it works 🔒 why to use it 🔒 step-by-step migration plan ...and ask you, Google Webmasters on Twitter
- A bit of a new look for the Local Search Forum, Local Search Forum
Search Engine Land Stories:
- Apple Ratings is coming to iOS 14, how disruptive will it be?
- Google Merchant Promotions will be approved faster this holiday, Google says
- Voice SEO: Different tactics required for Google Assistant, Siri and Alexa
- Advertisers to absorb Google’s digital services taxes in UK, Austria, Turkey
Other Great Search Stories:
Analytics
- #GTMTips: Utilize App Engine Headers In Server-side Tagging, Simo Ahava's blog
- How to Configure Goals in Google Analytics, Portent
- Simple Strategy To Ask Your Data The Right Questions, Blast Analytics
- Where did Bounce Rate go in my Google Analytics App + Web Property, Ken Williams
Industry & Business
- Google unveils master plan for Middlefield Park, a huge mixed-use hub in home city of Mountain View, Silicon Valley Business Journal
- Leading SEO in a Regulated Industry, Search Metrics
Links & Content Marketing
- Outbound Links: Do They Affect SEO?, SEM Rush
Local & Maps
- Holiday solutions for retailers, Google Blog
Mobile & Voice
- Alexa can now pay for gas at over 11,500 Exxon and Mobil stations in the U.S., TechCrunch
- Apple and Google to simplify exposure notification with new app system, The Verge
- Google Assistant redesigns ‘Food preferences' w/ cuisines, 9to5Google
SEO
- How to Get Rid of Duplicate Content in WordPress, BruceClay
- Yoast SEO 14.9: Polish word forms, Hebrew keyphrase recognition, Yoast
- How To Check The Quality Of Keyword Targeted Content, Koozai
- Shopify SEO Tips for 2020 and Beyond, Content King App
- What Makes Google so Good? A Thematic Analysis, RankRanger
PPC
- How To Transfer Google Campaigns to Microsoft Ads, PPC Hero
- Market Analysis: 6 Steps to Building a Surefire Marketing Strategy, SEM Rush
- The redesigned web experience is here, Microsoft Advertising
Search Features
- Chrome bug loads mobile version of Google Search, 9to5Google
