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 Does Not Use Real Life User Signals For Search Ranking
Let's put the controversy around Google using user signals and user behavior within a site on the side. Does Google use real-life user behavior and real-life user signals as ranking factors? Like does Google track location data and rank a site that gets more foot traffic better in the search results? - Google: Just Because You Call Yourself The Best, It Doesn't Mean You Should Rank For The Best
So you name your company Best Company, so for SEO companies, you go with the name "Best SEO." Should Google rank your web site number one in the search results for the query [best SEO]? Probably not and that is what John Mueller of Google is saying here. - Google: We Treat Quotes The Same As Standard Text
Google's John Mueller said on Twitter that they treat the content within quotes and blockquotes the same as other standard content on the page. So if you are quoting someone else, putting that in quotation marks or blockquotes, Google won't be devaluing that content. - Google Local Pack With Trending Icons On Business Listings
Have you ever seen a "trending this week" icon and messaging in the local pack in the Google search results? Here is a screen shot of this coming up for an SEO somewhere in Madrid. I personally cannot replicate this but I don't think I've ever seen this. - Moz Acquires STAT Search Analytics
Here is some good news out of Moz, they announced they are acquiring STAT Search Analytics. The overall feeling from the industry around this news is happiness. It seems this makes Moz look better after the downsizing and restructuring and people are happy for Rob and the whole STAT team. - Google Overalls
This is clearly a professional photoshoot promoting the wide-selfie feature of the new Pixel 3 phone but look at those white Google logo branded overalls or dungarees. Would you wear those and hang o
Other Great Search Forum Threads:
- They assume that search is personalized so much that people see vastly different results. It is not. Web, search & app activity, if you allow, is used. If personalization happens, tends to be moving a site you go to a lot maybe, Danny Sullivan on Twitter
- Yes, that's my understanding as well -- you need to make sure you're logged in to an account that has verified ownership of that URL through Search Console.… https://t.co/6rYJV54ZK7, John Mueller on Twitter
- Google Appeals Against E.U.'s $4.9bn Android Antitrust Fine, WebmasterWorld
- Have you received a call about your local business not being visible/ranking in Google from "Google Maps Marketing"? Question them closely - they are not employees of the Google company. Report them to Google here: https:/, Chris Silver Smith on Twitter
- Nope…, John Mueller on Twitter
- Recent YouTube Partner Program Reviews and Removals (including Duplication), YouTube Help
- #GoGlobal When advertising abroad, discover why you position yourself as an international company with local customers, rather than a local business with international customers ➡ https://t.co/aRIaaqbPzS… https://t.co/c2qQIiZv, Google Ads on Twitter
- Microsoft Joins Open Invention Network and Shares All its 60,000 Patents, WebmasterWorld
- Study: Ad Trackers Losing Reach in Europe After GDPR, WebmasterWorld
Search Engine Land Stories:
- Google tests showing clipboard icons next to search suggestions for recipes queries
- The future of negative SEO, Part 6
- When your ad testing strategy is just plain wrong
Other Great Search Stories:
Analytics
- Data Studio PDF export is here! (And when you should use it), medium.com
- Google Analytics for Salesforce helps users scour web data, Tech Target
Industry & Business
- Leaked Google research shows company grappling with censorship and free speech, The Verge
- Announcing the Regional 2019 Bing Partner Awards, Bing Ads Blog
- Why We're Doubling Down on the Future of SEO - Moz + STAT, Moz
Links & Promotion Building
Local & Maps
- Taxify launches integration with Google Maps globally, IOL Business Report
Mobile & Voice
SEO
- Baidu: What You Need To Know for SEO Success in China, BrightEdge SEO Blog
- YouTube SEO with Brian Dean, Siege Media
PPC
- 5 Useful & Easy Google Ads Metrics You Should Monitor, Search Engine Journal
Other Search
