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:
- October 16, 2018 Google Search Algorithm Update
Trust me, I am even getting tired of reporting on Google search algorithm updates - we've had so many but there are numerous signs of another update. One that touched down yesterday late morning, October 16th. Most, not all, but most of the automated tracking tools are showing signs of the update and there is some chatter in the SEO communities around an update. - Google Local Panel Shows Products & Services Section
Andy Simpson posted on Twitter and in the Local Search Forums a screen shot of Google showing a products and services section in the local panel result for a business. In Google My Business you have the option to fill in your products and services but it has not shown directly in the local panel in web search before now. - Google People Also Search For Changing Things Up
Over the past week or so, Google has been testing different ways to show the people also search for feature in search and mobile search. We covered them showing up in the local results but look at these screen shots shared by Brodie Clark and Valentin Pletzer. You can see mini results, reference lists, and so much is going on here. - Google Has Fully Deprecated AJAX Crawling Scheme
Google has been deprecating, killing off support for, their old AJAX crawling scheme since 2015. It has been dying a slow death but now Google's John Mueller has said on Twitter is has been fully deprecated. - Did Google Say 46% Of Searches Have Local Intent?
Supposedly there was a local event at the main Google headquarters in Mountain View, California the other day and at that event a Googler said that 46% of all queries have local intent. I do trust the source but all I have is a tweet from this SEO on this stat. - Google Search Calculator Shows Formulas For Conversions
Google is now showing the formula used for calculating some conversions and other math problems in search. Do a search for [10 pounds to kg] or something similar and you will see a "formula" section under the answer that says "for an approximate result, divide the mass value by 2.205." - John Mueller Speaking vs Persian Cat Speaking
This is really too funny not to share in the Search Picture of the Day section. John Mueller from Google went to speak at the Search Love conference yesterday and Distilled posted some pictures. The
Other Great Search Forum Threads:
- As of today, live albums are, well, live on Android, iOS and the web. Get started today, by turning any new or existing album into a live album. Learn more: https://t.co/7diBEpbBzv… https://t.co/H7EXHxEgvo, Google Photos on Twitter
- Pixel 3 and on-device AI: how we're putting superpowers in your pocket with our newest phone → https://t.co/Th3bFYzCXX… https://t.co/auxvu4WWM5, Google on Twitter
- Understanding Linked Data Formats: RDF/XML vs Turtle vs N-Triples https://t.co/6DREJAv5Wl @Addlesee_AI @updatewallscope, Aaron Bradley on Twitter
- Error message on youtube, YouTube Help
- It looks like you're pretty confident about this change :-). If you end up randomly letting people see a new set of URLs, you'll end up with both versions indexed, which I'd try to prevent. If you want to test, I'd pick a part, John Mueller on Twitter
- Setting the Ad balance based on potential value of passback, WebmasterWorld
Search Engine Land Stories:
Other Great Search Stories:
Analytics
- How to use Google Data Studio to monitor your Google Ads, Opium Works
- Using Google Analytics to Understand Your Site Traffic, Black Bear Design
Industry & Business
- Tru Biz: A conversation with Deaf artist Jessica Flores about sign language, stickers, and more, Google Blog
Local & Maps
- Google Maps adds EV charging station info, Engadget
- ‘We’re Not Google’ Won’t Cut It for TomTom, Bloomberg
Mobile & Voice
- New Google Lens import feature rolling out, 9to5Google
SEO
- SEO Poisoning Campaign Targeting U.S. Midterm Election Keywords, Bleeeping Computer
- Speak your Customers’ Language - The Importance of Localizing International Content, Portent
- What is a canonical URL?, Yoast
PPC
- Now reporting conversions based on the time of the ad click, Bing Ads Blog
- What it Means to be a Google Premier Partner, Hallam Internet
Other Search
