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:
- Search Buzz Video Recap: Google Search Update Impacts, Reporting Delays, JavaScript SEO, Local, & Tiaras
This week we had another big Google algorithm update, Google did not yet confirm it. Google said all sites are impacted by algorithm updates, even ones that didnât see changes... - Google Listens & Responds To A Site That Lost 60% Of Their Traffic After An Algorithm Update
In this mornings hangout with Google's John Mueller, one web site owner who lost 60% of his traffic over a Google search algorithm update several months ago asked John what he should do. The interesting thing, John did bring his detailed examples to the search engineers and had to tell this guy that after reviewing the examples, the engineers felt things were working as normal. - Google: We Not Use isRelatedTo & isSimilarTo Product Schema
Google's John Mueller said on Twitter that Google does not currently use isRelatedTo or isSimilarTo schema for product schema in web search. He said as far as he knows, they do not use it. - Google My Business Insights Shows Branded Searches Now
As I covered yesterday at Search Engine Land, Google has added a new slice in the pie within the Google My Business Insights section to segment out branded searches from direct or discovery related searches. Here is a screen shot from my business in Google My Business showing the new yellow slice for branded searches. - Google My Business Video Upload Not Working: Server Reject Error
Google has confirmed they are working on fixing a bug within Google My Business for uploading videos to your business listing. When you try to upload videos, Google is returning a "server reject error." Allyson Wright, Community Manager, Google My Business said "I can confirm that this issue has been escalated and is being looked into." - Google Search Console Pipeline Issues Cause Reporting Delays
Google announced this morning on Twitter that some reports within Google Search Console are delayed. They are delayed because of pipeline issues with getting data from sources within Google. The specific reports that are more delayed than normal include AMP, Rich Results / Structured Data, Hreflang, Index Coverage, & Mobile Usability. - Me Wearing A Tiara
Here is a photo of me from Thursday night wearing a tiara on my head. Yes, it is a custom - when you win the US Search Personality Award you have to wear it. So I did with honor and appreciation.
Other Great Search Forum Threads:
- A link is a link, when it comes to indexing, it doesn't matter how it ended up there.…, John Mueller on Twitter
- So well deserved @rustybrick 👑🥳🏆. Caring, funny and prolific. And literally the hardest working person in the search industry. (Don't even try to keep up.) https://t.co/YBXwdQ4I24, Ginny Marvin on Twitter
- What's popping in NYC and Chicago? Our Google Hardware Store! With all the tools you need to make your life easier at home, at work, and on-the-go, pedal over now to our #googlepopup → https://t.co/TpsNpnH9yd… https://t.co/1b5XAUH, Google on Twitter
- Googlebot generally doesn't keep & replay session cookies, so if you're doing personalization like that (which is fine), keep in mind that it wouldn't be reflected in search.… https://t.co/begiUzfsUT, John Mueller on Twitter
- IP-Geo lookups can be a bit arbitrary, some services don't handle IPs from datacenters that well. That said, I'm kinda curious what would bring Googlebot to Galveston & wonder what the expense report will say ...… https://t.c, John Mueller on Twitter
- That 'rant tweet' triggered this rather excellent case study by @sistrix on just what *visibility graphs* are good for. Hint: not traffic estimation. Absolutely GREAT piece with many great examples of their 'actual' purpose:, Martin MacDonald on Twitter
Search Engine Land Stories:
- Why does structured data matter for SEO?
- ‘Navigate’ query prompts Google to ask, ‘Were do you want to go?’
- Google Search Console reporting currently delayed
Other Great Search Stories:
Analytics
- How to create personas using Google Analytics, UserZoom UX blog
Industry & Business
- Google app suite costs as much as $40 per phone under new EU Android deal, The Verge
- This chart shows how Google is faring at becoming more than ad company, Business Insider
Links & Promotion Building
Local & Maps
- Google Maps rolling out photo dish tagging for restaurant listings, Android Police
- Which is best for iPhone users: Apple Maps or Google Maps?, WTOP
Mobile & Voice
- Alexa’s new Whisper Mode goes live, TechCrunch
- How to create Google Home routines, Trusted Reviews
SEO
- Ask Yoast: Site migration and rankings, Yoast
- Overcoming Blockers: How to Build Your Red Tape Toolkit - Whiteboard Friday, Moz
PPC
- 4 Tips for Google Shopping Success During the Holidays, Metric Theory
- 5 Ways to Upgrade the Links in Your Google Ads, WordStream
- How Reviews Impact Google Shopping Ads (and How to Get More of Them), WordStream
Other Search
- What’s new in AMP, Q4 2018, Accelerated Mobile Pages Project
