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:
- The Google BERT Update Felt Small But Was Big
As you know, I watch the SEO community closely. I also watch Google algorithm update chatter and signals closely. When I was reporting about those Google updates last week, they seemed on the weaker side, but then Google announced BERT rolled out throughout last week and it was a massive update. - Google My Business Messaging Adds Photos
The Google My Business app is testing allowing business owners communicate with its customers not just through text but also through photos. Some business owners can now send photos to customers who message them via Google Maps and Google Local. - Google: Internal PageRank Sculpting Is A Waste Of Time
Google's John Mueller said on Twitter that he believes using the nofollow link attribute for internal PageRank sculpting is a waste of time. He said "I think it's a waste of time to do that." - Google: Links With Diminishing Traffic Are Not Any Less Valuable
Google said in its Google Webmaster Twitter account that diminishing traffic of a backlink does not lower the value of that backlink in the eyes of Google. That was the question and Google said no, it does not lower the value of that link in terms of its link signals in search. - Elon Musk: It's Hard To Google Tesla Solar Panels
Elon Musk, the co-founder of PayPal, Tesla, SpaceX and the list goes on and on, said on Twitter that it is hard to go to Google and find Tesla's solar roof panels. He said "Unfortunately, it's hard to google Tesla solar links due to tons of ads & SEO." - Yahoo Cookie
Did you get your Yahoo Mail cookies yet? Well, Google's Louis Gray did a few weeks ago and no, he did not share any with me. He said these are the new 2019 version of the Yahoo Mail cookies.
Other Great Search Forum Threads:
- App campaign asset updates, Google Ads Help
- If want to understand the full potential of BERT, Jeff Dean did a keynote at The Web Conf in May on AI at Google including BERT. It will blow your mind https://t.co/Q5RdiOGrqo, Dawn Anderson on Twitter
- I actually don’t know yet what can we say about it. I’ll have to dig when I have some time, Gary Illyes on Twitter
- Google Alphabet Q3 2019 Revenue up 20pct, to $40.5 billion, WebmasterWorld
- It depends on the site & how often we usually recrawl it (and sometimes we're limited by the server too). If there are critical URLs in there, you can also just submit them manually., John Mueller on Twitter
Search Engine Land Stories:
- Parse.ly looks to solve content marketing attribution challenges
- What does Google Maps ‘incognito mode’ mean for businesses?
- Why you may not have noticed the Google BERT update
- 14 industry experts on the future of attribution
- As App campaign placements expand, Google Ads aims to improve asset combinations for app ads
- Google to stop indexing Flash content
Other Great Search Stories:
Analytics
- How to conduct your first A/B test: Automate the process with Google Optimize, OWOX BI
- How to make a simple Ecommerce dashboard in Google Data Studio, Michael Howeely
- How to Track Scroll Depth & Element Visibility in Google Tag Manager, Seer Interactive
Industry & Business
- Alphabet -2.5% after Q3 profit miss, Seeking Alpha
- Alphabet secret meeting to discuss logistics, FedEx and JD.com there, CNBC
- Exclusive: Google owner Alphabet in bid to buy Fitbit - sources, Reuters
- Google sued by ACCC after allegedly misleading customers over location data collection, The Guardian
Local & Maps
- Take the 2019 State of the Local SEO Industry Survey, Moz
- Best Google Maps tricks that you should try in 2019, Gizmochina
Mobile & Voice
- Apple Working on New HomeKit Devices After HomePod, Apple TV, Bloomberg
- Google testing smarter 'Edit' button for Assistant queries, Android Police
- HomePod update adds multi-user support and music handoffs, Engadget
- Apple reveals new AirPods Pro, available October 30, Apple
SEO
- 18+ stats that show how search and SEO are changing, Econsultancy
- Google Shows Paywall Content in Featured Snippets, Search Engine Journal
- Weekly Wisdom with Jason Barnard: How to Create Google-Friendly FAQ, SEM Rush
- Yoast SEO 12.4: Image in snippet preview, Yoast
PPC
- SEO vs. SEM: This is a Silly Fight. They Are Both Amazing, Conductor
- 5 PPC Trends to Get Ready for in 2020, Search Engine Journal
- How To Create A Great PPC Campaign Structure, PPC Hero
Other Search
