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.
Google kind of warned recipe bloggers to get to the point. Google explained why they make algorithm changes: because the web changes. Google said schema does not help you rank better. Just a reminder, Google's helpful content update uses schema. Google Ads will soon enforce certified click trackers. And I posted another vlog with Chris Long, this on technical SEO. Oh and the weekend Google Search volatility is still heated.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
- Google To Recipe Bloggers: We've Heard Complaints, Ensure Key Parts Of Recipe Have Easy Access
Google's Search Liaison, Danny Sullivan, posted that he is aware of the complaints about recipe pages being too long and hard to find the ingredients and directions. He added that this is something content producers might want to keep in mind. "If you want to appeal to that audience, you might want to ensure your recipes are helpful in that way, easy access to the key parts," he added. - Google On Algorithm Updates: The "Web Changes. Content Changes. People's Expectations Change"
Danny Sullivan, Google's Search Liaison, defended why Google pushed out search ranking algorithm updates, saying on X, "The web changes. Content changes. People's expectations change. That's why we keep looking at ways to improve the search results we show." - Google Again Says Schema Does Not Make Your Site Rank Better
Google once again said that adding schema or structured data markup to your pages will not result in those pages ranking better in Google Search. Danny Sullivan, the Google Search Liaison, said this on X, "using schema doesn't give you a ranking boost," adding, "Schema doesn't make you rank better." He even said that "Schema has nothing to do with rankings." - Google Helpful Content System Uses Machine Learning To Understand If Content Is Helpful
This is just a reminder that Google uses machine learning to understand if content is helpful or not within the Google helpful content system. This is not new, we've known this for over a year, but it seems many of us keep forgetting. - Google Ads To Enforce Certified Click Tracker Policies Soon
A few months ago we reported that Google Ads may disapprove some ads for using third-party click-tracking services that are not on their approved list. Google updated us and now is telling us that "full enforcement will continue to roll out over the next 12 to 18 months" around this policy. Google said advertisers are "required to use a certified click tracker or their ads may be disapproved." - Vlog #247: Chris Long on Improving Technical SEO Skills & Playing Offense SEO
In part one, we learned about Chris Long and his experience working with Bill Slawski. Then, in part two, we spoke about helping people with SEO on LinkedIn and using Facebook for a career change. Then, in part three, we spoke about SEO strategy and SEO testing... - Quantum Meditation Woman Sculpture At Google
At the GooglePlex, the main Google headquarters in Mountain View, California, Google has these sculptures. This one is a Quantum Meditation II (slide 1): parallel slabs of stainless steel... an appare
Other Great Search Threads:
- Exciting News! https://t.co/bTPkX5kywd skyrocketed to 60M websites using it and 1.4B URLs submitted daily, with 12% of new URLs now being clicked in Bing search results. Wix has hopped on board too! The inte, Microsoft Bing Webmaster Team on X
- Google explained it would go after the renting of subdomains & subdirectories algorithmically, but explained it hasn't rolled out yet. But I'm seeing big drops across some sites doing that (AKA parasite SEO). Some dropping in early Sep, others w/the Oct u, Glenn Gabe on X
- I studied 1 million GBPs in preparation for my Local U presentation. Here's something interesting I learned: If a word (or synonym) is mentioned in 3+ reviews, it triggers a Place Topic., Darren Shaw on X
- Yeah, the usage keeps on growing - what optimization giveth, increased usage taketh back. So, slower is not by design, better - is., Mikhail Parakhin on X
- How can I set up mass indexing in Google?, Reddit
- You can use multiple methods in parallel - something on the server + something in DNS is a good combination to reduce the risk., John Mueller on X
Search Engine Land Stories:
- Best of the Bot: Create an SEO plan for a digital marketing agency
- Google search antitrust trial updates: Everything you need to know (so far)
- How to approach weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual PPC reporting
- Google Ads best practices: The good, the bad and the balancing act
- The latest jobs in search marketing
- 8 surprising social video trends
Other Great Search Stories:
Analytics
- How to Blend Universal Analytics (UA) and Google Analytics 4 (GA4) Data in Looker Studio, Kick Point Playbook
- Four ways Google Analytics helps with data-driven decision making, The Express Tribune
Industry & Business
- Google Commits $2 Billion in Funding to AI Startup Anthropic, Wall Street Journal
- Google paid $26.3 billion in 2021 to be the default search for Apple, Firefox, and more, The Verge
- Microsoft invested $13B in genAI — does Copilot for Windows show it’s a bad bet?, Computerworld
- SCL Zurich by Google. October 24, 2023. Overview, Fajela
- Google Sued for AI Software on Calls, National Law Review
- Section 230 Protects Gmail's Spam Filter-RNC v. Google, Eric Goldman
- What was the hardest thing about quitting my job at Google?, Cassie Kozyrkov
- Exclusive: G7 to agree AI code of conduct for companies, Reuters
- Joe Biden’s Sweeping New Executive Order Aims to Drag the US Government into the Age of ChatGPT, Wired
Links & Content Marketing
- Here’s Why You Should Conduct an SEO Audit, and What You Can Learn From It, Online Marketing Blog
- Mysterious bylines appeared on a USA Today site. Did these writers exist?, Washington Post
- What Is Inbound Marketing? A Guide for Business Owners, Level343
Local & Maps
- 3 ways we’ve used Google Maps to support people across Asia Pacific, Google Blog
- Google Search, Maps, News now recognises ‘Bharat’ as ‘India’, BusinessToday
- The Local Guide using Maps to promote inclusive places, Google Blog
Mobile & Voice
- Android 14 review: There’s always next year, Ars Technica
- Building a Q&A app with LangChain and Google PaLM 2, InfoWorld
SEO
- IndexNow - Celebrating two years of growth!, Bing Webmaster Blog
- Local SEO for Gyms | Outmuscle the Opposition, BrightLocal
- SEO Auditing Success – Whiteboard Friday, Moz
- Topical Authority: How to Rank High In Your Niche [5 Steps], Erik Emanuelli
- Chrome DevTools Override For SEO, Mike Ginley
- Finding Subject-Matter Experts to Review Your Content: The Ultimate Guide, Trusthetics
- Optimizing Core Web Vitals for business decision makers, Web Dev
- Shopify SEO Guide 2023: Expert Tips, Eastside Co
- Top 5 News Headlines Every Article Should Have and Optimize, NewzDash
PPC
- Google Just Made a Massive Change to Local Services Ads – What You Need to Know!, Sterling Sky Inc
- E-commerce helped boost ad platforms like Meta and Google, ModernTail
- Malvertisers Using Google Ads to Target Users Searching for Popular Software, The Hacker News
Search Features
Other Search
- Now add a walrus: Prompt engineering in DALL-E 3, Simon Willison
- Google Brain founder says big tech is lying about AI extinction danger, Financial Review
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