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 seems to be testing removing the results count from the search results, I am hoping it is a bug. Google Ads optimization score now shows a competitive pressure data point. Bing is rolling out those sponsored labels now. Google Search Console's performance reports gains dotted lines for partial data. Google is proposing new shopping data schema. Google is testing orange links in mobile search.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
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Bing Rolls Out New Sponsored Label For Search Ads
After a month or so of testing, it seems like the "sponsored" labels are rolling out across Bing's search ads. I am now seeing them across all browsers and searches in my tests. This may be a test but it seems like it is fully rolled out based on what I am seeing. -
Google Ads Optimization Score With Competitive Pressure Data
Google Ads has this optimization score card that shows you how well your Google Ads account is set to perform. It seems Google is testing adding if there was a change to that score because of "competitive pressure" and might even list the competitor that is causing such pressure. -
Google Search Console Partial Data Reports With Dotted Lines
Google may be pushing out a new Search Console feature where for the partial data, the most recent data it has, which was not yet finalized, shows up as dotted lines. Google always put a disclaimer on the most recent data that says, "Partial data point (fresh data) - does not cover the entire date" but the dotted line design in the chart may be new. -
Google Tests Dropping Results Count After Moving It Under Search Tools
In April, Google moved the search results estimated count (the about X results) section to only display it after you click on the "tools" search option. Well, now, in some browsers, for some people, that results count is completely missing since last week. -
Google Proposes New Shipping Data Schema Including Type ShippingService
A couple of weeks ago, Google created a proposal on the schema Github proposing expanding and enhancing shipping data in schema.org. One of the enhancements is a new schema type named ShippingService, that groups shipping constraints such as delivery locations, time, weight and size limits and shipping rate. -
Google Testing Orange Links For Search Results
Google Search is testing orange links, instead of blue links, in dark mode. This is more like a muted orange color, but it seems orange nevertheless. -
Google Hong Kong Beds
Here is another photo from the Google offices in Hong Kong. This one shows some of the sleep pods or beds they have for Googlers to take a nap. Google offices do have these across the world in one shape or form. We've covered many variations of these sleep pods or beds over the years here.
Other Great Search Threads:
- SEO basics are easy to learn searching Bing or using Microsoft Copilot, then iterate and learn... So see you in our team in few years., Fabrice Canel on X
- Google Discover update: I'm seeing topic recommendations closely tied to topics I'm already following. I see a checkmark and then "You follow {X} topic" with the ability to follow the related topic. Just another way for Google to pro, Glenn Gabe on X
- Google has a 'Shop by Store' section where they showcase particular websites and their top products., Sachin Patel on X
- Huge drop in calls despite the same rankings, Local Search Forum
- Do you check traffic from AI bots like ChatGPT and Bard in GA4? Yes!…, Gaurav Patil on LinkedIn
- Google Pmax: Shopping + Search (DSA) Only campaigns This feature has been…, Dario Zannoni on LinkedIn
- Google's Algorithm in 2024: We either rank you for absolutely everything or nothing at all, but we can't explain why either way, Cyrus SEO on X
- I'm in *Dublin* from Wednesday - Friday this week, and I think it would be…, John Mueller on LinkedIn
Search Engine Land Stories:
- Google AdMob launches new controls for high-engagement mobile ads
- Google Ads Optimization Score now reveals specific competitor impacts
- SMX is online next week… don’t miss out!
- Top SEO tips for location-specific websites
- Maximizing your B2B paid media ROI with alternative platforms
Other Great Search Stories:
Analytics
- What Is Engagement Rate in GA4? + How to Improve It, Semrush
- GA4 Uncovered: The Ultimate Guide for Lawyers to Master SEO and AI Search with Pete Everitt, Legal Talk Network
Industry & Business
- Meta's former hardware lead for Orion is joining OpenAI, TechCrunch
- Microsoft offers $1M prize to folks willing to use Bing, The Register
- OpenAI in Talks to Become For-Profit Company With California Regulators, Bloomberg
- The End Of Independent Publishing And Giant Freakin Robot, Giant Freakin Robot
- Southeast Asia’s Digital Economy Faces Slowing Growth, Bloomberg
Links & Content Marketing
- How To Find the Truth in Data and Marketing Analytics, Content Marketing Institute
- Why You Need People To Manage the Meaning of AI Content, Content Marketing Institute
Local & Maps
- Why GM is ditching Apple CarPlay, with software boss Baris Cetinok, The Verge
- Apple will let you pick Google Maps as default navigation app in the EU soon, PhoneArena
- Locations of Ukrainian weapons systems revealed on Google Maps, official says, Kyiv Independent
Mobile & Voice
- Apple Explores Push Into Smart Glasses With Internal Study, Bloomberg
- iOS 18.2 Beta 2 Shows Siri ChatGPT Limit, Offers 'Plus' Upgrade Option, MacRumors
SEO
- 12 Essential Files SEOs Should Run Through ChatGPT for an SEO Tune-Up, Search Engine World
- Does Prominence Trumps Proximity? Local SEO Observations From The Field, Local SEO Guide
- SEO for Product Category Pages in 7 Steps, Practical Ecommerce
- 11 Signs Your SEO Agency is Taking Advantage of You (EP35), Compass Digital Strategies
- 5 Best Keyword Research Techniques for Successful SEO, HackerNoon
- Beyond Keywords: Optimizing Content Through UX Analysis, Sara Taher
- How Google evaluates E-E-A-T? 80+ signals for E-E-A-T, Kopp
- How To Create Helpful Content Post-HCU, Moz
- How to optimise your content to rank in AI Overviews, Receptional
- Let’s not declare the death of SEO marketing too hastily, The Drum
- SEO Legends : “RepoMonkey Bait & Tackle/v1.01”, Search Engine World
PPC
- 11 Things to Check If Your Google Ads Account Is Suspended for Circumventing Systems or Abusing the Ad Network Policy, ZATO Marketing
- New ways to enhance agency efficiency, Google Blog
- The Future of Google Ads Keywords: 6 Experts Weigh In, WordStream
- Update to the Personalized ads policy (November 2024), Google Advertising Policies Help
- Google Pushes Its Shopping Ads Above Retail Media, AdWeek
Search Features
- Google gives Song Search the four-color treatment , 9to5Google
Other Search
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