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:
- December 2020 Google Webmaster Report
November was a pretty busy month where Google gave us a date for the launch of the page experience update and with that... - Google Page Experience Update Ranking Factor Will Apply To Mobile Search Only
So yesterday, I accidentally published a story too quickly, around a new FAQ around Google's Page Experience Update. One point in there that is new information is this line "using page experience as a signal for ranking will apply only to mobile Search." - Google Core Web Vitals & Page Experience FAQs
Google posted an FAQ around Core Web Vitals and the upcoming Google Page Experience update. Google's Cheney Tsai said the company has compiled some of the most frequently asked questions about Core Web Vitals and Page Experience. - Google Handles display:none & visibility:hidden The Same
A while back, JR Oakes asked Martin Splitt of Google if he can confirm if there is a difference between display:none and visibility:hidden in terms of Google's ability to "see" the content in the container? Martin said he does not think there is a difference. JR Oakes then decided to test it. - Google Tests Half Line Break Design In Search Results
Google is testing yet another form of layouts for the Google Search results. Here Google is testing showing half of a line break of some sorts to separate out the top answers and features snippets and other sections. - Google Maps Improves Messaging & Performance Insights Reports
As we have been expecting, Google has rolled out more ways for businesses to message and communicate with customers. Plus, Google is also rolling out more performance insights reports to see how customers are finding your business in Google Maps and Search. - Google Kirkland Railroad Tracks At Cross Kirkland Corridor
Here is a photo I found near the Google Kirkland, Seattle office. You can see they have these railroad tracks by the Cross Kirkland Corridor, a 5.75-mile rail trail and linear park in the city of Kir
Other Great Search Forum Threads:
- Search Console for Nonprofits Better understand how you're performing in Google Search with these tips from @danielwaisberg 1⃣ Make sure Google can find your pages 2⃣ Monitor site performance 3⃣ Optimize s, Google Search Central on Twitter
- We don't prioritize sitemaps by submission source, so we'd probably try to process them all. Just make the wrong ones 404 and you'll be set :), John Mueller on Twitter
- There are always some connected parts (internal linking, for example), but for the most part, apart from those URLs no longer appearing in Search, it would generally be a non-issue. There's no "quality reduction, John Mueller on Twitter
Search Engine Land Stories:
- Google: Page experience signals for ranking apply only to mobile
- Google expands local business message & map query analytics
Other Great Search Stories:
Analytics
- Google Analytics 4 And What It Means For Your Business, Investis Digital Blog
- Google Data Studio chart highlighter, Wissi
Industry & Business
- Google acquires Actifio to step into the area of data management and business continuity, TechCrunch
- Google allowing employees to hold some meetings outdoors on campus, CNBC
- Google illegally spied on workers before firing them, US labor board alleges, The Verge
- Google Poly shuts down in mid-2021, 9to5Google
- U.S judge hearing Google case rejects government's protective order request, Reuters
Local & Maps
- Now anyone can share their world with Street View, Google Blog
Mobile & Voice
- Google Assistant can now read and reply to messages from WhatsApp, Google Voice, others, Android Police
- Samsung Reveals New Bixby Interface and Features in Major Update, Voicebot
- New Google Assistant UI disappearing on Pixel 5/4 devices, 9to5Google
SEO
- 6 Pillars of an Enterprise SEO Platform 6 Pillars of an Enterprise SEO Platform, Conductor
- 7 SEO Tips for a New Website (With Checklist), SEM Rush
- How to Write Powerful FAQ Pages That Grab Great Search Positions, SuccessWorks
PPC
- Google, Facebook and Amazon Gain as Coronavirus Reshapes Ad Spending, Wall Street Journal
- Guide to growth: More volume & new audiences, Microsoft Advertising
Search Features
Other Search
- 5 tips to tailor your Google TV recommendations, Google Blog
