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:
- Should Google Have Not Released The December 2020 Core Update When It Did?
As you know, Google released the December 2020 broad core update at 1pm ET on December 3, 2020. This was after Black Friday (November 27) and Cyber Monday (November 30) but before the actual holiday season - Chanukah is Thursday night (December 10th) and Christmas is later this month. Was this the right time to release a core update or should Google have held off until after January 1st? - Google: Passage Indexing & The December Core Update Are Not Bundled
There has been some speculation or questions if Google, along with the December 2020 core update, released the passage indexing feature. Google did say passage indexing would be live by the end of the year, so is it live? - Google Does Read Unsupported Structured Data But Won't Result In Rich Results
Google's John Mueller said on Twitter that Google is able to read unsupported structured data, structured data that is in the schema.org docs but is not listed by Google as something they support on the Google developers site. But I would not expect you to see rich results from any of those unsupported structured data schema elements. - Google Local Reviews Tests "New" Label
It looks like Google is testing a new label in the local business reviews for recently added reviews on businesses. The label says "new" and it is an outlined box. Here is a screen shot that Darcy shared with me on Twitter. - Google My Business Phone Support Returns
It looks like Google has now re-enabled the ability for businesses to request phone support from the Google My Business team. This feature went away during when COVID hit but now it seems to be back, as Ben Fisher noted on Twitter the other day. - Vlog #97: Alan Rabinowitz On Nofollow Links Being Counted By Google (Part One)
Alan Rabinowitz got started doing SEO in the early days of Google and he is the CEO of a company named SEO Image. He got started when he was trying to figure out how he can get his art web site to rank well in the search engines... - Apple App Store Icon Trophies
It looks like Apple is creating physical trophies, similar to the YouTube Creator Awards buttons, for those who won the Apple App Store app of the year awards. Here is Andres Canella of the Wakeout
Other Great Search Forum Threads:
- When you search for something on Google you get … a lot of info. Ever wonder where it all comes from? Your answer is here (you don’t even have to search for it). https://t.co/MWh5SLLk1U https://t.co/0VDY26xGHe, Google on Twitter
- Users tend not to care why a page is slower, and we don't differentiate in our metrics either. Sometimes there are different ways to embed code though, so it's useful to check the various options., John Mueller on Twitter
- I understand the concern over Timnit’s resignation from Google. She’s done a great deal to move the field forward with her research. I wanted to share the email I sent to Google Research and some thoughts on our rese, Jeff Dean on Twitter
- Google Dictionary Results are now available with an option to choose your preferred language. Seems new to me. #Google #SERP cc: @rustybrick https://t.co/CjOjqaKdpS, Praveen Sharma on Twitter
- I'm not on the Google News team, but I know they're aware of these threads. My assumption would be the product experts have escalated (which I know they have), and the team feels this is workin, John Mueller on Twitter
Search Engine Land Stories:
- Apple’s data-collection ‘nutrition labels’ for apps will begin appearing next week
- Where Google is placing its bets in 2021
Other Great Search Stories:
Analytics
- PSA: By Default, Nintendo Now Collects Data Through Google Analytics On Switch eShop (North America), Nintendo Life
Industry & Business
- More than 1,200 Google workers condemn firing of AI scientist Timnit Gebru, The Guardian
- Google Spars With Barry Diller’s IAC on Marketing Practices, Wall Street Journal
- When newsrooms collaborate with AI, Google Blog
Links & Content Marketing
- Should We Link to the Past?, SEO Theory
Local & Maps
- GMB Edits Being Blocked to Prevent Hijacking, Local University
- How 15 years of mapping the world makes Search better, Google Blog
- How Google Maps came to dominate navigation, CNBC
Mobile & Voice
- The benefits of AMP, Google Blog
- Google Assistant routines and interpreter mode are getting nifty home screen shortcuts, XDA Developers
- Google Assistant spoken notifications come to all wired headphones, 9to5Google
- Volvo Deploys First Commercial Trucks With Alexa Built-In, Voicebot
SEO
- How Long Does SEO Take to Show Results?, SEM Rush
- Core Update December 2020 - Google's Christmas present?, SISTRIX
PPC
- How Google Search ads Work, Google Blog
- Reach more shoppers with an inclusive approach, Microsoft Advertising
Search Features
