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's search results are fluctuating like mad still, it is not ending and we expect it to continue until right before Christmas. Google also confirmed there was a November 2021 local search update after we covered it a couple of weeks ago. Google now allows video verification during the business profile set up and Google is testing docking places to the map. Google said the number of links is not a useful or calculable metric. And I posted my weekly SEO video recap with tons of news.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
- Search News Buzz Video Recap: Google Indexing Issues, Pre-Christmas Ranking Volatility & Local Update, Full Width Interfaces, Log4j & More
This week we had some fun bugs with both Google Search having some massive indexing issues and Google Ads going offline for a couple of hours. Google has confirmed that they ran a November 2021 local search ranking update between November 30 and December 8th... - Google Search Ranking Algorithm Tremors Continue & It's Big
Are you dizzy yet? The Google search results are still super volatile and we are seeing high levels of chatter spike back up over the past 24 to 48 hours and the tracking tools are also running incredibly hot. There is just so much going on right now in Google Search for an SEO that taking off for Christmas might not be an option for many. - Confirmed: Google November 2021 Google Local Search Update
As we reported a week ago, we saw a possible Google local search ranking update starting around a week prior to that - well, Google has now confirmed it. Google said on Twitter "Our November 2021 local search update has concluded. It began Nov 30 and ran through Dec 8. It involved a rebalancing of various factors we consider in generating local search results." - Google Search Console Still Down For Many SEOs
Starting at about 1:30pm ET, five hours ago, Google Search Console is still down for many SEOs. It might work for you but for many, Google Search Console is not loading. Google is aware of the issue and is working on addressing it but there is not ETA. - Google: The Number Of Links Is Not A Useful Metric
Google's John Mueller said on Twitter that the number of links, for SEO purposes, is not a useful metric. He also said by the time you calculate all your links, that number has probably already changed - so it is not a good use of your time. - Google Business Profile Video Verification Now When You Add A New Profile
Ben Fisher notified me that now when you add a new business to Google Business Profiles (formerly Google My Business), Google now by default asks you as part of the verification workflow if you want to do the video verification. - Google Maps Dock To Bottom Feature
Google Maps seems to be rolling out or testing a new feature to dock locations and businesses to the bottom of the map page. You may see a "dock to bottom" button in blue that lets you quickly reopen a place your docked later. When you click it, it places that place in the footer of the map interface. - Massive Google Gammer Remote Control
Here is a photo from the Google office of a massive game remote control. It is on display within the Stadia department at the Google office. I wonder if it works. 🎮
Other Great Search Threads:
- Thanks for the question, Mike. The team is working on this. I expect it will be available in the near future., AdsLiaison on Twitter
- A long time ago wen I was feeling particularly cranky about something, I registered https://t.co/CljrvXFOBM. Now, apparently the word "kvetch" is insensitive to someone... not sure who. Surely no Jewish person could actuall, Scott Hendison on Twitter
- I know you got confirmation here, but just wanted to highlight this Help Center page and the section noting that frequent or large target changes won’t negatively affect impact bid strategy perfo, AdsLiaison on Twitter
- If you’re interested in being involved in the 2022 edition, then please fill out this interest form and we’ll be in touch nearer the time: https://t.co/PlmOV2Y9T8 But for now, we’re going to take a well-earned res, HTTP Archive on Twitter
- We sifted through the billions of questions people asked on Google Search this past year to uncover the most profound trends of 2021 — from changing priorities to evolving shopping habits. Here’s what you need to kn, Think with Google on Twitter
- You can use directories for countries too (assuming it's a ccTLD) - you just veirfy the directories separately in Search Console and set geotargeting there. It works the same way as subdomains., John Mueller on Twitter
Search Engine Land Stories:
- Avoid an identity crisis by getting to know your customers
- Google Search Console inaccessible for some users
- Chrome will show updated pricing in the tabs grid on mobile
- Google also had a local search update from November 30 through December 8
- Fearing Omicron wave, marketers less likely to attend upcoming in-person conferences
- Google confirmed serving issue with Google Search results
Other Great Search Stories:
- Google Data Studio Pivot Tables - Fully Explained, Measure School
Industry & Business
- Alphabet CEO Says Search and Ad Revenue Will Push GOOG Stock to $3 Trillion, InvestorPlace
- Alphabet to fold Sidewalk Labs into Google as Doctoroff steps down, CNBC
- Google Faces Huge Fines in Russia After Sanctioned TV Channel Wins Lawsuit, Bloomberg
- Google runs ads on climate misinformation content, violating pledge, Washington Post
- Google's Attack on DOJ Antitrust Chief Is 'Far-Fetched,' Advocacy Group Argues, VICE
Links & Content Marketing
- Podcast: Disavowing Links, Disavow File Process with Bill Hartzer, Bill Hartzer
- The Value of Content Engineering, iPullRank
Local & Maps
- Ask a Googler: Mara, Local Guides Connect
- Thank you for joining our Guiding Stars photo booth, Local Guides Connect
- The Vicinity Update: What You Need to Know About Google's Largest Local Algorithm Update in 5 Years, Sterling Sky Inc
- Update: How Location Page Providers Stack Up for Core Web Vitals, Local SEO Guide
- Google Business Profile Manager Adds Video Verification Flow, Steady Demand
Mobile & Voice
- 2021 Assistant Recap, Google Developers Blog
SEO
- Agency SEO Careers in a Commoditized Market, The SEO MBA
- Deepcrawl completes SOC 2 Type 1 certification, meeting rigorous data security and privacy standards for its cloud-based technical SEO platform, PR Newswire
- Top 11 Tips for Project Management for SEO Agencies, Semrush
- What Can You Do after A Google Core Algorithm Update?, SEO Theory
- Zyppy - A new tool for SEOs to monitor title changes in Google, do SEO Experiments and submit Dynamic Sitemaps, tl;dr Marketing
PPC
- Revisiting our 2021 consumer retail trends predictions, Microsoft Advertising
- Shared budget for Smart Shopping Campaigns, Google Ads Developer Blog
Search Features
- 5 tips to finish your holiday shopping with Chrome, Google Blog
- Microsoft's Bing suspends auto suggest function in China at government's behest, Reuters
Other Search
- A Scalable Approach for Partially Local Federated Learning, Google AI Blog
- Research at Microsoft 2021: Collaborating for real-world change, Microsoft Research
Feedback:
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