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:
- Google Poll Searches Asking "Satisfied With These News Results?"
We've seen Google ask searchers if they are satisfied with the search results before. Using smily faces or other forms of voting. Here is a screen shot asking searchers if they are satisfied with the news results in the top stories within search. - Google: Searchers Can Tell The Difference Between Search Ads & Organic Listings
There have been many claims and studies that say searchers have a hard time telling the difference between the paid search ads and the free organic listings. Google's Paul Haahr said on Twitter that those claims are "not true from everything I've seen, at least from the Search side." - Google: We Use The Most Restrictive Crawling Command On The Page
Google's John Mueller said in a Reddit thread that Google will typically use the most restrictive crawling command or signals they find on the page. "Google will use the most restrictive setting you have on the page," John Mueller said. It doesn't matter if Google found it via HTML or JavaScript, assuming Google can find it. - Agency Claims They Are A "Google Partner SEO Agency"; Google Calls Them Out
Someone asked John Mueller of Google if it is true that a statement off an SEO company's web site was legit. The statement basically said that links are critical with ranking in Google and you should only hire "Google-partner SEO agencies" to create such links. John Mueller said the statement "it's completely wrong." - Google Begins Their Happy Holidays Logos
This Sunday, Google has begun posting their annual happy holidays Doodles, special Google logos. Some are animated, some are not, some are for the northern hemisphere and some are for the southern hemisphere. I'll keep updating this story with the new Doodles Google adds each day. - Google Conference Room Table With Swings As Chairs
Here is a conference room at one of the Google offices where they have swings instead of chairs to sit on. I am not sure exactly which office this is in, but the video shared on Instagram shows the p
Other Great Search Forum Threads:
- It's been a really long time since I've seen a website without a favicon.… https://t.co/fQTYpxFfqh, John Mueller on Twitter
- So it's more about disclosure to the user, and not about how search would treat/rank these pages?… https://t.co/gAQIoJcMiW, John Mueller on Twitter
- Anyone ever see a carousel of 'Top questions answered' before? I've seen this for celebes, although not in a carousel and not for pastry chefs! (query was choclate) cc:@rustybrick… https://t.co/iDgGnvdFXA, Mordy Oberstein on Twitter
- We have feedback options for most features. With Discover, there's an option for this with each item. We do look at that and encourage its use.… https://t.co/QM4YKNNk2q, Danny Sullivan on Twitter
- Hi everyone! As our global social support team enjoys time off, response times may be delayed. Normal hours will resume Wednesday at 6am PT, Google Ads on Twitter
Search Engine Land Stories:
- Can searchers tell the difference between ads and free listings? Google engineer says ‘yes’
- Why one marketer thinks smart speakers have their work cut out for them
- SEO Year In Review: 2018 saw Google updates and a focus on mobile
- Ask an SMXpert: Tips for dealing with (and avoiding) Google penalties
Other Great Search Stories:
Analytics
- How to Set Up Google Analytics: The Complete Guide (with video), Orbit Media
- Lotte Hotel boosts booking rates by 49% with Google Optimize, Google
Industry & Business
- Made by Google profit estimated at $3B for 2018 as Pixel, Home hardware gains ‘traction’, 9to5Google
Links & Promotion Building
- 11 Metrics to Utilize when Analyzing Your Content Strategy (and Tools to Help) - Raven Blog, Raven Blog
- White Labelling Link Building: Making it Work for Everyone, Raven Blog
Local & Maps
Mobile & Voice
- Google Home Hub is just $79 ($70 off) on Google Express with discount code for new customers, Android Police
- H&M Adds Google Assistant Voice Payments, MediaPost
SEO
- Ring in the New Year with this Killer 2019 SEO Checklist, Stephan Spencer
- Surprising Results From Our SERP Tracker Feature Survey, Raven Blog
PPC
- The 12 Days Of PPC Christmas, Impression
Search Features
Other Search
