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 says sometimes bot protection services serve noindex directives. Bing Search has expandable page insights. Google is testing sitelinks in pills formats. Google is testing longer snippets again. And Google Assistant now supports Shabbat times.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
- Google: Sometimes Bot Protection Services Serve Noindex Directive
Did you know that sometimes those bot protection services will serve Google and other search engines noindex directives? Google's John Mueller said this on X, saying, "Sometimes there's bot-protection (or a login, interstitial, etc) triggering that has a noindex on it." - Bing Search Page Insights Expandable Sections
Bing has updated its page insights light bulb feature to now let you collapse and expand the sections within the overlay page previews. For me, it defaults to being opened, so if you want to collapse the information within the page preview you can with the click of a button. - Google Tests Sitelinks In Bubble/Pill Format
Google is testing another format for its sitelinks within the Google search results. Here Google is testing showing the sitelinks in bubble or pill designs and layouts. We have seen Google test and try out countless formats and designs for sitelinks, so let's just add this to the list. - Google Tests Longer Search Result Snippets Again
Google seems to be testing longer search result snippets again. We saw this recently with Google Ads, some really long Google Ads descriptions and now we are seeing it with the organic/free listings. - Google Assistant Now Tells You Shabbat Times
In 2022, Google brought back the Shabbat times to the one box or answer boxes in search. Recently, in the past month or so, Google also enabled Google Assistant to tell you when Shabbat starts and ends in a location. - Googler With Light Up Christmas Earrings
Here is a photo of a Googler by a Google branded pool stable wearing light up Christmas light earrings. I found this as a video on Instagram, so I made it into a GIF for you all to enjoy.
Other Great Search Threads:
- Google Abuse (Dec 2023 Edition) New domains gaining massive organic traffic: 1. Root domain 302 redirects to Google 2. Subdomains spammed with AI content 3. Quick rankings, backlinks not crucial This shows not only the flaws of EEAT, but also content v, Itamar Blauer on X
- I'm curious about your thoughts - is the use of AI-generated images on (non-art or AI-focused) websites equivalent to the use of stock photography?, John Mueller on LinkedIn
Search Engine Land Stories:
- SEO year in review 2023: The year of generative AI
- Google algorithm updates 2023 in review: Core, reviews, helpful content, spam and beyond
Other Great Search Stories:
Industry & Business
Links & Content Marketing
- How to Do a Full Backlink Audit In 30 Minutes (or Less!), WordStream
- How To Use Digital PR For Link Building, Go Fish Digital
- Why Stories are an Effective Communication Tool for Your Blog, Problogger
Local & Maps
- Google Maps 'Driving Mode' on Android might be killed, 9to5Google
- MapLab: Exploring the Anomalies of Google Maps, Bloomberg
- The Openness Algorithm Update: Your Top Asked Questions Answered, Sterling Sky
Mobile & Voice
- Android Auto will have Google Assistant summarize your messages, 9to5Google
- Apple Watch import ban temporarily stopped by U.S. appeals court, CNBC
- How to Choose Between Alexa and Google Assistant, Lifehacker
- Android Auto will use Google Assistant to summarize your messages, SamMobile
- What Makes Some Google Maps Spam Stick?, Local Visibility System
SEO
- Google Quality Rater Guidelines: SEO From the Source, The Blogs Smith
- The Ultimate Guide to Casino SEO: How to Rank Higher, Faster, Semrush
PPC
- 2023 Quick Links: IP, Keyword Ads, Eric Goldman
- Do Not Start a PPC Agency in 2024 Until You’ve Understood These 7 Things, Optmyzr
- Google LSAs Supercharge Duct Cleaning Scam, Near Media
- Keyword Gap Analysis: What It Is & How to Do It, Semrush
- Wix's Zapier integration: Automate your digital marketing funnel, Wix SEO Hub
Other Search
- Baidu's AI Tool Ernie Bot Crosses 100 Million Users, BNN Breaking
- ChatGPT Helps, and Worries, Business Consultants, Study Finds, New York Times
Feedback:
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