For the original iTunes version, click here.
This week we covered a new possible Google search ranking update that started brewing on Wednesday, February 7. Google’s Danny Sullivan said again, search quality improvements are coming in the near future. Google said it will clarify E-E-A-T and its search quality raters. Google explained the differences between ranking systems, ranking factors and ranking signals. Google said core web vitals are not a ranking factor. Google no longer shows Web Stories in image search. Google has a popular product spam issue in search. A blogger said a legit guest blog post was penalized by Google. Google revised its SEO starter guide, as expected. Google said its dynamic search ad crawler crawls less frequently now. Google may have a Sitemaps bug with hyphenated sitemap file names. Sullivan and Mueller both have internal newsletters they write for Google. Google is testing a “web results” button in the search menu. I saw Bing’s Deep Search in the wild, and it was blah, and shortly later, Microsoft pulled back testing Deep Search. Copilot got an upgrade code-named Deucalion. Google is testing an up-and-coming store carousel in search. Google Business Profiles has new activities and event forms. Google Business Profiles can be wiped out through a Local Services Ads loophole. Google Ads has a bug with confusing text and updating credit cards. Google Ads to drop its support for commission bidding for hotel ads. Microsoft Advertising expanded enhanced conversions, updated RSA, and much more. Google AdSense seems to be switching all publishers to CPM bidding. And if you want to help sponsor those vlogs, go to patreon.com/barryschwartz. That was the search news this week at the Search Engine Roundtable.
Sponsored by Similarweb, the all-in-one- strategic SEO software. Get clarity of the SEO landscape through competitor analysis, keyword research, rank tracking, SERP insights and more. With industry-leading traffic and keyword data, based on real user journeys, Similarweb gives SEO professionals the whole picture so they can strategize smartly and drive sustainable business growth.
Make sure to subscribe to our video feed or subscribe directly on iTunes, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or your favorite podcast player to be notified of these updates and download the video in the background. Here is the YouTube version of the feed:
Search Topics of Discussion:
- 0:00 - Introduction
- 1:20 - Google Search Ranking Algorithm Update Brewing February 7th and 8th
- 2:00 - Google: Search Quality Improvements Coming In Near Future
- 2:24 - Google To Clarify E-E-A-T & Quality Rater Guidelines Documentation
- 2:56 - Google Explains Systems Are Machines That Use Ranking Signals & Factors Which Are Fuel
- 3:20 - Google: We Don't Say Core Web Vitals Are A Ranking Factor
- 4:08 - Google Drops Web Stories From Images & Updates Search Feature Availability
- 4:33 - Google Popular Product Spam Search Listings
- 4:59 - Legit Guest Blog Post Leads To Google Manual Action, Says Site Owner
- 5:47 - Google's Revised SEO Starter Guide Is Out - Here's What SEOs Think
- 6:07 - Google Slows Dynamic Search Ad Crawler To Every 3 Weeks vs 2 Weeks
- 6:27 - Google Sitemaps Bug With Hyphenated File Names
- 6:53 - Danny Sullivan & John Mueller Send Internal Newsletters For Google Staff
- 7:26 - Google Tests Adding Web Results To Search Menu (Return Of Ten Blue Links)
- 7:48 - I Saw Bing Deep Search In The Wild
- 8:15 - Microsoft Pulls Back Flighting Deep Search
- 8:57 - Microsoft Copilot (Bing Chat) Upgrade Named Deucalion Being Tested
- 9:20 - Google Search Carousel: Up-And-Coming Stores
- 9:35 - Google Business Profiles Activities & Events In Dashboard
- 9:48 - Google Business Profiles Nuked Through Local Service Ads Loophole
- 10:35 - Google Ads Bugs With Confusing Text In Ads & Updating Credit Cards
- 10:59 - Google Ads To Drop Support For Commissions Bidding For Hotel Ads
- 11:07 - Microsoft Advertising Enhanced Conversions Expansion, RSA Updates & More
- 11:30 - Google AdSense Publishers CPM Bidding Hitting Close To 100%
- 11:40 - Conclusion
- 11:56 - Bonus Clip
Please do subscribe on YouTube or subscribe via iTunes or on your favorite RSS reader. Don't forget to comment below with the right answer and good luck!
