May 2023 Google Webmaster Report
While last month’s Google webmaster report was filled with the Google March core update, the product reviews update, Bard, AI, sitenames and more; this month was just as packed. We had the reviews update, a local look at the core update, big updates to…
Google: Avoid Using “Coming Back Soon” Pages For Site Migrations
Google’s John Mueller said he would “try very hard to avoid having a “coming back soon” page during a revamp.” He said if you must have the “coming back soon” page then do so for a day or so but serve a 503 server status code.
Google: We Use A Mix Of Factors To Determine Content That Demonstrates E-E-A-T
Google has been saying for years now that there is no E-A-T (or now E-E-A-T) algorithm, but Google does have factors and signals it looks for that align with the values around determining content that demonstrates E-E-A-T. Google repeated it the other …
Google Search Video Results With Pros and Cons Within Video
Google Search can show video results, including key moments within the videos. But now Google seems to break down the pros and cons, if available, in a video review for a product.
Google Tests Colored Backgrounds For Shopping Ad Carousel
Google is testing using different lightly colored backgrounds for the shopping ads carousel in mobile search. We saw Google testing lighter variations of this almost a year ago, some with gray shades and some with slightly colored shades. Now we are se…
Vlog #221: Glenn Gabe On Bing Chat & Google Bard & AI Generated Content
I finally convinced Glenn Gabe to let me interview him on my vlog, and we spoke for a while on a ton of core SEO topics. Glenn has been doing SEO for a long time…
Google Knowledge Local Panel “Often Searched Together” Section
Google seems to be testing a new section on the local knowledge panels named “often searched together.” Mordy Oberstein found this and said on Twitter that it is a “great way to see who your local competitors really are.”
New Google Business Profiles Tips To Avoid Bulk Verification Delays
Google has a help document on “Common issues that delay bulk verification” that it updated to add more tips on avoiding delays with Google Business Profile bulk verification.
Google On Using Noindex & Canonical Tags
Historically, Google has said you should not use a noindex along with a canonical tag at the same time. But not always. John Mueller of Google said recently, “it depends.” He said it depends on whether the pages are identical and if you want them index…
Google Image & Video Search Test Blurring Explicit Content, Instead Of Removing It
Google Image Search and Google Video Search has historically simply removed content from its search results when you ask it to filter explicit content using SafeSearch. Now it seems Google is blurring out content, like they do in social media, asking y…
Poll: Most SEOs Got Started By Reading & Practicing Alone
A poll on Twitter asks SEOs how they got started doing SEO. The poll showed that most got started in SEO by reading and then practicing alone.
Search News Buzz Video Recap: Google Reviews Update Done, Page Experience, Site Name Fixes, Google Texting Businesses & Google / Microsoft Ad Revenues
This week, we had the Google April 2023 reviews update finish rolling out after 13 days. That update was pretty heated toward the last week of the rollout. Google clarified that page experience is a ranking signal but not a ranking system. Google asked…
Google Analytics To Show UA3 Data For A Year After It Stops Collecting Data On July 1, 2023
Google has shared more details on its upcoming deadline for when Universal Analytics 3 will be turning down. The new information is that you will be able to access, report and export your historical data in UA3 for a year after Google stops collecting …
Google To Prohibit Ads Have An Imminent, Proven & Unresolved Risk Of Death Or Grievous Bodily Harm
Starting on July 3, 2023, Google will prohibit ads for products that carry an imminent, proven, and unresolved risk of death or grievous bodily harm that has been the subject of a consumer advisory or product recalls. This will update the Google Ads Da…
Google: Page Experience Is A Ranking Signal, Not A Ranking System
Google is now saying that page experience, mobile-friendliness, page speed, and secure site are ranking “signals” but were never ranking “systems.” “It just meant these weren’t ranking *systems* but instead signals used by other systems,” Danny Sulli…
Google Search Tests New Simple “More” Results Buttons
Google is testing a new version of the “more” results button to make it look more basic and simple. Instead of the larger more results button, Google is testing a simple link.
Many SEOs Are Worried About Their Jobs Since Generative AI & AI Search
With generative AI and the new AI search features, we are not only able to use some generative AI tools to create excellent content, but how searchers access information is on the verge of changing. This is causing some concern and fear within the SEO …
Google Ads API Version 13.1 Now Available
Google has released Google Ads API version 13.1, and below is a list of what changed. The big changes include bid simulations retrievals, added several recommendation types related to Shopping campaigns, and much more.
You Can No Longer Opt Out Of Google’s Education Q&A Carousel
Google has removed the ability to opt out of Education Q&A carousel in its search results. The original help documentation had a section with a link to a form to request not to show your content in the Education Q&A carousel, which was now removed.
Google Tests Displaying Follower Counts In Search Result Snippets
Google is testing showing the number of followers a specific social media account has in the mobile search results. You usually see this information in the snippet itself, but Google is testing showing the count also directly below the site name, in pl…