Some Google Search Ranking Algorithm Chatter Past Few Days
(5)
I've been on the edge about if I should report or not report some of the chatter and signals I am seeing around a possible Google search ranking algorithm update. I was seeing some somewhat small signs since the weekend of an update but those signals are picking up a little bit more a few days in.
Google: The Page Experience Update Won't Be A Massive Change To Start
Google's Danny Sullivan said to start, when the Page Experience Update rolls out, it won't be a massive change. It might grow in terms of importance over the years. But to start, Danny said "it shouldn't be the case that overnight, we flip some type of switch and there's a massive change."
Google: We Don't Announce Deprecating Ranking Signals
Has there been a time where Google has said they no longer use a specific ranking signal? I mean, they said this like 20 years ago with maybe the meta keywords tag? Google said this with rel next/prev, Google News stock tickers and keywords, and some other things. But generally, it is rare to see Google say we no longer use X as a ranking signal.
Google Adjusted Its Search Algorithm Due To SEO Gaming Four Or Five Times In 10 Years
One other little tidbit or nugget from the Search Central Live event was that Gary answered how many times Google changed its search algorithm due to SEOs gaming the system. Gary said in the past ten years, he thinks it was about four or five times, that he can remember.
Google To Discontinue Showcase Shopping Ads On April 1st
Google will sunset and stop supporting the Showcase Shopping Ads it initially announced about two years ago. Google said "starting April 1, 2021, Showcase Shopping ad groups will be removed and will stop serving your ads. Performance data for removed ads and ad groups will still be available in account reports."
Google Showing Fewer Featured Snippets Since February 19th
Google seems to be showing fewer featured snippets in the search results since February 19, 2021. All three tools that I am aware that track featured snippets all showed a significant decline in the percentage of search results with featured snippets.
- Daily Search Forum Recap: February 24, 2021 | Feb 24, 2021
- Google: Title Tags Longer Than What Is Displayed Has SEO Benefit | Feb 24, 2021
- Google Lets Agencies Dismiss Some Partner Program Recommendations | Feb 24, 2021
- Google Won't Talk About Spam Prevention For Page Experience Update | Feb 24, 2021
- Google: There Is No SEO Reason To Make Bloated Sites | Feb 24, 2021
- Google: Mixed Content Warnings Won't Remove Your Site From Search | Feb 24, 2021
- Daily Search Forum Recap: February 23, 2021 | Feb 23, 2021
- Google Ads Console Is Down & We're Back | Feb 23, 2021
The pulse of the search community
Subscribe
