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.
More Google search ranking algorithm update volatility to report on in the past couple of days - was it helpful content or link spam update related? Google no longer has a 110 character limit on the headline for article structured data. Google's URL inspection tool shows nofollow links as the referring page. Google explains why giving start and end dates for algorithm updates is not so easy. Google has a "popular next steps" search refinement feature.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
- Google Search Ranking Algorithm Update Signals On January 3rd & 4th
As the Google December 2022 helpful content update and link spam update continue to roll out, I am now seeing more signs of volatility and chatter within the SEO industry in the past 24 hours. It seems like there is another algorithm update, or maybe a continuation from the previous ones, taking place on January 3rd and 4th. - Start & End Dates For Google Algorithm Updates Aren't Always Exact
If you've been following my coverage here on confirmed Google search algorithm updates over the years, you would see that the dates Google gives to the start of an update and, more often, the completion of an update are not always so exact. - Google Drops 110 Character Limit From Article Headline Structured Data
Google has updated the article structured data help documentation by removing the 110-character limit from the headline properties. It now says, "Consider using a concise title, as long titles may be truncated on some devices." - Google URL Inspection Tool Referring Page Can Show Nofollow Links But It's Rare Say John Mueller
Google's John Mueller said it is possible that Google Search Console's URL inspection tool can show a nofollowed link as the referring page but he also said it is rare. It does make you question if Google holds by the nofollow as a very strict hint or not but John said we are "too focused on links." - Google Search "Popular Next Steps" Option
Google is testing or has launched a new search refinement or expansion feature named "popular next steps." If Google thinks - Google Toothpicks Signage
I have almost no context on this one but this super G Google logo sign of sorts seems to be made up of massive toothpicks. I found this on Twitter via Menachem Ani and Google Lens does give some clue
Other Great Search Threads:
- Canonicalization is sometimes complex & challenging, but it's definitely not the case that Google just makes something up, John Mueller on Mastodon
- Dropping links to your site on random pages on the web isn't a useful strategy, and even if those pages were indexed, the links there would likely be ignored if you're dropping them there, John Mueller on Twitter
- I'm sure if a link-focused SEO tool tells you to make more links, it must be true :-), John Mueller on Twitter
Search Engine Land Stories:
- This day in search marketing history: January 4
- Commerce Components by Shopify gives large retailers new ways to use the platform
- TikTok adds 5 new ways to enforce safety for teen users
- SEO content writing vs. content writing: The key difference
Other Great Search Stories:
Analytics
Industry & Business
- Google alleges India antitrust body copied parts of EU order on Android abuse, Reuters
- Google and Meta’s Advertising Dominance Fades as TikTok, Streamers Emerge, Wall Street Journal
Links & Content Marketing
- 5 SEO Cognitive Biases in Content Marketing, Rank Ranger
- On-Page SEO: How Many Links Is Too Many On A Webpage?, Forbes
- An Audience-First Approach to Content Creation for SEO, JumpFly
Local & Maps
- How to choose the right GBP category for your business, Wix SEO Hub
- Maximizing the Potential of Your Hotel’s Google Business Page, Hospitality Network
Mobile & Voice
- It’s Not Too Early To Become Metaverse-Ready, Wired
- Report Reveals Wave of New Features for Apple's Mixed-Reality Headset, Including Digital Crown for Switching to Real-World View, MacRumors
- Google’s answer to a killer AirPods feature is going live on the Pixel 6 and 7 series, Android Police
SEO
- 2023 SEO Trends: Be Smart About Artificial Intelligence & AI-Generated Content, Lumar
- Branded SEO: The Often Overlooked (yet easy) Traffic Opportunity, Freddie Chatt
- Improving Your E-A-T Rating, 3Q/DEPT
- Is This Google's Helpful Content Algorithm?, Search Engine Journal
- The 2nd order SEO effects of generative AI models, Kevin Indig
- Why Is My Website Not Appearing In Google?, Dan Rich
PPC
Search Features
- Microsoft and OpenAI Working on ChatGPT-Powered Bing in Challenge to Google, The Information
- Google develops free terrorism moderation tool for smaller websites, Financial Times
Other Search
- We Evaluated ChatGPT vs. Google on 500 Search Queries, Surge HQ
- Google and Tesla are the Faces of a New Frontier in Robot Design, Analytics Insight
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