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's crawl stats report does not show where Googlebot is crawling from. Core web vitals do not influence Google Discover visibility. Microsoft Bing is testing animated zoomable sitelinks. Google Business Profiles is reportedly sending out fewer postcard verifications. Google spoke about using ChatGPT AI for title tag generation. And I posted my weekly SEO video recap - check it out and subscribe.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
- Search News Buzz Video Recap: Google Still Rolling Out Updates, Start & End Dates Are Confusing, Bing To Add ChatGPT, SEO Is Bad & More
Welcome to the first video recap of 2023, where I start with the January 2023 Google webmaster report. I then explain how the Google helpful content and link spam updates are still rolling out and, more so, still causing volatility... - Google Crawl Stats Report Doesn't Show Location Of Googlebot Crawl
As you know, Google can now crawl from locations outside of the United States. We know this is rare, it is used in specific situations. But if you want to know if Google is crawling your site from outside of the US, then you need to check your log files. - Google's John Mueller On Using AI & ChatGPT For Title Tag Ideas
Google's John Mueller said on Mastodon that using AI or ChatGPT blindly for title tag generation is not a great idea. But he did add that if you are running out of ideas and need some inspiration, you can leverage the tools for some ideas. - Report: Google Business Profiles Offering Fewer Postcard Verifications
There are reports in the Local Search Forum that in the past few weeks or so, Google has been offering fewer verification methods via postcards than other verification methods, compared to the past. - Microsoft Bing Tests Zoomable Sitelinks
Microsoft Bing is at it again, this time testing a sitelink interface that zooms in and expands as you hover your mouse cursor over the link. It is pretty cool to see this zoomable sitelink interface. - Google: Core Web Vitals Not A Google Discover Requirement
Do you need outstanding core web vital scores to be included in Google Discover? The answer is no, at least John Mueller of Google said "we don't have that connection documented anywhere." - Google Striped Socks
I am not a big sock person, just ask Mordy or Jason, but the stripes make this sock. Here is some Google swag that includes these fashionable Google colored stripes on them.
Other Great Search Threads:
- Keyword Stuffing Used Excessively in SERPs, WebmasterWorld
- The most restrictive wins, John Mueller on Mastodon
- Google And while [holocaust meaning] triggers definitions related to the general word, we do also show in the results information about the specific event., Google SearchLiaison on Twitter
Search Engine Land Stories:
- Google agrees to pay up in 12 year class-action lawsuit
- The latest jobs in search marketing
- Why advertisers should reassess Google Ads recommendations
- New Microsoft Store Ads promote desktop apps on Windows devices
- What is an SEO product manager?
- How to make PPC automation work for lead gen
- This day in search marketing history: January 5
Other Great Search Stories:
Analytics
- How to Know Where to Optimize Your User Journey With GA4, Measure Minds Group
- How to Track Cost to Acquire a Customer for Your Business?, PPC Expo
Industry & Business
- ChatGPT Creator Is in Talks for Tender Offer That Would Value It at $29 Billion, Wall Street Journal
- Google set to challenge India Android antitrust ruling at Supreme Court, Reuters
- Google to Pay $23 Million in Search Terms Settlement With Users, Bloomberg
Links & Content Marketing
- SEO content strategy for tech startups: How to get started, Wix SEO Hub
- What's Your Word for 2023? [Rose-Colored Glasses], Content Marketing Institute
Local & Maps
- Android Auto, digital car keys news and updates at CES 2023, Google Blog
- Google Business Profile Category Updates for December 2022, Local University
- Google launches HD maps for vehicles, Volvo and Polestar first to integrate, TechCrunch
- New Android Auto features give car display a user design makeover, TechCrunch
- Play Guiding Stars Trivia before January 31 to win a badge on Connect!, Local Guides Connect
Mobile & Voice
- Android at CES 2023: Helping devices work better together, Google Blog
- Android at CES 2023: New cross-device experiences and our approach to better together, Google Blog
SEO
- SEO Interview: Getting Started in SEO & Getting Involved with Global SEO Communities, Lumar
- Some Cool SEO Uses For GPT3 Chat, Local SEO Guide
- The Top 12 SEO Trends to Optimize for in 2023, WordStream
PPC
- Advertisers, meet Microsoft Store Ads, Microsoft Advertising
- Dental Vertical Now Available on Local Service Ads (LSAs), Local University
Other Search
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