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 Ads has a bug that won't let you add exact match keywords right now. Google added a new Shops section to the mobile search results. Google AdSense reenabled the related search experiments feature after 8 months. Google says you can ignore "toxic" links. Google said keyword density still not a thing in 2022. And I posted the weekly video recap - it was a slow week - finally.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
- Search News Buzz Video Recap: Bing's IndexNow For WordPress, Google SEO Topics, Links In 2022 & More
It was a slow start to 2022 but I guess that is welcomed by most of you - I have my January 2022 Google webmaster report live, if you took off at all... - Google Adds Shops Section To Search Results
Google has recently added a new section to the mobile search results named "Shops." This was first spotted by Khushal Bherwani on Twitter and we got confirmation from Google that this was indeed new at Search Engine Land yesterday. - Trying To Adds Exact Match Keywords To Google Ads? Google Says Nope, We're Adding Broad Match Keywords
Drew Cannon posted on Twitter a screenshot of him adding new exact match keywords to his Google Ads campaigns and then Google informing him that no, despite wanting exact match - we're going to be going with broad match. There is a not that says "broad match keywords are on and keywords will be saved as broad match." - Google AdSense Resumes Related Search Experiments After 8 Months
Google has resumed the AdSense related search Custom search style experiments after pausing it back 8-months ago in May 2021. Google said "we'd like to inform you that as of January 6, 2022, we've re-enabled your ability to create Related search Custom search style experiments in your AdSense account." - Google: Keyword Density Still Not An SEO Search Ranking Factor
So it is now 2022 and some folks are asking if keyword density is an SEO Google search ranking factor. The answer is still no, according to John Mueller, a Search Advocate at Google. - Google: Ignore Toxic Links, Some Tools Make The Wrong Assumptions
Google's John Mueller said it again, when it comes to "toxic links" you can ignore them. If you are losing sleep at night over them and it makes you sleep better, you can disavow the links - but you don't have to - John Mueller said just ignore them and move on. - Googler Dancing On The Google NYC Rooftop
Here is a video I made into a GIF of a Google product manager dancing on a rooftop at the Google New York City office the other day. He said on Instagram "
Other Great Search Threads:
- We used to have a Sofa in the office. We loved it, Gary in particular. Then the facility team took it away. 1/?, Martin Splitt on Twitter
- You’d think @GoogleMyBiz would use the app update as an opportunity to rename the app Google Business Profiles - guess next time. https://t.co/4RMfa4AyU0, Barry Schwartz on Twitter
- Are standalone Gmail campaigns officially dead? Haven't served an impression since December 11th. Help article (below) directs to Discovery campaigns now. #ppcchat https://t.co/ObuYMGhzqN, Greg on Twitter
- Share content from the YouTube mobile app to YouTube Kids, Google YouTube for Families Community
- I don't think that does anything for SEO, but it's also not a problem. It's a common HTML pattern: linking to different parts of the same page, for example from a table of contents on to, John Mueller on Twitter
- Quick Personal Update: Graduating from Google Analytics It seems January 2022 is seeing a lot of people take on new roles. That includes me. After 7+ years as a Google Analytics Advocate, I have a new role (which I'll tell you, Louis Gray on Twitter
- Reminder: Google AdWords API will Sunset April 2022, Switch to Ads API, WebmasterWorld
- The new Google Partners program is giving out $600 (vs $100) free ad credit to new account. https://t.co/asxcrxXBmm #ppcchat https://t.co/tZobJbUc65, Duane Brown on Twitter
Search Engine Land Stories:
- Apple Maps: What a maps web snapshot can do for your online content
- Google Ads error tells advertisers exact match keywords are saving as broad match
- Search incrementality: How paid and organic work together for better performance
- How customer reviews can improve your SEO efforts
- Google launches ‘Shops’ section in mobile search results
Other Great Search Stories:
Analytics
- How to Create CASE Statements in Google Data Studio, Seer Interactive
- Pages Reporting in Google Analytics 4, Krista Seiden
Industry & Business
- CCI to complete investigation into Google billing policies in 60 days, Live Mint
- Google Subject to New, Tougher Supervision by German Regulator, Bloomberg
- Roku drops on concern of increased competition from Amazon, Google, CNBC
- Warren, Jayapal tell Google to stop seeking DOJ antitrust chief recusal, CNBC
- Google hit with 150 mln euro French fine for cookie breaches, Reuters
Links & Content Marketing
- 15 More Ways to Optimize Your Link Anchor Text, I Love SEO
- Internal Linking Best Practices for SEO, Mike Ginley
Local & Maps
- Android Automotive getting YouTube app, more car controls, 9to5Google
- Google Maps helps Italian police capture mafia fugitive, Reuters
- WhatsApp Testing search for nearby businesses, right within the app, tl;dr Marketing
Mobile & Voice
- CES 2022: Better together with Android and beyond, Google Blog
- First look: Apple smart glasses may revolutionize augmented reality as soon as 2025, AppleInsider
- Google Home, YouTube integrate with Volvo Cars, TechCrunch
- Google is working to improve Windows and Android integration, Engadget
SEO
- The not-so-SEO checklist for 2022, Search Engine Watch
- The SEO Basics - Title Tags, RankRanger
PPC
- The value of overlapping audiences, Microsoft Advertising
- What does Call Tracking, Google Ads & PPC mean?, PPC Hero
Other Search
Feedback:
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