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 again says they want to do better with ranking smaller sites in the search results, but do they? Gartner said search volume will drop 25% by 2026, what do SEOs think? Google Ads sitelinks has a weird eligibility bug. Gmail is pushing Google Ads in the interface. The Google App has a toggle between Search and Gemini.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
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Google: We Want To Reward The Best Content No Matter Site Size
For the past 20 years, probably even longer, the debate about Google giving preferential treatment to large sites over small sites has been a huge topic in the SEO world and that has not changed in 2024 from 2004. Danny Sullivan, the Google Search Liaison, recently said on X, "yes, we should be rewarding the best content, regardless of site size." -
Only 20% Of SEOs Think Search Volume Won't Change By 2026
The other day, Gartner, a respected research firm, predicted that "traditional search engine volume will drop 25%, with search marketing losing market share to AI chatbots and other virtual agents." So I asked SEOs what they think and only 20% of SEOs think search volume won't change by 2026. -
Google Ads Sitelink Unknown Eligibility Bug
Google Ads has an issue with some sitelink assets where it shows the sitelinks are eligible but "limited" and the reason says "unknown." Google's Ads Liaison said, "the team is aware of this issue and currently on it." -
Google Pushing Google Ads Consults In Gmail Accounts Pop Ups
Google is pushing some businesses to sign up for a free Google Ads consult with a Google representative through their Gmail accounts. This is in the form of a pop up in the Gmail interface, it is not a normal spammy email solicitation but rather a pop up. -
Google App Adds Toggle Between Search & Gemini
The popular Google app, the Google Search app, now has a toggle at the top to quickly switch between Google Search and Gemini (formerly Google Bard). It shows up at the top and is defaulted to Google Search with the super G logo but you can see the Gemini logo that you can tap on to switch to Gemini. -
Googlers Built & Donated Skateboards
Here is a photo from the Google Palo Alto office of some members of the Google Cloud team building and then donating skateboards. They had some event where they made skateboards and helmets for an organization named Friends for Youth.
Other Great Search Threads:
- Do you think Google’s fake reviews/profiles problem is now worse or better than 2 years ago?, Greg Sterling on X
- Malicious ad caused Google to think we're unhelpful?, Reddit
- The cached page is different from rendering, they're not interchangeable. If you need to test rendering, you should use the URL inspection tool, even if you could look at the cached page., John Mueller on X
- The new "Data Access" Menu (previously "Linked Accounts) under Tools-> Settings got also a new layout with three sections, Thomas Eccel on X
- I think this is a fantastic overview of what you need to get started as a local business, and IMO the smaller reach of a local language can make things more interesting (less global competition = be, John Mueller on X
Search Engine Land Stories:
- Article complaining about being outranked on Google being outranked by Reddit
- Experience a key factor during Google algorithm updates, analysis finds
- YouTube Analytics now shows top-earning Shorts, Videos on Demand, and Lives
- Google Ads finally resolves ‘Confusing Ad Text’ issue for most users
- X’s surge in traffic for advertisers is fake, report claims
- Walmart is buying TV maker Vizio to boost ad revenue
- Forget PageRank: Here’s why you should focus on ranking instead
- SEO for user activation, retention and community
- Video search optimization: Top tips for 2024
- Google adds support for product variants and clarifies return fees
Other Great Search Stories:
Industry & Business
- Google goes to German court to try to protect business secrets, Yahoo News
- Google pushed to cement search monopoly even after DOJ trial began: letter, NY Post
- Google Co-Founder Sergey Brin Sued Over Deadly Crash of His Fiji-Bound Seaplane, Bloomberg
Links & Content Marketing
- Indonesia to require Google, Meta to compensate news publishers, Techinasia
- Technology Content Marketing Research 2024, Content Marketing Institute
Local & Maps
- 3 Google Maps tips and tricks to use it like a pro, Washington Post
- Greg Gifford, of SearchLab, on local search optimization in the age of AI, eMarketing Association
- Local GBP Tips 2024, How to get Phone Verification on your Local Map Listing, Craig Campbell
- Apple Maps teams return to UK to improve navigation, AppleInsider
Mobile & Voice
- Apple smart ring 'imminent' says questionable report, AppleInsider
- Gemini on your phone but Google Assistant in your ears, 9to5Google
- How Android Auto will use AI to summarize incoming text conversations, ZDNET
- The Google Assistant Android app is now Gemini by default, Android Authority
SEO
- Turns out, Google is all about Links and Clicks (and Keywords), SEO for Google News
- Winning & Losing Big Google Updates: 50-Site Case Study, Zyppy SEO
- Are expert opinions in your content an SEO must?, SERP's Up SEO Podcast
- Bicycle Repair Shop SEO, BikeGremlin I/O
- Boost Your Traffic in Google Discover, Moz
- Botify SEO Blog - Technical SEO for Everyone: Breaking it Down for All Marketers, Botify
PPC
- Integrated SEO: Unify PPC & Organic to Maximize SERP Presence, seoClarity
- Google’s cookie tests: how marketers, advertisers can prepare, Ad Age
Other Search
Feedback:
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