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 says you don't get points for trying to provide a good page experience. Google Ads API version 14.1 is now out. Google updated its Local Service Ads photo guidelines. Google Ads is testing scan to call via a QR code. Google Business Profiles appeal form now works for missing photos. And a survey says 75% of SEOs are not happy with GA4.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
- Google: No Points For Trying To Provide A Good User Experience
Google's John Mueller said trying to provide a good user experience but not succeeding will not result in any ranking benefit in Google Search. John said during office hours at the 9:29 minute mark, "What matters for Google is not that a website is attempting to give users a good page experience but rather if it's actually giving users a good page experience." - 75% Of SEOs Are Not Happy With Google Analytics 4 (GA4)
I posted a poll on Twitter asking if SEOs thoughts on Google Analytics 4 (GA4). X% said they "hate it" and about X% said they have "somewhat negative" thoughts on GA4, so that is about 3/4th of SEOs saying they are not pleased with GA4. - Google Ads Tests Scan To Call QR Code Extension
Google is testing a new phone ad extension that lets you scan a QR code on your phone to call the number. Also, you can see three images across the ad, which is also a test. - Google Business Profiles Adds "Fix Photo That Doesn't Show" To Appeal Form
Google has added a new option in the Google Business Profile appeal for "Fix photo that doesn't show." This means you can submit a support request for when you know a photo is not showing up on your Google Business Profile and you want it to. - Google Local Service Ads Photo Guidelines Now Faster Reviews & More Creative
Google is now saying that its new Local Service Ads guidelines are faster for reviews and also more flexible by allowing more creative images. What that really means, well, time will tell, but that is what Google is emailing local advertisers. - Google Ads API Version 14.1 Now Available
Google has released a minor release for its Google Ads API, version 14.1. This comes just about two months after version 14 was released. New in 14.1 includes new recommendation types, more search terms insights support, and much more, the full list is below. - Android Painter Statue
Here is another Android statue figurine, this one is in the New York City Google office. It is a painter Android, for some reason the guy who posted it on Instagram said it is Andy-Droid.
Other Great Search Threads:
- If you explicitly search for them, we'll continue to show them (since it's what you search for, and they redirect), even if we've processed redirects and are indexing the destination page in the meantime. Confusing for SEOs, but works for users :-), John Mueller on Twitter
- It sounds like you're focusing too much on arbitrary metrics, and not enough on users., John Mueller on Twitter
- The web is still extremely new, and things are constantly changing, including HTML. If you want something that's never going to change, don't work on the internet. If you want to take advantage of new things, assume there will be old & obsoleted things to, John Mueller on Twitter
- We are currently working through legacy TM appeals and you'll receive confirmation when yours are reviewed. No further action is needed on your end. Thanks for your patience as we make the transition to phase out these restrictions., AdsLiaison on Twitter
Search Engine Land Stories:
- Google warns against content pruning as CNET deletes thousands of pages
- Ecommerce brand debuts AI-generated product review summaries
- Google’s Performance Max Best Practices Guide gets major update
- X (Twitter) unveils new features to boost control and safety for advertisers
- Google says all online content should be available for AI training unless publishers opt out
- 5 SEO use cases for the ChatGPT code interpreter plugin
- Google Ads scripts usher in a new era with API access
- Why search marketing education is a MUST within companies
Other Great Search Stories:
Industry & Business
- Google Workers Get Final Nod for Nearly $8.4 Million Wage Deal, Bloomberg
- Yandex co-founder Volozh slams Russia's 'barbaric' invasion of Ukraine, Reuters
Links & Content Marketing
- Beyond Automation: Why Hybrid AI is the Future of Best-Answer B2B Content, Online Marketing Blog
- How To Strengthen Your ‘Change Muscle’ for Your Content Team’s Success, Content Marketing Institute
Local & Maps
- Waze for Android Auto stops showing directions on BMW HUD, 9to5Google
- A decade after a disastrous launch, is Apple Maps finally good?, The Guardian
Mobile & Voice
- Huawei Adds Generative AI-Powered Voice Assistant to Smartphones, Beating Apple and Google, Voicebot
- The 7 best Android smartwatches in 2023, The Verge
- You Could Soon Ask Siri To Make UPI Payments Says RBI: Details Here, MSN
SEO
- 5 Reasons Your Company Needs SEO, BruceClay
- CNET Deletes Thousands of Old Articles to Game Google Search, Gizmodo
- 5-Minute Whiteboard: Is Generative AI in Search Results the SEO Apocalypse?, SparkToro
- Over 67% of Domains Using Hreflang Have Issues (Study of 374,756 Domains), Ahrefs
PPC
- Updates to Healthcare and Medicines policy (October 2023), Google Advertising Policies Help
- Influencing Brand Positioning using Google Ads, Where Marketing Works
Other Search
- Advances in document understanding, Google Research Blog
- Google Hungers for More Data to Train Its AI—But At What Cost?, Decrypt
Feedback:
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