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.
There may have been a new unconfirmed Google search ranking algorithm update this weekend. New Bing Chat features are coming, including memory, code improvements and more character support. Microsoft says Bing Chat usage is up big time in the past few weeks. Bing Search is testing verified labels and "official site" green badges in search. And we have another vlog with Lance Bachmann on local search, Apple Maps and the recessionary times.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
- Google Search Ranking Algorithm Update - August 18-19 (Unconfirmed)
As I hinted to in my SEO video recap on Friday, we saw some early signing of an unconfirmed Google Search ranking algorithm update starting Friday, August 18th, and it went into Saturday, August 19th. - New Bing Chat Features Coming: Memory, Code Improvements & More Characters
Microsoft is working on bringing more and more features to Bing Chat. Some of these new features that are being worked on, some actually being tested now, include Bing Chat having a memory of what you asked for previously, code improvements and more character support. - Bing Search Tests Green Official Site Label/Badge
Bing is testing a green official site label or icon on some of its search result snippets. We've seen the "official site" title added to some search results in the past, but now there is this form of verification badge being added. - Bing Search Tests Verified Label
Bing is testing a "Verified" label in the search result snippets. This is a new label that is placed next to the URL in the search result that says "verified." - Microsoft: Bing Chat Usage Up Big Time In Past Few Weeks
Despite all the data showing that Microsoft Bing has not gained any market share since it launched Bing Chat in February, Microsoft is saying Bing Chat's usage has been up a lot in the past few weeks. - Vlog #237: Lance Bachmann Changes In Local Search, Apple Bing & The Recession
In part one with Lance Bachmann, we spoke a lot about business, growing a business and his passion for his employees. Then in part two we spoke about local SEO and how to get new customers, the right customers. Then in part three... - Google NYC Massage Chair
Here is one of the many massage chairs Google has in their various offices. This one is in the NYC office. We saw one in Poland and some other office.
Other Great Search Threads:
- FYI: We've adjusted https://t.co/0w2KPNEydn colour coding to adjust for the new normal. The threshold has been lifted to 3.1 for red and 2.8 for orange., DEJAN on X
- Gotcha, we do crawl sites and URLs at different rates. All search engines do. If you'd like to report spam, I'd recommend using the official form., John Mueller on X
- I asked Google SGE a number of controversial queries on the topics of guns, slavery, religion, banned books and more. Check out my latest video to see how Google SGE handles these controversial topics, Lily Ray on Twitter
- Is noindex a good way to get a page out of a search result sitelinks?, Reddit
- My understanding is that servers usually fix this by ignoring the "//" and treating it as a "/". If that's the case, then I wouldn't worry about it. If it's the same content, and the cleaner URL is "better", we'll just use that. I'd check that internal li, John Mueller on X
- New column spotted within the "default" column set in Google Merchant Center - Click Potential. Possible factor in the serving algo for PMax and/or Shopping placements, but unlikely. If nothing else, an internal metric used to retool under-p, travis on X
Search Engine Land Stories:
- IPG Mediabrands tells clients to temporarily pause Google Performance Max campaigns
- Amazon Sponsored Product ads will now appear on Pinterest, Buzzfeed, and more
- The latest jobs in search marketing
- How to optimize for search intent: 19 practical tips
- Beyond search volume: Future-proofing keyword research for SEO
- Google stops testing links in Search Generative Experience snapshot answers
- How your approach to content needs to change: People, process and technology
- Using AI chatbots to 10X your keyword research
Other Great Search Stories:
Analytics
Industry & Business
- Google Accused of Wiretapping Taxpayer Data in New Lawsuit, Bloomberg
- Google co-founder Sergey Brin on leaving retirement to work on AI, The Verge
- Google Must Face Claims It Overcharged Pay-Per-Click Advertisers, Judge Rules, MediaPost
- Google Wins Dismissal of YouTubers’ Race Discrimination Claims, Bloomberg
- Our strict privacy standards around made for kids content, Google Blog
Links & Content Marketing
- The underrated value of news content to Google, The Seattle Times
- Navigating the Impact of Emerging Technologies on Content Creation, Joshua Napilay
Local & Maps
- Unlocking Insights: Industry Benchmarks for Google Business Profile Metrics in 2023, DAC
- Tips to Get the Help You Need from the Google Business Profile Help Community, BrightLocal
Mobile & Voice
- Apple Vision Pro hands on: Feel, fit, apps, AppleInsider
- Tesla rolls out Apple Shortcuts, helping automate and use Siri for vehicle controls, Electrek
SEO
- Guide to the Schema.org Vocabulary, Schema App Solutions
- Identifying, Fixing, and Preventing Cannibalization — Whiteboard Friday, Moz
PPC
- How to Find Best Keyword Ideas Using Keyword Research Tools, PPC Expo
- Google Is Under The Spotlight (again) Following Bad Ads Claims, The Drum
Other Search
- Autonomous visual information seeking with large language models, Google Research Blog
Feedback:
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