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.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
- Google Search Quirks, Licensable Image Badge, Google My Business & Google Ads Hiding Keywords
This week was interesting, it seemed Google has some indexing or ranking issues outside of the US, but I was not able to replicate. I did post the monthly Google webmaster report. Google said it does not index links... - Google My Business Adds Adds Video Conferencing Integration
Google My Business has added a new option that says "Connect in real-time, with video." It says you can "grow your business and reach more customers, when you use video conferencing providers." Then a "set up" button to start to configure it. - Google's Googlebot Crawling As Chrome v85
On August 25th, Google updated its web browser Chrome on desktop and mobile to version 85 and then by as early as September 1st, GoogleBot was already crawling and rendering pages using version 85. It is really an evergreen Googlebot. - Google Ads More Than Triples The Conversion Categories
Google Ads announced yesterday it went from 6 conversion categories to 19 conversion categories, if you know math, that is more than three times. Google said "starting today, you can group your conversion actions in 19 different categories such as "add to cart", "submit lead form", "book appointment", and more." - Google Recommends Not To Use Double Slashes In URL Path
Google's John Mueller said it isn't recommended to use // - double slashes - in your URL path. He said generally if browsers can handle it so can Googlebot. But he said on Twitter "// is generally considered a bad practice though, since what it's really saying is "use https"." - Most SEOs Believe Google Can Penalize A Site Without A Notification
Back in the old days, when you received a manual action Google did not notify you in Google Search Console with a message. But can that still happen today? Can you get a manual action without a notification from Google? Most SEOs believe that can and does happen. - Google Search Tests New Product Carousels
Google is testing new user interfaces, designs and layouts for the product one box and product boxes. Valentin Pletzer shared a couple of these designs on Twitter and I am able to replicate one of these. - Speaking On Stage In-Person At SMX Munich During COVID
It is so wild to see someone at a conference, speaking on a stage, in front of an audience, during COVID-19. Here is the awesome Izzi Smith, who always gives amazing SEO presentations, prepping to sp
Other Great Search Forum Threads:
- It's generally not worthwhile to focus on too specific details of the algorithms. Think of your users! Ask users for feedback, and once you've red it, you'll know what to do, John Mueller on Twitter
- Local Service Ads, LSAs, spotted in the wild for personal injury attorneys #LocalSEO #legalmarketing @localuniv @LocalSearchLink https://t.co/vARA05UjaV", Andy Simpson on Twitter
- A sitemap helps us to better crawl new & updated pages on your website. If you just have one page, there's no gain from using a sitemap for it., John Mueller on Twitter
- Mysterious 404 URL is indexed while 200 version is not, WebmasterWorld
Search Engine Land Stories:
- Microsoft Advertising expands LinkedIn Profile, dynamic remarketing, in-market audience targeting
- SEL 20200904
- How are you feeling about attending in-person events in 2021? Answer our short survey
- Google’s search terms move will make millions in ad spend invisible to advertisers
- Next on MarTech Live: A look at agile marketing
Other Great Search Stories:
Analytics
- #GTMTips: Container Notifications In Google Tag Manager, Simo Ahava's blog
- Measure conversions while respecting user consent choices, Google Blog
- Update to Aggregate Lighthouse Reporter, Local SEO Guide
- Using Site Search Reports in Google Analytics to Improve Product Selection, Practical Ecommerce
Industry & Business
- Google tells employees to take Friday off for 'collective wellbeing', CNBC
- Justice Dept. Plans to File Antitrust Charges Against Google in Coming Weeks, New York Times
Links & Content Marketing
Local & Maps
Mobile & Voice
SEO
- How to Prepare Your Website for a Google Core Algorithm Update, SEM Rush
- The website migration guide: how to avoid risk and ensure SEO success, DeepCrawl
- August Winners & Losers, Searchmetrics
- How to Audit your website's Knowledge Graph, InLinks
PPC
- Google blocked all ads on their own brand searches in Google Ads, AdWorldExperience
- Powerful new audience targeting features, Microsoft Advertising
- The Secret Workaround To Take Back Your Google Ads Search Query Data, Pathfinder Alliance
Other Search
- Chrome 86: Improved Focus Highlighting, WebHID, and More, Chromium Blog
