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's October 2023 spam update is now being felt, where spam sites are being dropped from the Google search results. Google is testing a lite version of the Search Generative Experience. Google Local Service Ads now supports text messaging lead details. Google is testing new divisors in the search results. Google Discover has a new e-commerce section. And I posted another vlog with Chris Long, this is on helping SEOs on LinkedIn.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
- Google's October 2023 Spam Update Starting To Target Spam Sites
I am hearing reports that the Google October 2023 spam update that touched down on October 4, 2023, at around 12:50 p.m. ET is starting to do its job. This means people see fewer spam sites on Google Search results this morning. - Google Search Generative Experience Lite Version Test
Google is testing a lightweight version of the Search Generative Experience. This version shows a more subtle AI-generated answer box, without all the color and with just a few lines, which you can then expand to see more. - Google Local Services Ads Leads Can Now Be Texted To Your Phone
Google has added a new way to retrieve leads from Google Local Service Ads - text message. Google use to send these "message leads" to your email account. Now Google is offering a way to text those leads to your device. - Google Tests Line Divider Between Site Name, URL, Favicon & Snippet Description
Google is testing a line divider between the site name, URL and favicon and the snippet's description. I am not sure I like this and I know Google has tested these line dividers and separators before. - Google Discover Showing E-Commerce Products Section
Google is showing some folks an e-commerce or products section in their Google Discover feed. Glenn Gabe was shown a "clothing" section in his Discover feed that led to Google Shopping for more details. - Vlog #244: Chris Long On Helping SEOs On LinkedIn & SEO Career Change
In part one, we learned about Chris Long and also spoke about his co-worker, the profession of SEO, Bill Slawski. In part two we dig into helping people in SEO on social media and SEO career change Chris Long is super active on LinkedIn... - Wooden Google Mobile Cart Car
We have seen a bunch of cars or transportation vehicles inside Google buildings. But I don't think I've seen one made of wood. This photo was taken inside the Google Brazil office.
Other Great Search Threads:
- Surprising how much talk of max CPCs is happening with the DOJ investigation. Google is strongarming advertisers to abandon CPC bidding (https://t.co/cLRg1lgGxN) and set all prices themselves. First it was a move to eCPC, now it is smart, Greg Finn on X
- No, at most it means that your actual content went under during the time the hack was live. This is why it's good to catch these things early, or to find ways to prevent them (like using a hosted platform rather than hosting the site yourself). It takes t, John Mueller on X
Search Engine Land Stories:
- Google search antitrust trial updates: Everything you need to know (so far)
- Google Keyword Planner drops keyword forecasting
- The latest jobs in search marketing
- 6 tips to track and analyze PPC results
- How to use AI to refresh old blog content
- Future-proofing digital experience in AI-first semantic search
Other Great Search Stories:
Analytics
- New GA4 features improve security and report accuracy, MarTech
- Tracking Email Campaigns in GA 4 - The Complete Guide, Data Driven U
Industry & Business
- Google Seeks Eight Changes to Canada's Online News Law, MarketWatch
- Still unsatisfied with Online News Act, Google says it expects to remove news links this year, CBC News
Links & Content Marketing
Local & Maps
- Is Google's other navigation app going the wrong Waze?, PhoneArena
- How Plus Codes helped create new home addresses in India, Google Blog
Mobile & Voice
- Google Assistant on Wear OS is a mess of missed opportunities, Android Police
- I'm all aboard the Google Assistant with Bard hype train, and you should be too, Android Central
- Apple Plans Smaller, Lighter Vision Headset; Meta Works on Cheaper Quest 3, AR, Bloomberg
- Google Assistant is getting Bard AI — what this means for you, Tom's Guide
SEO
- SXO: What is it and why merging SEO with UX matters?, Sara Fernandez Carmona
- The State of Content SERPs: A 250,000 Keyword Analysis, Detailed
- Decoding SEO Success, Receptional
PPC
- 2023 Partner Awards: Nominations are open, Microsoft Advertising
- What is Quality Score and how does it impact my advertising?, Hallam
Search Features
- Chatbot Hallucinations Are Poisoning Web Search, Wired
- Bot block dilemma as ChatGPT starts to share up-to-date news, Press Gazette
Other Search
- The Truth About the Taylor Swift, Jets Game, Google Search Conspiracy Theory, Wired
- Can AI Do Empathy Even Better Than Humans? Companies Are Trying It., Wall Street Journal
Feedback:
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