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 said you should look for ways to reduce duplication on your site by a factor of 10X. Google said sometimes it makes sense to have an "often updated" XML Sitemap file. Google removed some structured data fields from HowTo, QAPage and SpecialAnnouncement schema. Survey said that link acquisition is the most challenging aspect of SEO. Facebook renamed to Meta and Google Search picked up on the change fast. I published the weekly video recap, which is now also on Spotify and Google Pocasts. Finally, Google updated some of their social media icons for Halloween.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
- Search News Buzz Video Recap: Google Search Update On 10/26, Continuous Scroll Confusion, Search Console API Updates & Meta
This week, we almost made it without reporting on a Google search ranking update but we did have one, maybe on October 26th. There is confusion around Google's continuous scroll and the impact it has on Search Console reporting... - Google Search Handled Facebook Name Change To Meta
The big news yesterday was that Facebook announced its new company name - Meta. Yes, Facebook's company name is Meta. Like meta data, meta tag, and all the other metas that Google Search might have ranked prior. But when Facebook's announcement came out - the Google Search results adapted quickly to rank this breaking news. - Google On How To Reduce Duplication By A Factor Of 10X
I spotted an interesting comment from John Mueller of Google about URLs and reducing duplication. He said focusing on individual URLs here and there won't help you much, it is more about looking where you can "reduce duplication by a factor of 10x." - Google: An Often Updated Sitemap Might Be A Good Idea
Google's John Mueller told one webmaster that for his specific example, it might be a good idea for him to have a separate XML sitemap file for URLs that are "often updated." John said "putting the newer URLs into a single "often updated" sitemap file is probably a good idea here." - Google Removes Some HowTo, QAPage & SpecialAnnouncement From Help Documents
Google has removed the following structured data fields from its Google Search help documentation. Google said these were removed "since they are unused by Google Search and Rich Result Test doesn't flag warnings for them." - Survey Says: Links The Most Challenging Area Of SEO
A Twitter poll by Brodie Clark has SEOs voting that link acquisition is the most challenging area of SEO. The poll had over 750 votes, and almost 60% of those who voted said link acquisition is the "most challenging" area of SEO. Links were followed by technical SEO with 25% of the votes, then copywriting and then local SEO. - Google Halloween Scary Social Icons From Google Ads To Google Maps
Google has redesigned some of their social icons on Twitter and other platforms for Halloween. Google, Google Maps, Google Ads, Google Play, Google Developers and others are now dressed up for the sca
Other Great Search Threads:
- For immediate release: #ppcchat @MarketingOClock @CypressNorth https://t.co/itQMFvcYat, Greg on Twitter
- This seems like a smart move for Google - pushing online businesses towards Merchant Center when they try to sign up for Google My Business (which they don't qualify for)., Joy Hawkins on Twitter
- We are seeing reports on the GMB forum of businesses that are getting suspended, reinstated, and then immediately suspended again. This is a known technical issue. Google is aware and working on fixing it., Joy Hawkins on Twitter
Search Engine Land Stories:
- Facebook is now Meta: Tech giant announces rebrand
- 3 ways to turbocharge your team for greater marketing agility in 2022
- Whether Google manipulated AMP or not, it’s a great time to reassess using it
- Instagram opens Stories link sticker to all users
- Core Web Vitals: SEOs look back and shrug; Thursday’s daily brief
- Google reduces the unique product identifiers enforcement on free product listings
Other Great Search Stories:
Analytics
- GA4: Data Driven Attribution Model and Search Console Integration, Analytics Boosters
Industry & Business
- Google and Facebook’s Ad Empires, New York Times
- Supporting journalism in Africa, Google Blog
Links & Content Marketing
- Content Marketing for Lawyers, The Legal Examiner
Local & Maps
- Fake Reviews: How Big a Problem Exactly?, Uberall
- Bug Prevents The Google Places API Generated Review Link From Working On The Desktop, tl;dr Marketing
Mobile & Voice
- Here are all 6 ways to launch Google Assistant on the Pixel 6, Android Police
SEO
- SEO Fact or Fiction: Are There Really 200+ Ranking Factors?, DealerOn
- SEO Glossary: 180+ Terms and Definitions You Should Know, Ahrefs
- The Top SEO KPIs to Track for SEO Performance, Conductor
- 7 eCommerce Video SEO Tips, TechBullion
- The E-A-T of Disease Awareness and Why Brands Need to Get It Right, In Touchg
PPC
- Ads API apps must complete OAuth verification, Google Ads Developer Blog
- Get to know the evolving luxury shopper, Microsoft Advertising
- Work with your developer teams to prepare for the new Data safety section coming to Google Play, Google Ads Help
Other Search
- Emergency Google Chrome update fixes zero-days used in attacks, Bleeping Computer
Feedback:
Have feedback on this daily recap; let me know on Twitter @rustybrick or @seroundtable, you can follow us on Facebook and make sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel or just contact us the old fashion way.
