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:
- Was There A Google Update Earlier This Week?
Starting around Monday, November 23rd, there has been some signals that Google was pushing out another Google search algorithm ranking update. But the chatter is almost non-existent while some of the tools show big changes. Here is what I see, but again, this seems like a very narrow update at best. - Google Maps Displaying Hotel Review Rating Averages & Other Attributes On Map Pins
Lluc Berrio Penycate posted on Twitter some screen shots of Google testing in Google Maps overlaying hotel attributes over the map pins for hotel listings. These can show average review ratings of hotels, category, pricing, and other attributes. - Google Deletes Its Autogenerated Web Stories & They Now 404
The other day I reported how Google was showing featured snippets with overlays but some of those featured snippets were autogenerated web stories generated by Google's own AI techniques. Well, after I covered it last night again at Search Engine Land and spoke to Google about it, it seems Google has deleted and 404ed those web stories. - Google: Private Whois Domain Name Data Does Not Impact Rankings
Google's John Mueller said that having a private whois domain name registration status does not change how Google trusts the site. It really does not impact the site's rankings in Google Search. - Google Local Adds Messaging Button To Google Posts
Looks like Google is adding a message button on the Google Posts for local business profiles. Previously we saw a message button on the "updates" section, but now we are seeing then on the larger Google Posts section. - Google Search Console Crawl Stats Report Is Now Outstanding
Google has announced the launch of the new crawl stats report and to be honest, it is a huge upgrade from the previous report. This report now gives you data you can use to debug crawl issues and check the health of your site with crawl related issues in Google Search. - Google On Sticks
Here is a photo of Google on sticks. Well, the Google logo and its letters mounted on sticks I think at the construction site of the new Google building. This photo is over a years old but hey, it i
Other Great Search Forum Threads:
- Google Search can now help you get the information you want faster. 🙏 Learn more about the latest conversational updates to Search → https://t.co/Bsyhui4t9o https://t.co/JmG0xw2YK1, Google on Twitter
- I'm kinda annoyed by our systems that these URLs are still indexed like that, I'll check some stuff. That said, it looks like it's a fairly small number left, I'd just use URL or prefix-removal r, John Mueller on Twitter
- What is most important for SEO in 2020... links or content or...?, WebmasterWorld
- Are you seeing any problems with crawling? Given the distance India/US is about 40ms, I doubt you'd see more than 150ms difference due to hosting location. This is probably not an optimization that makes sens, John Mueller on Twitter
Search Engine Land Stories:
- Google tests multiple contextual links in featured snippets
- Take a peek into PPC routines during Cyber Five week
- Google puts some contextual search features in context
- Google launches new crawl stats report in Search Console
- 10 ways you can support women in SEO
Other Great Search Stories:
Industry & Business
- Google Plans Fiber-Optic Network to Connect Via Saudi Arabia and Israel for First Time, Wall Street Journal
Links & Content Marketing
- 4 Reasons Why Your Link-Building Campaign Isn’t Building Backlinks, Go Fish Digital
- 5 Reasons Why PR Should Support Your Content Marketing Strategy, SEM Rush
- The 13-Step Web Content Audit to Boost Visibility in the Search Results, BruceClay
Local & Maps
- How to use Guides, Indoor Maps, and Look Around in Maps with macOS Big Sur, Appleinsider
- New Google My Business Dashboard, Local University
- Why Doesn't GMB Insights Data Match Search Console: A Case Study of 78 Listings & 1,560 Keywords, Sterling Sky Inc
Mobile & Voice
- 7 creative tips to improve your Web Stories, Google Blog
- Report: Mobile Organic Search Trended Downward in Q3 2020, KoMarketing
- Alexa Expands Emotion and Speaking Style Options to New Accents and Languages, Voicebot
- Google Web Stories Tracking on Rank Ranger, RankRanger
SEO
- How to Create an Effective SEO Strategy (with Template), SEM Rush
- How to Use Keyword Mapping for SEO, SEO Hacker
- SEO friendly? What to look for in your next CMS, State of Digital
- Why You Want to Fix 404 Errors, SEO Theory
- 8 Core Themes to Focus Your SEO Content Strategy, State of Digital
- SEO Optimization for Bing: Is it Really Worth Your Time?, Search Metrics
PPC
- Celebrated Partner spotlight: Sept. 2020 winners, Microsoft Advertising
- Celebrated Partner spotlight: Tug, Microsoft Advertising
