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 there wouldn't be another core update before the end of the year. We have some more details on the Google December 2022 link spam update, with some charts showing the hit. Google is testing grey links in the knowledge panel. Google learning video structured data no longer requires a text field. The Google Merchant Center policy added a link account suspension.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
- Google December 2022 Link Spam Update's Impact
Last Wednesday, December 14th, Google began to roll out the December 2022 link spam update, and it seems, at least based on the chatter and tracking tools I follow, this link spam update has some teeth. I am seeing a nice number of real reports of sites feeling the impact in a big way and Google really being able to zone in on links it never did prior with other link algorithms. - Google: No Core Update During Remainder Of The Year
Google's John Mueller said that Google has no plans to release another core update in 2022. This was in response to a number of SEOs worrying that Google might release one by year's end. John said on Twitter, "just to be clear, there's no core update lined up for the rest of the year." - Google Learning Video Structured Data Text Field Now Recommended But Not Required
Google has updated its learning video structured data documentation to no longer require the text field for Problem walkthrough videos and clips, now it is just recommended. - Google Merchant Center Policy For Google Ads Linked Account Suspension
Google posted an updated policy update in the Google Merchant Center section for a new "linked account suspension." In short, this impacts a suspended Google Ads account linked to your Merchant Center account. - Google Search Knowledge Panel With Grey Links
Google is testing a light gray colored font for the links in the Google Search knowledge panel box. Google often tests various font sizes and colors and is constantly testing small and large user interface changes in Google Search, so this test should be no surprise. - Vlog #202: Jessica Budde From Furry Fun Facts To Brewing Digital Marketing
Jessica Budde was next to be interviewed and she has an amazing personality. She co-hosts the Marketing O'Clock podcast... - Custom Google Jenga Set
Google still has a custom wooden Jenga set with their logo engraved into the wood pieces. We saw this back in 2015 but it is still around even several years later.
Other Great Search Threads:
- In that case, either x-robots-tag noindex or robots.txt disallow are basically the solution., John Mueller on Mastodon
- Videos not appearing in Rendered Page view in ScreamingFrog. Blocked by "Cross-Origin Resource Sharing policy". What does this mean?, Reddit
- We're so excited to officially be in Canada, Neeva on Twitter
- The guidelines are for our raters, and E-E-A-T was what was deemed most useful to explain for them. Our external docs will all be changing to that. People can, of course, describe things however they want., Google SearchLiaison on Twitter
Search Engine Land Stories:
- Google says don’t expect a new core update by year-end
- Google Ads updates in 2022: The good, the bad, the jury’s still out
- The enterprise business of SEO: Communicating to the C-suite
Other Great Search Stories:
Analytics
- Best Google Analytics Alternatives in the year 2023, Wide Angle Analytics
- The 10 Most Common Mistakes And Traps In Google Analytics and How to Avoid Them, Reyna Ramos SEO
Industry & Business
- Report detailing ‘greenwashing’ ads on Google prompts Democratic lawmakers to write search engine’s CEO, The Hill
- Google Connect Services extends Hyderabad office lease, The Economic Times
- Argentina-France FIFA World Cup 2022 final broke Google Search 25-year-old record, says Sundar Pichai, India Today
- Optimism for India’s digital future, Google Blog
Links & Content Marketing
- ChatGPT: The Future of AI in Content Is in Your Hands [Rose-Colored Glasses], Content Marketing Institute
- The Future of AI in Content Marketing, Aira
Local & Maps
- G-Maps Foe, Age and Reviews, Agencies Upbeat Despite Market, Near Media
- Google Adds “Add a Map to Your Website” Feature to Google Business Profiles, Local University
- Overture Maps Foundation could heat up Google Maps competition, 9to5Google
- 12 Local Search Developments You Need to Know About from Q4 2022, Moz
- Does Upvoting a Review on Google Keep It at the Top Longer?, Sterling Sky Inc
Mobile & Voice
SEO
- How to Choose an Enterprise SEO Tool, Ahrefs
- How to Optimize Existing Content for Featured Snippets — Whiteboard Friday, Moz
- Why Don't More SEOs Invest In Automated Testing? | SEO Battlezone, iPullRank
- Does Google Penalize AI-Generated Content?, Michael Cottam
- Confirmed Google Ranking Factors: What REALLY Counts for SEO, Erik Emanuelli
PPC
- How to Carry Out Local Keyword Research Effectively?, PPC Expo
- Meet Performance Max, The Blackest Black Box Of All Google Ad Products, AdExchanger
Search Features
Other Search
- Accelerating Text Generation with Confident Adaptive Language Modeling (CALM), Google AI Blog
- Apple, Google collaborating on Speedometer 3 development, 9to5Google
- Google can now decode doctors' bad handwriting, TechCrunch
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