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 completed the rollout of the December 2024 spam update yesterday afternoon. Google Ads has a new brand report. Google is testing a nearby store map in the search results. Google Local Service ads with extra call out extensions. Bing is testing squared off search bars. SEO is always changing, or is it? And I posted my weekly SEO video recap.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
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Google's Big December 2024 Spam Update Finished Rolling Out
Google has completed the rollout of the December 2024 spam update after a seven-day rollout cycle. This update started on December 19, 2024 and 12 pm ET, and was completed on December 26, 2024. This was a broad spam update, not a link spam update and was a pretty big and widespread update. -
Google Search Nearby Stores Map Without Local Pack
Google Search is testing showing a "nearby stores" section that has an embedded map with a "more options" button that leads to a local pack. This is instead of showing the local pack immediately, instead you need to click on the "more options" button to have Google load the local pack. -
Is SEO Always Changing? Not Really But Details Do.
I always find it funny how I have so much to write about, day in and day out, on the topic of SEO and search marketing. I mean, fundamentally SEO hasn't really changed much over the years, but maybe the details have... -
Google Local Service Ads Test Extra Call Out Extensions
Google is testing showing a section under the Local Service Ads for call out extensions or other extensions. This increases the visibility of these already super-visible Local Service Ads. -
New Google Ads Brand Report
Google Ads has quietly launched a new brand report. The brand report "is a dedicated brand advertiser experience that provides you with deduplicated reach and frequency metrics across your campaigns," Google wrote. -
Bing Tests Squared Off Search Bar
Microsoft is testing a squared off search bar on the Bing home page. Normally the search bar is curved around the edges but for some reason Bing wants to try a more edged off approach. -
Google Cloud Indoor Ski Lift
We've seen our fair share of ski lifts at Google offices, inside and out. But I guess it makes sense to have a ski lift inside the Google Cloud office. Here is a photo of this one that I found on Instagram. -
Search News Buzz Video Recap: Google Spam Update Details, Google AI Organized Results, Google Ads Manual Actions and Updates, Apple Joins Google & Christmas Helpers
Google's December 2024 spam update was completed yesterday at 2pm ET, but it had a busy and volatile week, burning through Christmas and the week. Google rolled out new AI-organized search results for restaurants. Google Ads is testing...
Other Great Search Threads:
- 2024 is about to finish, and once again, SEO hasn't died. This is the evolution of Organic Search as a Marketing Channel in the last year across the US, UK and Germany. The only traffic source ahead is "Direct", and way ah, Aleyda Solis on X
- Most of ChatGPT, the API, and Sora have been down for a couple of hours and we're sorry for the trouble this is causing. We’ve identified the issue and have started recovery. We hope to be back asap., OpenAI on X
Search Engine Land Stories:
- Google ads rolls out Brand Report for enhanced advertiser insights
- OpenAI works to restore access to ChatGPT and other services
- Google December 2024 spam update done rolling out
- Google algorithm updates 2024 in review: 4 core updates and 3 spam updates
Other Great Search Stories:
Industry & Business
- Google's biggest wins, fails, and WTF moments of 2024, PC World
- Microsoft and OpenAI Wrangle Over Terms of Their Blockbuster Partnership, The Information
Links & Content Marketing
- Link Building in a World of Mobile-First Indexing, The Upper Ranks
- 5 AI Tools to Supercharge Your Content Marketing, LatestLY
Local & Maps
- This Was the Top and the Most Controversial Google Maps Update in 2024, AutoEvolution
- 'Would Not Recommend': Google Maps Users Flood Reviews Section With Critique of Politicians, The New York Sun
- Waze Suddenly Offers Longer Routes, but Don't Switch to Google Maps Yet, AutoEvolution
Mobile & Voice
- Nothing Phone adds Circle to Search with Android 15 update, 9to5Google
- Google could be about to let you filter Gemini output, Android Authority
- New rumor hints at Google Gemini Live for Chrome on desktop, NotebookCheck
SEO
- AI for SEO, Organic Discoverability, & Evolution: Tips from Luminaries, Aimclear
- From AI Tools Skeptic to Fan: My SEO Writing Journey, SuccessWorks
- Organic Search Traffic Will Continue To Be A Dominant Player In 2025, Hall Analysis
PPC
- Product Segmentation for Google Shopping: Get Better Results, Jyll Saskin Gales
- Store Ratings Overview Page Enhanced with Videos and Insights, PPC News Feed
- Understanding AdSense Ad Serving Limits, PPC Land
Search Features
- Google Search gets a Squid Game easter egg, 9to5Google
- Microsoft Is Forcing Its AI Assistant on People—and Making Them Pay, Wall Street Journal
Other Search
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