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.
There may be another Google algorithm update happening now, we are seeing signals. Google updated its canonicalization documentation. Google Discover generally won’t show content flagged by SafeSeaerch. Google is highlighting text in the “Things to know” section. Microsoft Advertising announced a bunch of new updates.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
May 1st & 2nd Google Search Ranking Algorithm Update – Unconfirmed
Over the past couple of days, I have been seeing signs of a possible Google search ranking algorithm update. It may have started on May 1st, with the chatter within the SEO community growing throughout yesterday, May 2nd.
Google Updates Canonicalization Help Document: Don’t Use Canonicals For Syndicated Content
Google has updated its help documentation for canonicalization. It removed a line about syndicated content and also updated a line about noindex to prevent selection of a canonical page within a single site.
Google Discover Won’t Show Content Filtered By SafeSearch, Says Google
Google Discover generally should not show content or images that Google’s SafeSearch filter would block. Danny Sullivan, Google’s Search Liaison, said this on Twitter a few weeks ago but this was implied by previous statements from other Googlers over the years.
Google Also Highlighting Text In Things To Know Section
Google launched highlighting of text within featured snippets some time ago, after a ton of testing. We saw it also in people also ask and now we are seeing it in the “things to know” section.
Microsoft Advertising Gains Campaign-Level Change History, Code-Free Conversions & Postpones Enhanced CPC
Microsoft Advertising announced many new changes and information yesterday, including a new campaign-level change history report, new code-free conversions for Smart Campaigns accounts with Multi-platform, postponing the Enhanced CPC change, and more.
Cardboard Me
What is better than having me at your conference? Having a cardboard version of me. I mean, have attended my share of search marketing conferences and I have never seen this many people so happy to s
Other Great Search Threads:
I’d strongly recommend keeping full image URLs stable. Images rarely change, so changing URLs (even if just a parameter) can have a significant effect as it takes long to pick up the “new, John Mueller on Twitter
This is a legit question & I’d argue that we’ve been responding to it head on for several years now. Regulation, privacy & more complex consumer journeys require fundamental changes. Capabilities must e, AdsLiaison on Twitter
Search Engine Land Stories:
3 new Facebook Reels features
Roku streaming collaboration and 5 other Microsoft Ads updates for May
4 B2B paid media strategies to stay ahead of the curve
4 performance PR secrets to boost your search visibility
Other Great Search Stories:
Analytics
Google Sunsets 4 Attribution Models In Ads And Analytics, MediaPost
Industry & Business
Brazil orders Google to curb campaign against ‘fake news law’, Reuters
Google, Microsoft CEOs called to AI meeting at White House, Reuters
Answering your questions about privacy and security at Google, Google Blog
Google Beats Class Action Over Retention of Video-Viewing Info, Bloomberg
Links & Content Marketing
AI Content Tools Can’t Be Stupid or Smart, But Content Creators Can, Content Marketing Institute
How AI-generated content can work for eCommerce, Wix SEO Hub
Newsjacking for Link Building In 3 Easy Steps, Rank Ranger
Local & Maps
Apple and Google team up to stop unwanted AirTag tracking, CNBC
Spotlight: Beyond the Google Monopoly, BrightLocal
Taiwan to get Apple Maps redesign in June, AppleInsider
Unlock the Mystery: Tools to Discover How Customers Found Your Business on Google, Sterling Sky Inc
Mobile & Voice
Amazon adds iOS setup and Thread support for Matter devices, AppleInsider
Google teases Pixel 7a release date, 9to5Google
SEO
Google’s April 2023 Reviews Update – Exploring its evolution from PRU to RU, a powerful tremor on 4/19, and how its “Review Radar” found larger publishers, GSQI
International SEO: Part 2, Oncrawl
The 5 Article Headlines Google Cares About – by Barry Adams, SEO for Google News
The State of Search 2023, Semrush
PPC
Announcing new testing features for ad inspector, Google Ads Developer Blog
Google Tests Quick Checkout Button for Select Shopify Users, With Mixed Opinions, FeedArmy
Search Features
An update on the lock icon, Chromium Blog
Other Search
Bing Chat is still showing its ‘rude personality’ even with restrictions, OnMSFT
Why Chatbots Are Not the Future, Amelia Wattenberger
Feedback:
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