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 has added tips on how to avoid delayed Google Business Profile bulk verification. Google spoke about when to use noindex and canonical tags. Google image and video search is blurring out content instead of removing it, which is caught by SafeSearch. Google local knowledge panels have “often searched together.” Most SEOs got started by reading and practicing alone. Finally, I posted part one of my talk with Glenn Gabe; we spoke mostly about Bing Chat, Google Bard, and AI-generated content.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
New Google Business Profiles Tips To Avoid Bulk Verification Delays
Google has a help document on “Common issues that delay bulk verification” that it updated to add more tips on avoiding delays with Google Business Profile bulk verification.
Google On Using Noindex & Canonical Tags
Historically, Google has said you should not use a noindex along with a canonical tag at the same time. But not always. John Mueller of Google said recently, “it depends.” He said it depends on whether the pages are identical and if you want them indexed…
Google Image & Video Search Test Blurring Explicit Content, Instead Of Removing It
Google Image Search and Google Video Search has historically simply removed content from its search results when you ask it to filter explicit content using SafeSearch. Now it seems Google is blurring out content, like they do in social media, asking you to click to reveal the image if you want to see it.
Poll: Most SEOs Got Started By Reading & Practicing Alone
A poll on Twitter asks SEOs how they got started doing SEO. The poll showed that most got started in SEO by reading and then practicing alone.
Google Knowledge Local Panel “Often Searched Together” Section
Google seems to be testing a new section on the local knowledge panels named “often searched together.” Mordy Oberstein found this and said on Twitter that it is a “great way to see who your local competitors really are.”
Vlog #221: Glenn Gabe On Bing Chat & Google Bard & AI Generated Content
I finally convinced Glenn Gabe to let me interview him on my vlog, and we spoke for a while on a ton of core SEO topics. Glenn has been doing SEO for a long time…
Google Europa Nap, Parents, Game Room Sign
Google’s new Europa office in Zurich has this sign pointing to where Googlers can find the parent’s room, the game room and even the nap room. Yep, Google still has these perks, although I thought th
Other Great Search Threads:
Google’s stance on paid links for SEO is not that vague :-). I wouldn’t say links magically float down from the sky if you’ve made a nice text, just like making a good hummus doesn’t automatically bring you good restaurant reviews., John Mueller on Twitter
So there is a commonality between your Browser and Googlebot: HTML parsing error-corrects invalid head children by closing the head. The difference is that Googlebot looks for certain meta data *only* in the head., Martin Splitt on Twitter
Anyone feel a little disconcerted that generative AI tools tend to be light on the empirical “how”, and just output the “what”? (It makes me wonder how long it would take humans to forget how to think critically, if all we do is teach our kids to rely 100, Paige Bailey on Twitter
If the pages are noindex, there’s really not much to do with them. Also, hreflang needs a bi-directional link, and it would be weird if your production site used hreflang to point at a staging, John Mueller on Twitter
Search Engine Land Stories:
How to prioritize SEO keywords for content creation
Google: Page experience is not a ranking system, but it is a ranking signal
How to create a resource page
Other Great Search Stories:
Analytics
Getting Up and Running with Google Analytics 4, SitePoint
Industry & Business
Google Loses Bid to Escape DOJ’s Digital-Ad Antitrust Case, Wall Street Journal
Google’s DeepMind-Brain merger: tech giant regroups for AI battle, Financial Times (Sub)
7 ways Google can help you celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Google Blog
‘The Godfather of A.I.’ Quits Google and Warns of Danger Ahead, New York Times
Links & Content Marketing
5 Best Ways to Use ChatGPT for Content Marketing, Portent
How to Build a Killer Media List, Receptional
Should Brands Follow Ethical Guidelines for AI Use?, Content Marketing Institute
Local & Maps
Waze for Android Auto hit with voice, fullscreen bugs, 9to5Google
Google Travel’s Advertising Edge, Skift
Crush Your Competition in 2023: Top Strategies to Rank Higher in Local SEO, Sterling Sky Inc
Mobile & Voice
WatchOS 10 Details: Apple Watch to Gain Widgets as Part of New Software at WWDC, Bloomberg
How to disable Google Assistant on your Android phone, XDA Developers
SEO
A Complete SEO Guide To Duplicate Content, Hallam
Ecommerce SEO: Common Website Mistakes – And How to Avoid Them, Amsive Digital
The Push Revolution: Empowering findability in Technical SEO, Botify
5 case studies showing the benefits of server-side rendering, Kevin Indig
The SEO Strategy Stack – by Adam Gent, The SEO Sprint
Google Merchant Center Allows Uploaded Order History Details for Delivery Verification, FeedArmy
PPC
Changes in the way we approach profitable Google Ads campaigns, Discosloth
How to Set Advertising KPIs For Your Business?, PPC Expo
Search Features
Microsoft pesters Google Bard users with new Bing AI ad in Edge, The Verge
Other Search
Bing Preview Release Notes: Travel and Recipe Grounding Improvements, Bing Search Blog
Google News Material You and tablet redesign rolling out, 9to5Google
I Cloned Myself With AI. She Fooled My Bank and My Family., Wall Street Journal
Bing AI was the friend I always wanted — but Microsoft is ruining it, Laptop Mag
How ChatGPT and Other LLMs Work—and Where They Could Go Next, Wired
What is Bing Image Creator and how to use it?, Android Authority
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