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 Search Console’s video indexing report updated some of the errors. Google is testing moving the order online button to the top. Google also has this “join waitlist” button in local results. Google Maps posting restrictions for user generated content was announced. Google explained why they removed the affiliate spam document.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
Google Search Console Video Indexing Report Improves Thumbnail Indexing Issues
As of January 19, 2023, Google has updated the video indexing report in Google Search Console, which now reports on thumbnail indexing issues more accurately. The result may be that you see reassignment of “Missing thumbnail” issues to more specific issue types, Google said.
Google Search Local “Join Waitlist” Button (Not New)
The other day we reported on the newish check wait time button and now we are seeing a “join waitlist” button as well. I guess this gets you on the list to be seated at a restaurant.
Google Search Tests Order Online Button At Top Of Snippet
Google is testing the “order online” button from the bottom of the search result snippet to the top of that snippet. I see it on the bottom, but some can see it towards the top of the snippet, above the sitelinks but under the description area.
New Google Maps Posting Restrictions For User Generated Content (Reviews, Photos & Videos)
Google has posted a new help document for posting restrictions around user-generated content in Google Maps. This is specific to reviews, photos, and videos users may update to Google Maps. This may also include content such as ratings or Q&A topics.
Google Explains Why The Affiliate Programs Spam Documentation Were Removed
Last October, Google revamped its Google Webmaster Guidelines into Google Search Essentials and one part of that was to consolidate the previous pages on thin content and affiliate programs into the overall documentation. Lizzi Sassman from Google explained a bit more on why this was done.
Space Helmet Date Wall At Google Hyderabad Office
Here is a photo I spotted on Instagram at the Google Hyderabad office. I am not sure the context around why Google has this space helmet where it prints the date on the wall but it does.
Search News Buzz Video Recap: Two Google Unconfirmed Updates, Performance Max Experiments & Search Console Data Change
This week we had two unconfirmed updates from Google rollout after the helpful content…
Other Great Search Threads:
Mhhh, it might. I generally recommend not to go down the route of multiple implementations to avoid the complexity it incurrs, so if you can make your CSR more robust or inplement solid SSR, Martin Splitt on Twitter
site moves always take time – I’d give it a few weeks to settle down, John Mueller on Mastodon
Update: Update your Blogger blogs to Google Analytics 4, Google Blogger Community
Wikipedia Gets a Facelift, WebmasterWorld
Search Engine Land Stories:
Google improves error classification in video indexing report
Technical SEO report reveals what matters in 2023
New Performance Max experiments have just rolled out
How to create an enterprise SEO monthly report
How to maximize your ecommerce campaigns with Performance Max
Product results in Google’s performance report may see an increase in impressions and clicks
This day in search marketing history: January 19
Other Great Search Stories:
Analytics
Websites Selling Abortion Pills Are Sharing Sensitive Data With Google, ProPublica
Industry & Business
Epic and Match’s antitrust case against Google heads to jury trial on November 6, TechCrunch
India Supreme Court jolts Google by refusing to block Android antitrust ruling, Reuters
Links & Content Marketing
International Link Building: 9 Aspects That Might Surprise You, Ahrefs
12 Great Link Building Tools That Are Essential To Your Success, Search Engine Journal
Five Essential Elements to a Great Newsletter, Content Marketing Institute
Inside CNET’s AI-powered SEO money machine, The Verge
The Role of Generative AI in Content Production, iPullRank
Local & Maps
Forget Google Maps: Why Paper Map Sales Are Booming, Wall Street Journal
Friendly dog follows Google Map snapper and shows up in every Street View shot, Mirror Online
How To Drop And Share Pins In Apple Maps On iPhone, SlashGear
Mobile & Voice
New Apple smart display and Apple TV combo device coming, 9to5Mac
‘Glassholes’: Apple and Google Still Pursuing Augmented Reality Headsets, SF Standard
4 strategies to drive durable app growth in 2023, Google Blog
SEO
SEO Test: Do Social Signals Matter?, Sara Taher
Frameworks Redux for SEO and Site Structure Strategies, SEO Theory
How and why you should refresh content for better SEO, Wix SEO Hub
How To Fix “Page indexed without content” in Google Search Console, Onely
Optimize Time to First Byte, Web Dev
Understanding the effect of your SEO changes with Causal Impact Analysis, Omi Sido
Using Google Cache for SEO, Practical Ecommerce
Your 2023 SEO Strategy Plan: 3 Factors to Consider, Jenny Munn
PPC
Campaign Manager 360 API v3.5 sunset reminder, Google Ads Developer Blog
GA4 & Google Ads: Pedigree Chums, Measure Minds Group
New partnership with BigCommerce help merchants grow, Microsoft Advertising
NortonLifeLock issues warning over data breach; Malicious Google search ads trigger malware downloads, Security Boulevard
What is Google Merchant Center Next?, ZATO Marketing
Other Search
9 ways we use AI in our products, Google Blog
Google Translate for the zoo? How humans might talk to animals, Financial Times
Feedback:
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