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.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
Google’s John Mueller 2021 Google SEO Advice
At SMX Virtual earlier this month, John Mueller of Google graciously accepted to speak at the event and he shared a lot of amazing tips and changes in search in his presentation. But he also shared some outlook ideas looking forward to 2021 in search and SEO.
What Is The Value To Google My Business Followers?
Back in 2018, Google added the ability to allow Google Maps users to follow businesses – hence Google My Business followers. But is there any value to it? Google said back then that the value is that you can “post offers to your followers to keep them coming back in the door, and soon you’ll be able to respond to messages right from the app.”
Google Tests Displaying Services In Local Pack
Colan Nielsen reported that Google is now testing showing service “justifications,” which according to him Google defines as the additional labels in the local pack result. Before we saw web site mentions here, as well as other items, but now Google is testing showing “services.”
Bing Image Search Tests Related Content Feature & Icon
Microsoft Bing it testing a new feature on images it displays within its search results. This test shows a “related content” icon and results with an icon when you hover over images displayed in the Microsoft Bing search results.
Violinists At Google Boulder
Here is a photo from a year or so ago from the Google Boulder office. It is of this person playing the violin. Chris C who posted the photo said it was a Google violinists.
Other Great Search Forum Threads:
Again, we literally have a page explaining how to opt-out of featured snippets. We’ve had it for over a year. You ca, Danny Sullivan on Twitter
Prioritization in SEO is sometimes super-hard. It’s easy to find a ton of issues, it’s hard to pick the 2 that will move the needle more than working on something new. But also, sometimes you just need busy-work, John Mueller on Twitter
Update to Legal requirements (February 2021), Google Advertising Policies Help
We’ve teamed up with @PopUpMag to create the Year in Search Magazine, featuring inspiring stories and top search trends from 2020. Check out the digital version → https://t.co/cvDcAfnVNA https://t.co/OkdJdgVYj2, Google on Twitter
Facebook Hurting Small Advertisers With Its AI Ad Automation, WebmasterWorld
Search Engine Land Stories:
Google algorithm updates 2020 in review: core updates, passage indexing and page experience
Other Great Search Stories:
Analytics
Top 5 Ways To Measure Your Seo Performance And Outcomes, TechStory
Industry & Business
Timnit Gebru’s Exit From Google Exposes a Crisis in AI, WIRED
SimilarWeb targeting $2 billion Nasdaq IPO in Q2 of 2021, CTech
Links & Content Marketing
24 Content Marketing Awards to Target Now for 2021 Recognition, Skyword
Local & Maps
Google My Business (GMB) Testing “Services” Labels in Map/Local Results, Local University
Google Posts Getting Rejected, Local University
Mobile & Voice
How to turn Google Assistant into a multilingual translator, Nintendo Power
Our 10 favorite Android features from 2020, Android Police
SEO
A Guide To Understanding XML Sitemaps, BrightEdge
How to Use Google Trends for Keyword Research, SEM Rush
Creating and Managing SEO Engines, Search Metrics
PPC
How To Set Up Time Of Day Bid Adjustments, PPC Hero
Performance Advertising in 2021: Predictions, Wishlists, and Resolutions (Part 1), Metric Theory
