Daily Search Forum Recap: January 16, 2019

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 Search Ranking Algorithm Update Chatter January 15th
Over the past 24-48 hours, I’ve been seeing some chatter amongst the SEO communities, a bit more in the black hat space, but still chatter. Chatter of a Google search algorithm update touching down the past couple of days.

Google May Ignore Your XML Sitemap If The URLs Are Invalid
Google’s John Mueller confirmed on Twitter that Google may stop fetching your XML Sitemap files if the URLs within them are invalid. He said it is fine to have URLs that redirect but they should load content. If not, Google may simply start ignoring your Sitemaps.

Google Tests Ghost Town Like Search Results For The EU
The EU is a fun place, they have lots of rules and regulations and want Google to do lots of things that may not benefit the end user. I am not a lawyer, I don’t live in the EU but when I saw what Greg Sterling posted on Search Engine Land – I had to share it here.

Google URL Inspection Tool Adds HTTP Response, Resources, JS Logs & Screenshots
Google just announced an update to the URL Inspection Tool within Google Search Console. It adds the ability to see the page’s HTTP response, page resources, JavaScript logs and a rendered screenshot of the page. This is a really useful update and gives webmasters and SEOs more insight into the page itself and how Google sees it.

Google Subway Car Sign
Here is a photo I found on Twitter from the Google Atlanta office. It shows what I think is from the inside of a subway car, within the office there, and hanging is a sign to Google with an arrow. Lik

Other Great Search Forum Threads:

A New Google (Maps) Bomb?, Local Search Forum
Hey @rustybrick what’s up with Google’s currency conversion vs Pakistani Rupee? Showing totally wrong data. BTW standard 1 GBP is 179 Pakistani Rupees @searchliaison @sejournal… https://t.co/xZdV2lE4UI, Khushal on Twitter
Tons of AMP error messages coming through for loads of sites right now…, Dawn Anderson on Twitter
We’ve had policies in place for some time now. I don’t have the exact date and can’t dig into it. But at least since end of Dec 2016 if not before. See also https://t.co/Hk6vDy8SOw and https://t.co/cTveD8XNxp… https://t.co/h, Danny Sullivan on Twitter
Both absolute and relative URLs are fine, when they lead to the same content. Use whatever works easiest for you.…, John Mueller on Twitter
DuckDuckGo to use Apple Maps for local searches on the web, WebmasterWorld

Search Engine Land Stories:

Google ordered to submit search index to state sponsorship in Russia
Demystifying Google’s guide to clicks, impressions and position in Google Search Console
Bing Ads launches page feeds for easier Dynamic Search Ads management
Google Search Console’s URL inspection tool adds HTTP response, page resources, JS logs and rendered screenshot
EU copyright directive nearing final form as Google tests stripped-down news SERPs

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