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 removed Web Stories from image search results and the carousel view. Google-Extended does not impact Google Search. Google Business Profiles added events and activities. Google is testing blue shaded and sticky search bars. Danny Sullivan and John Mueller share our feedback via internal Google newsletters. And I posted this weeks SEO video recap with Apple Vision Pro.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
For the original iTunes version, click here.
This week we covered a new possible Google search ranking update that started brewing on Wednesday, February 7. Google's Danny Sullivan said again…
Google Drops Web Stories From Images & Carousel View & Updates Search Feature Availability
Google has updated its Web Stories documentation to explain where Web Stories can show in search. Google said Web Stories no longer will show up within Google Image Search, the carousel view and made some changes to where these Web Stories show within Google Search.
Google-Extended Bot (Token) Does Not Affect Google Search
Google has made an update to its Google crawler (user agent) search documentation to change the references of “Bard” to “Gemini” because of the product name change. Google also clarified that Google Extended has no impact or effect on Google Search.
Google Business Profiles Activities & Events In Dashboard
Google has added the ability to add activities and events to the Google Business Profiles dashboard. This is a quick form to add upcoming events or activities to your business quickly.
Google Tests Blue Shaded Search Bar Headers (Some That Are Sticky)
Google Search is testing various shades of blue for its search header, including a sticky version that, um, sticks as you scroll down the search results. Here are various screenshots from a few folks that I found on X over the past several days.
Danny Sullivan & John Mueller Send Internal Newsletters For Google Staff
Did you know that both Danny Sullivan and John Mueller send emails to Google employees on a routine basis? I heard from multiple sources that John sends one weekly, I think maybe on Fridays, and Danny Sullivan shared a screenshot of a portion of the email he recently sent to Google staff on X.
Google.org Speaker Podium Sign
Here is a photo from the Google office in Palo Alto of a speaker podium with Google.org sign on it. I’ve seen plenty of speaker podiums with Google logos on them but not Google.org on them.
Other Great Search Threads:
It has arrived… #GoogleGemini, Andy Simpson on X
The cached copy wouldn’t help you see information from a defunct website. The cached copy showed you what we saw the last time we visited a *live* website. We never provided a list of these snapshots over time. If the site went down for an extended period, Google SearchLiaison on X
YouTube shopping FTW -> Google is seeking to patent “product identification in media items.” Google’s filing details a system that uses machine learning to detect the presence of specific products in image and video data “To ma, Glenn Gabe on X
Search Engine Land Stories:
Pinterest revenue rises 12% as monthly active users reach all-time high
Google Analytics 4 adds new dimensions for measuring paid and organic traffic
TikTok pushing users to add Search shortcut
YouTube expands Content Takeovers to offer exclusive advertising on more inventory
Here’s why PPC now looks more like paid social and what it means
Google updates Gmail ads with new layout and ‘Sponsored’ label
How SEO grows brands: The science behind the service
Google renames Bard to Gemini, unveils paid version of Gemini
Other Great Search Stories:
Analytics
Manual traffic source dimensions and report, Google Analytics Help
Industry & Business
Google Gets Second Shot in Challenge to Smart Thermostat Patent, Bloomberg
Google Joins Effort to Help Spot Content Made With A.I., New York Times
Pinterest shares bounce back after CEO announces app deal with Google, CNBC
Google, Apple Deny Search Engine Collusion Allegations in Court, Bloomberg
OpenAI on track to hit $2bn revenue milestone as growth rockets, Financial Times (Sub)
Links & Content Marketing
Stuck in B2Boring? Take These Lessons From the Super Ads Bowl, Content Marketing Institute
Local & Maps
Copilot Is the Future, Local SEO Gap, Jihad vs. McWorld Content, Near Media
Google Maps overhauls its navigation experience with a redesign, Android Police
Waze reporting gets redesigned on Android and iOS, 9to5Google
Here’s our first look at Google Maps’ new generative AI recommendations, Android Police
On this day 19 years ago, Google Maps was launched, XDA Developers
Mobile & Voice
What Google Assistant features Gemini can and cannot access, 9to5Google
Google Gemini AI launches in new app, subscription, CNBC
Google Retires A.I. Chatbot Bard and Releases Gemini, a Powerful New App, New York Times
SEO
IndexWatch US 2023 – Losers, SISTRIX
Keyword Mapping: Your North Star for better SEO, Wix SEO Hub
SEO Benchmarking: What It Is & How to Track 10 Key Benchmarks, Semrush
What Is Bounce Rate? A Quick Primer, BruceClay
What Is Branded Search & How to Increase It, Moz
PPC
Shopify Is Launching a Tool That Buys Meta and Google Ads for Merchants, Business Insider
Search Features
Answer: How can I get an AI to summarize a document?, SearchReSearch
Other Search
Google saves your conversations with Gemini for years by default, TechCrunch
Google teases a redesign for its login page, Android Police
Google’s Gemini Advanced: Tasting Notes and Implications, One Useful Thing
Supporting the Elections for European Parliament in 2024, Google Blog
Feedback:
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