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.
I have a deep dive into the new Google March 2024 core update, March 2024 spam update and the new spam policies. Google also updated its search quality raters guidelines. Bing Deep Search is live again, yes, again. Bing Webmaster Tools launched IndexNow Insights and top SEO insights. Also, Search Console said event rich results changed.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
Google March 2024 Core Update Rolling Out – It’s A Big Core Update
Google announced the March 2024 core update has now started to roll out and that this core update will take up to a month to fully roll out because it has updates to a few systems within the core ranking system. Google’s Helpful content system is now also part of the core update. In addition, Google also released the March 2024 spam updates, with new spam policies.
Google March 2024 Spam Updates Rolling Out – Scaled Content, Expired Domain & Site Reputation Abuse
Google is rolling out its new March 2024 spam updates accompanying the very big March 2024 core update and three new spam policies. The new spam updates kick off this week and target scaled content and expired domain abuse, plus other spam, while giving notice of site reputation abuse for a May 2024 update.
Google Search Quality Raters Guidelines Untrustworthy Pages Section Updated
Google has updated the Google search quality raters guidelines untrustworthy pages section. The previous version was 168 pages and not it is 170 pages and that previous version was released last November 2023. This update is probably to fit the changes with the new March 2024 core update and spam updates / policy updates.
New Bing Webmaster Tools IndexNow Insights & Top SEO Insights
Microsoft updated Bing Webmaster Tools to build out the IndexNow reports, now named IndexNow Insights, add new Top SEO Insights to the main page and also cleaned up the side bar navigation within the tool. Plus, Fabrice Canel announced how IndexNow has grown to over 2.5 billion submitted URLs.
Search Console: Google Search Changes How Event Rich Results Appear
Google posted a notice in the Google Search Console data anomalies section that “Google Search has changed the way event rich results appear in Search results.” This was dated March 4th and onwards.
Bing Deep Search Now Live Again
Microsoft has relaunched Bing Deep Search today after pulling it offline after a failed initial launch. Now the Deep Search link comes with a disclaimer “GPT-powered results takes ~30 secs.” But it does seem to work better than my last test.
Doogler Working With Glasses At Google NYC Office
Here is a photo of another dog working at Google’s New York City office but with eye glasses on. These Google dogs are named Dooglers by the way. I wonder what this dog is coding up…
Other Great Search Threads:
Currently, the download option is unavailable from the experiments page. But I’ll pass the feedback on to the team, thanks!, AdsLiaison on X
Hi Derek, The frequency that dismissed recommendations can resurface varies by recommendation. But a few other things to note that might be helpful (from the Help Center article link below): – If you dismiss a recommen, AdsLiaison on X
I don’t think there’s a fixed time – the attention on the old URLs will drop over time; the longer you wait, the less attention there will be. Is it worth fixing if there’s still a little bit of attention? Personally, maybe, if only just for the occasiona, John Mueller on X
Search Engine Land Stories:
Bing Webmaster Tools gains new IndexNow Insights & top SEO insights report
TikTok gives users enhanced data control for Digital Markets Act compliance
Google releasing massive search quality enhancements in March 2024 core update and multiple spam updates
Facebook, Instagram and Threads down in ‘global outage’
Google investigating error impacting AdMob messages
Google unveils major changes to ensure Digital Markets Act compliance
Why information satisfaction is key to Google’s ranking algorithms
Google Business Profile websites are now redirected to Google Maps
Repurposing content with AI: Streamlining blog roundups and skyscraper posts
Other Great Search Stories:
Industry & Business
Google to Vacate 52K sf Office Building in Seattle, The Real Deal
OpenAI and Elon Musk, OpenAI
Google’s Gemini Firestorm Shows the Pitfalls of Big Tech’s AI Race, Business Insider
Links & Content Marketing
Building Quality Links Without Quality Content (7 Examples), The Upper Ranks
50+ Blogs, Newsletters, Podcasts, and Video Channels, Content Marketing Institute
Local & Maps
6 updates to Waze to help you get around safely and conveniently, Google Blog
Waze will show alerts before the speed limit drops, more, 9to5Google
Why Is My Business Not Showing Up on Google? [+ Solutions], Semrush
Mobile & Voice
AR/VR headset market experiences surge in Q4 2023, BetaNews
Google Gemini Can Be Saved: Remember Apple Maps?, Business Insider
Google messed up Gemini launch, Sergey Brin says, CNBC
HomePod will now automatically choose a default media app, 9to5Mac
Siri Will Learn Your Music Preferences With HomePod Software 17.4, MacRumors
SEO
10 Common SEO Mistakes To Avoid in 2024, Siege Media
Free E-E-A-T/YMYL/Helpful Content/Google Quality Audit Template, SEOSLY
The best techniques to improve web performance & speed, Oncrawl
Yep & Ahrefs Support IndexNow. Fresher Data, Faster Indexing, & Announcing a Game-Changing Site Audit Feature, Ahrefs
Yoast SEO 22.2: Fine-tune your content for maximum impact, Yoast
Boosting Topical Authority with SEO Content Strategies & ChatGPT, Screaming Frog
The ins & outs of starting SEO from scratch, SERP’s Up SEO Podcast
PPC
Deprecation of Full Path and Path Attribution reports in Bid Manager API, Google Ads Developer Blog
Setup Advanced PMax Campaigns Using Performance Data, FeedArmy
The future of private advertising, Microsoft Advertising
The Power of PPC and SEO Working Together, Semrush
OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and Microsoft’s Copilot test advertising, QZ
Search Features
Building a web that works for everyone, Microsoft Advertising
Google Search Quality, Email Appreciation, DMA Dilemma, Near Media
Hands on: Microsoft Copilot now lets you create your own custom GPTs, Windows Latest
Other Search
Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and Threads are all down, The Verge
Something Like Fire, City Journal
Feedback:
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