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 posted an FAQ on pure spam manual actions. Microsoft is rolling out a new Microsoft Advertising console. Google local panels have a ton of new UI tests. Bing is testing a new video block in the search results. Google Business Profiles for hotels has new filter options. Oh, and 24 hours later, JohnMu’s site is back in the Google index.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
Google Official FAQ On Pure Spam Manual Action
Google has posted an FAQ on what to do if you received a pure spam manual action. This was posted by Ryan T. from Google who titled his post in the Google Webmaster Help forums as Received a ‘Pure Spam’ Manual Action Notice? See What It Means for Your Site and How to Address It.
New Interface For Microsoft Advertising Console
Microsoft seems to be rolling out a new Microsoft Advertising console design. The new interface is more modern and possibly more efficient to use.
Numerous Google Local Panel User Interface Updates
Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been informed of a number of local user interface changes to the Google local panels in the search results. Here are some of those changes, not including what I already covered here.
Google Business Profile For Hotels Tests New Filter Options
Google seems to be testing new filter options for hotel listings within Google Business Profiles. When you click on a specific hotel, Google can show filters for reviews, dates, guests and about the hotel.
Bing Search Tests New Video Block Design In Search Results
Bing is testing a new design for how it shows some videos in the Bing search results interface. Now they are testing showing a bar across the search results page, as opposed to just a video card or video search results.
Wilson Castaway Ball At Google NYC
Here is a photo from the Google New York City office of a ball. It is not just any ball, it is the ball from the Castaway movie, the Wilson soccer ball.
Other Great Search Threads:
We’ve heard you’re concerned that Performance Max is only remarketing to existing customers. How can you prioritize new customers in your campaigns? See the in-depth answer and take a look at what other top Performance Max questi, Google Ads on X
Search Console now includes INP as a first-class element in the Core Web Vitals report. If you’re curious what users have been seeing in terms of INP, check out the report there (and keep in mind that the report is based, Google Search Central on X
I don’t have much (any) insight into the world of GA4 … If there’s something more specific that you want to pass on, I’d post in their help community. I’m glad the other two are working for you though!, John Mueller on X
Search Engine Land Stories:
TikTok launches Search Insights to help creators identify trending topics
U.S. House passes bill forcing TikTok owner to divest or face nationwide ban
Best of SearchBot: Create a blog content strategy to boost SEO
How to analyze Performance Max search terms insights for PPC success
Are we becoming less curious about SEO?
5 tips to make your B2B content more human
Meta announces major updates to Advantage+ and Shopping Ads
Other Great Search Stories:
Analytics
How to Analyze Organic Keyword Data in Google Analytics 4, Semrush
Industry & Business
New York Times denies OpenAI’s ‘hacking’ claim in copyright fight, Reuters
Satya Nadella Says Google Should’ve Been ‘Default Winner’ of AI Race, Business Insider
World’s first major act to regulate AI passed by the European parliament, CNBC
Microsoft settles Caltech lawsuit over Wi-Fi technology, Reuters
Links & Content Marketing
Enterprise Content Marketing Research, Content Marketing Institute
The Most Popular B2B Content Marketing Services, Online Marketing Blog
Local & Maps
Things you never knew about the Local Pack, SERP’s Up SEO Podcast
Google Maps might finally fix device orientation accuracy on Android, Android Central
Why You Want to Blur Your Home on Google Maps, and How to Do It, CNET
Mobile & Voice
Google Gemini 1.5: What to expect, Android Police
Vision Pro is an over-engineered “devkit” // Hardware bleeds genius & audacity but software story is disheartening // What we got wrong at Oculus that Apple got right // Why Meta could finally have its Android moment, Hugo’s Blog
SEO
12 Google Sheets Formulas for SEO Keyword Research & Content Analysis, Lazarina Stoy
Mobile Rank Tracking: Your Guide to Mobile SEO, Semrush
The Impact of the Discussions and Forums Feature By Industry, seoClarity
Yes. Affiliate Marketing Is Legit. But Is It Worth Your Time?, Ahrefs
You Can’t Compare Backlink Counts in SEO Tools: Here’s Why, Ahrefs
PPC
13 Ways to Prepare for Third-Party Cookie Depreciation, Amsive
An Optmyzr Study on Google Ads Performance Max, Match Types, and Auction Prices, Optmyzr
The rise of Generative AI: Insights from search trends, Microsoft Advertising
Search Features
Amazon now lets sellers create listings through a URL by using AI, TechCrunch
Google’s Gen AI Search Threatens Publishers With $2B Annual Ad Revenue Loss, AdWeek
Other Search
I Replaced Google with AI For a Week. Here’s What I Learned, Ahrefs
Microsoft uses compute units to charge customers for security Copilot, CNBC
OpenAI Made AI Videos for Us. These Clips Are Good Enough to Freak Us Out., Wall Street Journal
Where Web Users Spend Time vs. Where Traffic Referrals Originate, SparkToro
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