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.
There are zero Google helpful content update recoveries still but there are core update recoveries – so far. Google said fixing a helpful content update site is not about just looking at how much better you made the site than it was previously. Google says over focusing on links is a waste of time. Google Ads is testing a new diagnostic view that caused some confusion. Google Business Profiles has a new photos uploader interface. ChatGPT browses the internet shows links more prominently now.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
Still No Google Helpful Content Update Recoveries But Yes Core Update Recoveries
While we have still not seen any sites recover from the September 2023 helpful content update, we have seen sites recover from previous core updates. We were hoping by now to see sites recover from that September 2023 helpful content update with this March 2024 core update (since it incorporated the helpful content system in part), but no, not yet.
Google: Over-Focusing On Links Is Likely A Waste Of Time
Google’s John Mueller told us again to stop focusing on links and focus more on other things you can do to improve your website. He said this on Reddit, writing, “over-focusing on links will often result in you wasting your time doing things that don’t make your website better overall.”
Google Ads Tests New Diagnostics Insights View UI Causing Ad Strength Pinning Concerns
Google is testing a new user interface treatment for the Google Ads diagnostic insights view. This new UI highlighted an issue with low ad strength that drove a lot of concern within the PPC community. In short, Ginny Marvin, Google’s Ads Liaison, said the ad strength and pinning details are not new, but the treatment for the diagnostics insights is a test.
New Google Business Profiles Image Uploader
It looks like Google is rolling out a new Google Business Profiles image uploader as part of the new Google Business Profile management interface. The image uploader interface seems a lot more basic now showing an option to view photos or add photos.
I’ll start by saying that was a hard title to write and I hope it makes sense. In short, Google’s John Mueller said on X, when it comes to fixing your site that was hit by the helpful content update, “it’s not relative to previously, it’s basically a re-evaluation of the whole site in the new / current online world & users expectations.”
OpenAI: Links On ChatGPT Browses The Internet More Prominent
OpenAI has added “more prominent” links to the ChatGPT browses the internet feature. After every section, ChatGPT added a hyperlink to the source, if you are using the browses the internet part of the tool – normal ChatGPT does not do this.
Google Paris Office Olympics Signage
Google’s Paris, France office dressed up its office signage in the theme of the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics, the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad. The Google letters stand on an award podium with various sports on display. You even see an Olympic torch in the background.
Other Great Search Threads:
We have this page already: https://t.co/IWEg4PAadY I’m hoping we might update that page further in the future with more guidance about how a minor ranking change might also produce traffic drop, Google SearchLiaison on X
Something seems off in Bing Copilot Land (previously Bing Chat). I feel like citations have changed, and not for the better. When comparing old screenshots versus new, I don’t see nearly as many inline citations (links to sites). I’m jus, Glenn Gabe on X
Anyone else seeing a lot more of Applebot?, WebmasterWorld
There’s a discussion about whether performance micro optimizations are worth it for SEO. Sure don’t fret over a few ms but the thing about CWV is that it DOES improve conversions: https://t.co/k6Qd0CEqSB If not for SEO, do it for the U, Rick Viscomi on X
You asked for it. Circle to Search is coming to more Pixel and Samsung devices starting today, Android on X
It’s baaacck -> Beyond relaunches Overstock.com after previously migrating to bedbathandbeyond.com, Glenn Gabe on X
Search Engine Land Stories:
6 new Reddit Ads Manager features to simplify campaign creation and tracking
Advertisers sue Meta for allegedly inflating ad viewership in $7 billion lawsuit
The latest jobs in search marketing
Agile for SEOs: How in-house teams get projects prioritized
How schema markup establishes trust and boosts information gain
Other Great Search Stories:
Analytics
How To Prepare for the Data Apocalypse, Content Marketing Institute
What is Google Analytics? Complete guide to the tool, Data Scientest
Industry & Business
America’s Most Innovative Companies 2024, Fortune
Congress bans staff use of Microsoft’s AI Copilot chatbot, Axios
NYC AI Chatbot Touted by Adams Tells Businesses to Break the Law, THE CITY
Google DeepMind CEO Says AI Is ‘Too Hyped’, Business Insider
Google’s Best April Fools’ Day Pranks, Ranked, How To Geek
Links & Content Marketing
Reading Patterns Can Help Us Optimize Content, Moz
35 Content Marketing Statistics You Should Know, Search Engine Journal
Local & Maps
New Street Name Anchors Request for Google Maps Change, The Vineyard Gazette
Patent application reveals possible new Apple Maps features, PhoneArena
Mobile & Voice
Infinite Dial: Listening to Podcasts and Online Audio Hit New All-Time Highs, Podnews
4 handy uses for Gemini AI in Google Workspace, Android Police
6 Google Gemini prompts to try for the best results, Pocket Lint
Many kids are unsure if Alexa and Siri have feelings or think like people, study finds, Live Science
Siri is truly terrible, but I’m optimistic about its rumored iOS 18 reboot – here’s why, TechRadar
The Register meets the voice of Australian Siri, The Register
SEO
What Is Hreflang and How To Implement It the Right Way, Backlinko
A Guide to Conducting a SWOT Analysis for SEO, Sara Taher
Beyond relaunches Overstock.com, partners with X, Digital Commerce 360
Case Study: Impact of Removing a Duplicate Page, Sara Taher
How “Deep Content” Will Protect Your SEO in the AI Era, Ahrefs
How To Future-Proof Your Content From Google AI Core Updates, WordLift Blog
SEO agency pricing: Define pricing & protect margins, Wix SEO Hub
PPC
Migration to OpenRTB, deprecation of the Authorized Buyers Real-time Bidding Protocol, Google Ads Developer Blog
The CMA Is Prepared to Delay Google’s Cookie Deprecation Plans, AdWeek
What are B2B and B2C: Understanding Business Models, PPC Expo
Google Ads’ Vehicle Listing Ads (VLA) now live in the UK, Germany & France, PPC Hero
Search Features
Google Podcasts service shuts down in the US next week, Bleeping Computer
Advanced Search is finding a new home in the Google app, Android Police
Other Search
Here’s Proof the AI Boom Is Real: More People Are Tapping ChatGPT at Work, Wired
What’s New in Copilot for Microsoft 365 – March 2024 Edition, Microsoft
Amazon builds Olympus AI model to compete with Anthropic, OpenAI, The Verge
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