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 got their cost down to generate AI answers in search by 80%. Google is interested in alternatives to hreflang. Google may recrawl URLs multiple times per day or per month. Google is testing custom search filter templates in search. Google AdSense removed its privacy policy as a placement for withdrawal of consent. And I posted the weekly SEO video recap. And deeply sad to report that passing of Mark Irvine.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
This week, we covered how the Google March 2024 core update finished back on April 19th, and Google forgot to tell us. I also posted the May 2024 Google webmaster report. Google said it’s still possible for sites to recover…
Google SGE AI Answers Now Cost 80% Less To Generate
One of the big worries for Google investors was the cost of running AI to show within its search results. The AI overviews, now AI answers are costly to run. But as expected, Google was able to reduce the cost to generate these AI Answers.
Google Search Tests Custom Filters & Templates
Google Search is testing custom filters and pre-define search filter templates. It appears you can save your custom filters and reuse those filters for future searches. This is showing up for a limited number of searchers.
Google Open To Alternative Ideas For Hreflang
Gary Illyes from Google said he has heard from the SEO industry that hreflang can be “annoying” and complex and confusing. So he is open to ideas on how to replace it and make it work for both small and really large websites.
Google Recrawls URLs At Different Rates: Multiple Times Per Day To Every Few Months
Google has to crawl the web to build its index for it to provide search results. And since webpages and documents get updated, Google needs to recrawl those URLs from time to time. Google will recrawl URLs at different rates, said John Mueller of Google.
Google AdSense Has Removed Privacy Policy As Place To Withdraw Consent
Google AdSense has removed reference to your privacy policy as a place to withdraw consent. AdSense now has clarified that the revocation link at the bottom of the page should say “Privacy and cookie settings”.
The Industry Mourns The Loss Of Mark Irvine – Brilliant & Giving Search Marketer
I am deeply sad to report that Mark Irvine passed away unexpectedly last night. Mark was deeply involved in the search marketing community, known as being a brilliant paid search specialist who always spent his time helping others over his long career in the space.
Google Gradient Canopy Signage
I honestly did not know the new Google office, or one of them at least, was named the Gradient Canopy. I mean, I guess it makes sense. Here is a sign in front of that building with that name.
Other Great Search Threads:
I like to think of these (artificial, impossible, philosophical) questions as “if I added X to a page, would it be better for Y?” Would adding SD to a page make it rank higher? No. Might it rank differently? Maybe – SD enables some search features, but th, John Mueller on X
Small Google doc change, they restructured the Product structured data documentation, Barry Schwartz on X
AdSense Earnings and Observations – May 2024, WebmasterWorld
I hope it’s not just technically well-made :-). There have been some interesting takes in the space, I’m sure someone will find a model that works for clients, users, search & is profitable., John Mueller on X
Once you launch a new campaign (and you already have a Conversion Tracking in place) Google will always re-direct you towards the Google Tag Setup with instructions how to implement it. Have you seen it too?, Thomas Eccel on X
We’ve added Salesforce as a data source for data import! You can now import data directly from Salesforce to Google Analytics as offline-event data. Schedule daily or hourly imports, and select any existing Salesforce mil, Google Analytics on X
Search Engine Land Stories:
Google, DOJ make closing arguments in antitrust trial
Small review site lost 91% of its Google traffic to affiliate-focused SEO content
Google restricts promotion of deep fake sexual content
7 ways to use the ‘inspect element’ tool for SEO
How to overcome the top 3 objections to YouTube video ads
Other Great Search Stories:
Analytics
Vodafone teams up with Google Cloud on data analytics, Yahoo News
Industry & Business
Google defends ‘better’ search product as antitrust trial wraps up, Financial Times (Sub)
The Judge Deciding Google’s Landmark Antitrust Case, New York Times
To redress Google’s search monopoly misconduct, strong remedy is needed, Yelp
Would You Still Use Google if It Didn’t Pay Apple $20 Billion to Get on Your iPhone?, Wired
Google dubs Epic’s demands from its antitrust win ‘unnecessary’ and ‘far beyond the scope’ of the verdict, TechCrunch
Why Google Employees Aren’t Reacting to US Antitrust Trial, New York Times
Links & Content Marketing
How to Spot Paid Links Disguised as Digital PR, Digitaloft
Using Data to Optimize Content at Scale with Botify, Botify
Oops, Google Did It Again — But You Still Need First-Party Data, Content Marketing Institute
Local & Maps
Beacon Redefines Local Search with AI-Driven Personalized Recommendations, Bill Hartzer
Driver trapped in floods following Google Maps, Fox 26 Houston
iOS 18 Rumored to Add New Features to These 16 Apps on Your iPhone, MacRumors
Mobile & Voice
Apple Vision Pro a big hit in enterprise, AppleInsider
HomePod Siri can’t tell you what time it is right now, AppleInsider
Tim Cook confirms Apple will discuss ‘big plans’ for AI at next week’s iPad event, 9to5Mac
SEO
Google is getting even worse for independent sites, The Verge
Help Marie study the March 2024 Core Update, Marie Haynes
Hit by Helpful Content Update?, InLinks
HouseFresh disappeared from Google Search results. Now what?, HouseFresh
PPC
Why First-Party Data is Important for Your Google Ads Strategy, Group Twenty Seven
How to Become a Google Ads Specialist in 2024, Influencer Marketing Hub
Other Search
Microsoft, Google and Meta Bet on Fake Data to Train AI Models, Bloomberg
Feedback:
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