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.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
Google: Disallowed URLs Can Still Collect Links
Just like you can sometimes see listings in Google search for URLs that are disallowed, those URLs can also “collect” links in Google search. What this means is that while Google is not authorized to crawl the URL, if people are linking to the URL, Google will and can pick up on those links.
Google My Business Reporting Also Buggy
The folks in the Local Search Forums are complaining that some of their clients are showing weird reporting glitches within the Google My Business Insights section. It is supposedly not too uncommon to see weird dips and/or data glitches in this reporting tool, I guess like it is with Search Console.
Google’s New How Google News Works Portal
Google launched a new portal named How News Works on Google. This is similar to the How Search Works portal Google launched in 2013 and revamped a couple times but now for news.
What SEOs & Webmasters Should Watch At Google I/O
Google published an agenda of which sessions they think would be most relevant and useful to SEOs and webmasters. This is in addition to watching the keynote, which by the way Martin Splitt says it well worth watching if you are an SEO.
Google Search Weirdness: Hmm… the results for your search don’t seem very relevant
I have seen numerous reports of Google showing very weird search results, or lack there of, followed by a message that reads “Hmm… the results for your search don’t seem very relevant.” It just seems like some weird bug, a possible plugin that is impacting the Google search results or something else. But it is too wide spread to be a weird plugin, so maybe it is some weird Google bug or feature?
Google I/O Registration Badge, Water Bottle & More
Today kicks off Google I/O and some have already checked in and picked up their registration bag, which includes their badge, badge holder, water bottle, some paper materials and more.
Other Great Search Forum Threads:
Was really shocked at all the video thumbnails I just saw for a search and came across the @seoroundtable post. This seems a bit extreme. @rustybrick… https://t.co/JLLhaX8jUU, Jordan McCreery on Twitter
Gmail is hijacking all outgoing links?, WebmasterWorld
Google Ads is really trying to make users see/apply their recommendations – they added a recommendations snippet to the keyword tab making the graph smaller #ppcchat @GinnyMarvin… https://t.co/6Cj1vHgNcY, Andrea Cruz on Twitter
Microsoft Edge Preview Based on Chromium in the Dev Channel, WebmasterWorld
No, it’s not meant for site-maintenance — for that, I’d just use the normal crawling & reprocessing, using a 404 HTTP response code.… https://t.co/d98ZBQQAlA, John Mueller on Twitter
Search Engine Land Stories:
Why set it and forget it doesn’t work with feeds or campaigns
You might start seeing Google Ads’ automated recommendations in more places
Connect with fellow search marketers at SMX Advanced
The real-time SEO shift: Research, ranking and recommendations
Key local stats every marketer needs to know
Google Ads reporting bug fix halfway there
Other Great Search Stories:
Analytics
How to use Google Analytics: A beginner’s guide, Business Insider
YouTube Analytics revenue delayed issue being looked into, says company, PiunikaWeb
Industry & Business
Google I/O 2019 – What sessions should SEOs and webmasters watch?, Official Google Webmaster Central Blog
How to Network at a Search Conference: Top Secrets from the Pros, Search Engine Journal
Meet Amanda Matuk, producer of Google I/O, Google Blog
Local & Maps
Bing Maps SDK Public Preview for Android and iOS Launches Today, Bing Maps Blog
Seafloor Maps Reveal Underwater Caves, Slopes—and Fault Lines, Wired
The Potential Effects of a Pay-to-Play Google My Business, Location3 Media
Mobile & Voice
Hit the road with Android Auto’s new look, Google Blog
Smart Speakers Are Useful and Fun, but Don’t Let Them Reign as the Queen of All Knowledge, ReadWriteWeb
SEO
Creating Quality Content in 2019 (For Search Engines and People), Moz
Why E-A-T & Core Updates Will Change Your Content Approach, iPullRank
Can You Reverse A 301 Redirect?, Moz
In Search SEO Podcast: Using Intent Analysis to Master the Consumer’s Search Path, RankRanger
PPC
Negative Keywords Come to Amazon Sponsored Brands, Merkle
Quick Ecommerce Advertising Strategies For Mother’s Day, Metric Theory
Google Ads Phasing Out Game Content Category, PPC Hero
Search Features
A look at how news at Google works, Google Blog
Microsoft Graph data connect and Microsoft Search hit general availability, VentureBeat
Google Shopping may be about to kill affiliate marketing links, Fast Company
