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 officially confirmed the search ranking data leak but urged caution with our assumptions. Google Search Console’s link report is showing huge drops in links. Google also updates its spam reporting page to add the site reputation and expire domain abuse. Google is testing a shaded people also ask version. Google is offering early adopter badges for using Search Notes. Google Maps added a wheelchair accessibility icon to the Google Maps business profiles.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
Google Confirms Search Leak But Urges Caution
After over 32 hours of silence after the Google Search ranking data leak, Google has finally confirmed the leak, but urged caution around making assumptions on how Google Search ranking works based on the documents.
Google Report Spam Tool Adds Site Reputation & Expired Domains Abuse
Google added a couple of new options to the spam reporting tool, including the new site reputation abuse and expired domain abuse, to the form. Again, Google announced these new spam policies last March, enforcing the site reputation abuse this earlier this month.
Huge Decline In Links Reported In Google Search Console Links Report
Earlier this week, we reported on some declines in the number of links reported in the Google Search Console links report. Well, it got a lot worse this morning, and now everyone is seeing huge declines in the link report.
Google Early Adopter Badge For Using Search Notes
Google is incentivizing searchers to leave notes on Google Search and Google Discover results by offering them an “early adopter badge.” Google is showing this message in the Google Discover feed and it says, “Add a note to earn a badge.”
Google People Also Ask Tests Shaded Boxed Interface
Google is testing shading and boxing in the people also ask details within the mobile Google Search results. So instead of just a plain snippet interface, Google is testing adding some layers to the result by boxing it in with a colored background element.
Google Maps Adds Wheelchair Accessible Icon To Business Listings
Google has added a wheelchair-accessible icon to the Business Profile listings in Google Maps of businesses that self-claim they are wheelchair-accessible. There is a little wheelchair-accessible icon next to the business name, but this only shows in Google Maps, not in Google Search – for now.
Google had some sort of Google Fiber event at the Chicago office and they spread out some balloons and also added these letter light up signs that spelled “G Fiber”.
I found this on Instagram…
Other Great Search Threads:
If there is another relevant and eligible keyword or search theme that matches to the query, it may trigger an ad., AdsLiaison on X
Snippets are dynamic. So when you searched for that exact phrase, our systems are looking for pages that seem related to that exact phrase. While those are pages about two different products, the single product you searched with that exact phrase for is m, Google SearchLiaison on X
The coverage of Google AI Overviews fluctuates A LOT today. There were a few moments today when AIO answers were disabled for queries that returned AIO yesterday. Now, we are back up to ~16% query coverage in some of th, Bartosz Goralewicz on X
We all need to do a shout out to @iPullRank and @randfish on the 14K Google Ranking Features analysis and output. Good work to Mike (Mic) for working the weekend and great work on Rand for being one to share data a decade before, Brent D. Payne on X
I think this is probably because it doesn’t check if you are in an incognito window. The other thing to remember is that if you open websites multiple times in an incognito window, data is persisted until the window is closed and reopened, IIRC, Martin Splitt on X
Quickly identify the most important (most used) modules from the #GoogleLeak. I’ve created this interactive visualization where you can see how they connect with each other. Check out the tool at the link below, Natzir on X
This whole ad rank thing is going to drive me nuts… Today, keywords/ads/landing pages need to be one locked-in step for Ad Rank. Yet, exact match keywords can show on non-relevant search terms. In turn, may harm your keyword quality score & inflate your, Nate Louis on X
Search Engine Land Stories:
Google Search Console reporting error for product snippets
Google responds to leak: Documentation lacks context
PayPal launching ad network fueled by user purchase data
How to create and configure custom dimensions in GA4
A guide to ad variations in Google Ads
Other Great Search Stories:
Analytics
15 Unique Ways to Check Competitor Website Traffic, Ahrefs
DataGPT expands generative AI chat-based business analytics with Google Analytics connector, SiliconANGLE
Industry & Business
Google to Invest $2 Billion in Malaysia, Build Data Center in Selangor State, Bloomberg
Speaking Proposals now Open for Pubcon Las Vegas 2024, Pubcon Pro
Internal divisions linger at OpenAI after November’s attempted coup, Financial Times (Sub)
Links & Content Marketing
9 Practical Steps To Upgrade Your Web Content, BruceClay
AI Content Optimization: The Complete Guide, Semrush
Local & Maps
24 Must-Know Local SEO Statistics for 2024, Backlinko
Google accused of secretly tracking drivers with disabilities, Ars Technica
Microsoft will retire Bing Maps for Enterprise; will merge its tech and data with Azure Maps, Neowin
Mobile & Voice
Apple and OpenAI allegedly reach deal ahead of WWDC, AppleInsider
Google Home is still re-adding audio features it lost due to the Sonos lawsuit, The Verge
Google Makes Powerful AI Assistant More Accessible to Arabic Speakers, Adgully
SEO
5 SEO Strategies for Family Lawyers, Sterling Sky Inc
8 Ahrefs API Use Cases For Agencies and Enterprises, Ahrefs
Do Higher Content Scores Mean Higher Google Rankings? Our Data Says It’s Unlikely., Ahrefs
Franchise SEO: Local and National Growth Strategies for Franchises, Ahrefs
Google Algorithm Secrets with Mike King, Eric Schwartzman
Google March 2024 Core Update Case Study: A tale of four tremors, reversals, and a great example of the counterbalancing of systems, GSQI
Here’s How You Can Get More SEO Juice Out of Your Blog, TopRank
How to set up Google Search Console API, Hobo
Play ball! Why SEO is a Team Sport, SERP’s Up SEO Podcast
Structured Content: Key to AI SEO Success, CMSWire
The Ultimate eCommerce SEO Guide For 2024, Influencer Marketing Hub
What is this leaked Google code? Digging into the API Docs, Marie Haynes
Google Documents Leaked & SEOs Are Making Some Wild Assumptions, Ahrefs
PPC
How Advertising Broke the World, Wired
Amazon Sellers Looking for New Customers Are Buying Ads on Google, Bloomberg
Google post-cookie ad tech glitch raises questions about Privacy Sandbox, Ad Age
On the Croissette: Microsoft at Cannes 2024, Microsoft Advertising
Search Features
Fake Google AI Overview Screenshots Go Viral After New Feature’s Rollout, Snopes
Multi-tasking with Minimized Custom Tabs, Chromium Blog
Other Search
AI Edge Torch Generative API for Custom LLMs on Device, Google Developers Blog
Even Google’s Own Researchers Admit AI Is Top Source of Misinformation Online, Futurism
How to Learn? We Can’t Just Google or Ask ChatGPT for All Answers, Bloomberg
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