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 says content quality is not about typos but overall quality. Google Search Console had a canonical URL reporting bug for some sites. Google SGE dropped the local pack results. Google has this issue where you can edit negative reviews to keep them at the top for years. And I posted the monthly Google webmaster report, catch up there.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
September 2023 Google Webmaster Report
It is time for the big Google Webmaster Report, the September edition. This past month, we finally had a confirmed update, the August 2023 core update that was announced on the 22nd but began being felt on the 25th. We also had a couple of unconfirmed Google updates. Google SGE officially rolled out links.
Google Fixed The Search Console Canonical URL Reporting Bug
From the end of July through just a couple of days ago, Google has had this weird error for some sites in Google Search Console. In short, Google Search Console was reporting the wrong canonical URL for some pages. Yesterday, September 4th, it seemed like Google fixed the issue.
Google: Content Quality Is Not About Typos But Overall Quality
Google’s John Mueller said when it comes to rankings, Google doesn’t really care too much about typos here and there but rather the overall quality of the site’s content. I guess I am in luck on this sight (did that on purpose), don’t you think?
Google Local Negative Reviews Hack Leads To Harassment & Abuse
Did you know that Google is totally fine with customers leaving negative reviews and then every few months they “update” that negative review just to ensure the review is labeled as “new” and remains at the top of all the other positive reviews?
Google SGE Drops Local Results (5 Local Pack)
When Google launched its Search Generative Experience, the AI-powered answer embedded local results from Google Business Profiles in a local pack. In fact, it was a “five pack” but now, Google is no longer showing the local pack at all – at least at the time I wrote this story.
Sunflower At GooglePlex with Peter The Greeter
Peter The Greeter gets all the best shots at the GooglePlex, Google’s main headquarters in Mountain View, California. Here he is in a sunflower prop of sorts, sitting on a chair posing. He posted thi
Other Great Search Threads:
A 302 doesn’t double the URLs in search., John Mueller on X
Google won’t keep both in case of a redirect, it’ll always be one or the other., John Mueller on X
Is there a Fake Guru in SEO Industry? if so, who should i avoid?, Reddit
There are lots of ways that can result in publication of low-quality content, you don’t have to use AI., John Mueller on X
Happy 25th Birthday, Google!! Sharing a link to a TGIF from 1999 complete with beanbag chairs, slide projectors, familiar faces, and Larry + Sergey vibes. So jazzed to see how far the company has come–and still r, Paige Bailey on X
Search Engine Land Stories:
4 top affiliate search partners to consider: A breakdown
Universal Analytics still processing data two months after ‘sunset’
The trifecta of keyword research strategy: Volume, difficulty, intent
How to structure people operations to scale SEO success
How to avoid decision fatigue in SEO
Other Great Search Stories:
Analytics
Google Analytics 4 Transition Update, Practical Ecommerce
Industry & Business
Chart: Hindsight Is Golden: Google Edition, Statista
Sergey Brin and Kimbal Musk Spotted at Burning Man Amid Chaos: WSJ, Business Insider
The Verge’s Nilay Patel talks Google’s legacy and its future on its 25th anniversary, NPR
Baidu CEO says more than 70 large AI language models released in China, Reuters
Google’s clean energy progress in Ireland, Google Blog
Malaysia mulls rules for Google, Meta to pay news outlets for content, Reuters
Links & Content Marketing
How to Include More Useful Content on Your Website, Koozai
Thoughts on how SpamBrain detects and neutralizes artificial links, Marie Haynes
Local & Maps
Google Business Profiles for Medical Practices: Prescription for Online Success, Level343
Google Maps Vs TomTom: Which App Is Better For Android Auto, SlashGear
Mobile & Voice
Exclusive: How Apple got creators to take a risk on Vision Pro, Digital Trends
Meta Reportedly Partnering With LG For 2025 Quest Pro 2, UploadVR
SEO
August 18 Algo Update: The Cyclone Before The Storm, Moz
Case study: Fixing “Indexed, though blocked by robots.txt”, Rebelytics
Effective Marketplace SEO is more like Product Growth, Kevin Indig
Most interesting Google Patents for SEO in 2023, Kopp
The Future of Website Accessibility: Emerging Trends and Technologies, Lumar
TikTok SEO: The Ultimate Guide to Boosting Your Profile Visibility, Semrush
Should you remove/noindex old content if you have an unhelpful content suppression? My theory., Marie Haynes
PPC
Getting holiday season ready with Google Ads, Browser Media
How to Build Your Sales Page Copywriting for Google Ads?, PPC Expo
How To Convert Google Merchant Center Next to Google Merchant Center Classic?, FeedArmy
The Ultimate Face-off: Display Ads vs. Search Ads – Which Strategy Reigns Supreme?, Sunhouse Marketing
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