This week, I covered another unconfirmed Google search algorithm update. I posted the monthly Google webmaster report. Google said the new GoogleBot user agent name is live, but not for the initial fetch request. Google fixed a bug where Search Console accounts became unverified through Google Tag Manager, and the confusion the fixed caused. Google also may have had issues with the request indexing feature. Bing Webmaster Tools is working on a sitemap diagnosis tool (did I talk about this?). Google is testing a new design, or maybe it is a bug. Google said use rel=sponsored for affiliate links. Google may have no launched the new nofollow link changes, but I am confused. Google said URL length is not a ranking factor. Google is pairing knowledge panels and people also ask together and showing “see the connection.” Bing was offline in Windows 10 search for several hours this week. Google Maps is celebrating its 15th birthday with a new map pin and features. Google My Business is deleting unpublished Google My Business profiles. Google Posts are being rejected in masses, it looks like a bug. We released two vlogs this week, one with Jim Boykin on links and the other with Jennifer Van Iderstyne on content. Oh and if you want to help sponsor those vlogs, go to patreon.com/barryschwartz. That was the search news this week at the Search Engine Roundtable.

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Search Topics of Discussion:
Google Search Algorithm Ranking Update Signals In Early February 2020
February 2020 Google Webmaster Report
Google: GoogleBot User Agent New Name Is Fully Live
Google Clarifies GoogleBot’s New Useragent Name Usage
Google Fixes Search Console Verification Via Tag Manager Bug
Google Search Console Auto-Verifies Tag Manager Causing Security Confusion
Complaints Of Indexing Issues Via Google Search Console
Bing Webmaster Tools Sitemap Diagnosis Tool Coming Soon
Google Search Tests New Open Design? Maybe It’s A Bug?
Google: Use rel=sponsored For Affiliate Links If Possible
Google: Nofollow Hint Ranking Change Has Not Been Worked On Yet
Google: URL Length Is Not A Ranking Factor
Google Pairing Knowledge Panels & People Also Search For
Google Knowledge Panel “See The Connection”
Bing Was Offline For Several Hours In Windows 10 Search
Google Maps Celebrates 15 Years: New Maps Icon & Map Features
Google My Business Warning: Unpublished Business Profile Will Be Deleted
Google My Business Bug? Google Posts Being Rejected In Masses
Vlog #43: Jim Boykin – The Ultimate Link Building Guru Shares Sage Advice
Vlog #42: Jennifer Van Iderstyne On Better Content & Multimedia For SEO

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