Google may have pushed another algorithm update starting this past weekend, I almost did not cover it. There was also a possible local search ranking update by Google over the past two days. Google’s Danny Sullivan said don’t expect the Page Experience Update to be a massive change overnight. Google said the mobile-first indexing deadline will be approximately around March, but there is no specific date for the deadline. Google’s Gary Illyes spoke about Google’s serving index and indexing shards. Google said title tags that are longer than what is displayed in the search results do have a benefit. Google may be showing fewer featured snippets since February 19th or so. Gary Illyes also said that Google may have only updated its search algorithm a handful of times due to SEOs gaming the system. Google said it generally does not announce when it deprecates ranking factors or signals. Google said the number of links to your site is completely irrelevant for SEO. Google Search Console made changes to how it counts impressions and clicks on some web stories. Google is testing a keyword tag or label in the search results. Google Ads changed its Google Partner Program requirements to let agencies dismiss certain recommendations. Google said it is discontinuing showcase shopping ads. 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.

Make sure to subscribe to our video feed or subscribe directly on iTunes to be notified of these updates and download the video in the background. Here is the YouTube version of the feed:

For the original iTunes version, click here.

Search Topics of Discussion:
Some Google Search Ranking Algorithm Chatter Past Few Days
Possible Google Local Ranking Update February 24th & 25th?
Google: The Page Experience Update Won’t Be A Massive Change To Start
Google Mobile-First Indexing Deadline Is Around March 2021
Google Talks About Its Serving Index & Index Shards
Google: Title Tags Longer Than What Is Displayed Has SEO Benefit
Google Showing Fewer Featured Snippets Since February 19th
Google Adjusted Its Search Algorithm Due To SEO Gaming Four Or Five Times In 10 Years
Google: We Don’t Announce Deprecating Ranking Signals
Google: Total Number Of Links Is Completely Irrelevant For SEO
Google Search Console Changes To Web Story Performance Report
Google Testing Keyword Tags Or Labels In Snippets Again
Google Lets Agencies Dismiss Some Partner Program Recommendations
Google To Discontinue Showcase Shopping Ads On April 1st

Please do subscribe on YouTube or subscribe via iTunes or on your favorite RSS reader. Don’t forget to comment below with the right answer and good luck!