This week, Google seemed to have rolled out a small search algorithm update on Thursday – we are still tracking it. Google Search Console is now out of beta, more features are expecting to rollout there as well. Google put the manual actions feature in the new Search Console and also made the URL inspection tool work in live mode. I published our monthly Google Webmaster Report, make sure to check it out. Google Ads has for the third time expanded exact match, now it includes same meanings of the word. Google’s John Mueller was not a fan of changing the Search Console anonymous query calculation. Google said manual actions still do expire and sometimes algorithms will take their place. Google said they do ignore a lot of EDU links, just like other links. Google said if you want your images to rank, use alt text. Google said it is okay to place third party reviews about your company on your web site. Google said white space pushing down your content is not an SEO issue. Google is testing relevant history in search. Google Ads is going to restrict many third party technical support providers. Google has doubled the speed of some of their mobile search results. Google launched Dataset search to help you find data providers. I am offline Monday and Tuesday for Rosh Hashanah, have a happy new year! That was this past week in search at the Search Engine Roundtable.

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Search Topics of Discussion:
Google Search Ranking Update Brewing? Early Signs Of Algorithm Shifts.
Google Search Console Is Out Of Beta But More To Still Come
New Google Search Console Adds Live URL Inspection Tool & Manual Actions
September 2018 Google Webmaster Report
Google Ads Expands Exact Match To Include Same Meaning Of Words
Google’s John Mueller: I’m Not A Fan Of The Anonymous Queries Reporting Change
Google: Manual Actions Still Expire & Sometimes Algorithms Take Over
Google Ignores A Lot Of Edu Links
Google: If You Want Your Images To Rank Then Use Alt Text
Google: You Can Place Your Company Reviews From 3rd Parties On Your Web Site
Google: White Space Pushing Content Down Is Not An SEO Issue
Google Tests “Relevant History” In Search Results
Google Tests Expandable Top Stories List View
Google Ads Restricts Third-Party Technical Support Providers
Google Doubles Speed Of Some Search Results Via Service Workers
Google Datasets Search – Searching Large Dataset Databases

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