Search Engine Roundtable Podcast

A daily recap video summarizing a few of the top search marketing headlines covered at the Search Engine Roundtable.

A daily recap video summarizing a few of the top search marketing headlines covered at the Search Engine Roundtable.

This week, we covered that the Google March 2024 core update is still rolling out 38 days later, but we saw more volatility this week. Just a reminder that the Google helpful content update no longer exists. Gary Illyes from Google again says core update and indexing are independent. Google responded to complaints about dangerous and harmful search results. Google says ranking well in other verticals like shopping, images and others, does not negatively impact your web rankings. Google updated its structured data carousels beta documentation. Google says don’t disallow your internal footer links. Google says there are minimal differences between using a 404 and 410 status code. Google is testing short videos in the search bar. Google is not removing the site command. Bing is testing removing the cache link and the estimated number of search results. Google SGE is testing AI overview tabs. Bing is testing sources across the web AI. Google image search now has pixel-level object segmentation. Google Ad strength is not used in the auction, Google says. Google is testing sticky sponsored labels. Google Ads is also testing people also considered labels in the search ads. Google Ads tests “get phone number” buttons instead of the “call” button. Google released its Merchant Center product data specifications for 2024. Google Maps has a new flow for suggest an edit. That was the search news this week at the Search Engine Roundtable.

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0:00 - Introduction

1:15 - New Google March 2024 Core Update Ranking Volatility

2:10  - Reminder: Google's Helpful Content Update Is No More - It's A Core Update

3:04 - Google: Indexing & Algorithm Updates Are Independent

3:52 - Google Responds To Claims Where Search Results Can Be Harmful & Dangerous

5:12 - Google: Ranking In Shopping, Images & Other Verticals Doesn't Hurt Your Web Rankings

5:52 - Google Structured Data Carousels Beta Docs Clarifies Feature Availability & Markup Location

6:28 - Google: Don't Disallow Internal Footer Links

6:48 - Google: Differences Between 410 and 404 Is Too Minimal

7:21 - Google Tests Short Videos In Search Menu Bar

7:48 - Google Is Not Removing The Site Command Search Feature

8:06 - Bing Tests Removing Cache Link From Search Results

8:20 - Bing Search Tests Removing Estimated Number Of Results

8:36 - Google SGE Testing Tabs In AI Overviews

8:52 - Bing Search Tests From Sources Across The Web

9:13 - Google Image Search Gains Pixel Level Object Segmentation Animation

9:36 - Google: Ad Strength Is Not Used In Ad Auction

10:03 - Google Tests Sticky Sponsored Label As You Scroll Down Search Ads

10:22 - Google Ads With People Also Consider Label

10:48 - Google Ads Tests Get Phone Number Button

11:06 - 2024 Google Merchant Center Product Data Specification Updates

11:24 - Google Maps Suggest An Edit Flow Updated

11:35 - Conclusion 

A daily recap video summarizing a few of the top search marketing headlines covered at the Search Engine Roundtable.

A daily recap video summarizing a few of the top search marketing headlines covered at the Search Engine Roundtable.

A daily recap video summarizing a few of the top search marketing headlines covered at the Search Engine Roundtable.

A daily recap video summarizing a few of the top search marketing headlines covered at the Search Engine Roundtable.

This week, I posted the big Google Webmaster Report for April; it is an excellent place to catch up quickly on the news. Google’s March 2024 core update had some volatility this week, and it is still rolling out. There are still no helpful content update victims who recovered, but there are core update recoveries. Google said when it comes to the helpful content update and core updaters it is not just about improving your site based on where that specific site was, but where it stands amongst the rest of the web. Google may charge for some AI related search features in SGE a report says. Google said it shows forums in the search results because searchers seek it out and like it. Gary Illyes from Google wants Googlebot to crawl less. Google said over focusing on links is a waste of time. Google Search Console had another reporting bug, again with images, again with Web Stories but also with AMP pages. Google local panels are testing next toggle buttons. Google is testing a cruise search result pack. Google Business Profiles has a new image uploader. Google is testing an ads carousel. Google is testing a label on ads that says the ads are related to your search. Google Ads call extensions with text or email options. Microsoft Advertising now has max conversion value on search campaigns. Reddit moderators continue to remove Danny Sullivan, Google’s Search Liaison, responses. Search for solar eclipse on Google and get a cool easter egg. That was the search news this week at the Search Engine Roundtable.

Sponsored by BruceClay, who has been doing search marketing optimization since 1996 and also has an amazing SEO training platform.

0:00 - Introduction

0:55 - April 2024 Google Webmaster Report

1:28 - 29 Days In The Google March 2024 Core Update Is Still Rolling Out

2:43 - Still No Google Helpful Content Update Recoveries But Yes Core Update Recoveries

3:45 - Google: Fixing A Helpful Content Site Isn't About Where Measuring Against The Previous Version Of That Site

4:28 - Report: Google Considers Charging For AI Search Features Like SGE AI Overviews

5:35 - Google Explains Why It Shows Reddit & Forum Threads In Search So Often

6:40 - Gary Illyes From Google Wants Googlebot To Crawl Less

7:12 - Google: Over-Focusing On Links Is Likely A Waste Of Time

7:23 - Google Search Console Reporting Bug With AMP Pages & Web Stories In Google Images

7:52 - Google Local Panel Results Tests Toggle To Next Result

8:11 - Google Search Cruises Results Pack

8:34 - New Google Business Profiles Image Uploader

8:53 - Google Tests Search Ads Carousel Slider

9:13 - Google Ads With Related To Your Search Label

9:37 - Google Ads Extension With Call Us; Text Or Email To Call

10:07 - Max Conversion Value Available For Microsoft Advertising Search Campaigns

10:21 - Reddit Moderators Keep Removing Google Search Liaison's Responses

11:00 - Solar Eclipse Google Search Easter Egg

11:18 - Conclusion 

This week we covered that Google is now testing SGE in the wild for a small subset of US users. Google is begging SEOs to stop doing SEO for Google. Then SEOs are like, should we remove our Contact Us and About Us pages? Google said publishing more content doesn’t make your website higher quality. Google added 3D model markup for product structured data. Google spoke about when small businesses should create websites and blogs. Google launched new maps and shopping AI features this week. Google Ads published its Ad Safety Report. Google updated its definition of top ads. Google Ads has a new share ad preview link for Performance Max campaigns. Google Local Service Ads is asking advertisers for more photos. Google Ads has posted zero new feature announcements this month. Google is testing products, product sites, places, places sites in the search bar. Google Search doesn’t support AVIF images just yet. Mikhail Parakhin has stepped down as the head of Bing Search and Microsoft Advertising. 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.

SPONSOR: This week's video recap is sponsored by Semrush. Did you know Semrush launched Semrush Copilot AI? It is an Al assistant that simultaneously analyzes data from several Semrush tools/reports and provides you with SEO alerts and recommendations for your next steps. To start using Semrush Copilot AI, just launch a Semrush Project and its recommendations will be on your dashboard. For more information check out this URL.

0:00 - Introduction

1:14 - Google Tests SGE AI Overviews In The Wild (Subset Of US Users)

3:27 - Google Begs SEOs To Stop Showing Google Things; Show Visitors Things Instead

4:08 - SEOs, Please Don't Remove Contact Us & About Us Pages

4:58 - Google: Publishing More Content Doesn't Improve Quality For Faster Indexing

5:58 - Google Adds 3D Models Markup To Product Structured Data For Linking

6:19 - Google: Should Small Service Businesses Start A Website & A Blog?

6:39 - New Google Shopping & Maps Search Features

7:42  - Correction: Web Stories Still Show In Google Images & Google Fixes Search Console Reporting Bug

8:25 - Google Ads Suspended 90% More Advertisers This Year & Removed 5.5 Billion Ads

9:04 - Google Updates Its Definition Of Top Ads; They May Not Be At The Top

9:48 - Google Ads Adds Share Ad Preview For Performance Max

10:18 - Google Local Service Ads Sends Email Asking You To Upload Photos

10:33 - Google Ads Posted Zero New Feature Announcements In March 2024

11:02 - Google Tests Products & Product Sites Search Bar Filter Tabs

11:13 - Google Tests Places & Places Sites Search Bar Filter Tabs

11:19 - Google Search Does Not Support AVIF Images Just Yet

11:44 - Mikhail Parakhin Steps Down As Head Of Bing Search & Microsoft Advertising

12:53 - Conclusion 

This week we covered that the Google March 2024 spam update is done rolling out. Google says to wait for the March 2024 core update to be done before making changes. Google will collect feedback after the core and spam updates are done. We have yet to see any September 2023 helpful content recoveries, but there is still time to go. Google said publishing content in bulk is not considered spam. Google is having issues again with showing images in the search results. Google replaced the perspectives filter with a forum filter. Google Maps has a bug or is being spammed, where it is showing businesses at different addresses in the same location. Google removed phone numbers from hotel search listings. Google Business Profiles offers an additional review after a rejection. Google Analytics updated its legacy conversions to better match Google Ads. You can now import your Google Ads PMax to Microsoft Advertising PMax. Microsoft is buying search ads on Google to drive searches on Bing. Bing Search has ask copilot in the people also ask section and refine your search on Copilot. Yahoo Search is still working on things, hang tight they said. Google has a new head of search, Pandu steps down and more changes. 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.

SPONSOR: This week's video recap is sponsored by Duda, the Professional Website Builder You Can Call Your Own.

0:00 - Introduction 

0:53 - Google March 2024 Spam Update Finished Rolling Out

1:47 - Google Urges Patience As The March 2024 Core Update Continues To Rollout

2:25 - Google Will Collect Feedback After The March Core & Spam Updates Are Done

3:06 - Report: No Site Hit By The September Helpful Content Update Recovered Yet

4:20 - Google: Publishing Content In Bulk Is Not Spam

4:56 - Google Showing Fewer Sitelinks Within Search

5:26 - Again, Images Not Showing For Some Google Search Result Snippets

5:57 - Official: Google Replaces Perspective Filter With Forums Filter

6:14 - Google Maps Bug Places Business With Different Addresses In Same Map Pin

6:38 - Google Removes Phone Numbers From Hotel Search Listings

7:14 - Google Business Profiles Now Offers Additional Review After Appeal Is Denied

7:38 - Google Analytics Conversion Metrics Updated To Match Google Ads

8:02 - Now Import Google Ads PMax To Microsoft Advertising PMax - Fully

8:20 - Microsoft Buying Ads On Google Search To Drive More Searches On Bing

8:46 - Bing Search With Ask Copilot In People Also Ask Section

8:59 - Bing Search Refine Your Search On Chat / Copilot

9:06 - Yahoo Search Wiring Up New Stuff - Hang Tight On Its Arrival

9:30 - Google Changes: Liz Reid New Head Of Search, Pandu Nayak Steps Down As Search Quality & Rankings Lead

10:15 - Conclusion