Search Engine Roundtable Podcast

Right before the New Year, the Google search results volatility spiked big time. I posted the Google webmaster report for January 2024 this week. I published a big list of feature requests for Google Search Console. Google Groups will stop posting Usenet content to combat spam, which may clear up some spam in Google Search. Google News doesn’t seem to rank YouTube results that well anymore. A Wharton professor called out the decay of internet search. Google’s data highlighter tool works but with caveats. Google explained why some important links might not be important. Google Business Profiles should be set up in your language or you might have issues in the future, Google is testing blue headers, explore stocks carousels, a new graphical weather layout and units available for rent in the local panel. Bing is testing Google’s knowledge panel layout and squared favicons. The new Copilot apps are pretty much the same as the Bing Chat app. Copilot’s app will also get plugin support soon. OpenAI is launching its GPT store next week. Also, did you know that ChatGPT’s Browse with Bing uses a different implementation of Bing Search? Google’s John Mueller was providing SEO support on New Year's. And after 13 years, I finally launched a redesign of the Search Engine Roundtable. 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.

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

0:00 - Introduction

0:57 - Google New Years Eve Search Algorithm Update

1:47 - January 2024 Google Webmaster Report

2:18 - Big Google Search Console Feature Request List For 2024

2:55 - Google Groups To Fix Spam Issues By Removing Usenet Groups

3:33 - YouTube's Significant Drop In Google News Visibility

4:16 - Wharton Professor, Ethan Mollick, On The Decay Of Internet Search

5:03 - Google Data Highlighter Tool Still Works But There Are Caveats

6:14 - Google On Why Important Links Might Not That Be Important Or Helpful

6:58 - Create Your Google Business Profile Listing In Your Language Or You May Have Issues

7:33 - Google Search Testing Blue Colored Header Again

7:46 - Google Search Explore Stocks Carousel

7:56 - Google Search Launches Graphical Weather Design On Mobile

8:10 - Google Search Units Available For Rent Section In Local Panel

8:28 - Bing Tests Copying Google's Knowledge Panel Design

8:41 - Bing Now With Square Favicons For Search Result Snippets

8:56 - Chat In Bing & Copilot Apps Are The Same

9:24 - Copilot App To Get Plugin Support

9:31 - OpenAI GPT Store Launch Opens Next Week

9:52 - ChatGPT Browse With Bing Has A Different Implementation Of Bing Search Access

10:13 - Google's John Mueller Providing SEO Support On New Years

10:31 - Search Engine Roundtable Version 5: Redesign & Platform

11:27 - Conclusion 

This is the last SEO video recap of the year, and I covered a summary of all the confirmed Google algorithm updates in 2023. I also discussed the Christmas Google search ranking volatility we saw earlier this week. Bing Chat added favicons to links. Google’s John Mueller said SEO won’t die in the first half of 2024. Google checks 4 billion hostnames per day for robots.txt. Google said sometimes bot protection services serve a noindex directive. Google may be showing fewer image boxes in the search results. Google is testing new follow this search and more results buttons. Google author name and site favicon show up together. Google is testing sitelinks in bubble or pill formats. Google is testing longer search result snippets. Google local pack is testing websites for places box. Bing Search page insights now has expand and collapse sections. Google Assistant can now tell you when Shabbat is. John Mueller was back at it again, helping SEOs on Christmas. I shared the most commented-on stories on the Search Engine Roundtable and also the top contributors to the Search Engine Roundtable 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 video is sponsored by Advanced Web Ranking, celebrating 20 years of accurate rank tracking this year. I am also celebrating 20 years this December, since I started writing on search. Advanced Web Ranking has been for many years one of my go-to tools for tracking Google Algo Changes and I encourage you to also check out their free Click Through Rate tool which shows how SERP features affect CTR in organic search on Google.

0:00 - Introduction

1:29 - Here Is When Google Released Search Algorithm Updates In 2023

2:15 - Pre-Christmas Intense Google Algorithm Ranking Volatility

2:57 - Bing Chat Adds Favicons To Links

3:18 - Google's John Mueller: SEO Will Not Die In H1 2024

3:35 - Google Checks 4 Billion Host Names Each Day For Robots.txt

4:10 - Google: Sometimes Bot Protection Services Serve Noindex Directive

4:55 - Google Showing Less Image Boxes In Search Results?

5:30 - Google Search Tests Follow This Search & More Results Buttons

5:52  - Google Author Name (Profile Page) & Site Favicon On Article Carousel

6:35 - Google Tests Sitelinks In Bubble/Pill Format

6:46 - Google Tests Longer Search Result Snippets Again

7:09 - Google Local Pack With Websites For Places Box Beneath

7:32 - Bing Search Page Insights Expandable Sections

7:49 - Google Assistant Now Tells You Shabbat Times

8:10 - John Mueller Of Google Providing Webmaster Support On Christmas Again (2023 Edition)

8:42 - Most Commented Search Engine Roundtable Articles - 2023 Edition

9:27 - Top Contributors To The Search Engine Roundtable In 2023

10:58 - Conclusion

In part one with Dave DiGregorio we spoke about his journey from working in sports memorabilia to getting into SEO. Then, in part two we talked about some local pack reductions, diversifying your local SEO efforts, the services feature, and the amazing SEO community. In part three, we talk about ChatGPT, process-focused, conferences, and more. In part four we spoke about how the business and strategy is changing and the overall company culture. In part five Dave explains the sports trading card market to me. In part six we go through my Michael Jordan basketball cards but the next part will be the value. In this last part, part seven, we open up the box from PSA after we get them back graded and we look up their true value.

We got some really big surprises on how PSA graded some of these Michael Jordan cards.

Hope you enjoyed this segment more than just a basic SEO video?

You can learn more about Dave DiGregorio on LinkedIn or on X @deegs20.

As we approach the end of the year, it just seems Google is getting more and more volatile with its search results. Google also confirmed that “openness” as a local ranking signal was strengthened. On Thursday morning, Google had delayed indexing issues for some sites, but Google confirmed it hours later. Google's Danny Sullivan collects and submits reports of low-quality and problematic search results. Sullivan also wants Google to use licensed images instead of sourcing and attributing publisher images in some cases. Google explains why spam reports don’t lead to immediate penalization in search. Google also explained when to use hierarchical site structure versus flat. Google said double slashes in the URL can cause crawling confusion. Google also explained what to do when you use special characters. Google said no SEO is ever perfect. Google Ads is testing headlines in ad descriptions, which is leading to super long, ugly ads. Google Search Ads for publishers will enforce consent management requirements. Google Merchant Center is testing browsing experience beta cards. Google Merchant Center identifier exists won’t lead to listing disapprovals. Google is testing site snippet overlays on hover over. Google has removed the December 2023 end date for the SGE labs experiment. Bing is on a holiday lockdown for new features. Google launched its Christmas decorations in search. 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.

0:00 - Introduction

0:51 - Google Search Ranking Algorithm Volatility Holiday Surge

1:30 - Confirmed: Google Local Search Algorithm "Openness" Now Stronger Signal

2:51 - Google Search Having Indexing Issues - Confirmed

3:37 - Google's Sullivan Collecting & Submitting Low Quality & Problematic Search Results

4:27 - Should Google Show Your Images In Some Search Features With Attribution Or Use Licensed Images?

5:46 - Why Google Seems To Not Penalize Sites After Paid Backlink Reports

6:19 - Google On Why Some Sites Should Use Hierarchical Site Category Structures

6:50 - Google: Double Slashes In URLs Can Confuse Some Crawlers

7:15 - Google Search On When Special Characters Don't Work

7:31 - Google: No SEO Is Perfect

7:56 - Google Ads Tests Headlines In Ad Description Without Notifying Advertisers

8:12 - Crazy Long Google Ads Description In Google Search

8:36 - Google Ads Tests New Advertiser Identity Verified Label

8:55 - Google Search Ads For Publishers (i.e. AdSense, etc) To Enforce Consent Management Requirements

9:12 - Google Merchant Center Browsing Experience BETA Card

9:42 - Google Merchant Center Identifier Exists No Longer Lead To Disapprovals

9:56 - Google Tests Search Snippet Overlay With Site Preview

10:16 - Google Search Generative Experience December End Date Removed

10:431 - Bing On Holiday Lockdown - Slows Production Releases

10:56 - Google Search Christmas Decorations Are Live For 2023

11:03 - Conclusion

In part one with Dave DiGregorio we spoke about his journey from working in sports memorabilia to getting into SEO. Then, in part two we talked about some local pack reductions, diversifying your local SEO efforts, the services feature, and the amazing SEO community. In part three, we talk about ChatGPT, process-focused, conferences, and more. In part four we spoke about how the business and strategy is changing and the overall company culture. In part five Dave explains the sports trading card market to me. In part six we go through my Michael Jordan basketball cards but the next part will be the value.

Dave basically told me what his expectations are in terms of the value of my Jordan cards. He goes through which ones are worth anything or nothing. I don’t want to ruin the surprise, so watch the video.

He goes through the potential pricing of some of the cards on eBay.

While he does that, he gave me a box unopened 1989 basketball cards that he had me open on camera. So that was fun, you can watch it all.

I will say I pull some really good cards!

So Dave gave me his estimates on all those cards in this video and in the next video, I go to his home after they they came back from the grading company and see their true value.

You can learn more about Dave DiGregorio on LinkedIn or on X @deegs20.

The Google search results have been very volatile the whole past week, and most SEOs think Google will confirm another algorithm update before 2023 comes to a close.  Google Groups is no longer ranking as well in Google Search. Google said it has taken steps to combat what some are calling Parasite SEO, meanwhile, Google is going to rename it to something else. Google’s video not in the main content notice is exploding in the forums.  Google said having about the source details doesn’t make you rank better. Google Search Console’s API has been delayed all week. Google had a bug where it showed the reporters headshot as the story image.  Google search results adds get it by December 24 section and filter.  Microsoft said it will bring Deep Search to Copilot if it ever gets faster. Bing Chat is testing a notebook feature. OpenAI said ChatGPT GPT-4 is not getting lazier. Google Business Profiles is sending out new suspension emails with the ability to appeal them.  Google local reviews now has a notice if the business is unable to post reviews to it. There is a bug with accepting invites in the Google Business Profile agency dashboard. Google Ads new consumer finance policy might be too overreaching.  That was this past week in search at the Search Engine Roundtable. 

Sponsored by Wix - make sure to check out the Wix Studio and the Wix SEO Learning Hub.

0:00 - Introduction

0:42 - Google Search Results Super Volatile Days After Reviews Update Completed

1:46 - Most SEOs Think There Will Be Another Google Algorithm Update Before 2023 Ends

2:15 - The Google Groups Search Ranking & Visibility Boost Is Now Dropping

3:09 - Google: We Have Taken Steps To Deal With Parasite SEO & More To Come

3:52 - Google To Rename "Parasite SEO" In Near Future

4:40 - Google: Video Is Not The Main Content Of The Page Error Spike

5:42 - Google: About The Source Information Doesn't Mean You Rank Better

6:29 - Google Search Console API Is Delayed

6:45 - Google Search May Show Reporter Headshots As Story's Main Image

6:58 - Google Search Results Get It By December 24 Section (Christmas)

7:26 - Microsoft To Bring Deep Search To Bing Chat / Copilot But It Is Way Too Slow Now

8:16 - Bing Chat / Copilot Now Testing Notebook Feature

8:25 - OpenAI On ChatGPT GPT-4 Getting Lazier

8:57 - Google Business Profile Suspension Emails Add Appeal Option

9:17 - Google Local Notice When Review Posting Is Turned Off

9:55 - Google Business Profile Agency Dashboard Bug With Invites

10:20 - Google Ads New Consumer Finance Policy Too Overreaching Says Advertiser

10:43 - Conclusion 

In part one with Dave DiGregorio we spoke about his journey from working in sports memorabilia to getting into SEO. Then, in part two we talked about some local pack reductions, diversifying your local SEO efforts, the services feature, and the amazing SEO community. In part three, we talk about ChatGPT, process-focused, conferences, and more. In part four we spoke about how the business and strategy is changing and the overall company culture. In part five Dave explains the sports trading card market to me.

Dave explains how we will organize these cards and how we will figure out which cards to send out to grade. He describes a lot more about the trading card collecting business and industry. He even brought an old box of cards that was not open yet. It was fun to talk about a topic that was not searched.

What surprised me was that the best time to sell a card is to sell it soon after you buy it. He described the trading card investing market and how they kind of ruined the market.

You can learn more about Dave DiGregorio on LinkedIn or on X @deegs20.

Google confirmed the last reviews update finished rolling out yesterday after 29 days. Google Search ranking volatility continues throughout the whole week, I called it the Google Winter Blast update but it might be the reviews update that is ongoing. Google Groups has seen a massive ranking and visibility boost in Google Search but why and it is concerning. Google announced Gemini, its next-level AI, and it is already in Bard and being tested in SGE. Bing announced Deep Search, it is like hidden gems, but slow and powerful; they also announced a bunch of Copilot features. I noticed that John Mueller deleted some helpful content tweets and that Danny Sullivan auto-deletes tweets. Google updated its local ranking to look at business operating hours, it seems. Google has a Local Service Ads has a reviews hijacking problem. Google expands its video policy to video mode, it must be the main content. Google Search Console dropped the mobile usability report and the mobile-friendly test. Google added new vacation rental rich results and structured data. Google Search Console will drop the product results search appearance filter. Google seems to be showing how-to rich results again. Google has a lot of complaints about invalid sitemap errors. Google’s “you visit often” label is live now for some. Google is treating a knowledge panel snippet. Google Site names have an issue for some internal pages. Glenn Gabe wrote a piece on the tracking challenges with all these new alternative fees and secondary SERPs. Google allows some advertisers to opt out of the Search Partner Network for PMAX. Google Merchant Center next will support rules and supplemental feeds. Google SGE is testing search by image and the ability to export to Gmail or Docs. Google launched the full-width image pack and more...

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0:00 - Introduction 

0:59 - Google November 2023 Reviews Update Completed After 29 Days

2:15 - Google Search Algorithm Ranking Update Winter Blast Continues

2:40 - Google Groups Gets Ranking Boost In Google Search?

3:31 - Google Gemini, Next Level AI, Comes To Bard & Coming To SGE

4:15 - Bing Introduces Deep Search & Other AI Copilot Enhancements

5:57 - When Googlers Delete Posts On X (Twitter) - Did Google Rollback HCU?

7:32 - Report: Google Local Ranking Now Looks If A Business Is Open Or Closed (Business Hours)

8:13 - Report: Google Local Service Ads Reviews Being Hijacked

8:36 - Google Expands Video Guidelines (Primary Content) Change To Video Mode Results

8:55 - Gone: Google Search Console's Mobile Usability Report & Mobile-Friendly Tests

9:07 - Google Search Adds Vacation Rental Structured Data, Rich Results & Reporting

9:15 - Google Search Console To Remove Product Results Search Appearance Filter From Performance Reports

9:31 - Google How-To Rich Results Also Returning To Search?

9:45 - Complaints With Google Invalid Sitemap URL Detected Error

10:08 - Google Search "You Visit Often" Label

10:26 - Google Search Lite Knowledge Panel Snippet

10:42 - Known Issue: Google Site Names With Some Internal Pages

11:17 - Google To Allow Advertisers To Opt Out Temporarily To Search Partner Network Even For PMax Campaigns

11:57 - Google's Alternative Feeds, Secondary SERPs & Current Tracking Challenges

12:46 - Google Merchant Center Next To Support Rules & Supplemental Feeds Early Next Year

12:57 - Google SGE Tests Search By Image Feature

13:10 - Google SGE Tests Export To Gmail & Google Docs

13:19 - Google Search Full Width Image Pack With More Details Now Live

13:34 - December 2023 Google Webmaster Report

13:45 - Google Hanukkah Decorations Are Live For 2023

13:55 - Conclusion 

In part one with Dave DiGregorio we spoke about his journey from working in sports memorabilia to getting into SEO. Then, in part two we talked about some local pack reductions, diversifying your local SEO efforts, the services feature, and the amazing SEO community. In part three, we talk about ChatGPT, process-focused, conferences, and more. In part four we spoke about how the business and strategy is changing and the overall company culture.

I then asked Dave what is he focusing on these days and he said they stopped working on spam fighting, it was a lost cause. Going after those who spam Google local listings is not worth it. He even said, Google doesn’t care as much and even if the spam gets removed, they will just change it or do it again.

Dave said they are diversifying a lot more this year, not just the local pack but also featured snippets and other ways to get their local clients in the search results. They are also looking to figure out what people are actually searching for, not just by using tools but also by talking to real people. They are also doing a lot of DIY content and other forms of free content. There are also industry specific tactics they use for local, and he gave some examples.

Dave also said they spend a lot of time educating clients about non-Google-specific tactics. This includes Yelp, worrying about their online reputation and more around long-tail targeting. The star ratings on these rich results and local packs are super important. Dave said it is important how you ask your customers for reviews, when, what to share and more.

Being upfront with your customers and prospects is important so you can have a great reputation. They are selective of their clients and they vet their clients before they take them on. We dug into their company culture more, because I found it interesting.

We then spoke a bit more about LocalU.

You can learn more about Dave DiGregorio on LinkedIn or on X @deegs20.

Google's November 2023 core update finally finished rolling out this week, and it was the longest core update rollout. Then, a day later, we saw more intense Google search ranking volatility and chatter. Google added new organization structured data and also added a new profile page and discussion forum structured data, both with Search Console and Rich Results test support. Google’s crawl rate setting is going away soon. Google Search Console went down a couple of times this week. Google spoke about the SEO value of bringing back 404 pages for links. Did you see the Google patent for what appears to be SGE? Microsoft is working to bring GPT-4 Turbo to Copilot and Bing Chat. Google Ads won’t allow personalized ads for consumer finance topics in February 2024. Google Local Service Ads has new impression metrics. Google Ads released its Ads API schedule for 2024. Google is testing Gray accepted labels in the search results. Google is testing line separators between sitelinks. Google is testing an interview label for news results. Google local photos is testing hearts and other emotion reactions. Google is testing removing the cache link from the search result listings. Google’s head of search ads, Jerry Dischler, is stepping down after 15 years. And I’ve been covering the search industry and search for 20 years now. 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.

0:00 - Introduction 

1:08 - Google November 2023 Core Update Finished Rolling Out

2:06 - Google Search Ranking Volatility - Is It The End Of Reviews Update?

2:30 - Google Adds Organization Structured Data With More Business Details Support

3:05 - New Google Profile Page & Discussion Forum Structured Data With Search Console Reports

4:13 - Google Crawl Rate Setting Going Away & Googlebot To Lower Minimum Crawl Speed

4:43 - Google Search Console Currently Down (Back Up After 50 Minutes)

4:57 - Google: The SEO Value Of Bringing Back A 404 Page Is Less Than The Effort

5:24 - Google Patent For SGE: Generative Summaries For Search Results

5:56 - GPT-4 Turbo Coming To Microsoft Copilot / Bing Chat

6:05 - Bing Chat / Microsoft Copilot Mode Usage: Balanced 70%, Creative & Precise 15% Each

6:28 - Google Ads Won't Allow Personalized Ads For Consumer Finance In February 2024

6:48 - Google Local Service Ads Add New Impression Metrics For Advertisers

7:08 - Google Ads API 2024 Schedule

7:35 - Google Pay Accepted Labels In Google Search Results

7:55 - Google Tests Line Separators Between Sitelinks

8:20 - Google Tests "Interview" Label For News Results "For Context"

8:38 - Google Local Photos Results With Heart & Other Reactions

9:02 - Google May Be Testing Removing Cache Link From Search Results

9:19 - Head Of Google Ads, Jerry Dischler, Steps Down After 15 Years

10:06 - 20 Years Covering The Search Industry

10:55 - Conclusion