We hope you are in good health. Here are some of the major SEO news updates of the week that you need to know:
Search Related News and Updates from Major Search Engine
Bing Plans to Remove the Disavow Links Feature from Bing Webmaster Tools
Bing Webmaster Tools recently made an important announcement regarding its disavow links feature. This update could impact website owners and SEO professionals who rely on this tool. Starting October 2023, Bing will remove the disavow links feature and corresponding API. This decision is a part of Bing’s ongoing efforts to enhance its services and provide a better user experience. While this change may require adjustments for those accustomed to using the disavow links feature, it also signifies Bing’s commitment to streamlining its platform and improving overall functionality. Website owners and SEO professionals must stay informed about these updates to ensure they utilize the most effective website optimization strategies.
Bing Webmaster Tools Introduces New Sitemap Reporting Features
Microsoft announced an update to Bing Webmaster Tools’ sitemap reporting capabilities. This update aims to enhance users’ understanding of how Bing indexes their websites. Webmasters can make informed decisions to improve their site’s visibility on Bing search results by providing a deeper insight into the indexing process. Saral Nigam, a Bing Webmaster Tools team member, has outlined the steps to leverage this report effectively. By addressing website indexing issues and ensuring comprehensive and relevant sitemaps, webmasters can optimize their websites for better search engine rankings on Bing.
Microsoft Bing Expands its Webmaster Tools Performance Report
Microsoft unveiled an enhanced version of its Bing Webmaster Tools Performance Report, which offers website owners and SEO professionals comprehensive analytics on their site’s performance on Bing’s search engine and chatbot. This upgrade aims to provide more detailed insights and empower webmasters with crucial metrics such as clicks, impressions, and click-through rates for both web and chat. By accessing this information, website owners and SEO professionals can make informed decisions to improve their site’s visibility and user experience on Bing’s platforms.
Google’s Gary Illyes Confirms Quality Is the Top Factor In Search Indexing
In a recent statement, Google’s Gary Illyes has confirmed that quality is the top factor in search indexing. According to Illyes, quality plays a significant role in making indexing decisions. He emphasizes that quality is the most important factor and often the biggest driver for indexing and crawling decisions. While some may find it hard to believe, Illyes emphasizes the importance of quality in ensuring that search results are relevant and useful to users.
Google’s September 2023 Content Update: The Impact and Volatility on Helpful Content
The Google September 2023 Helpful Content Update has been the talk of the town since it was rolled out last Thursday. It has been over five days now, and it is important to highlight what I have observed so far. While there is a lot of chatter among SEOs regarding traffic fluctuations from Google Search, it is worth noting that most tracking tools have remained relatively calm. However, there have been reports of significant drops in traffic and visibility ranging from 40% to even 80% for websites affected by this update, emphasizing the potential impact it can have on website rankings.
Bing Search Displays “Recent Chat Topics” in Search Results
Bing Search introduces a new feature called “recent chat topics” for users who have engaged in conversations using Bing Chat. This additional section is prominently displayed at the top of the search results page. Titled “recent chat topics,” this section is accompanied by a Bing icon and showcases the queries discussed in a speech bubble format. This feature aims to enhance the user experience by allowing them to quickly revisit and reference their previous conversations, making it convenient and efficient for users who frequently utilize Bing Chat.
What Google’s John Mueller Says About Language Indicators In Title Tags?
When asked about the potential impact of adding a language indicator to the meta title tag on SEO and Google Search, Google’s John Mueller expressed his opinion that such an addition would not have any significant effect. He stated that he did not believe it would make a positive or negative difference, at least in his view. This response suggests that from an SEO standpoint, including a language indicator in the meta title tag will not likely influence search engine rankings or visibility on Google.
Some Local SEOs Report That They are Not Receiving Emails from Google Business Profiles
Recent reports from local SEOs have indicated a concerning issue with Google Business Profiles. Many field professionals have expressed frustration over not receiving important emails from these profiles. This includes notifications about being added to a Google Business Profile or any notices related to suspensions or reviews. The lack of email notifications has raised concerns among local SEOs, as it hampers their ability to stay informed and effectively manage their clients’ online presence.
PPC Related News and Updates from Major Search Engine
Microsoft Announces a Series of Generative AI Updates to its Advertising Platform
Microsoft unveiled a range of generative AI updates to revolutionize how we interact with search engines and online advertisements. These updates aim to enhance user engagement and optimize the overall search experience. One of the key developments is the introduction of Compare & Decide Ads, specifically designed to maximize user engagement on Bing Chat. This feature allows users to compare products and make informed decisions easily within the chat interface. Additionally, Microsoft has partnered with Snapchat My AI and Axel Springer to integrate their ads into the Chat API, making them the first advertising partners for this innovative platform. Furthermore, Microsoft Advertising is introducing Copilot, a tool to simplify creating ad campaigns. With an upcoming open beta, Copilot promises to streamline the campaign creation process and make it more accessible for advertisers.
Google Ads Announces an Update to its Misrepresentation Policy
Google updated its Misrepresentation policy to uphold trust and promote transparency in the advertising industry. This policy amendment specifically addresses the non-fulfillment of products or services due to a lack of qualifications and removes it from the Misrepresentation policy altogether. By doing so, Google aims to target and combat unacceptable business practices, such as deceptive tactics used by advertisers to scam users. These tactics may involve concealing or misstating crucial information about the advertiser’s business, product, or service. This policy change is a significant step towards maintaining a fair and trustworthy advertising ecosystem for consumers and advertisers alike.
Google Ads Announces the Expansion of Automatically Created Assets in 8 Languages
Google announced updates to its Google Ads platform, targeting automatically created assets and conversational experience. These updates aim to assist users in harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the efficiency of their ad campaigns. By focusing on automatically created assets and introducing a new conversational experience, Google is taking a significant stride towards automating the advertising workflow. Initially, these features were available only in English, but Google has expanded its reach to include seven additional languages: Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish. This expansion allows a wider range of users to benefit from these AI-driven enhancements and streamline their advertising efforts.
