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
Google Rolls Out Final Spam Update of 2024: December Rollout Caps Year of Heightened Spam Control
Google announced the rollout of its final spam update for 2024, which is set to take place in December. This update is part of Google’s ongoing efforts to combat spam and ensure a better user experience for its search engine users. Google has implemented various measures and updates yearly to enhance its spam control capabilities. This final update is expected to refine and strengthen Google’s spam detection algorithms further, making it even more difficult for spammers to manipulate search results. With this latest development, Google has demonstrated its commitment to providing users with reliable and relevant search results while maintaining a spam-free environment.
Microsoft has enhanced Bing’s search capabilities by combining large and small language models to improve speed and accuracy. The update has significantly reduced operational costs and enhanced latency, leveraging NVIDIA’s advanced technology and enabling faster search results. Bing claims that the update optimizes performance without compromising the quality of results, ensuring users receive more precise and relevant answers. This move aligns with Microsoft’s strategy to make Bing more competitive in the search space while delivering a more efficient, cost-effective experience for both users and the company.
Google has released official documentation on the management of faceted navigation, specifically warning websites about the potential SEO risks of poorly implemented filtering systems. This move emphasizes the importance of effectively managing faceted navigation for optimal website performance. According to Google, improper implementation of faceted navigation can result in wasted server resources and hinder the discovery of new content. To address this, websites must decide between completely blocking filter URLs or optimizing them meticulously. There is no middle ground regarding ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of faceted navigation systems.
Google’s Martin Splitt Urges Caution Over Traffic That Seems to Come from Googlebot
Google’s Martin Splitt is warning website owners to be cautious of traffic that appears to come from Googlebot but may be from fraudulent crawlers. Many web crawlers falsely identify themselves as Googlebot, which can skew website analytics and lead to wasted resources. To differentiate legitimate Googlebot traffic, Splitt recommends using tools like Google Search Console and the Rich Results Test for verification. Additionally, website owners should monitor server responses and error patterns, as these can reveal suspicious activity or potential crawler-related issues. Staying vigilant helps maintain accurate data and ensures that resources aren’t misallocated.
Google’s John Mueller Says It Makes No Sense To Block Disclaimer and Privacy Policy Pages
Google’s John Mueller stated that blocking privacy policy, disclaimer, or other legal pages from your website “makes no sense.” Responding to a query on Reddit, Mueller emphasized that these pages do not cause “duplicate content issues,” as some webmasters might fear. These pages are essential for providing transparency to users and complying with legal requirements. Blocking them could harm user experience and potentially impact search rankings, as Google values well-structured, informative websites. Mueller’s advice underscores the importance of keeping these pages accessible and not restricting them unnecessarily.
Google’s John Mueller Says Disavowing Toxic Links Is a Billable Waste Of Time
Google’s John Mueller recently reiterated that disavowing “toxic” links is often a “billable waste of time” for SEOs and site owners. He stressed that contrary to some SEO tool recommendations, manually disavowing links usually doesn’t provide significant benefits. Google’s algorithm can automatically handle low-quality or harmful links, so spending time and resources disavowing them is generally unnecessary. Mueller’s comments challenge common SEO practices that focus on cleaning up link profiles through disavow tools, encouraging a more streamlined approach to link management that doesn’t waste time or incur additional costs.
Google Sends Emails Encouraging Business Owners to Link Social Profiles in Google Business Profiles
Google is now sending emails to business owners encouraging them to link their social media profiles to their Google Business Profiles. The email highlights that by adding social profiles, such as Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook, customers can view posts directly in search results when they look up the business. This move aims to increase visibility and engagement by showcasing the business’s social media activity alongside its Google Business information. Google emphasizes that this feature allows businesses to connect more effectively with customers, enhancing their online presence and overall customer experience.
PPC Related News and Updates from Major Search Engine
Google Merchant Center Adds Option to Customize Payment Methods
Google Merchant Center has introduced a new feature allowing merchants to select their preferred payment methods directly within the platform. This update enables businesses to customize how they accept payments for their products listed on Google Shopping and other Google services. Merchants can now choose from various payment options, streamlining customer checkout and potentially increasing conversion rates. By offering flexibility in payment preferences, Google aims to enhance the user experience for merchants and shoppers. This update simplifies payment management, giving businesses more control over their e-commerce operations.
Google Ads Tests Displaying Double Serving Ads From the Same Advertiser on a Single Page
Google has confirmed it is testing the display of multiple ads from the same advertiser on the search results page. Ginny Marvin, Google Ads Liaison, clarified that this experiment is part of a “small test” focused on exploring different ad configurations. The test, which some users have spotted, allows ads from the same advertiser to appear in multiple spots on the same page. This could impact ad visibility and competition for prime positions, though the full impact of this test remains to be seen. Google continues to experiment with ad formats to optimize user experience and revenue.
