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 Rolls Out a New Version of Generative Search

Bing is introducing a new and improved version of Generative Search. This revamped feature aims to provide users with information in a more intuitive manner, fostering exploration and discovery. The updated Generative Search not only presents relevant search results but also prioritizes clicks, leading users to websites for further information. This strategic approach ensures that users are not only presented with information but are also encouraged to delve deeper into the topic by visiting relevant websites. Bing’s new version of Generative Search is designed to enhance the overall search experience, making it more interactive and user-friendly.

Google Provides Three Tips To Improve SEO Through Internal Links 

Google provides three helpful tips on improving SEO through internal links. Firstly, internal links play a crucial role in user navigation. They guide users through a website, making it easier for them to find related content and understand the overall structure of the site. Secondly, search engine crawling is greatly influenced by internal links. Google’s web crawler, Googlebot, uses internal links to discover new pages and understand the relationships between different pages on a site. Lastly, utilizing HTML best practices is essential for creating effective internal links. Properly using HTML elements, especially the a> tag with an href attribute, allows you to create relevant and descriptive anchor text for your internal links.

Google’s John Mueller Says That an Exponential Growth in Content Causes Re-Evaluation 

During an SEO Office Hours podcast, Google’s John Mueller was asked about the impact of a large expansion of a website’s product portfolio on its SEO performance. Mueller’s response was straightforward, stating that there is no need to search for complex explanations. When a website experiences significant growth, such as an increase by a factor of 10, it becomes an entirely different entity. The old website would only constitute 10% of the new website. Consequently, Google sees this exponential growth in content as a new site and re-evaluates its SEO performance accordingly. This suggests that expanding a product portfolio can have a substantial impact on a website’s SEO.

Google’s John Mueller Answers a Question: Does Blocking Crawl or Indexing on a URL Cancel the Linking Power

In an SEO Office Hours podcast, Google’s John Mueller addressed the question of whether blocking crawl or indexing on a URL cancels out the linking power. Mueller responded by taking a user-centric approach, stating that if a page is not available to users, they wouldn’t be able to do anything with it, rendering any links on that page somewhat irrelevant. To ensure a page is easily discovered, Mueller advised linking it from pages that are indexable and relevant within the website. Additionally, he mentioned that it is acceptable to block indexing of pages that you don’t want to be discovered, as, ultimately, it is the website owner’s decision.

Google’s John Mueller Answers a Question About How to Get More Product Rich Results

Google’s John Mueller addressed a question about how to increase the number of product-rich results on a website. He emphasized that the concept was not entirely clear. However, he went on to explain that product-rich results are directly linked to the pages that have been indexed on a site. This indexing process cannot be influenced or forced by website owners. To qualify for product-rich results, the indexed page must contain valid structured data. Google’s systems must determine that it is relevant enough to display this structured data in search results. Therefore, website owners should focus on ensuring their pages are properly indexed and have accurate structured data to increase their chances of obtaining product-rich results.

Google Tests Larger Sitenames & Favicons in the Search Results 

Google is constantly working to improve its search results and user experience, and one of the latest tests they are conducting is the use of larger site names and favicons. This means that when users search for something on Google, they may see a larger site name and favicon displayed alongside the search result. This change aims to make it easier for users to identify and differentiate between different websites in the search results. By creating more prominent site names and favicons, Google hopes to provide users with a better understanding of the websites they are clicking on and enhance their overall search experience.

Google Tests Link Icons in the AI Overviews to Show Citations for Statements Generated in the AI Answer

Google is testing link icons in the AI Overviews, which aim to provide users with citations for the statements generated in the AI Answer. These link icons, when clicked, will open an overlay window that displays the links in a search result format page. However, it is important to note that clicking the link icon will not directly take users to the source. Instead, users will be able to view a snippet of the search result, allowing them to gather more information and verify the credibility of the statement. This feature enhances transparency and enables users to access additional context for the AI-generated answers.

Bing Tests the Related Searches at the Top of the Search Results Page

Bing is constantly striving to enhance its user experience. In a test, Bing has started displaying related searches at the top of the search results page, just below the search bar. This new feature aims to provide users with additional options and suggestions based on their search query. By placing related searches prominently, Bing intends to make it easier for users to explore different topics and find relevant information. With this innovative addition, Bing continues to stay competitive in the search engine market and offers users a seamless browsing experience.

PPC Related News and Updates from Major Search Engine

Google Ads New Updates for Search Ads Query Matching and Brand Controls

Google Ads has introduced new updates for search ads query matching and brand controls, enhancing the overall performance and control for advertisers. One of the significant updates is the aggregation of misspelled queries in search term reports. This means that advertisers can now easily identify and analyze the impact of misspellings on their ad campaigns. Additionally, negative keywords will automatically block misspellings, ensuring that irrelevant traffic is minimized. Moreover, Google Ads has also introduced new brand inclusion and exclusion features, providing advertisers with more control over brand-related traffic. 

Google Will Test Ads in AI Overviews Soon 

During an earnings call on Tuesday night, Philipp Schindler, senior vice president and chief business officer for Google, announced that the company will be testing ads within its AI Overviews. This move is aimed at improving the user experience by providing relevant search and shopping ads to users in the U.S. As Google continues to innovate and expand its advertising capabilities, this test will allow the company to gather valuable insights into how ads within AI Overviews perform and how users respond to them. 

Google Local Service Ads Shows the Business’s Phone Number on Hover

Google Local Service Ads introduced a new feature that allows the business’s phone number to be displayed in the ad unit. This enhancement is triggered when users hover their mouse cursor over the ad, resulting in the ad dynamically expanding to reveal the advertiser’s contact information. This update aims to provide users with easier access to the business’s phone number, making it more convenient for potential customers to reach out and inquire about their services. By incorporating this feature, Google aims to enhance the user experience and improve the efficiency of local service advertisements.

Author

Navneet Kaushal is the Editor-in-Chief of PageTraffic Buzz. A leading search strategist, Navneet helps clients maintain an edge in search engines and the online media. Navneet is also the CEO of SEO Services company PageTraffic which is one of the leading search marketing company in Asia.