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’s John Mueller Debunks Outbound Links Good for SEO
Google’s John Mueller has dismissed the popular belief that linking to other websites can benefit SEO and ranking. This assertion came in response to a question on LinkedIn regarding the ideal number of outbound links for SEO purposes. Mueller clarified that there is no specific amount of links that Google considers optimal, as they do not count the links or words on blog posts. Instead, he emphasized the importance of writing for the audience and creating valuable content. Mueller further stated that he has never encountered anyone who counts words before reading a piece of content.
Google Publishes a Video Tutorial That Shows 7 Hidden Features for Google Trends
Google released a video tutorial that provides seven valuable tips on effectively utilizing Google Trends for researching and sharing keyword and topic data. The tutorial offers insights into locating hidden filters and search tools within the Trends interface, which are instrumental in identifying actionable data. By following these tips, users can better understand the trends and patterns related to specific keywords and topics, enabling them to make more informed decisions and strategies. This video tutorial is a valuable resource for individuals and businesses looking to leverage the power of Google Trends in their research and data analysis efforts.
Google’s Martin Splitt Answers a Question About Internal Nofollow Links and Quality Signals
Martin Splitt from Google shed light on using internal nofollow links and how the search engine perceives them. According to Martin, internal nofollow links do not indicate low-quality content to Google. Instead, it suggests that the website owner is unwilling to associate with certain links for various reasons. These reasons could include uncertainty about where the link leads, especially in the case of user-generated content. In such cases, Martin suggests using rel=ugc instead of rel=nofollow. Another reason for using nofollow links internally is the lack of knowledge about the future actions of the website being linked to. By marking these links as rel=nofollow, website owners can protect themselves from potential risks down the line.
Martin Splitt from Google Addresses Impact of Duplicate YouTube Video Text on Search Results
During an SEO Office Hours podcast episode, Google’s Martin Splitt addressed whether reproducing YouTube video content as text on a web page would be considered duplicate content and potentially harm the page’s rankings. Splitt confidently responded, “No,” explaining that video and text are two distinct forms of content. Therefore, converting video content into written text would actually create unique content for the web page. This clarification from a Google expert should ease the worries of website owners and content creators concerned about the impact of repurposing video content in textual form.
Google’s John Mueller Says Best Practices Have Minimal Effect on Search Visibility
Google’s John Mueller addressed a common concern regarding the time it takes for SEO efforts to produce results. In response to a question about what it means if rankings don’t change after a year, Mueller admitted that it is difficult to provide a definitive answer without knowing the specific actions taken to improve SEO. He emphasized that there are numerous best practices that may not immediately impact a website’s performance. For instance, maintaining a clean page structure can enhance search engine comprehension of the content, but it may not lead to immediate improvements in search rankings or traffic. It is important to understand that SEO is a long-term strategy that requires consistent effort and patience.
Google Updates Their Profile Page Structured Data Documentation
Google updates its profile page structure data documentation. The new documentation focuses on the “ProfilePage markup,” which is specifically designed for websites where creators share their first-hand perspectives. This markup helps Google Search better understand the creators behind online communities and allows for improved display of content from those communities in search results. One notable feature that benefits from this update is the Discussions and Forums feature, which will now showcase more relevant and valuable content to users. These updates aim to enhance the user experience by providing better search results and facilitating a more engaging online community.
Google’s John Mueller Says Title Tags “Maybe” Impact Search Rankings
Google’s John Mueller has confirmed that altering title elements can potentially impact search rankings. He stated, “Yes, or better, maybe. Changing things like titles or headings on pages can result in changes in Search.” Mueller also addressed meta descriptions, noting that modifying them can influence how page snippets appear in search results. He explained, “This is expected, and usually something that SEOs or site-owners focus on in an attempt to improve things in search.” These insights suggest that while changes to titles and meta descriptions might not guarantee ranking boosts, they can affect how pages are represented and ranked in search results.
Google’s John Mueller Clarifies Impact of 404 Errors on Rankings and Best Practices for Management
Google’s John Mueller addressed the impact of 404 errors on search rankings, clarifying that they do not negatively affect the rest of a site’s rankings. He advised that while redirects can be helpful, they should only be used when the new page is a genuine replacement for the old one. Redirecting to unrelated or similar content can lead to poor user experiences and isn’t beneficial for SEO. Mueller recommended handling 404 errors by returning an HTTP 404 status code and creating an informative and engaging 404 page. If uncertain, it’s better not to redirect and accept 404s as a regular aspect of a healthy site.
Google’s Updates Video SEO Guidelines Reveal Four Key Strategies for Boosting Content Effectiveness
Google’s updated Video SEO documentation highlights four key strategies to boost content effectiveness. First, remove outdated content to ensure your videos remain relevant and accurate. Second, improve information density by providing more valuable insights in a concise format. Third, add fresh information to keep your content current and engaging for viewers. Lastly, update for brevity and clarity to enhance understanding and viewer retention. These strategies are designed to refine video content, making it more relevant and impactful while optimizing it for better search performance.
Google’s Martin Splitt Explains Why Site Traffic Can’t Impact Rankings
Google’s Martin Splitt has clarified why site traffic alone does not impact rankings. He explained, “It’s not really binary and just by sending traffic from questionable sources to a site, that won’t be ‘tainted.’” Splitt emphasized that Google’s algorithms don’t judge a site’s trustworthiness based on where traffic or links originate. He added, “If a site itself does shady things, such as spam or malware, that’s a problem.” Essentially, Google focuses on the site’s own practices rather than the source of incoming traffic. This means that efforts to influence rankings through traffic manipulation are unlikely to be effective.
Google Announces Merge of Booking Functionality with Business Profiles and Local Services Ads
Google announced its plan to merge booking on Google Business Profiles (GBP) and Local Services Ads (LSA) to provide a more seamless experience for clients and their customers. This move aims to simplify the booking process and make it more convenient for users. By unifying these two platforms, businesses can streamline their operations and enhance customer satisfaction. Integrating booking services on Google’s platforms will benefit local businesses by improving their online presence and expanding their reach to potential customers.
Google Might Use OG Title Tags for Search Snippet Titles
Google updated its title links search developer documentation, informing website owners and developers that Google Search can now use the og: title meta tag title for the title link in Google Search results. Social sharing sites typically utilize the og: title meta tag title to display the title of posts when shared. However, Google has expanded its usage to include the title of search result snippets. This update gives website owners and developers greater control over how their content is displayed in search results, allowing for more accurate and relevant titles.
Google August Core Update: New Charts Reveal Surge in Helpful Content
The Google August 2024 core update has significantly impacted search rankings, with new charts revealing a notable rise in helpful content visibility. Initially, some sites affected by the September 2023 helpful content update showed improvement, though reversals were observed, possibly due to a search ranking bug recently fixed. Despite Google’s advice to wait for full effects, many sites experiencing early gains continue to see enhanced rankings. However, the longevity and stability of these improvements remain uncertain. While some sites maintain their upward trajectory, others have diminished their gains, leaving the long-term impact still to be determined.
Social Media Related News and Updates from Major Search Engine
YouTube Expands Paid Courses to More Creators
YouTube is expanding its paid course features to include more creators, providing new monetization opportunities. Courses can be offered for free or for a fee, with tools to enhance learning, including quizzes, completion badges, and dedicated channel tabs. This expansion allows creators to engage their audiences better and generate revenue by offering structured educational content directly on the platform. This move supports a broader range of creators in monetizing their expertise and fostering community interaction.
