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 May Integrate Schema Markup With Merchant Center Feed Data
Google plans to combine schema.org markup and merchant feed data to create consistent product listings. This move towards a unified product data model aims to streamline merchants’ workflows. By merging these two sources of information, Google hopes to ensure that product data is reliable and accurate, resulting in a better user search experience. With a more consistent and streamlined approach, merchants can easily manage their product listings and provide users with accurate information, ultimately enhancing the overall search experience.
Google’s John Mueller Answers a Question About Website’s Spam Score
Google’s John Mueller addressed concerns about a website’s spam score. Mueller emphasized that webmasters need not be concerned about the spam score assigned to their websites. He stated that Google doesn’t use these scores, and they do not impact a site’s ranking or visibility. Instead of focusing on the spam score, Mueller recommended investing time in making a small but exceptional part of the website and then working towards replicating that quality throughout the rest of the site. According to Mueller, the spam score is unreliable and should be ignored.
Google Announces the Completion of August Core Update Rollout
Google announced the completion of its August core update rollout. This update, which affects search engine rankings, is now fully rolled out and has implications for website owners and digital marketers. In light of this update, sites must prioritize high-quality, genuinely helpful content over search optimization tactics. Google’s focus on delivering the best user experience means that websites should aim to provide valuable and relevant information to their audience. If a site has experienced a drop in rankings, it may require long-term and substantive improvements to regain its position in search results. Additionally, it is essential to note that waiting for future updates may also play a role in recovering lost rankings.
Google Tests a New Forum Display That Shows The Top Comments And Related Discussions
Google is testing a new forum display format for its search results. This update aims to provide users with a more comprehensive view of the discussions and comments related to their search queries. By showing the top comments and related discussions directly in the search results, Google offers a more user-friendly experience for those seeking forum-related content. This new feature will enable users to quickly identify popular discussions and gain valuable insights from top comments without navigating multiple websites.
Google Removes Q&A Feature from Business Profiles in India and Other Regions
Google Business Profiles has removed the Q&A feature from businesses in India and certain other regions. This issue emerged a few months ago; unfortunately, the feature is still unavailable in these areas. The Q&A feature on Google Business Profiles was a valuable tool for businesses to engage with their customers and address any inquiries or concerns they may have had. Its absence is disappointing and may hinder businesses’ ability to provide timely and accurate information to their customers. We hope Google resolves this matter promptly and restores the Q&A feature to these regions.
Google Search Tests You Visit Often Labels With Accordion Design
Google is constantly working on improving its user experience, and this time, they have focused on the “you visit often” labels. They are testing a new design that allows users to see multiple sites they frequently visit in an accordion box user interface. This new design aims to provide a more organized and convenient way for users to access their most visited sites. Using the accordion box, users can easily expand and collapse the list of sites, making navigating and finding the desired website easier.
Microsoft Adds Animation to Knowledge Panels & Featured Answers Table Of Contents
Microsoft introduced a new feature on its Bing Search results that enhances the user experience. By incorporating an animation or highlight effect, the featured answers or knowledge panels at the top of the search results page become more visually engaging. This extra touch captures users’ attention and makes navigating through the information displayed easier. When users hover their mouse over the table of contents on the left side, they will notice that the corresponding section in the answer expands. This interactive element adds depth to the search experience, allowing users to access the specific information they are looking for quickly.
Google Tests “From This Image” Search Refinement in Image Results
Google is constantly improving its search features, and one of its latest tests involves a new refinement within the image search results. This new feature allows users to see information about the image they view, precisely where it is sourced. By clicking on the “from this image” option, users can gain insights into the image’s source, which can be helpful in various contexts, such as research or copyright verification. This refinement enhances the user experience by providing additional information and promoting transparency in the search results.
Social Media Related News and Updates from Major Search Engine
YouTube Launches New Shorts Thumbnail Editing Features
YouTube introduced new features for editing thumbnails in its Shorts videos. Users can now add text and apply filters to their Shorts thumbnails, giving them more creative control over the appearance of their videos. This feature is handy for content creators who want to make their Shorts videos more visually appealing and engaging. Additionally, YouTube has made post-upload thumbnail editing available on mobile devices, making it even more convenient for creators to customize their thumbnails. However, it is important to note that custom thumbnails will only be displayed in specific YouTube sections, not in the main Shorts feed. This ensures that the overall aesthetic and consistency of the Shorts feed is maintained.
PPC Related News and Updates from Major Search Engine
Google Ads Rolls Out Merchant Products Tab For Images
Google Ads introduced a new feature in its image assets library called “Merchant products.” This tab allows advertisers to view and manage the images uploaded to their linked Google Merchant Center account. With this new addition, advertisers can easily access and organize their product images, making it more convenient to create and optimize their ad campaigns. This update demonstrates Google’s commitment to providing advertisers with tools that enhance their advertising experience and improve the overall performance of their campaigns. As advertisers continue to leverage Google Ads for their marketing efforts, this new tab will undoubtedly prove to be a valuable asset in streamlining image management and driving better results.
Google Ads to Exclude New Accounts from Advertising on Parked Domains
Google Ads announced a significant change to its Content Suitability policy for Parked Domains. This new policy will take effect in October 2024 and will involve opting out of new accounts from serving ads on parked domains. This decision reflects Google’s commitment to ensuring the highest quality and relevant content for its users. By restricting ad serving on parked domains, Google aims to maintain a more positive user experience and enhance the overall effectiveness of its advertising platform. These changes will likely impact advertisers and publishers, who must adapt their strategies accordingly to align with Google’s revised policy.
