Step 1: Dive Deep, Don’t Just Scan

One of the most common mistakes people make when reading patents is approaching them as if they’re on a treasure hunt. They scan the document, looking for tidbits and secrets about Google’s algorithms. However, this approach is flawed. To truly understand a patent, you need to read it, not just scan it. Treat it as a comprehensive piece of information that requires your full attention. By reading the entire patent, you will gain a deeper understanding of its context and meaning.

Step 2: Grasp the Context

A patent is like an elephant, made up of multiple sections that are all important in understanding the patent as a whole. Each section contributes to the context of the patent and helps paint a complete picture. Just as understanding the different parts of an elephant helps us comprehend the entire animal, reading all sections of a patent is crucial for a comprehensive understanding. By reading the entire patent multiple times, you will be able to step back and see the bigger picture, rather than focusing on isolated parts.

Step 3: Not All Patents Are About Ranking

One important rule to remember is that not every patent filed by Google is about ranking websites. Google Search is a complex system composed of various algorithms and engines. While ranking is one aspect, there are many other components involved. It’s essential to recognize that a patent may focus on different elements of search, such as the indexing engine, query reviser engine, or modification engine. Understanding this fact will prevent you from drawing incorrect conclusions about a patent’s purpose.

Step 4: Embrace Abstraction

When reading patents, it’s crucial to grasp the concept of abstraction. Many patents use terms like “entity” or “entities” repeatedly, creating the impression that the patent is solely about those entities. However, this assumption can lead you astray. In reality, these terms are often used as catch-all phrases to encompass a broad range of items or subjects. Patents cast a wide net to cover different types of content or objects, allowing for versatile applications. Don’t get caught up in the literal interpretation of these terms; instead, focus on the functionality and application of the invention.

Step 5: Unveiling the Anatomy of a Patent

To become proficient at reading patents, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with their structure. Every patent consists of several parts, each serving a specific purpose. Let’s take a closer look at these sections:

Abstract:

The abstract provides a concise summary of the patent, giving an overview of the invention’s nature and purpose. It’s crucial not to skip this part, as it offers valuable insights into what the patent is about.

Background:

The background section provides context for the invention, explaining its relevance within a specific field. It helps you understand where the invention fits into the larger picture.

Summary:

The summary offers a more detailed overview of the invention, going beyond the abstract. While it may delve into intricate details, focus on the primary objectives and features to grasp the invention’s essence.

Brief Description of the Drawings:

In patents that include illustrations, this section explains what each drawing represents. Pay attention to these descriptions, as they provide valuable information about the invention’s function.

Detailed Description of the Patent:

This section provides an in-depth explanation of the invention, often using the illustrations as a guide. It covers technical aspects, functionality, and potential applications. While it may seem overwhelming, absorb the ideas and get a general feel for the invention.

Embodiment Examples:

This section presents specific examples of how the invention can be used. The term “embodiment” refers to different implementations or applications of the invention. It helps you understand the invention in practical terms.

Claims:

The claims section is the legal aspect of the patent. It defines the scope of protection sought by the patent and provides insights into what makes the invention unique. Don’t skip this part, as it offers valuable information about the invention’s novelty.

Citations:

The citations section lists other patents relevant to the invention. It acknowledges similar inventions while emphasizing the differences and improvements of the present invention.

By understanding the anatomy of a patent, you’ll be better equipped to navigate through its various sections and extract the essential information.

Tips for Mastering the Art of Reading Patents

Reading patents requires practice and a systematic approach. Here are some additional tips to help you become proficient:

1. Research beyond the patent: Use Google Patent’s optional ‘non-patent literature’ Google Scholar search to find articles that reference or support your understanding of a patent. Building context by reviewing connected patent and non-patent citations, as well as related patents by the same authors, can enhance your comprehension.

2. Patents have their language: Patents follow a specific structure and use formal language. Treat them like learning a second language, and take the time to understand the technical terms and phrases used.

3. Don’t be discouraged: Reading patents can be challenging, but don’t be disheartened. With practice, you’ll become more adept at deciphering their contents and understanding their implications.

4. Embrace deep understanding: Reading a patent isn’t just about finding clues for algorithmic insights. It’s about grasping the invention’s purpose, functionality, and potential applications. Focus on absorbing the ideas and gaining a holistic understanding.

5. Think beyond the patent: Patents are interconnected, and understanding one patent often requires knowledge of related patents. Explore different patents by the same inventors to gain a broader perspective on their work.

By adopting these tips and practicing your patent reading skills, you’ll develop a level of understanding that surpasses many in the SEO industry.

See first source: Search Engine Journal

FAQ

1. Why is it important to read and understand patents filed by Google?

Understanding Google patents is crucial for gaining insights into their technology, algorithms, and innovations, which can be valuable for SEO and tech analysis.

2. What are the five easy steps to reading Google patents effectively?

The five steps are:

1. Dive Deep, Don’t Just Scan
2. Grasp the Context
3. Not All Patents Are About Ranking
4. Embrace Abstraction
5. Unveiling the Anatomy of a Patent

3. Why is it important to read the entire patent rather than scanning it?

Reading the entire patent helps you gain a deeper understanding of its context and meaning, which is essential for comprehensive comprehension.

4. Are all parts of a patent equally important for understanding it?

Yes, each section of a patent contributes to the context and overall understanding of the invention. It’s crucial to read all sections to paint a complete picture.

5. What is the key rule to remember when reading Google patents about their purpose?

Not every patent filed by Google is about ranking websites. Google’s search system involves various components, so it’s important to recognize that patents may focus on different elements of search.

6. What is the concept of abstraction in patent reading?

Abstraction in patent reading refers to understanding that terms like “entity” or “entities” are often used broadly to encompass a range of items or subjects. Focus on the functionality and application rather than literal interpretation.

7. What are the different sections in the anatomy of a patent, and why are they important?

The sections include Abstract, Background, Summary, Brief Description of the Drawings, Detailed Description of the Patent, Embodiment Examples, Claims, and Citations. Each serves a specific purpose in explaining the invention’s nature, context, function, and legal aspects.

8. Why is it important not to skip the Claims section of a patent?

The Claims section defines the scope of protection sought by the patent and provides insights into what makes the invention unique. It offers valuable information about the invention’s novelty.

9. What are some additional tips for mastering the art of reading patents effectively?

Additional tips include researching beyond the patent, understanding the formal language used in patents, not getting discouraged by the complexity, focusing on deep understanding, and exploring related patents by the same inventors.

10. How can reading patents benefit those in the SEO industry and tech analysis?

Reading Google patents can provide valuable insights into the company’s technology and algorithms, helping SEO professionals and tech analysts stay updated and make informed decisions.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Markus Winkler; Unsplash – Thank you!

The post How to Master the Art of Reading Google Patents: A Comprehensive Guide appeared first on The Blog Herald.

Gaining Access to Data on Performance

If you want to see how well your Google Business Profile is doing, here’s how:

1. From your Google Business Profile, go to the “Performance” tab on your desktop.
2. On a mobile device, launch the Google Maps app, go to your profile, tap on “Performance,” and finally, tap on “See More” to expand the insights.

You can examine the performance of your GBP over the last six months by selecting a date range.

High level

In the Overview, you can see every interaction that has ever happened on your Google Business Profile. A number of metrics are part of it, including things like directions, bookings, messages, and calls. Get a bird’s-eye view of the customer journey through your business listing in this section.

Your Story of How People Found You

Details about how people found your Google Business Profile are provided in two key sections of the Overview:

1. Views: When you look at your Business Profile on Google Search and Maps, you can see how many different people saw it. It differentiates between mobile and desktop versions. Please be aware that each device and platform can only be counted once per user per day.
2. Metric for Searches: This metric shows you how people found your Business Profile through search engines. Updates are made once a month, and it might take up to five days before the latest ones show up.

Calls

Any and all calls made to your Google Business Profile are recorded in the Calls section. It tracks the number of calls made from mobile devices’ “click-to-call” feature. This metric will not include instances where your phone number is entered manually on a desktop.

Messages

You can see how many messages your Business Profile has sent and received in the Messages section of your GBP if you’ve enabled the Messages/Chat feature. You can find metrics for your average response time and response rate in there as well. Maintaining a positive user experience requires a prompt response to messages, preferably within 24 hours.

Bookings

Customers’ total number of completed bookings is tracked in the Bookings section. Bookings made through a Google provider will provide you with the most accurate data for this metric. You won’t be able to access the tracking data if you use another booking software URL in your GBP listing.

The Booking insights’ accuracy might change based on your individual configuration. For example, the metrics might not be reflecting reality if clients are required to pay in a currency other than GBP in order to book a table.

How to Follow

The Directions metric reveals the number of users who utilized your Google Business Profile to obtain directions to your physical location, assuming your business has one. Unfortunately, this particular option will not be accessible in the Performance section if your business is classified as a service area business (SAB) and does not disclose its physical location.

The Menu

Views of your restaurant’s menu items can be monitored with the Menu metric. Included in this are specifics about each dish, images of the menu items, and a link to your business profile menu. Customers are more likely to engage and make reservations when the menu is attractive and easy to navigate.

Ordering Food

This metric tracks the amount of food orders that have been placed for pickup or delivery through your Google Business Profile with a “Order with Google” provider. Orders placed with Google-approved third-party providers are the only ones that will be able to use this tracking. This metric will not include orders placed through third-party platforms such as Doordash or GrubHub.

Visits to a Website

Website clicks monitor the frequency with which visitors to your website via your Google Business Profile actually visit your site. Be advised that in March 2024, Google will disable the websites associated with Google Business Profiles. Thus, it is of the utmost importance to optimize your website and guarantee a smooth user experience.

Online Reservations

If you run a hotel booking service, you can see how many people clicked on your free hotel booking link with the Booking Clicks metric. Potential guests’ interest and engagement can be better understood with this information.

Monitoring Your GBP Market Performance

It is critical to review your Google Business Profile insights on a regular basis in order to effectively measure your performance. Doing so will allow you to pinpoint problem areas and put plans in motion to boost customer engagement and propel company growth. To get the most out of your performance insights, consider the following:

1. Examine Once a Month: Every month, go over your insights into the performance of GBP. You can see patterns and trends emerge over time with this.
2. Use the data from your insights to fine-tune the content of your company profile. To draw in more targeted visitors, you might want to revise the images, descriptions, and keywords.
3. Raise the Bar: To Keep the Bar High, Try to Answer Messages Within 24 Hours. This shows that you are dedicated to providing outstanding service to your customers.
4. Always be on the lookout for customer feedback and respond quickly to any issues that may arise in the reviews. You can improve your reputation and bring in new customers by actively engaging with your audience and offering satisfactory resolutions.
5. Follow the Competition: Keep tabs on the competition by comparing your performance with theirs using your insights. Find out how you can surpass their performance and get an advantage over them.

You can optimize your online presence and attract more customers by regularly tracking and analyzing the performance of your Google Business Profile. Take advantage of the data offered by these metrics to boost your company’s profile and customer involvement.

Never forget that your Google Business Profile is a potent instrument that can greatly affect your achievement in the digital realm. Make good use of it and put the performance insights to work for your company.

The views voiced in this piece do not reflect those of Search Engine Land, but rather those of the guest writer. This is a list of staff authors.

See first source: Search Engine Land

FAQ

Q1: How can I access the performance insights of my Google Business Profile (GBP)?

A1: You can access the performance insights of your GBP by following these steps:

• On desktop: Go to your GBP and click on the “Performance” tab.
• On mobile: Open the Google Maps app, go to your profile, tap “Performance,” and then tap “See More” to expand insights.

Q2: What does the Overview section in GBP performance insights provide?

A2: The Overview section offers a high-level view of interactions on your GBP, including metrics like directions, bookings, messages, and calls. It provides an overview of the customer journey through your business listing.

Q3: How can I see how people found my GBP?

A3: You can find details on how people found your GBP in two sections:

• Views: Shows how many people saw your GBP on Google Search and Maps.
• Searches: Reveals how people found your GBP through search engines. Updates are monthly, with a potential delay of up to five days for the latest data.

Q4: Where can I track the number of calls made to my GBP?

A4: The Calls section in GBP performance insights records all calls made to your GBP, specifically those initiated through mobile devices’ “click-to-call” feature. Manual entry of your phone number on desktop is not included in this metric.

Q5: How can I monitor messages sent and received on my GBP?

A5: To track messages on your GBP, you need to enable the Messages/Chat feature. The Messages section provides data on sent and received messages, along with metrics for average response time and response rate.

Q6: Where can I find information on completed bookings through my GBP?

A6: The Bookings section tracks the total number of completed bookings made through a Google provider on your GBP. It’s essential to use a Google-approved booking provider for accurate data.

Q7: What does the Directions metric in GBP performance insights indicate?

A7: The Directions metric reveals the number of users who used your GBP to obtain directions to your physical location. Note that this option may not be available if your business is classified as a service area business (SAB) and doesn’t disclose its physical location.

Q8: How can I monitor views of my restaurant’s menu items through my GBP?

A8: The Menu metric allows you to track views of your restaurant’s menu items. It includes details about each dish, images, and a link to your business profile menu.

Q9: Can I track food orders placed through my GBP with third-party providers like Doordash or GrubHub?

A9: The “Ordering Food” metric only tracks orders placed for pickup or delivery through your GBP with a “Order with Google” provider. It does not include orders placed through third-party platforms.

Q10: What should I do with the performance insights from my GBP?

A10: To make the most of your GBP performance insights:

• Review them monthly to identify trends.
• Fine-tune your GBP content based on the data.
• Aim to respond to messages within 24 hours.
• Engage with customer feedback and resolve issues promptly.
• Compare your performance with competitors to gain an advantage.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by John Schnobrich; Unsplash – Thank you!

The post How to Track and Analyze Your Google Business Profile Performance appeared first on The Blog Herald.

Understanding the Robots Meta Tag

Before we delve into the specifics of the index, follow meta tag, let’s first gain a comprehensive understanding of the robots meta tag as a whole. The robots meta tag is an HTML element that communicates metadata to search engine crawlers, such as Googlebot. This metadata provides machine-readable instructions to the crawlers, guiding them on how to interact with and index the webpage.

There are various directives that can be communicated through the robots meta tag, but for the purpose of this article, we will focus on the two most commonly used directives: “noindex, nofollow” and “index, follow”.

The “noindex, nofollow” Meta Tag

The “noindex, nofollow” meta tag is used to instruct search engine crawlers not to index the content on the webpage and not to follow any of the links. This directive can be useful for pages that contain sensitive or duplicate content that should not appear in search engine results.

<meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow">

By including this meta tag in the HTML code of a webpage, publishers can effectively control whether or not certain content should be visible in search results and whether or not search engine crawlers should follow any links on the page.

The “index, follow” Meta Tag

On the other hand, the “index, follow” meta tag is commonly used to command search engines to index the content on the webpage and follow all the links. This meta tag has often been regarded as a default directive for search engine crawlers, indicating that they should perform their usual indexing and following activities.

<meta name="robots" content="index, follow">

However, recent insights from Google’s John Mueller have revealed that the “index” directive in the “index, follow” meta tag has no function in Google’s search engine. This means that Google completely ignores this directive, treating it as if it were not present in the HTML code at all.

Why Does Google Ignore the Index Directive?

The reason behind Google’s decision to ignore the “index” directive in the “index, follow” meta tag lies in the default behavior of search engine crawlers. Crawlers, such as Googlebot, are designed to automatically index content and follow links as part of their core functionality. They do not require explicit instructions to perform these actions since it is already their default behavior.

According to Google’s documentation on robots tags, the default values for search engine crawlers are “index, follow” and do not need to be explicitly specified. This means that even if the “index” directive is included in the meta tag, Google will treat it as redundant information and disregard it altogether.

The Effect of Leaving Out the “Index” Tag

A question that often arises among publishers and SEOs is the effect of leaving out the “index” directive in the meta tag. John Mueller addressed this question on Reddit, clarifying that the absence of the “index” tag has no impact on how Google crawls and indexes the webpage.

In his response, Mueller stated, “The ‘index’ robots meta tag has no function (at least in Google) – it’s completely ignored.” He further emphasized that Google’s official documentation clearly outlines the meta tags that have actual functions, and anything else included in the robots meta tag will be ignored by Googlebot.

Therefore, there is no need to worry about the omission of the “index” directive in the meta tag. Google’s crawlers will continue to index the content and follow the links on the webpage as per their default behavior.

Misunderstandings and Clarifications

It is important to address some common misunderstandings that have arisen regarding the “index, follow” meta tag. Many authoritative websites have suggested that Google supports the “index, follow” directive, leading to confusion among publishers and SEOs.

However, as John Mueller clarified, this is not the case. Google does not use the “index, follow” meta tag to determine how its crawlers should behave. Instead, it relies on the default behavior of its crawlers, which is to index content and follow links without the need for explicit directives.

The Usefulness of “Index, Follow”

Given that Google ignores the “index” directive in the “index, follow” meta tag, one might question the usefulness of including this meta tag in the HTML code. Does it serve any purpose at all?

From Google’s perspective, the “index, follow” meta tag is essentially a waste of HTML space. It provides no additional benefit or control over how Googlebot crawls and indexes a webpage. As such, it is recommended to avoid including this meta tag if you want to streamline your HTML code and eliminate any redundant information.

However, it is worth noting that other search engines, such as Bing, treat the “index” and “follow” directives differently. Bing assumes “index” and “follow” by default but provides the option to explicitly state these directives using separate meta tags. Publishers targeting Bing’s search engine may find it useful to include the “index” and “follow” directives in their meta tags for better control over how their webpages are indexed.

The Pitfall of “Noindex, Follow”

Another common practice among publishers is to use the “noindex, follow” meta tag in an attempt to compel search engines to follow the links on a page that is not indexed. However, this approach is flawed for a simple reason: search engines cannot follow a link on a page that is not indexed.

If a webpage has a “noindex” directive, it means that search engines, including Google, will not include that page in their index. Consequently, any links on that page will also not be included in the index. Therefore, the “follow” directive becomes irrelevant in this scenario, as search engines cannot follow links that are not present in their index.

It is crucial to understand this pitfall to avoid any misconceptions about the behavior of search engine crawlers. Including the “noindex” directive effectively removes the page and its links from the search engine’s index, rendering the “follow” directive useless.

See first source: Search Engine Journal

FAQ

Q1: What is the purpose of the robots meta tag in SEO?

A1: The robots meta tag is an HTML element used in SEO to communicate metadata to search engine crawlers, such as Googlebot. It provides instructions to crawlers on how to interact with and index a webpage. It helps control aspects like indexing content and following links.

Q2: What are the two most commonly used directives in the robots meta tag?

A2: The two most commonly used directives are “noindex, nofollow” and “index, follow.” “Noindex, nofollow” instructs search engine crawlers not to index the content on the webpage and not to follow any links. “Index, follow” traditionally indicated that crawlers should index content and follow links, but recent insights reveal Google ignores the “index” directive.

Q3: Why does Google ignore the “index” directive in the “index, follow” meta tag?

A3: Google’s search engine crawlers, like Googlebot, automatically index content and follow links by default. They do not require explicit instructions for these actions. Google’s documentation states that the default behavior is “index, follow,” making the “index” directive redundant, and thus Google chooses to ignore it.

Q4: What happens if the “index” directive is omitted from the “index, follow” meta tag?

A4: Omitting the “index” directive has no impact on how Google crawls and indexes the webpage. Google’s crawlers will continue to index the content and follow the links as per their default behavior, regardless of the presence or absence of the “index” directive.

Q5: Why is it recommended to avoid using the “index, follow” meta tag in HTML code?

A5: The “index, follow” meta tag is considered a waste of HTML space when targeting Google because Google’s crawlers ignore the “index” directive. Including it provides no additional control or benefit over Google’s default behavior. It is recommended to streamline HTML code by omitting this redundant tag.

Q6: Are there search engines that treat the “index” and “follow” directives differently from Google?

A6: Yes, some search engines, like Bing, treat the “index” and “follow” directives differently. Bing assumes “index” and “follow” by default but allows publishers to specify these directives using separate meta tags. Publishers targeting Bing’s search engine may find it useful to include both directives for better control.

Q7: What pitfall should publishers be aware of when using the “noindex, follow” meta tag?

A7: Publishers should be aware that using the “noindex” directive effectively removes the page and its links from the search engine’s index. In such cases, the “follow” directive becomes irrelevant because search engines cannot follow links that are not present in their index. It is essential to understand this pitfall to avoid misconceptions about crawler behavior.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Maksym Kaharlytskyi; Unsplash – Thank you!

The post Google’s Index, Follow Meta Tag: What You Need to Know appeared first on The Blog Herald.

Identifying Critical Occasions

As per the revised policy, Google considers sensitive events to be unanticipated occurrences that could jeopardize the delivery of relevant, high-quality information, while simultaneously reducing the visibility of offensive content in prominent and sponsored features. Civil emergencies, earthquakes, public health crises, terrorist attacks, wars, and other large-scale violent or cultural events fall under this category. When this occurs, Google acts swiftly to reduce the likelihood of fraudulent activity, false information, and other predatory practices.

Prohibited Methods of Exploitation

In order to protect users and keep the platform secure, the policy has been updated to clearly state what is and is not allowed to be done during sensitive events. Examples of these tactics include directing traffic in the wrong direction, victim blaming, and price gouging. This update further reinforces Google’s long-standing commitment to safeguarding sensitive events from being exploited for financial benefit.

Responsible Advertising and Google’s Dedication

In light of recent global events, Google has revised its policy regarding advertisements that contain inappropriate content in an effort to find a middle ground. One of the company’s goals is to ensure that people have access to reliable information in a timely manner while also generating income to support online content and services. On the other hand, Google is under growing pressure to address abuse and false information on its advertising networks. Google has shown its increased commitment to limiting exploitation and ensuring responsible advertising practices by expanding the restrictions on ads and YouTube monetization to include publishers.

Publisher and Advertiser Compliance

In order to stay in compliance with the ever-changing policies, advertisers and publishers must pay close attention. If you want to keep your online reputation intact and stay out of trouble, you need to follow these rules. Keeping abreast of Google’s policies and adjusting strategies appropriately are crucial for upholding ethical practices during sensitive events. Advertisers and publishers can work together to make the internet a better, safer place for advertising by doing this.

The Effects on End Users

We will have to wait and see if these regulations successfully reduce harmful ads during crucial moments. Users can anticipate enhanced protection from exploitative and insensitive content during sensitive events, thanks to Google’s dedication to responsible advertising and ongoing policy updates. By placing a strong emphasis on user safety and providing accurate information, Google strives to establish a more credible and dependable online space.

See first source: Search Engine Journal

FAQ

Q1: What is Google’s Sensitive Events Policy update about?

A1: Google’s Sensitive Events Policy update aims to clarify the definition of a “sensitive event” and restrict specific exploitative or insensitive advertisements and content related to such events across various Google platforms.

Q2: When will the Sensitive Events Policy update take effect?

A2: The update is scheduled to take effect in February 2024.

Q3: How does Google define “sensitive events” in its policy?

A3: Google defines sensitive events as unanticipated occurrences that could jeopardize the delivery of relevant, high-quality information while reducing the visibility of offensive content. These events include civil emergencies, natural disasters, public health crises, terrorist attacks, wars, and other large-scale violent or cultural events.

Q4: What are some examples of prohibited methods of exploitation mentioned in the policy?

A4: Prohibited methods of exploitation include directing traffic in the wrong direction, victim blaming, and price gouging during sensitive events.

Q5: How is Google balancing responsible advertising and content protection in this policy update?

A5: Google aims to strike a balance between ensuring access to reliable information during sensitive events and preventing exploitation and false information. The company is committed to responsible advertising practices while addressing abuse and false information on its advertising networks.

Q6: What is the importance of compliance for advertisers and publishers with these policy updates?

A6: Advertisers and publishers must stay in compliance with Google’s policies to maintain their online reputation and avoid potential issues. Adhering to Google’s policies and adjusting strategies accordingly is essential for upholding ethical practices during sensitive events.

Q7: How will these policy updates affect end users?

A7: End users can expect enhanced protection from exploitative and insensitive content during sensitive events. Google’s commitment to responsible advertising and policy updates aims to create a more credible and dependable online space, emphasizing user safety and accurate information.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Mitchell Luo; Unsplash – Thank you!

The post Google Updates Sensitive Events Policy: What’s Important appeared first on The Blog Herald.

Special Announcement Structured Data and Its Function

The SpecialAnnouncement structured data was created by Schema.org in reaction to the pressing information needs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Users are provided with up-to-date and relevant information through the integration of structured data, contextualized web links, and textual updates that are date-stamped. It was originally planned to improve this structured data vocabulary iteratively based on feedback and deployment, with a focus on the COVID-19 situation.

The application of Google’s Special Announcement

Google added the SpecialAnnouncement structured data in April 2020 because they knew it was important to provide accurate and current information during the pandemic. Organizations such as schools, governments, and businesses were able to use this function to disseminate crucial COVID-19 announcements. Because of its status as a Beta feature, SpecialAnnouncement could undergo modifications or even removal depending on the opinions and experiences of its users.

Updates to the Major Announcement Guide to Documenting Structured Data

Modifications to the guidelines for SpecialAnnouncement structured data were subtly implemented by Google during the first week of 2024. With these updates, we hoped to increase the structured data’s usefulness beyond its initial application to the COVID-19 pandemic. The updated documentation highlights local medical-related events while reflecting a more general purpose use. There has been a noticeable shift towards a broader scope, as evidenced by the reduction in references to COVID-19 throughout the document.

The Effects of Modifications to Special Announcement Structured Information

The SpecialAnnouncement structured data is now more versatile and can be used in a variety of contexts outside of COVID-19 thanks to the modifications made to it. Be advised that the nine instances offered for utilizing this structured data have not changed. Some examples of such announcements include closure notices, government benefits, travel restrictions, statistics on disease spread, and shelter-in-place directives. In exceptional cases involving disruptive emergencies or widespread communicable diseases, the recommendations still recommend using SpecialAnnouncement structured data.

Data Structured Announcements: Broadening Their Applicability

There has been no expansion of the scope of the SpecialAnnouncement structured data documentation beyond its original purpose as of the most recent changes, but this could change in the future. Since structured data is still in its Beta stage, Google can tweak its implementation according to user feedback and new requirements. This has the ability to unlock new avenues for applying SpecialAnnouncement structured data in more diverse contexts, going beyond its present emphasis on medical-related occurrences.

Use of Special Announcement Structured Data and Its Advantages

There are a number of advantages for organizations that want to communicate important announcements effectively when they implement SpecialAnnouncement structured data. Businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, and others can use this structured data to boost their online visibility, rank higher in search results, and give users quick access to important information. Structured data also aids search engines in comprehending the announcement’s context and relevance, which could result in improved rankings and more organic traffic.

Best Practices for Implementing SpecialAnnouncement Structured Data

To maximize the impact of SpecialAnnouncement structured data, it is essential to follow best practices for implementation. Here are some key guidelines to consider:

1. Accurate and Timely Updates: Ensure that the information provided in the SpecialAnnouncement structured data is accurate, up-to-date, and relevant to the announcement. Regularly review and update the structured data as needed.
2. Clear and Concise Messaging: Craft clear and concise announcements that effectively communicate the essential information to users. Use language that is easy to understand and avoid jargon or technical terms whenever possible.
3. Proper Schema Markup: Implement the SpecialAnnouncement structured data according to the guidelines provided by Schema.org. Use appropriate schema markup tags to indicate the type of announcement, date, location, and other relevant details.
4. Contextualized Web Links: Include contextualized web links within the SpecialAnnouncement structured data to direct users to additional resources or relevant websites. Ensure that these links provide valuable and trustworthy information.
5. Test and Monitor: Regularly test the implementation of SpecialAnnouncement structured data to ensure that it is functioning correctly. Monitor search engine results and user feedback to identify any issues or opportunities for improvement.

See first source: Search Engine Journal

FAQ

Q1: What is SpecialAnnouncement structured data, and when was it introduced?

A1: SpecialAnnouncement structured data was introduced by Schema.org in March 2020 to convey specific announcements related to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was designed to provide up-to-date information in a structured format.

Q2: Who were the original intended users of SpecialAnnouncement structured data?

A2: The original intended users of SpecialAnnouncement structured data were organizations such as schools, pharmacies, healthcare providers, community groups, police, and local governments. They used it to communicate critical updates related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Q3: How has Google’s emphasis on SpecialAnnouncement structured data evolved?

A3: Google’s emphasis has shifted towards a more general-purpose use of SpecialAnnouncement structured data. Initially focused on COVID-19 updates, it now has broader applications beyond the pandemic.

Q4: What are the recent changes made to the guidelines for SpecialAnnouncement structured data?

A4: Google implemented updates to the guidelines for SpecialAnnouncement structured data in the first week of 2024. These updates reflect a more general-purpose use and reduce references to COVID-19, making it more versatile.

Q5: What are some examples of announcements that can use SpecialAnnouncement structured data?

A5: SpecialAnnouncement structured data can be used for various announcements, including closure notices, government benefits, travel restrictions, disease spread statistics, and shelter-in-place directives, among others.

Q6: Are there any advantages to using SpecialAnnouncement structured data for organizations?

A6: Yes, organizations can benefit from using SpecialAnnouncement structured data. It can boost online visibility, improve search engine rankings, and provide users with quick access to important information. Search engines also better understand the context and relevance of announcements, potentially increasing organic traffic.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by AbsolutVision; Unsplash – Thank you!

The post Google UpdatesGuidance on SpecialAnnouncement Data appeared first on The Blog Herald.

In a recent Reddit post, a website owner shared their experience of suddenly having over 20,000 pages in Japanese and Chinese indexed on their site, without their knowledge or consent. They sought advice on how to remove these unwanted pages and restore their site’s rankings. Google Search Advocate, John Mueller, responded with valuable guidance on how to clean up the issue and prevent future occurrences.

The Incident: Understanding the Japanese Keyword Hack

The website owner’s predicament is a classic example of a “Japanese keyword hack.” This technique allows perpetrators to manipulate search results by flooding a site with junk pages optimized for Japanese keywords. In this case, the website owner discovered thousands of foreign language pages indexed by Google in a single day, despite these pages not existing in their website management system.

This sudden influx of pages raised concerns about a potential security breach or misconfiguration that allowed unknown parties to post content on the website. It highlights the need for increased vigilance and proactive measures to safeguard our websites.

John Mueller’s Guidance: Identifying the Breach and Preventing Future Attacks

Responding to the plea for help, John Mueller confirmed that the website had indeed been hacked. He emphasized the importance of understanding how the breach occurred to ensure that vulnerabilities are addressed and future attacks are prevented. Even after cleaning up the traces of the hack, it is crucial to identify and rectify the underlying vulnerabilities.

Mueller suggested several steps to mitigate the issue. Firstly, he recommended implementing automatic updates to keep your website’s software and plugins up to date. Outdated software can be a gateway for hackers to exploit vulnerabilities. Additionally, Mueller advised considering a hosting platform that handles security, as they often have robust measures in place to protect against such attacks.

SEO Implications: Cleaning Up and Reindexing

Once the most important pages of your site are cleaned of unwanted content, they can be reindexed quickly. Mueller reassured the website owner that old hacked pages that remain indexed but invisible to users do not cause any problems. These pages can stay that way for months without negatively impacting your site’s performance.

It’s important to note that spammy backlinks pointing to these invisible indexed pages do not require disavowing. Instead, Mueller advised focusing cleanup efforts on a site’s visible content and preventing internal search results from being indexed. By doing so, you can maintain a clean and credible online presence.

Addressing Spammy Links and Indexing

The website owner also sought advice from Mueller regarding spammy backlinks causing internal search pages to be indexed. Mueller clarified that this issue was separate from the hacking incident. He recommended against disavowing the links, as the pages would naturally drop from search results over time.

To proactively address this concern, Mueller suggested blocking search results pages from indexing using the robots.txt file or the noindex attribute. This prevents potential exploitation by spammers and ensures that your site’s search results pages are not indexed by search engines.

Insights for SEO Professionals: Prioritizing Security and Regular Maintenance

This dialogue with John Mueller sheds light on the importance of taking proactive measures to prevent hacking incidents and mitigate the impact of spammy links on our search rankings. As SEO professionals, we must prioritize the security and integrity of our websites.

Regular security updates, malware scans, and link audits should be part of our routine maintenance. By keeping our websites free of hacked and spammy content, we not only protect our own interests but also contribute to the overall quality of search results.

See first source: Search Engine Journal

FAQ

What is a “Japanese keyword hack,” and why is it a concern for website owners?

A “Japanese keyword hack” is a technique used by hackers to manipulate search results by flooding a website with junk pages optimized for specific Japanese keywords. This not only poses a security risk but also affects a site’s search rankings and credibility.

What should you do if you discover foreign language pages indexed on your website without your knowledge or consent?

If you find unwanted foreign language pages indexed on your site, it’s essential to take immediate action to address the issue. Begin by understanding how the breach occurred and identifying vulnerabilities that need to be fixed to prevent future attacks.

What guidance did Google Search Advocate, John Mueller, provide to address a Japanese keyword hack?

John Mueller advised several steps to mitigate the issue, including implementing automatic updates for your website’s software and considering a hosting platform with strong security measures. Cleaning up the hacked pages and preventing internal search results from being indexed were also recommended.

Are there SEO implications when cleaning up and reindexing hacked pages on your website?

When cleaning up hacked pages, the most important thing is to focus on the site’s visible content. Old hacked pages that remain indexed but invisible to users do not cause issues, and spammy backlinks pointing to them do not require disavowing. The emphasis should be on maintaining a clean and credible online presence.

How should spammy links causing internal search pages to be indexed be addressed?

Spammy links causing indexing of internal search pages should be handled separately from the hacking incident. Disavowing these links is not necessary. Instead, you can prevent internal search results pages from being indexed by using the robots.txt file or the noindex attribute to block them.

What insights can SEO professionals gain from this guidance on dealing with foreign language hacks and spammy links?

SEO professionals should prioritize website security and regular maintenance to prevent hacking incidents and mitigate the impact of spammy links. This includes keeping software up to date, conducting malware scans, and performing link audits. Maintaining a clean website not only protects your interests but also contributes to the quality of search results.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Lindsey LaMont; Unsplash – Thank you!

The post Protecting from Foreign Language Hacks: Insights from Google’s John Mueller appeared first on The Blog Herald.

Structured data guidance for job postings is one area where Google has made changes recently. If publishers follow these rules, their interactive job listings will appear more prominently in Google’s search results. Insights into adding, testing, and maintaining structured data for job postings are also provided.

Why Notifying Google is Crucial

The importance of informing Google of both new and modified job posting webpages is highlighted in the revised guidelines. Publishers can improve the quality of search engine results pages (SERPs) by prioritizing relevant and useful job postings.

To alert Google of pages that require immediate crawling, the earlier version of the instructions suggested using the Indexing API rather than sitemaps. A sitemap and the Indexing API are both recommended in the revised instructions, which makes the procedure more clear.

Google says that the Indexing API is the way to go for URLs of job postings since it makes Googlebot crawl the page faster. It is still recommended to submit a sitemap for the entire site to ensure comprehensive coverage, though.

Revised Instructions

Aside from the explanation of notification methods, the revised guidelines have a few other significant revisions. All references to “pinging” Google with a GET request to notify them of sitemap changes were removed by Google. According to earlier instructions, you should update your sitemap and submit it to Google using a GET request to a designated URL. Nevertheless, the revised instructions no longer include this suggestion.

Also, the language used to describe what publishers should do has been revised in the revised guidelines. “Keep Google informed of changes.” replaced “Keep Google informed by doing one of the following actions:” This update clarifies that sitemaps are still necessary for publishers and highlights the Indexing API as a means to speed up crawling.

Advantages of Indexing API Utilization

Sitemaps are still highly recommended, but Google seems to favor the Indexing API for URLs related to job postings. Publishers can use the Indexing API to notify Google of new URLs or updated content, which will cause Googlebot to crawl the site faster.

Publishers can use the Indexing API to make sure their job ads are indexed and show up in search results quickly. This not only makes job listings more visible, but it also provides users with the most current and relevant information, which improves their experience overall.

See first source: Search Engine Journal

FAQ

Why is it crucial to notify Google about new and modified job posting webpages?

Informing Google about job postings is essential to improve the quality of search engine results pages (SERPs) by prioritizing relevant and useful job listings. It helps ensure that your job postings appear prominently in Google’s search results.

What are the recommended methods for notifying Google about job postings according to the revised guidelines?

The revised guidelines recommend using both a sitemap and the Indexing API to notify Google about job postings. While the Indexing API is preferred for job posting URLs as it speeds up crawling, submitting a sitemap for the entire site is also advisable for comprehensive coverage.

What significant revisions have been made in the revised guidelines for job postings?

One significant revision is the removal of all references to “pinging” Google with a GET request to notify them of sitemap changes. The language used to describe what publishers should do has also been updated to “Keep Google informed of changes,” replacing the previous wording.

What advantages does the Indexing API offer for job posting URLs?

The Indexing API allows publishers to notify Google of new URLs or updated content related to job postings, resulting in faster crawling by Googlebot. This ensures that job ads are indexed and displayed in search results quickly, improving visibility and providing users with current and relevant information for a better overall experience.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Firmbee.com; Unsplash – Thank you!

The post Google’s Updated Job Posting Structured Data Guidance appeared first on The Blog Herald.

What are Google Search Results Snippets?

Before we dive into the specifics of Google’s updated snippet guidance, let’s first understand what search snippets are. When you perform a search on Google, the search engine displays a webpage in the search engine results pages (SERPs) with a title, a URL breadcrumb, and a brief description of what the webpage is about. This description, known as a snippet, provides users with a concise overview of the content on the page.

Traditionally, snippets were derived from the meta description, a brief summary of the webpage’s content. However, this has changed over time, and Google’s recent update sheds light on the primary source of snippets.

Google Clarifies Snippet Guidance

Google recently updated its Search Central documentation to clarify the factors that influence its algorithm when choosing search snippets. The updated guidance emphasizes that the content of the page itself is the primary source of the snippet, while structured data and the meta description are not the main contributors.

According to Google’s official documentation, the snippet’s primary source is the page content itself. The update aims to correct the previous misconception that structured data and the meta description were the primary sources for snippets.

Changes in Google’s Snippet Documentation

To understand the impact of Google’s updated guidance, let’s compare the previous and current versions of the documentation. The previous version stated that Google uses various sources, including the meta description, to determine the appropriate snippet. It also mentioned that information found on the page and rich results based on markup and content could be used.

In the updated documentation, Google makes it clear that the page content is the main determinant of the snippet, while the meta description may be used if it describes the page better than other parts of the content. This change in wording removes the emphasis on meta descriptions and highlights the significance of page content.

Additionally, Google removed a paragraph from the previous version of the documentation, which discussed how site owners could suggest content for snippets through rich results and meta description tags. The updated version focuses solely on the creation of snippets from the page content itself and the limited use of meta description tags.

The Implications for SEO

Google’s clarification on snippet guidance has significant implications for SEO practices, particularly in relation to meta descriptions. Many online SEO guides have erroneously advised that optimizing meta descriptions involves using them as “advertising copy” and incorporating “target keywords” to attract clicks. However, this advice is outdated and incorrect.

Contrary to popular belief, adding keywords to the meta description is not crucial for ranking purposes. The primary purpose of a meta description is to accurately and concisely describe the webpage’s content. Google’s guidance aligns with the official meta description HTML specification, which outlines the meta description’s role as a free-form string that describes the page and its suitability for search engine directories.

Google advises that a meta description may be used to generate a snippet if it provides a more accurate description than the on-page content alone. It emphasizes the importance of informing and interesting users with a short, relevant summary of the page’s content. The use of a simile to describe meta descriptions as a pitch further emphasizes the need for an accurate and compelling representation of the webpage.

Takeaways from Google’s Updated Snippet Guidance

The updated snippet guidance from Google highlights two key takeaways for SEO professionals:

1. Content is King: Google considers the page content itself as the primary source of the snippet. SEO efforts should focus on creating high-quality and informative content that accurately represents the webpage.
2. Meta Descriptions Matter: While the meta description may not be the sole determinant of the snippet, it still plays a role in certain cases. SEO professionals should craft meta descriptions that provide an accurate and compelling summary of the webpage’s content, even if it means going beyond the limitations of the on-page content.

See first source: Search Engine Journal

FAQ

What are Google Search Results Snippets?

Google Search Results Snippets are brief descriptions displayed in the search engine results pages (SERPs) that provide users with a concise overview of the content on a webpage. They typically include a title, a URL breadcrumb, and a brief description of the webpage’s content.

Why is Google’s clarification on snippet guidance important for SEO professionals?

Google’s clarification on snippet guidance is important because it impacts how SEO professionals write meta descriptions and optimize content. Understanding the factors that influence Google’s algorithm in choosing search snippets is crucial for effective SEO strategies.

What has Google clarified in its snippet guidance?

Google clarified that the primary source of search snippets is the content of the webpage itself, rather than structured data or the meta description. While the meta description may still be used in some cases, the emphasis is on the content.

How has Google’s snippet documentation changed?

In the updated documentation, Google has shifted the emphasis away from meta descriptions as the main source of snippets. The previous version mentioned various sources, including meta descriptions and rich results based on markup, while the updated version emphasizes the page content as the primary determinant.

What are the implications of Google’s snippet guidance for SEO practices?

Google’s guidance highlights the importance of creating high-quality and informative content that accurately represents the webpage. It also underscores the role of meta descriptions in providing accurate and compelling summaries of the content. SEO professionals should focus on content quality and crafting relevant meta descriptions.

Is it necessary to add keywords to meta descriptions for SEO purposes?

Google’s updated guidance suggests that adding keywords to meta descriptions solely for SEO ranking purposes is not crucial. Instead, the primary purpose of a meta description is to accurately describe the webpage’s content. Keywords may be used if they contribute to a more accurate description.

How should SEO professionals approach meta descriptions based on Google’s guidance?

SEO professionals should craft meta descriptions that provide accurate and compelling summaries of webpage content. The goal is to inform and interest users with a concise and relevant description. Meta descriptions should accurately represent the content, even if they go beyond the limitations of on-page content.

What is the key takeaway from Google’s updated snippet guidance for SEO professionals?

The key takeaway is that content remains the most critical factor for snippets. SEO professionals should prioritize creating high-quality content that accurately represents the webpage. While meta descriptions still matter, they should focus on providing accurate and compelling summaries.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Christian Wiediger; Unsplash – Thank you!

The post Understanding Google’s Updated Snippet Guidance appeared first on The Blog Herald.

The Evolution of Homepage Importance

In the early days of SEO, the homepage held great significance due to the prevalence of directory links and reciprocal linking. Obtaining links from directories often resulted in home page links, making it the most powerful page. However, as link building trends shifted towards building links to important inner pages, the perception of homepage importance began to change. Nowadays, for many websites, the most important pages are typically the inner pages that contain valuable content.

Google’s Perspective on Homepage Importance

Despite the shift towards inner pages, there are statements from Google representatives that emphasize the significance of homepages. Gary Illyes, a Googler, made a strong assertion about the importance of homepages in a Search Off the Record podcast. He stated that, from Google’s perspective, the homepage is the most important page on a site. However, it’s important to consider the context in which this statement was made. Illyes was discussing how to determine if dropped traffic is a technical or quality issue, and he suggested starting with the homepage to check if it is indexed by Google.

John Mueller, another prominent Googler, has also expressed similar views on homepage importance. He mentioned that the homepage serves as a starting point for Google’s crawling process, allowing the search engine to discover new and updated pages. Mueller highlighted that pages linked directly from the homepage are generally considered important by Google. This point has been reiterated by Mueller in various instances, emphasizing the role of the homepage as a hub for important content.

Understanding Homepage Importance

To comprehend the significance of homepages to Google, it’s essential to consider how the search engine perceives the importance of pages within a website. One aspect is the observation of how many clicks away a page is from the homepage. Pages closely linked to the homepage are generally deemed more critical, while those further away are considered less crucial. This observation supports the notion that the homepage acts as a gateway to important pages and content within a website.

Mueller’s statements also suggest that the homepage’s link structure plays a role in Google’s understanding of the relevance and importance of inner pages. If it takes multiple clicks to reach important content from the homepage, it becomes harder for Google to identify the significance of these pages. On the other hand, if important content is easily accessible with just one click from the homepage, it signals to Google that these pages are relevant and should be given weight in search results.

It is worth noting that the importance of the homepage may vary depending on the website and its specific context. While there are indications from Google representatives that highlight the role of homepages, it is not a definitive rule that applies universally to all websites. Other factors such as the overall structure, content quality, and user experience also contribute to Google’s evaluation of a website’s relevance and importance.

See first source: Search Engine Journal

FAQ

What is the debate surrounding the importance of a website’s homepage in SEO?

The debate centers on whether a website’s homepage is the most important page for SEO purposes, or if the focus should be on inner pages that contain valuable content.

Why was the homepage historically considered important for SEO?

In the early days of SEO, directories and reciprocal linking were prevalent, leading to many homepage links. This made the homepage appear as the most powerful page due to the links it received.

How has the perception of homepage importance changed over time in SEO?

The perception of homepage importance shifted as link-building trends evolved to focus on inner pages with valuable content. Nowadays, for many websites, inner pages are considered more crucial.

What insights have Google representatives provided regarding homepage importance?

Google representatives like Gary Illyes and John Mueller have emphasized the significance of homepages. Illyes stated that, from Google’s perspective, the homepage is the most important page, and Mueller highlighted the role of the homepage as a starting point for Google’s crawling process.

In what context did Gary Illyes make the statement about homepage importance?

Gary Illyes made the statement in the context of determining if dropped traffic is a technical or quality issue. He suggested checking if the homepage is indexed by Google as a starting point.

How does Google perceive the importance of pages within a website based on their proximity to the homepage?

Pages closely linked to the homepage are generally considered more critical by Google, while pages further away are seen as less crucial. This proximity to the homepage plays a role in determining a page’s importance.

What role does the link structure of the homepage play in Google’s understanding of page relevance and importance?

The link structure of the homepage is important because it influences Google’s perception of the relevance and importance of inner pages. If important content is easily accessible with just one click from the homepage, it signals to Google that these pages are relevant and should be given weight in search results.

Is the importance of the homepage a universal rule for all websites in SEO?

No, the importance of the homepage may vary depending on the website and its specific context. Other factors, such as overall site structure, content quality, and user experience, also contribute to Google’s evaluation of a website’s relevance and importance.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Lewis Keegan; Unsplash – Thank you!

The post Why Your Homepage May Be The Most Important To Google appeared first on The Blog Herald.

What is the Prerender-Status-Code Meta Tag?

The prerender-status-code meta tag, sometimes referred to as a meta tag, is a non-standard meta element that is not officially documented by the Worldwide Web Consortium (W3C.org), the organization responsible for creating HTML standards. Unlike standard meta elements, non-standard ones like the prerender-status-code meta tag may not be supported universally by different browsers or search engines, including Google. Therefore, it’s important to understand how Googlebot responds to this particular meta tag.

Googlebot’s Response to the Prerender-Status-Code Meta Tag

A user named Martin recently posed a question to Google’s Martin Splitt regarding the behavior of Googlebot when it encounters the prerender-status-code meta tag with a value of 404, indicating a page not found.

If you are utilizing this meta tag to handle page not found scenarios, it is recommended to explore alternative solutions such as the <meta name="robots" content="noindex"> tag or implementing proper server responses with the 404 status code.

Non-Standard Meta Elements and Google’s Support

The prerender-status-code meta tag is just one example of a non-standard meta element that is not supported by Google. Another well-known non-standard meta element is the meta keywords element, which was popular in the 1990s but is not officially recognized by the W3C.org or included in the official HTML standards. It’s essential to differentiate between standard and non-standard meta elements to ensure compliance with industry best practices.

To gain a better understanding of the meta tags and attributes that Google supports, it is advisable to refer to Google’s support page on supported meta tags. This page provides valuable information on the various meta tags and attributes that can enhance your website’s visibility in search results. It’s important to note that Google’s support for meta tags may change over time, so staying up to date with the latest documentation is crucial for effective SEO.

Best Practices for Handling Page Not Found Scenarios

While the prerender-status-code meta tag may not be supported by Googlebot, there are alternative strategies you can employ to handle page not found scenarios effectively. Consider the following best practices:

1. Implement Proper Server Responses

To ensure a seamless user experience and improve your website’s search engine visibility, it is crucial to implement proper server responses for page not found scenarios. When a user encounters a page not found, the server should respond with the appropriate 404 status code. This informs both users and search engines that the requested page does not exist.

2. Utilize the “noindex” Directive

In situations where a page is temporarily unavailable or undergoing maintenance, it may be beneficial to instruct search engines not to index the page. This can be achieved by adding the <meta name="robots" content="noindex"> tag to the page’s HTML header. By doing so, you can prevent search engines from indexing the page and avoid potential issues with soft-404 errors.

3. Implement Custom Error Pages

Custom error pages, also known as 404 pages, can play a crucial role in retaining users and providing them with relevant information when they encounter a page not found. By designing a user-friendly and informative error page, you can guide users back to your website’s main navigation or suggest alternative content that may be relevant to their original intent.

4. Monitor and Fix Broken Links

Regularly monitoring and fixing broken links on your website is essential for maintaining a positive user experience and ensuring search engine crawlers can navigate your site effectively. Broken links can lead to a poor user experience and negatively impact your website’s search engine rankings. Utilize tools such as Google Search Console to identify and address any broken links promptly.

See first source: Search Engine Journal

FAQ

Q1: What is the prerender-status-code meta tag?

A1: The prerender-status-code meta tag is a non-standard meta element used in web development. It’s not officially documented by the W3C (Worldwide Web Consortium), the organization responsible for creating HTML standards.

Q2: How does Googlebot respond to the prerender-status-code meta tag?

A2: Googlebot, Google’s web crawling bot, currently ignores the prerender-status-code meta tag when it encounters it on websites. This means that Googlebot does not consider this meta tag when crawling and indexing web pages.

Q3: What should I do if I’m using the prerender-status-code meta tag to handle page not found scenarios?

A3: If you’re using the prerender-status-code meta tag to handle page not found (404) scenarios, it is recommended to explore alternative solutions. Google’s Martin Splitt suggests considering options like adding <meta name=”robots” content=”noindex”> or implementing proper server responses with the 404 status code.

Q4: Are there other non-standard meta elements that Google does not support?

A4: Yes, there are other non-standard meta elements that Google does not officially support. One example is the meta keywords element, which was popular in the 1990s but is not recognized in official HTML standards.

Q5: How can I ensure compliance with industry best practices for meta tags and attributes?

A5: To ensure compliance with industry best practices for meta tags and attributes, it’s advisable to refer to Google’s support page on supported meta tags. This page provides up-to-date information on the meta tags and attributes that Google supports for enhancing a website’s visibility in search results.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Ana Municio on Unsplash – Thank you!

The post How Googlebot Handles the Prerender-Status-Code Meta Tag appeared first on The Blog Herald.

The Ad Copy Variation Experiment: What’s Happening?

Google has quietly rolled out a test that introduces a variation in ad copy by placing headlines within the description text. This means that the traditional structure of ad copy, with distinct headlines and description lines, is being altered. Advertisers were not given prior notice about this experiment, leading to frustration and uncertainty within the advertising community.

The experiment seems to have a wide reach, as many advertisers, including those with smaller budgets, have reported seeing the changes in live ads. This has raised questions about the potential expansion of the test and its impact on advertisers’ daily work.

Advertisers’ Concerns: The Need for Transparency

The lack of transparency from Google regarding this ad copy variation test has raised concerns among advertisers. Changing ad copy dynamics without informing advertisers can make it harder for them to do their jobs effectively. Advertisers rely on consistent guidelines and best practices when creating and optimizing their ads. When these guidelines are suddenly changed without notice, it becomes challenging to assess the impact of the changes, especially with responsive search ads.

Anthony Higman, a Google Ads expert, expressed his concerns about the lack of transparency and the potential consequences for advertisers. He highlighted that these changes can alter planned and tested ad copy in accounts. Advertisers in more restrictive verticals, such as legal and medical, where ad copy variations need to be approved before going live, may face additional challenges due to these unexpected changes.

Google’s Response: A Small Test?

In response to the concerns raised by advertisers, Google Ads liaison officer Ginny Marvin addressed the ad variation experiment during a PPC Chat Q&A. She stated that it was a small test and provided no further information at that time. However, not everyone is convinced that this test is as small as it seems.

Higman, who first flagged the ad variation test, believes that it is a more far-reaching experiment. He noted that the changes observed in live ads were widespread, and many advertisers and PPC professionals within the community experienced them. This broader impact suggests that the experiment may have a more significant scope than initially indicated.

The Impact on Advertisers: Adapting to Constant Changes

Google’s ad variation test is just one of many experiments and changes that advertisers have had to navigate in recent years. Higman pointed out that the constant stream of tests and modifications can be overwhelming for advertisers. It becomes difficult to keep up with the changes and assess their impact on ad performance.

Moreover, these tests often involve altering known elements of a search ad, such as the placement of headlines within the description text. This can be troublesome because it disrupts the dynamics of ad copy that are well-known and understood by all Google advertisers. Advertisers need to adapt to these changes and find ways to optimize their ad copy accordingly.

The Road to Full Automation: A Cause for Concern?

The ad variation test, along with other experiments witnessed within Google Ads, raises questions about the platform’s direction. Higman believes that Google is moving towards full automation, which could present challenges for advertisers.

With the advancement of auto-applied assets, recommendations, and new asset format variations, it seems that Google is conducting continuous A/B tests for every advertiser. While this may benefit advertisers with larger budgets, it poses challenges for those with smaller budgets. Statistical significance cannot be properly assessed on smaller spend accounts, and the lack of visibility into asset variations makes it difficult to understand their impact on click-through rates (CTRs).

Higman points out that these tests, combined with the diminishing availability of ad data and search query data, are pushing advertisers towards full automation. However, full automation may not be suitable for all advertisers using Google Ads, as it reduces control and customization options.

The Call for Transparency and Communication

The ad copy variation test has sparked a call for more transparency from Google. Advertisers need to be informed about significant tests and changes that could impact their ad performance and strategies. Transparent communication would allow advertisers to plan and adapt their ad copy accordingly, ensuring that their campaigns align with their goals and comply with industry regulations.

Amidst the frustration caused by constant changes and experiments, advertisers need clear guidelines and insights from Google to make informed decisions. Without proper communication and transparency, advertisers are left to navigate uncharted waters, risking wasted time, effort, and budget.

The Future of Ad Copy Optimization

As Google continues to test new features and experiments, advertisers must stay agile and adapt their strategies accordingly. Ad copy optimization remains a crucial aspect of driving successful advertising campaigns. While the ad copy variation test introduces a new challenge, advertisers can focus on the following strategies to mitigate its impact:

1. Continuously monitor and analyze ad performance: Keep a close eye on key performance metrics such as click-through rates, conversion rates, and cost per acquisition. Monitor any significant changes that may be attributed to the ad copy variation test.
2. Test and iterate: Develop a systematic approach to testing different variations of ad copy. Use A/B testing to compare the performance of different headline and description combinations. This will help identify the most effective ad copy elements and optimize campaigns accordingly.
3. Stay informed: Keep up-to-date with the latest industry news and updates from Google. Join PPC communities and participate in discussions to learn from other advertisers’ experiences and strategies.
4. Leverage automation wisely: While Google’s move towards full automation may present challenges, advertisers can still leverage automation tools to streamline their ad copy optimization process. Use automation features, such as smart bidding and responsive search ads, to save time and improve performance.

See first source: Search Engine Land

FAQ

Q1: What is Google’s ad copy variation test, and why has it raised concerns among advertisers?

A1: Google’s ad copy variation test involves placing headlines within the description text of ads, altering the traditional structure. Advertisers are concerned because Google introduced this test without prior notice, leading to uncertainty about its impact.

Q2: What are advertisers’ main concerns regarding the lack of transparency in Google’s ad copy variation test?

A2: Advertisers are concerned about the lack of transparency as it makes it challenging to assess the impact of changes on their ad copy. The sudden alteration of ad copy dynamics without notice disrupts their planned strategies and can pose challenges in more restrictive verticals.

Q3: How has Google responded to concerns about the ad copy variation test, and what is the community’s perception of this response?

A3: Google Ads liaison officer Ginny Marvin addressed the test as a “small” experiment but provided no further details. Some advertisers, including Anthony Higman, believe the test may have a more significant scope than indicated, based on widespread changes observed in live ads.

Q4: How do constant changes and experiments in Google Ads impact advertisers?

A4: Advertisers find it overwhelming to keep up with constant tests and modifications. Alterations to well-known elements of search ads, such as ad copy dynamics, disrupt established practices and require advertisers to adapt continually.

Q5: What direction does Anthony Higman believe Google Ads is moving towards, and why is this a concern for advertisers?

A5: Higman believes Google is moving towards full automation. While this may benefit advertisers with larger budgets, it poses challenges for those with smaller budgets. The lack of visibility into asset variations and the reduction in control and customization options are concerns for advertisers.

Q6: What is the call from advertisers regarding transparency and communication with Google?

A6: Advertisers are calling for more transparency from Google. They want to be informed about significant tests and changes affecting their ad performance and strategies. Clear guidelines and insights are essential for advertisers to make informed decisions.

Q7: What strategies can advertisers employ to mitigate the impact of the ad copy variation test and ongoing changes in Google Ads?

A7: Advertisers can mitigate the impact by continuously monitoring ad performance metrics, testing and iterating on different ad copy variations, staying informed about industry news, and leveraging automation tools wisely to streamline ad copy optimization processes.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Austin Distel; Unsplash – Thank you!

The post Google’s Ad Copy Variation Test: What You Need to Know appeared first on The Blog Herald.

Follow Button: Discovering New Topics and Articles

One of the exciting new features introduced by Google is the integration of a “Follow” button across searches. By tapping this button, you can choose to follow specific topics or articles that interest you. Once you’ve followed a topic, you’ll automatically see related articles and videos in your Discover feed, which is the homepage of the Google app. For example, if you tap the “Follow” button for marathon training, you’ll start seeing articles and videos on that topic in your Discover feed.

This integration of the “Follow” button not only makes it easier to find new and relevant content but also ensures that you stay up to date with the topics that matter to you. It brings a personalized touch to your search experience, allowing you to explore fresher content based on your interests.

Perspectives: Connecting with Experts

Another valuable addition to the Google Search experience is the integration of Perspectives. Previously only available on Google’s mobile app, Perspectives now makes its debut on the Desktop Search as well. Perspectives aims to connect users with experts who have firsthand experience and insights related to specific topics.

As you search the web, you’ll come across relevant information from these experts, such as their social handles, follower count, and content popularity. This feature is particularly beneficial for content creators and companies that have established themselves as industry experts. It allows them to showcase their expertise and helps users find reliable and relevant information from trusted sources.

Google’s ranking improvements have also played a crucial role in preparing Search for the integration of Perspectives. These improvements prioritize first-person perspectives in search results, making it easier for users to find valuable content across various topics.

Notes: Adding a Social Layer to Search Results

The third feature Google introduced is Notes, which can be found in Google’s Search Labs program. Notes provide users with a layer of human insights on each search result, enhancing the usefulness of the information available on the web. With Notes, you can share tips, advice, and additional information directly from the search engine results pages (SERPs).

This feature adds a social element to the search experience, allowing users to contribute their knowledge and expertise to the content they find. It fosters collaboration and community engagement, making search results more interactive and helpful.

SEO News You Can Use

In addition to these exciting new features, there are several other noteworthy updates in the world of SEO. Let’s take a look at some of the recent developments that can impact your search strategy.

“You May Also Like” and Sponsored Content Sections

Google has been experimenting with a new ad format called “You May Also Like” in its Search Generative Experience (SGE). This format presents sponsored content in a carousel format, appearing after SGE follow-up questions. It aims to provide users with relevant content suggestions while also serving as a way for Google to monetize SGE.

New Google Search Structured Data for Educational Videos

Google has rolled out structured data markup for educational videos to enhance the search experience for learners. This new feature allows videos to display detailed snippets in search results, including educational level and video type. Publishers can improve search visibility and user relevance by implementing proper markup and ensuring public accessibility of their videos.

Google Adds Documentation for “Safety Crawler”

Google has updated its documentation to include a crawler named “Google-Safety,” which is used for identifying malware and ignores robots.txt directives. This crawler plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety of the internet by detecting and addressing malware and abuse. It brings peace of mind to website owners, knowing that Google is actively working to keep the internet safe.

Google To Update Search Handling of Third-Party Hosted Content

Following the Helpful Content Update in September 2023, Google Search is changing how it handles third-party hosted content. The algorithms now process third-party content to determine the overall helpfulness of a website. It is essential for website owners to ensure that any third-party content hosted on their site is relevant and beneficial to users to maintain a positive search ranking.

Yahoo Searches Resurges, Launching in Early 2024

Yahoo, a prominent search engine, is set to relaunch its search experience in early 2024. With a focus on revamping its features and incorporating advanced artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, Yahoo aims to become a worthy competitor to Google. This development could potentially provide users with more choices and foster healthy competition in the search engine market.

See first source: SEO Blog

FAQ

1. What is the “Follow” button introduced by Google, and how does it work?

The “Follow” button is a new feature in Google Search that allows users to follow specific topics or articles of interest. By tapping this button, you can receive related articles and videos in your Discover feed, providing a personalized and up-to-date content experience based on your interests.

2. How does the “Perspectives” feature enhance the Google Search experience?

“Perspectives” is designed to connect users with experts who have firsthand experience and insights related to specific topics. It displays relevant information from these experts, such as their social handles, follower count, and content popularity. This feature helps users find reliable and relevant information from trusted sources, particularly beneficial for content creators and industry experts.

3. What is the “Notes” feature in Google Search, and how does it work?

The “Notes” feature, part of Google’s Search Labs program, allows users to add a social layer to search results. With Notes, you can share tips, advice, and additional information directly from the search engine results pages (SERPs). It fosters collaboration and community engagement, making search results more interactive and helpful.

4. How does the “You May Also Like” ad format impact the search experience, and where does it appear?

The “You May Also Like” ad format is part of Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE). It presents sponsored content in a carousel format, typically appearing after SGE follow-up questions. This format aims to provide users with relevant content suggestions while also serving as a monetization opportunity for Google.

5. What is the new Google Search Structured Data for Educational Videos, and how does it benefit publishers?

Google has introduced structured data markup for educational videos to enhance the search experience for learners. This feature allows videos to display detailed snippets in search results, including educational level and video type. Publishers can improve search visibility and user relevance by implementing proper markup and ensuring public accessibility of their educational videos.

6. What is the “Google-Safety” crawler, and why is it important for website owners?

The “Google-Safety” crawler is used by Google to identify malware and abuse on websites. It operates independently of robots.txt directives, ensuring that potential threats are detected and addressed promptly. Website owners can find peace of mind in knowing that Google actively works to keep the internet safe from malicious content.

7. What changes are happening in Google’s handling of third-party hosted content, and how can website owners adapt?

Google has updated its algorithms to process third-party hosted content to determine the overall helpfulness of a website. Website owners should ensure that any third-party content hosted on their site is relevant and beneficial to users to maintain a positive search ranking.

8. When is Yahoo set to relaunch its search experience, and what are its goals in doing so?

Yahoo is planning to relaunch its search experience in early 2024. The focus is on revamping features and incorporating advanced artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. Yahoo aims to become a strong competitor to Google, providing users with more choices and fostering healthy competition in the search engine market.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Stephen Bergin; Unsplash – Thank you!

The post Personalized Rankings: Enhancing Google Search Experience appeared first on The Blog Herald.

Understanding the Difference: Hierarchical vs. Flat Site Structure

Before we delve into the advantages of a hierarchical site structure, it’s essential to understand the difference between a hierarchical and a flat site structure.

A flat site structure is characterized by a linking structure where every page on the website is just one click away from the home page. This means that all pages are linked together on a single level beneath the home page. Flat site structures were popular in the past when web directories and reciprocal linking were common SEO strategies. The goal was to spread PageRank evenly across all pages to maximize their ranking potential. However, with Google’s algorithm updates, the influence of PageRank as a ranking factor has diminished, rendering the flat site structure less relevant.

On the other hand, a hierarchical site structure involves organizing a website by arranging its pages from the most general level down to the increasingly specific subtopics. The home page represents the highest level of the hierarchy, followed by categories and webpages that become more granular in subject matter. This structure allows publishers to create categories or topics and subcategories within them, providing a logical and organized framework for the website’s content.

The Benefits of a Hierarchical Site Structure

1. Enhanced User Experience

A hierarchical site structure enhances user experience by making it easier for visitors to navigate the website and find relevant information. With a well-organized hierarchy, users can intuitively understand the site’s structure and quickly locate the content they are searching for. This seamless navigation improves user satisfaction and encourages them to spend more time on the site, reducing bounce rates and increasing the likelihood of conversions.

2. Improved Crawlability

Search engines, like Google, rely on crawlers to discover and index webpages. A hierarchical site structure aids crawlers in efficiently navigating and understanding the website’s content. By categorizing pages into relevant topics and subtopics, search engines can easily identify the context and relevance of each page. This, in turn, increases the visibility of your content in search results and improves the chances of ranking higher.

Gary Illyes emphasizes that a hierarchical site structure allows search engines to treat different sections of the website differently, especially when it comes to crawling. For example, having a separate “/news/” section for news-related content and an “/archives/” section for older content enables search engines to crawl the news section faster than other directories. This strategic organization ensures that search engines can effectively index and rank the most valuable and up-to-date content.

3. Targeted keyword optimization

A hierarchical site structure also facilitates targeted keyword optimization. By categorizing pages into specific topics and subtopics, you can align your content with relevant keywords and optimize each page accordingly. This approach allows you to create focused and authoritative content that resonates with both search engines and users searching for specific information. Targeted keyword optimization is a fundamental aspect of SEO and can significantly boost your organic traffic and visibility.

4. Authority and Relevance

Search engines consider the overall relevance and authority of a website when determining its ranking position. A hierarchical site structure helps establish this authority and relevance by organizing content into logical categories and subcategories. When search engines see a well-structured website that covers a wide range of related topics, it signals that the website is an authoritative source of information. This can lead to higher rankings and increased visibility in search results.

5. Internal Linking Opportunities

A hierarchical site structure also opens up opportunities for internal linking. Internal links are essential for guiding users and search engine crawlers through your website, improving navigation and accessibility. With a hierarchical structure, you can strategically link related pages within the same category or subcategory, further strengthening the topical relevance of your content. Internal linking not only improves user experience but also helps search engines understand the relationships between different pages on your site, enhancing crawlability and overall SEO.

Implementing a Hierarchical Site Structure

Now that we understand the benefits of a hierarchical site structure, let’s explore how to implement it effectively on your website.

1. Define Your Main Topics

Start by identifying the main topics or categories that your website will cover. These topics should align with your business or niche and represent the most general level of your site’s hierarchy. For example, if you have a science-related website, your main topics could be Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.

2. Create Subcategories

Within each main topic, create subcategories that represent more specific subtopics. For example, under the Astronomy category, you could have subcategories like Astrophysics, Cosmology, and Observational Astronomy. This step allows you to organize your content into manageable sections and establish a clear hierarchy.

3. Organize Content

Once you have defined your main topics and subcategories, start organizing your existing content or creating new content accordingly. Ensure that each page or article is assigned to the appropriate category or subcategory, maintaining a logical flow within your site structure.

4. Optimize URLs and Navigation

To further optimize your hierarchical site structure, ensure that your URLs and navigation reflect the organization of your content. Use descriptive and keyword-rich URLs that align with the category and subcategory hierarchy. Additionally, design your website’s navigation to reflect the hierarchical structure, making it easy for users to navigate between topics and subtopics.

5. Implement Internal Linking

Take advantage of your hierarchical structure by implementing internal linking strategies. Link related articles or pages within the same category or subcategory to provide users and search engines with further context and guidance. This internal linking helps distribute authority throughout your site and strengthens the topical relevance of your content.

See first source: Search Engine Journal

FAQ

1. What is the difference between a hierarchical and a flat site structure in SEO?

A hierarchical site structure involves organizing a website’s pages from the most general level down to increasingly specific subtopics, creating a logical hierarchy. In contrast, a flat site structure features all pages linked at a single level beneath the home page, with no clear hierarchy. The article explains that hierarchical structures are preferred for SEO due to their organization and user experience benefits.

2. How does a hierarchical site structure enhance user experience?

A hierarchical site structure improves user experience by making it easier for visitors to navigate the website and find relevant information. Users can intuitively understand the site’s organization, locate content quickly, and have a seamless browsing experience. This results in higher user satisfaction, reduced bounce rates, and increased chances of conversions.

3. How does a hierarchical site structure improve crawlability for search engines like Google?

Search engines rely on crawlers to discover and index webpages. A hierarchical site structure aids crawlers in efficiently navigating and understanding a website’s content. By categorizing pages into relevant topics and subtopics, search engines can identify context and relevance, increasing content visibility in search results and improving rankings.

4. What is the role of targeted keyword optimization in a hierarchical site structure?

A hierarchical site structure facilitates targeted keyword optimization by categorizing pages into specific topics and subtopics. This allows content alignment with relevant keywords, creating focused and authoritative content. Targeted keyword optimization is essential for improving organic traffic and visibility in search results.

5. How does a hierarchical site structure contribute to authority and relevance in SEO?

A well-structured hierarchical site signals authority and relevance to search engines by organizing content into logical categories and subcategories. When search engines recognize this organization, it indicates that the website is an authoritative source of information, potentially leading to higher rankings and increased visibility in search results.

6. What are some tips for implementing a hierarchical site structure effectively?

To implement a hierarchical site structure, follow these steps:

• Define your main topics or categories.
• Create subcategories within each main topic.
• Organize your content accordingly.
• Optimize URLs and navigation to reflect the structure.
• Implement internal linking strategies to strengthen the topical relevance of your content.

7. Can a hierarchical site structure benefit websites in any niche or industry?

Yes, a hierarchical site structure can benefit websites in various niches and industries. It helps organize content, improve user experience, and enhance SEO for any website that aims to provide clear, structured information to its audience.

8. Are there any downsides to a flat site structure in today’s SEO landscape?

Flat site structures were popular in the past but have become less relevant in today’s SEO landscape. They may not provide the same level of organization, user experience, or SEO benefits as hierarchical structures. Search engines like Google have evolved, making hierarchical structures a preferred choice for website optimization.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Domenico Loia; Unsplash – Thank you!

The post A Hierarchical Site Structure is Crucial for SEO: Here’s Why appeared first on The Blog Herald.

This article delves into the intricacies of Google’s shifting stance on AI-generated content and explores the implications of this phenomenon. By examining the challenges faced by Google and its efforts to combat spam, we aim to shed light on the future of AI-generated content and its impact on search engine optimization (SEO).

The Rise of AI-Generated Content

Over the past twelve months, AI-generated content has made its way into Google’s search results, challenging the traditional definition of quality content. Initially, Google considered such content spam that violated its guidelines. However, the search giant has shifted its focus to prioritize content quality rather than the method of production.

This change in Google’s perspective has led to a flood of AI-created, low-quality content permeating the web. Despite Google’s claim to protect searchers from spam, the sheer volume of content makes it difficult for the search engine to identify and filter out all instances of low-quality AI content.

The Challenge of Detecting AI-Generated Spam

Google’s ability to detect spam has been called into question by SEO professionals and experienced website managers who have witnessed instances of inferior content outranking higher-quality content. While Google has made significant progress in identifying low-quality AI content algorithmically, challenges remain in distinguishing good content from great content.

Google’s admissions in Department of Justice (DOJ) anti-trust exhibits reveal that the search engine does not fully understand documents and relies on user interactions with search engine result pages (SERPs) to judge content quality. This reliance on user interactions limits the use of site-measured metrics like bounce rate and hinders Google’s ability to accurately assess content quality.

Leveraging User Interactions to Judge Content Quality

Google’s ranking algorithms heavily rely on user interactions with SERPs to gauge the quality and relevance of content. By analyzing the responses of past users and collecting feedback from current users, Google aims to refine its understanding of content quality.

Google Engineer Paul Haahr highlighted the significance of user click data in ranking content during a presentation at SMX West in 2016. However, Haahr acknowledged that interpreting user data is more challenging than it appears. This sentiment is further reinforced by Google’s own documents, which emphasize the difficulty of converting user feedback into accurate value judgments.

The Role of Brands and User Engagement

Brands play a crucial role in Google’s assessment of content quality. Google’s algorithms consider user interactions with brand-related terms in search queries and anchor texts as signals of exceptional relevance. This aligns with Google’s former CEO Eric Schmidt’s statement that “brands are the solution.”

Studies have shown that users exhibit a strong bias towards brands, often selecting familiar brands regardless of their ranking on SERPs. This user preference for brands influences Google’s ranking decisions, as it prioritizes brands as relevant responses to search queries.

Defining AI Spam: Google’s Perspective

Google has published guidelines on AI-created content, defining spam as text generated through automated processes without regard for quality or user experience. Content produced using AI systems without human quality assurance is considered spam by Google.

While there may be rare cases where AI systems are trained on proprietary data and produce deterministic output, Google generally categorizes AI-generated content as spam. The sheer volume of AI-generated spam, accessible to the masses through platforms like ChatGPT, has further complicated Google’s efforts to combat spam.

AI Spam Patterns and Google’s Response

Several patterns have emerged in the realm of AI-generated spam. Websites created solely to host AI-generated content often undergo a cycle of initial indexing by Google, followed by a period of traffic delivery. However, over time, Google’s algorithms detect the low-quality nature of the content, leading to a decline in traffic and, in some cases, complete deindexing.

Notable examples include the creation of a website with AI-generated content about popular video games and the scraping of a competitor’s sitemap to generate over 1,800 AI-generated articles. In both cases, traffic initially surged before plummeting, indicating Google’s algorithmic response to low-quality AI content.

The Lag in Identifying Low-Quality AI Content

Google’s ranking systems face a time lag in identifying low-quality AI content. While the search engine continuously assesses content, the speed at which AI-generated content is produced and published overwhelms the system’s ability to detect and de-rank spam promptly.

Google’s evaluation of new websites relies on predictive quality scores, which are refined based on user interactions over time. This initial ranking process provides a temporary opportunity for low-quality AI content to rank before being reevaluated and potentially devalued.

The Role of User Interaction and Implicit Feedback

Implicit user feedback plays a significant role in Google’s ranking process. Google’s ranking sub-system employs implicit user feedback to re-rank search results and improve the overall ranking presented to users. This feedback helps Google understand the preferences and satisfaction of users, enabling continuous optimization of search results.

Google’s reliance on user interaction data, combined with the development of advanced systems like RankBrain, showcases the search engine’s commitment to refining its algorithms. While user data remains valuable, Google’s machine learning systems, such as BERT and MUM, are gaining prominence and are likely to play a more significant role in the future.

Google’s Long-Term Plan for AI Spam

Google’s long-term plan to combat AI-generated spam involves leveraging breakthroughs in machine learning models like BERT and MUM. These models have the potential to enhance the accuracy of content evaluation, reducing the time it takes to identify and de-rank spam effectively.

By incorporating these advancements, Google aims to bridge the gap between the rapid creation of AI-generated content and its detection. The search engine’s focus on machine learning systems suggests a future where user data may become less influential, and the accuracy of content parsing improves significantly.

The Future of AI-Generated Content and SEO

The increasing prevalence of AI-generated content poses unique challenges for SEO professionals and content creators. As Google refines its algorithms to combat spam, the emphasis on producing high-quality, valuable content remains paramount.

To thrive in this evolving landscape, SEO practitioners must stay informed about Google’s shifting approach to AI-generated content. By focusing on content quality, user engagement, and brand relevance, SEO efforts can align with Google’s priorities and ensure visibility in search results.

See first source: Search Engine Land

FAQ

1. What is the key shift in Google’s perspective on AI-generated content, and how has it impacted search results?

Google has shifted its focus from considering AI-generated content as spam based on its method of production to prioritizing content quality. This change has led to an increase in low-quality AI-generated content in search results.

2. What challenges does Google face in detecting AI-generated spam, and why is it difficult to distinguish good content from great content?

Google relies on user interactions with search results to assess content quality, which poses challenges in accurately distinguishing content quality. The sheer volume of AI-generated content and the reliance on user interactions limit Google’s ability to assess content accurately.

3. How does Google leverage user interactions to judge content quality, and what challenges arise in interpreting user data?

Google’s ranking algorithms heavily rely on user interactions with search results to gauge content quality. However, interpreting user data is challenging, as Google documents acknowledge the difficulty of converting user feedback into accurate value judgments.

4. What role do brands play in Google’s assessment of content quality, and how does user preference for brands influence rankings?

Google’s algorithms consider user interactions with brand-related terms as signals of exceptional relevance. User preference for familiar brands influences Google’s ranking decisions, prioritizing brands as relevant responses to search queries.

5. How does Google define AI-generated spam, and what is the criteria for content to be categorized as spam?

Google defines AI-generated spam as text generated through automated processes without human quality assurance. Content produced using AI systems without human quality control is considered spam by Google.

6. What patterns have emerged in AI-generated spam, and how does Google respond to such content?

AI-generated spam often experiences an initial surge in traffic before Google’s algorithms detect its low quality. Google subsequently devalues or deindexes websites hosting low-quality AI-generated content.

7. Why does Google face a time lag in identifying low-quality AI content, and how does it initially rank such content?

Google’s ranking systems experience a time lag in identifying low-quality AI content due to the rapid production and publication of such content. Initial rankings are based on predictive quality scores, allowing low-quality AI content to temporarily rank before being reevaluated.

8. How does implicit user feedback contribute to Google’s ranking process, and what role do machine learning systems play in content evaluation?

Implicit user feedback helps Google re-rank search results and refine rankings based on user preferences and satisfaction. Machine learning systems like BERT and MUM are gaining prominence in content evaluation, indicating Google’s commitment to algorithm refinement.

9. What is Google’s long-term plan for combating AI-generated spam, and how does it plan to bridge the gap between content creation and detection?

Google’s long-term plan involves leveraging advanced machine learning models like BERT and MUM to enhance content evaluation accuracy. The goal is to reduce the time it takes to identify and de-rank AI-generated spam effectively.

10. What challenges and considerations should SEO professionals and content creators keep in mind regarding AI-generated content and SEO?

SEO practitioners should focus on producing high-quality, valuable content, considering user engagement, and brand relevance. Staying informed about Google’s evolving approach to AI-generated content is crucial for maintaining visibility in search results.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Daniel Romero; Unsplash – Thank you!

The post AI-Generated Content: A Closer Look at Google’s Approach appeared first on The Blog Herald.

Essential Updates

Google released four major updates in 2023, which is double the number of updates released the year before. The goal of these changes was to make searching easier and more relevant for users and to provide them with better results. Now, we’ll examine these major changes in more detail:

Core Update on March 20, 2023

The core update for March 2023 was started rolling out on March 15 and finished on March 28. Over the course of those thirteen days, Google overhauled its search algorithm. Like prior core updates, this one caused a fair amount of fluctuation in search rankings. Changes in organic traffic to websites were caused by shifts in rankings, which were noticed by webmasters and SEO experts.

Core Update on August 2023

After 16 days, on August 22, the August 2023 core update finally ended on September 7. The level of volatility during this update was lower than in earlier ones. Search engine optimization experts and website owners saw small changes in search engine rankings, which may indicate that Google made more nuanced changes to its algorithm. It was critical to track and study how this update affected website ranks despite the reduced volatility.

Core Update on October 2023

Another major Google update was released in October 2023, starting on October 5 and ending on October 19, spanning a total of fourteen days. Although the exact volatility of this update was difficult to measure because of its overlap with the October spam update, it turned out to be quite impactful nonetheless. However, data providers noticed major changes in search rankings, suggesting that Google’s algorithm has undergone a major overhaul.

Core Update on November 2023

The 26-day core update for November 2023 began on November 2 and ended on November 19. According to data providers, this update caused even more volatility than the spam update in October. The overlap with the November reviews update made it somewhat challenging to isolate its impact. Still, it showed that Google was serious about improving its search algorithm to provide better results.

Updates on Reviews

Changes to Google’s review policy were substantial in 2023. The “Reviews Update” replaced the “Product Reviews Update” to better reflect the broad scope of content it covers in terms of reviews. A more all-encompassing evaluation of review content—including services, businesses, destinations, media, and more—was the goal of this change. Let’s take a look at the review updates that Google made this year:

Product Review Update for February 2023

Beginning on February 21 and ending on March 7, 2023, a total of fourteen days passed during the product reviews update for February. The product reviews update was renamed to the reviews update with this version, marking its final iteration. Its volatility was higher than that of the product reviews that came before it. Rankings changed dramatically, according to data providers, which had a major effect on websites that depended substantially on content from product reviews.

Update on Reviews for April 2023

The April 2023 reviews update spanned thirteen days, from April 12th to the 25th. In contrast to earlier revisions, this one widened the review content category to encompass not only products but also services, companies, locations, media, and more. As a result, more websites in more categories were affected by the volatility that occurred during this update.

Update on Reviews for November 2023

After 29 days, on November 8, 2023, the reviews update finally came to a close on December 7, 2023. It included a wide variety of review content types, not limited to product reviews, much like the April reviews update. Since this update coincided with the November core update, we do not have any information on how volatile it was in comparison to earlier ones. However, in order to gauge the update’s efficacy, website owners and SEO experts had to keep a careful eye on their rankings throughout this time.

Helpful Content Update

The SEO industry was greatly affected by Google’s helpful content update, which was introduced in September 2023. The fourteen-day duration of this update began on September 14 and ended on September 28. The significant impact it had on website owners’ businesses and clients keeps SEO professionals and website owners talking about it today. There was a lot of upheaval during this update, especially among SEOs. There were more noticeable shifts for websites whose primary focus was search engine optimization compared to those whose designs took other considerations into account.

Update on Spam

A spam update was also released by Google in October 2023. The goal of this update was to address spam reports in a wide range of languages, such as Turkish, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Hindi, and Chinese, among others. The 15-day long October 2023 spam update started on October 4 and ended on October 20. Due to its overlap with the core update in October 2023, its exact volatility is difficult to assess. While cloaking, hacked, auto-generated, and scraped spam are all forms of visible spam, Google’s goal was to decrease their visibility in search results.

Additional Algorithm Updates, Topics, and Changes

A number of additional algorithm updates, changes, tweaks, and subjects were introduced by Google throughout 2023, all of which had an effect on the search landscape. Now, we will take a look at a few of these noteworthy changes:

System for Topic Authority

Google unveiled its topic authority system in May with the intention of making news articles more visible. This update brought attention to Google’s dedication to surfacing credible news sources, although it is not a new algorithm system. To guarantee that people could rely on the news they read, it compensated websites that delivered accurate and relevant content.

Treasures Awaiting Discovery

In addition to the helpful content update, Google also released an update to reward so-called “hidden gems.” The goal of this update was to make personalized searches better by highlighting underappreciated websites with great content. Google celebrated these lesser-known treasures as a way to promote diversity and guarantee a more inclusive search experience.

Improved Local Search Engine Rank

Google made changes to its local ranking algorithm in November to make the “openness signal” stronger for queries that aren’t navigational. Users should expect more relevant and accurate local search results as a result of this update. Companies and providers in the area had to adjust their web strategies to fit Google’s new ranking criteria.

Find the Root Cause of Traffic Jam

From October 5th through the 31st, Google experienced an issue with its core update that affected traffic related to Discover. Traffic to Discover, a feature that provides users with recommendations based on their interests, fluctuated throughout this time. Google was quick to respond and fix the problem, which brought Discover traffic back to normal.

Changes to the Language Matching System

The language matching system at Google was upgraded in September. The goal of these updates was to make search results more accurate for people using more than one language. By making an effort to accommodate users who search in more than one language, Google hoped to better match search queries with relevant content in the user’s native tongue.

Signal for Page Experience

Page experience is a signal in Google’s search algorithm, although it is not a ranking system in and of itself. Factors like mobile friendliness, security, and page load speed are all part of the page experience. Websites that put an emphasis on providing a satisfying experience for their visitors tend to do better in search engine rankings.

The Goals and Anticipations of the User

In November, Google revised its guidelines for search quality raters to place more emphasis on meeting user expectations and intent. This shift highlights the significance of knowing what users want and giving them content that is both relevant and valuable. If they want their websites to rank higher, SEO experts and website owners should tailor their tactics to what users really want.

See first source: Search Engine Land

FAQ

1. How many major algorithm updates did Google release in 2023, and why were they significant?

Google released four major algorithm updates in 2023, which aimed to improve search relevance and user experience. These updates had a significant impact on search engine rankings and required SEO adjustments to maintain website performance.

2. What were the key goals of the core updates in 2023, and when did they occur?

There were four core updates in 2023, with the March, August, October, and November updates. Their primary goal was to enhance search relevance and provide better results. These updates caused fluctuations in search rankings and organic traffic to websites.

3. What changes did Google make to its review policy in 2023, and how did they affect websites?

Google introduced substantial changes to its review policy in 2023, replacing the “Product Reviews Update” with the broader “Reviews Update.” This update impacted websites across various categories, affecting rankings and volatility in search engine results.

4. What was the purpose of the “Helpful Content Update” in September 2023, and how did it affect SEO professionals and website owners?

The “Helpful Content Update” aimed to improve user experience by emphasizing helpful content in search results. SEO professionals and website owners experienced significant fluctuations and noticeable shifts in rankings during this update.

5. What was the focus of the October 2023 spam update, and why was it challenging to assess its volatility?

The October 2023 spam update targeted spam reports in multiple languages. It overlapped with the core update, making it difficult to measure its exact volatility. Google aimed to reduce the visibility of various types of spam in search results.

6. What was the significance of Google’s topic authority system introduced in May 2023?

Google’s topic authority system aimed to make credible news articles more visible in search results. It rewarded websites delivering accurate and relevant content, emphasizing Google’s commitment to surfacing trustworthy news sources.

7. What was the purpose of the update rewarding “hidden gems,” and why did Google implement it?

The update rewarding “hidden gems” aimed to improve personalized searches by highlighting lesser-known websites with valuable content. Google celebrated these sites to promote diversity and inclusivity in search results.

8. What changes did Google make to its local ranking algorithm in November 2023, and how did it impact local businesses?

In November 2023, Google strengthened the “openness signal” for non-navigational queries in its local ranking algorithm. This change aimed to provide more accurate and relevant local search results, requiring local businesses to adapt their web strategies.

9. How did Google address the issue with Discover traffic in October 2023, and what was the impact on users?

Google experienced a traffic issue related to Discover in October 2023, affecting users’ recommendations. Google quickly resolved the problem, returning Discover traffic to normal and ensuring users received relevant recommendations.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Edho Pratama; Unsplash – Thank you!

The post A Thorough Review of 2023 Google Algorithm Updates appeared first on The Blog Herald.

Unveiling the Link Networks

Bill Hartzer, a reputable expert in the field, shed light on this issue through a series of posts on LinkedIn. Using the Majestic backlinks tool, he revealed the link networks associated with several spam sites. These link graphs showcased numerous websites tightly interlinking with each other, a typical pattern indicative of spammy link networks. However, despite the efforts spammers put into creating these backlink networks, it appears that the high rankings are not solely attributed to these links. Google’s algorithm now places more emphasis on content rather than links – a shift that has inadvertently allowed these spam pages to exploit certain loopholes.

The Power of Longtail Phrases

The first loophole being exploited by spammers is the ease of ranking for longtail phrases. Longtail phrases are keyword phrases that are rarely used, making them less competitive and easier to rank for. Exploiting this concept, spammers create millions of pages targeting longtail phrases, resulting in these pages ranking for hundreds of thousands of keywords within a short period of time. This technique allows them to manipulate the system and gain visibility for their spam content.

To understand the impact of this technique, let’s take a closer look at the concept of longtail. Coined nearly twenty years ago and popularized by the book “The Long Tail: Why the Future of Business is Selling Less of More,” the principle of longtail is utilized by companies like Amazon to sell a vast range of individual products each day. Spammers have cleverly seized on this principle, exploiting the ease of ranking for longtail phrases to gain visibility for their spam content.

Exploiting the Loophole in Local Search

The second loophole that spammers are capitalizing on is the inherent flaw in the local search algorithm. Local search uses a different algorithm than non-local keywords, allowing websites to rank for queries with minimal link building efforts. Instead, these pages need to have the right keywords to trigger the local search algorithm and rank for specific geographic areas. Spammers have identified this vulnerability and are targeting local search phrases, such as variations of popular platforms like Craigslist, to exploit the algorithm and gain visibility for their spam content.

Unveiling the Spam Pages

Unfortunately, gaining direct access to the spam pages is nearly impossible. These sites automatically redirect visitors to other domains, making it challenging to analyze their content. Even with attempts to view the source code or change browser user agents, the spam sites remain elusive. However, through the use of Google’s Rich Results tester, it is possible to gain insight into the HTML of these spam pages. By visiting with a Google IP address, the tester allows us to capture and analyze the HTML of the spam pages, revealing their structure and content.

The Scale of the Spam Attack

The scale of this spam attack is unprecedented. One domain alone has managed to rank for over 300,000 keyword phrases. These keyword phrases range from variations of popular platforms like Craigslist to longtail phrases with a local search element. The ease with which spammers can rank for these keyword phrases highlights the extent of the problem and the need for immediate action.

Understanding Why the Spam Technique Works

The success of this spam technique can be attributed to the difference in algorithms used for local search and non-local search. In general, local websites require fewer links to rank for specific queries. Instead, these pages need to optimize their content with the right keywords to trigger the local search algorithm and gain visibility in specific geographic areas. This vulnerability has been known for years, with examples of websites ranking for longtail local search phrases with minimal effort.

Google’s Response to the Spam Attack

Google is well aware of this spam problem and has been working to combat it. In a tweet by Danny Sullivan, a representative from Google, it was acknowledged that the issue had been brought to the attention of the search team. Efforts are being made to address this spam attack and find a solution to prevent further abuse of the search algorithm.

It remains to be seen how Google will tackle this ongoing issue, but it is clear that they are actively working to combat the spam attack and protect the integrity of their search results.

See first source: Search Engine Journal

FAQ

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Mediocre Studio; Unsplash – Thank you!

The post Google Search: Battling a Massive Spam Attack appeared first on The Blog Herald.

Understanding Google News and its Benefits

Before we delve into the specifics, let’s first understand what Google News is and why it is crucial for your company blog to be a part of it. Google News is a platform where users can access the latest news articles from various sources. It provides a tremendous opportunity to reach a wider audience, drive traffic to your website, and potentially increase your advertising revenue.

Google’s Perspective on Company Blogs in Google News

To answer the burning question, we turn to Google’s very own John Mueller. In a recent Google Office Hours session, Mueller clarified that while he works on Search and not directly on Google News, there doesn’t seem to be anything in Google News’ content policies that excludes company blogs. However, to get a definitive answer, Mueller recommends reaching out to the News publisher help community or checking the performance reports in Search Console to see if your pages are already being shown in Google News.

Content Policies for Google News

Although Google News doesn’t have specific guidelines for company blogs, it is essential to familiarize yourself with the general content policies to ensure your blog meets the requirements. These policies include:

Clear Dates and Bylines

To ensure transparency and credibility, each news article should have clear publication dates and bylines. This helps readers understand when the article was published and who authored it.

Information about Authors, Publication, and Publisher

Providing detailed information about the authors, publication, and publisher adds authenticity to your blog. It allows readers to assess the credibility of the content and builds trust.

Information about the Company or Network

Including information about your company or network behind the content helps readers understand the context and background of your blog. It adds a layer of transparency and establishes your authority.

Contact Information

Having contact information readily available on your blog is crucial for readers who may want to reach out for further inquiries or collaborations. It demonstrates your willingness to engage with your audience and build relationships.

While these guidelines are not explicitly tailored for company blogs, adhering to them can increase your chances of getting into Google News.

Getting Your Company Blog into Google News

Now that we understand the criteria, let’s explore how you can increase your chances of getting your company blog featured in Google News.

1. Produce High-Quality News Content

To be considered for Google News, your company blog must publish high-quality news content. This means focusing on timely and relevant topics, providing accurate and well-researched information, and presenting it in a professional manner. Make sure your articles are well-written, free from grammatical errors, and follow journalistic standards.

2. Optimize Your Blog for Google News

Optimizing your blog for Google News can significantly improve your chances of getting featured. Here are some tips:

• Use clear and descriptive headlines: Craft attention-grabbing headlines that accurately represent the content of your article.
• Include relevant keywords: Incorporate relevant keywords in your headlines and throughout your content to increase visibility in search results.
• Use structured data markup: Implement structured data markup, such as the NewsArticle schema, to help Google understand the structure and relevance of your content.
• Include images and videos: Visual elements enhance the user experience and make your articles more engaging. Ensure that your images and videos are high-quality and relevant to the content.
• Optimize load time: Google prioritizes websites with fast load times. Make sure your blog is optimized for speed to improve user experience and search engine rankings.

3. Submit Your Blog to Google Publisher Center

To actively pursue inclusion in Google News, consider submitting your company blog to the Google Publisher Center. This platform allows you to submit your URL for consideration and provides valuable insights into your website’s performance in Google News.

4. Build External Credibility

Establishing external credibility can strengthen your case for inclusion in Google News. Here’s how:

• Collaborate with reputable news sources: Partnering with established news sources can lend credibility to your blog. Guest posting or contributing articles to respected publications can increase your visibility and enhance your reputation.
• Earn backlinks from authoritative websites: Having backlinks from authoritative websites shows Google that your content is trustworthy and valuable. Focus on building relationships with relevant industry websites and aim for quality backlinks.

See first source: Search Engine Journal

FAQ

What is Google News, and why is it important for a company blog to be featured in it?

Google News is a platform where users can access the latest news articles from various sources. Being featured in Google News is crucial for a company blog as it provides an opportunity to reach a wider audience, drive traffic to your website, and potentially increase advertising revenue.

Does Google News have specific content policies for company blogs?

Google News does not have specific content policies tailored for company blogs. However, there are general content policies that apply to all content in Google News, such as clear dates and bylines, author and publisher information, and contact information.

What are the general content policies for Google News?

• Google News’ general content policies include:
• Clear publication dates and bylines.
• Detailed information about authors, publication, and publisher.
• Information about the company or network behind the content.
• Providing contact information for reader inquiries and collaborations.

How can I increase my chances of getting my company blog featured in Google News?

To increase your chances of being featured in Google News, follow these tips:

• Produce high-quality news content that is timely, accurate, and well-researched.
• Optimize your blog for Google News by using clear headlines, relevant keywords, structured data markup, and visual elements.
• Submit your blog to Google Publisher Center for consideration.
• Build external credibility by collaborating with reputable news sources and earning backlinks from authoritative websites.

What is the importance of optimizing my blog for Google News?

Optimizing your blog for Google News increases its visibility and chances of being featured. Clear headlines, relevant keywords, structured data markup, and fast load times improve your blog’s user experience and search engine rankings.

How can I submit my company blog to Google Publisher Center?

You can submit your blog to Google Publisher Center by creating an account and providing the necessary information, including your website’s URL. Once submitted, Google will review your blog for potential inclusion in Google News.

Can company blogs from various industries be featured in Google News?

Yes, company blogs from different industries can be featured in Google News, as long as they meet Google’s content policies and provide high-quality news content. Real-life examples show that even security and software companies have successfully been featured in Google News.

Do I need to be a traditional news website to get featured in Google News?

No, you do not need to be a traditional news website to get featured in Google News. As long as your company blog produces high-quality news content that meets Google’s criteria, you have the potential to be included in the Google News feed.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Taras Shypka; Unsplash – Thank you!

The post Is Your Company Blog Eligible for Google News? appeared first on The Blog Herald.

Importance of ‘Openness’ as a Ranking Signal: A Growing Concern

According to new research from SEO experts, Google has tweaked its local search algorithm to prioritize a company’s stated opening and closing times more heavily in search engine rankings. Following the core update in November 2023, which made closed businesses much less visible in local search results, this trend became apparent. A well-known local search expert, Joy Hawkins of Sterling Sky, brought attention to this trend on Twitter, saying that closed businesses can disappear from the local pack.

Assured by Google’s Search Liaison

After hearing feedback about how “openness” affects local search rankings, Google’s Search Liaison finally admitted that it’s a big deal. ‘Openness’ has recently grown more significant as a local search signal, particularly for queries that do not involve navigation, as they verified. But they made it clear that this ranking signal is only for broad subjects; it won’t help people find specific businesses when they search for their names.

Resolving Issues and Controlling Operating Hours

There are concerns about possible manipulation, but the increased importance of ‘openness’ as a ranking signal is good news for businesses with accurate operational hours. Local search expert Sherry Bonelli is concerned that some companies may try to trick search engines by claiming to be open around the clock. Searchers may end up at a business when it isn’t open, which could hurt user experience.

Google wasted no time responding to these complaints and warned against using artificially inflated business hours to boost search engine rankings. Businesses can rest assured that the ‘openness’ ranking signal is constantly being adjusted. However, they should be wary of receiving suspension emails from Google due to manipulating this signal.

Guidelines for Reliably Observing Scheduled Business Hours

It is critical for local businesses to maintain accurate operating hours in their Google My Business profiles for two reasons: to appear prominently in local search results and to give customers a good experience. Customers depend significantly on accurate information for their holiday shopping needs, so this is especially important during that time. A company’s visibility in the local pack rankings and customer satisfaction can both be enhanced by keeping accurate operating hours.

Some things to keep in mind when managing your Google Business Profile and making changes to your opening and closing times are:

• Be sure to check and update your business hours on Google Business Profiles regularly. Whenever there are changes or special occasions like holidays or events, make sure to review and update them.
• Prepare ahead of time for holiday hours: If your business hours will be changing during the holiday season, make sure to update your Google Business Profile accordingly.
• Take advantage of Google’s special hours feature: Use this feature to let people know if your business is open earlier than usual or if you’ll be holding extended hours on certain days.
• Keeping an eye on and reacting to client feedback: When it comes to your business hours, read the reviews and listen to the feedback from customers. In order to keep a good reputation online, you need to handle any complaints or inconsistencies right away.
• Take advantage of local SEO tactics: Update your Google Business Profile with up-to-date hours of operation and other local SEO tactics like relevant keyword addition, photo optimization, and review management to boost your visibility in local search results.

Why Precise Business Hours Are Beneficial

Keeping your Google Business Profile up-to-date with accurate operating hours has multiple advantages for your company:

• You can improve your visibility and attract more potential customers by keeping your operating hours up-to-date. This will increase the likelihood that you appear in local search results and the rankings of the local pack.
• Customers are more likely to have a positive experience and spend less time in frustration when you provide them with accurate operating hours. Customer satisfaction and loyalty can be enhanced in this way.
• A competitive advantage is that you can attract customers who are looking for businesses open at specific times by standing out from the crowd if your competitors have incorrect or out-of-date operating hours listed.
• Enhanced foot traffic: Customers who use search engines to find local businesses with specific opening hours will be more likely to visit your establishment if the information on your Google Business Profile is accurate.
• Building a positive online reputation: Customers value businesses that keep their information current and reliable, so it’s important to consistently provide accurate operating hours.

Lastly, it is crucial to recognize the significance of ‘openness’ as a ranking signal in local search. Google’s latest updates have reiterated the importance of having up-to-date business hours listed on Google My Business pages. Keeping information current helps businesses stand out, provides better service to customers, and ranks higher in local search results. Businesses must constantly assess and revise their opening and closing times, particularly during busy seasons, to make the most of their online presence and draw in more customers.

See first source: Search Engine Journal

FAQ

What is the significance of ‘openness’ in local search and Google Business Profiles?

‘Openness’ refers to a company’s stated opening and closing hours, which have become a crucial ranking signal in local search. It greatly impacts a company’s visibility and search engine rankings on platforms like Google.

Why has ‘openness’ become a more important ranking signal for local search results?

Google adjusted its local search algorithm to prioritize ‘openness,’ particularly after a core update in November 2023. This change made closed businesses less visible in local search results, highlighting the importance of accurate business hours.

Who confirmed the increased significance of ‘openness’ as a ranking signal in local search?

Google’s Search Liaison acknowledged the importance of ‘openness’ as a ranking signal, especially for broad search queries that do not involve specific business names. However, it doesn’t impact searches for specific businesses.

What concerns have arisen regarding the importance of ‘openness’ in local search?

There are concerns about potential manipulation of business hours to boost search engine rankings. Some businesses might claim to be open around the clock, which could mislead customers and harm user experience.

How has Google responded to concerns about manipulating the ‘openness’ ranking signal?

Google has warned against using artificially inflated business hours to manipulate search engine rankings. They continually adjust this ranking signal but may suspend businesses found to be manipulating it.

Why is it crucial for local businesses to maintain accurate operating hours on their Google Business Profiles?

Accurate operating hours are vital for two reasons: to appear prominently in local search results and to provide a good customer experience. Customers rely on accurate information, especially during holidays and events, enhancing both visibility and customer satisfaction.

What should businesses consider when managing their Google Business Profile and making changes to operating hours?

Businesses should regularly check and update their business hours on Google Business Profiles, especially during changes or special occasions. They should also prepare for holiday hours, use Google’s special hours feature, address customer feedback promptly, and implement local SEO tactics.

What are the benefits of keeping precise business hours listed on a Google Business Profile?

Keeping accurate operating hours has several advantages, including improved visibility in local search results, enhanced customer satisfaction and loyalty, a competitive advantage over competitors with incorrect hours, increased foot traffic, and a positive online reputation.

How can businesses maximize their online presence and attract more customers by keeping accurate business hours?

To maximize their online presence and attract more customers, businesses should continually assess and update their opening and closing times, especially during busy seasons. This ensures they benefit from higher rankings in local search and increased customer engagement.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Joshua Golde; Unsplash – Thank you!

The post This Google Ranking Factor May Surprise You… appeared first on The Blog Herald.

The Experiment: Blocking Googlebot’s Access

From October 5th to November 7th, Kristina Azarenko prevented Googlebot from crawling her website. During this period, she observed several notable changes that occurred as a result of blocking Googlebot’s access. Let’s delve into each of these surprising outcomes:

1. Favicon Removed from Google Search Results

One of the unexpected consequences of preventing Googlebot from crawling Azarenko’s site was the removal of the website’s favicon from Google’s search results. The favicon is the small icon displayed next to the website’s URL in search listings. This change highlights the importance of Googlebot’s ability to crawl a website in order to gather necessary information, such as the favicon, for search result display.

2. Decline in Video Search Results

Azarenko noticed a significant decrease in video search results during the experiment, and even after the experiment concluded, the video search rankings did not fully recover. This suggests that when Googlebot is unable to crawl a website, it may have difficulty indexing and ranking video content. Website owners who heavily rely on video content should take note of this potential impact on their search visibility.

3. Stable Positions with Slight Volatility in Canada

Despite Googlebot’s inability to crawl Azarenko’s site, the overall positions of her website’s pages remained relatively stable. However, she did observe slightly more volatility in search rankings specifically in Canada. This finding suggests that Google’s algorithms may handle blocked crawling differently in certain regions, potentially affecting search rankings to a greater extent in some areas.

4. Slight Decrease in Traffic

Interestingly, despite Googlebot’s inability to crawl the website, Azarenko only experienced a slight decrease in traffic during the experiment. This finding suggests that other factors, such as existing search visibility and user behavior, may have a more significant impact on website traffic than Googlebot crawling alone. However, it’s important to note that the experiment was conducted for a relatively short period, and the long-term effects on traffic may vary.

5. Increase in Reported Indexed Pages

One surprising outcome of blocking Googlebot’s access to Azarenko’s website was an increase in the number of reported indexed pages in Google Search Console. This occurred because pages with “noindex” meta robots tags, which were intended to prevent indexing, ended up being indexed due to Google’s inability to crawl the site and recognize those tags. This finding underscores the importance of regular monitoring and optimization of meta tags to ensure accurate indexing and control over search visibility.

6. Multiple Alerts in Google Search Console

Throughout the experiment, Azarenko received multiple alerts in Google Search Console indicating issues related to blocked crawling. These alerts included messages such as “Indexed, though blocked by robots.txt” and “Blocked by robots.txt.” This highlights the importance of regularly monitoring the health and accessibility of a website in Google Search Console, especially when intentionally blocking or restricting Googlebot’s access.

Why Do These Findings Matter?

Understanding the implications of blocking Googlebot’s access to a website is crucial for SEO practitioners and website owners. By conducting experiments like Azarenko’s, we gain valuable insights into how search engines like Google react to restricted crawling. These findings help us make informed decisions about website optimization and avoid unintended consequences.

While most companies may not be able to conduct such experiments themselves, the information gathered from these experiments provides valuable knowledge that can be applied to various scenarios. It reinforces the importance of regular testing, monitoring, and optimization to ensure optimal search visibility, rankings, and organic traffic.

Similar Experiment: Impact on Ranking and Featured Snippets

In a similar experiment by Patrick Stox of Ahrefs, two high-ranking pages were blocked from crawling by robots.txt for five months. The impact on ranking was found to be minimal, but both pages lost all their featured snippets. This emphasizes the potential consequences of blocking Googlebot’s access to specific pages and the impact it can have on featured snippets, which are valuable for increasing visibility and click-through rates.

See first source: Search Engine Land

FAQ

Q1: What was the purpose of Kristina Azarenko’s experiment?

A1: The purpose of the experiment was to intentionally prevent Googlebot from crawling her website to observe the consequences of blocking Googlebot’s access.

Q2: What were some of the unexpected outcomes of blocking Googlebot’s access during the experiment?

A2: The unexpected outcomes included the removal of the website’s favicon from Google’s search results, a decline in video search results, stable positions with slight volatility in Canada, a slight decrease in traffic, an increase in reported indexed pages with “noindex” meta tags, and multiple alerts in Google Search Console indicating issues related to blocked crawling.

Q3: Why is it important to understand the implications of blocking Googlebot’s access to a website?

A3: Understanding these implications is crucial for SEO practitioners and website owners as it helps make informed decisions about website optimization and avoid unintended consequences. It underscores the importance of regular testing, monitoring, and optimization for optimal search visibility, rankings, and organic traffic.

Q4: What impact can blocking Googlebot’s access have on featured snippets?

A4: Blocking Googlebot’s access to specific pages can result in the loss of featured snippets for those pages. Featured snippets are valuable for increasing visibility and click-through rates.

Q5: What should website owners and SEO practitioners take away from these experiments?

A5: Website owners and SEO practitioners should recognize the importance of regular testing, monitoring, and optimization to ensure optimal search visibility. They should also be aware of the potential consequences of blocking Googlebot’s access to specific pages and be prepared to address any issues that may arise as a result.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Aideal Hwa; Unsplash – Thank you!

The post What Happens If Googlebot Can’t Crawl Your Website? appeared first on The Blog Herald.

Storage and Erasing Tools for On-Device Use

The move towards storing location data on the device is one of the major updates brought about by Google Maps. With these updates, users’ devices will now store their location history directly, rather than on cloud servers, which is great news for the Timeline feature. By doing away with the requirement to store data on external servers, this change gives users more agency and privacy over their location data. To further ensure the safety and convenience of their Timeline, users have the option to back it up to the cloud.

Although this update improves users’ privacy, it might reduce the quantity of location data that marketers can use in their ads. Because of this change in data availability, marketers that depend largely on location-based targeting may have to revise their approaches. Nevertheless, it should be mentioned that this update grants users greater control over their data, which can eventually result in a more honest and open relationship between users and marketers.

Controls for Viewing Past Locations Revised

Google Maps has improved controls for managing location history and added on-device storage. There is now an option for users to have their location history automatically deleted after three months. Before, 18 months was the default setting. Users now have greater say over the retention period of their location data thanks to this update.

Google Maps makes its users feel more independent and secure by letting them choose how long they want their location data kept. On the other hand, marketers depending on location-based targeting may feel the effects of this update. Search behavior changes among users who are wary about sharing their location data could affect the efficacy of location-based keywords and ad copy. Marketers can tackle this by promoting opt-in features for location sharing, transparent data usage policies, and ads that emphasize user privacy and control.

Removing Current Actions from Location History

Support for managing location information associated with particular places within the Maps app will be introduced by Google in the next weeks. The ability to remove recent actions linked to particular locations will be available to users. Also, the blue dot that shows the user’s location in Google Maps will now also act as a shortcut to their location settings. Maps’ ability to access location data from users’ devices, as well as the availability of Location History and Timeline, are both easily verifiable.

Whether for personal reasons or to maintain privacy, this feature offers users a convenient way to manage their location information. When consumers are planning surprises or doing holiday shopping, for instance, they can now hide their digital footprints. Although this update might not have any bearing on marketers’ ability to access location data, it does emphasize the significance of interest-and behavior-based contextual targeting. Advertisers can take advantage of this by tailoring their ads to each user’s tastes and providing tailored suggestions.

See first source: Search Engine Journal

FAQ

Q1: What are the recent updates to Google Maps regarding location data?

A1: Google Maps has introduced several updates to enhance user privacy and control over location data. These updates include the ability to store location history directly on users’ devices, improved controls for managing location history, and the option to remove recent location actions.

Q2: How does the storage of location data on users’ devices impact privacy?

A2: Storing location data on users’ devices, rather than on external cloud servers, gives users more control and privacy over their data. It allows users to have greater agency in managing their location history.

Q3: What are the potential implications of these updates for marketers?

A3: These updates may reduce the quantity of location data available to marketers for targeted advertising. Marketers relying heavily on location-based targeting may need to adjust their strategies to adapt to these changes.

Q4: How has Google Maps revised controls for viewing past locations?

A4: Google Maps now allows users to set a shorter retention period for their location history, with an option to automatically delete data after three months, whereas the default used to be 18 months. This change gives users more control over the retention of their location data.

Q5: How can marketers address the potential impact on location-based advertising strategies?

A5: Marketers can address these changes by promoting opt-in features for location sharing, maintaining transparent data usage policies, and creating ads that emphasize user privacy and control. They can also explore interest- and behavior-based contextual targeting to reach their target audience effectively.

Q6: What new feature is Google Maps introducing to manage location information associated with specific places?

A6: Google Maps will introduce a feature that allows users to manage location information linked to specific places within the app. This feature enables users to remove recent actions associated with particular locations.

Q7: How does this feature benefit users’ privacy?

A7: This feature provides users with a convenient way to manage their location information for personal privacy reasons. For example, users can remove location actions related to specific places when planning surprises or engaging in activities they prefer to keep private.

Q8: What can advertisers do to adapt to these changes and continue effective targeting?

A8: Advertisers can adapt by focusing on interest- and behavior-based contextual targeting, tailoring their ads to individual user preferences, and ensuring transparency in data usage. By respecting user privacy and preferences, advertisers can maintain an effective and trustworthy relationship with their audience.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Edgar; Unsplash – Thank you!

The post Google Maps: Enhancing User Privacy and Control appeared first on The Blog Herald.

Third-Party Cookie Elimination

Chrome will phase out third-party cookies for some users beginning in the first quarter of 2024. The Privacy Sandbox project, which is responsible for limiting or eliminating these cookies-based cross-site tracking methods, would approve of this change. Although advertisers may face some difficulties as a result of this change, Google Analytics 4 includes various features that will assist them in navigating this new environment.

Remarketing with Complete Confidentiality: The Protected Audience API

Integrating the Privacy Sandbox technology, Protected Audience API, is one of GA4’s key features. With this API, advertisers can keep reaching their desired demographics even after third-party cookies are no longer used. The Protected Audience API avoids tracking users through cookies, unlike conventional remarketing strategies.

In What Ways Is the Protected Audience API Operating?

One new approach to reaching out to people without invading their privacy is the Protected Audience API. Marketers bypass third-party cookies and instead communicate with users’ browsers directly to gauge future ad interest. In response to the user’s online behavior and the advertiser’s specifications, the browser employs an algorithm to choose the most pertinent advertisements. This method allows for auctions to take place on the user’s device, giving the browser the ability to select advertisements from sites the user has already visited without keeping track of their online activities.

Progress on the Protected Audience API and Its Essential Features

For remarketing campaigns that prioritize user privacy, the Protected Audience API provides numerous essential features. Among these features are the ability to display ads in a temporarily relaxed version of Fenced Frames, on-device bidding and ad selection, and browser-stored interest groups. Buyers and sellers alike can benefit from the API’s key/value service, which allows for the instantaneous retrieval of information and makes it easier to calculate budgets and adhere to policies.

The Protected Audience API has progressed from its experimental beginnings as the FLEDGE API to its current state of maturity. In order to create APIs and technologies that protect users’ privacy, Google has been working closely with relevant industry groups and government agencies. This change demonstrates Google’s dedication to privacy-centric advertising solutions and marks the API’s readiness for wider implementation.

More Conversions: Precise Tracking That Doesn’t Spy on You

The Enhanced Conversions feature, new to Google Analytics 4, allows advertisers to monitor user interactions and conversions without using third-party cookies. By improving the precision of conversion measurements and optimizing bidding, this feature protects user privacy without sacrificing performance.

What Is the Process of Enhanced Conversions?

For marketers keeping tabs on online sales and events, enhanced conversions are a godsend. It hashes data collected from online conversions, including customer email addresses. Unmeasured conversions can be recovered by matching the hashed data with Google accounts associated with ad interactions. Optimized bidding strategies are also possible with this method, and user data privacy is preserved.

Establishing More Profitable Conversions

The process of setting up improved conversions is simple. To implement, advertisers can use either a Google tag, Google Tag Manager, or the Google Ads API. In addition, assistance from third-party partners is also at your disposal. Advertisers can now track offline conversions from website leads with the help of enhanced conversions. Advertisers can effectively measure offline conversions by using hashed data from website forms, like email addresses. Importing offline conversion data is even easier with integration with platforms like HubSpot, Zapier, and Salesforce through the Google Click Identifier (GCLID).

\Verifying Appropriate Consent Procedures

For traffic coming from the European Economic Area (EEA), in particular, having the right user consent mechanisms in place is critical for making full use of Google’s improved privacy features. The collection of consent for the use of personal data in measurement, ad personalization, and remarketing features is a requirement of Google’s EU user consent policy. This policy is applicable to all data uploads, including offline conversion imports, as well as website tags and app SDKs.

To better accommodate users’ desires for tailored ads and data consent, Google has enhanced the consent mode API with new parameters. The most recent version of consent mode will be automatically updated for advertisers using Google-certified consent management platforms (CMPs). However, advertisers using self-managed banners are encouraged to upgrade to consent mode v2. By enabling consent mode, advertisers can modify Google tag behavior according to user consent, which guarantees compliance, allows for thorough reporting, and optimizes conversion modeling.

AI Essentials: Maximizing the Impact of AI on Long-Term Ad Performance

Making smart decisions and achieving long-term ad performance in the digital advertising space is becoming more and more dependent on utilizing artificial intelligence (AI). Advertisers can make the most of AI-powered campaigns by following Google’s checklist of AI essentials.

A Comprehensive Guide to AI Fundamentals

Improve your ad performance with the help of AI-powered search and Performance Max campaigns. These campaigns use machine learning algorithms to zero in on the correct audience and send them tailored messages.

• Take Part in Smart Bidding: This feature uses artificial intelligence algorithms to fine-tune bidding tactics and boost campaign results.
• Check out YouTube and other video platforms for advertising: Thanks to AI-powered targeting and personalized recommendations, video campaigns can reach and engage a wider audience.

Commercials running in Google Display & Video 360, Campaign Manager 360, or Google Ads can access a more comprehensive checklist from Google. Advertisers can use AI to propel business growth and achieve long-term ad performance by adhering to these guidelines.

Methods for Getting Ready to Eliminate Third-Party Cookies

Marketers should be proactive in adapting their strategies to comply with evolving privacy standards and prepare for the impending phase-out of third-party cookies. In light of the impending phase-out of third-party cookies, here are some concrete things you can do:

1: Review and Edit Web Code

In order to keep up with the ever-changing landscape, it is essential to audit and modify web code. The SameSite=None cookie attribute is deprecating, so you should pay special attention to any instances of it. You can find and update the code with the help of Chrome DevTools and similar tools.

2. Learn About and Control Third-Party Cookies

Data collection and tracking still relies heavily on first-party cookies, even though third-party cookies are being phased out. For compliance and cross-site contexts, make sure that first-party cookies are set correctly.

3. Make Use of Options That Prioritize User Privacy

Alternatives to third-party cookies that prioritize privacy have been introduced through the Privacy Sandbox initiative. In order to guarantee accurate tracking and targeting, it is important to keep up with the progress of these alternatives and investigate how to put them into practice.

4. Make use of Restrictions on Cookies and Other Website Sets

Chrome offers solutions such as Related Website Sets and Partitioned cookies with CHIPS (Chrome-Isolated HTTP State). By utilizing these technologies, advertisers can access valuable data for personalization and targeting without compromising user privacy.

5. Work Together Across Industries

Collaboration between industry stakeholders and regulatory bodies is essential as the industry adjusts to the phase-out of third-party cookies. The future of digital advertising is in your hands; have your say, offer suggestions, and take part in experiments and projects.

Advertisers can ensure a smooth transition and the continued delivery of effective and privacy-conscious campaigns by following these steps and staying informed about the latest updates and developments.

See first source:  Search Engine Journal

FAQ

Q1: What is the significance of Google Analytics 4 (GA4) in the context of the phasing out of third-party cookies?

A1: Google Analytics 4 (GA4) plays a crucial role in the evolving digital advertising landscape as it provides tools and features that help advertisers adapt to the elimination of third-party cookies. It enables advertisers to continue tracking user behavior and conversions while prioritizing user privacy.

Q2: Why is Chrome phasing out third-party cookies, and how does it impact advertisers?

A2: Chrome is phasing out third-party cookies to enhance user privacy and security. This change impacts advertisers by limiting cross-site tracking methods. Advertisers will need to adjust their strategies to comply with evolving privacy standards.

Q3: What is the Protected Audience API, and how does it work in GA4?

A3: The Protected Audience API is a feature in GA4 that enables advertisers to reach their target demographics without relying on third-party cookies. It communicates with users’ browsers directly to assess future ad interest without tracking online activities.

Q4: What are the key features of the Protected Audience API, and how does it benefit remarketing campaigns?

A4: The Protected Audience API offers features such as displaying ads in a temporarily relaxed version of Fenced Frames, on-device bidding and ad selection, and browser-stored interest groups. It benefits remarketing campaigns by prioritizing user privacy while allowing advertisers to reach relevant audiences.

Q5: How does the Enhanced Conversions feature in GA4 protect user privacy while tracking conversions?

A5: Enhanced Conversions in GA4 allows advertisers to monitor user interactions and conversions without relying on third-party cookies. It improves the precision of conversion measurements and protects user privacy by hashing data collected from online conversions.

Q6: What steps should advertisers take to prepare for the elimination of third-party cookies and adapt to privacy-driven advertising?

A6: Advertisers should review and edit web code, learn about and control first-party cookies, explore privacy-focused alternatives to third-party cookies, make use of cookie restrictions and website sets, and collaborate across industries to ensure a smooth transition and privacy-conscious advertising practices.

Q7: How can advertisers leverage artificial intelligence (AI) in their digital advertising campaigns?

A7: Advertisers can make the most of AI by using it in search and Performance Max campaigns for audience targeting, participating in Smart Bidding to optimize bidding strategies, and exploring AI-powered video campaigns for wider audience engagement.

Q8: What is the importance of user consent mechanisms in the European Economic Area (EEA) for Google’s privacy features?

A8: In the EEA, having the right user consent mechanisms in place is critical for utilizing Google’s privacy features fully. Advertisers must collect consent for the use of personal data in measurement, ad personalization, and remarketing features to comply with Google’s EU user consent policy.

Q9: How can advertisers modify Google tag behavior according to user consent to ensure compliance and optimize conversion modeling?

A9: Advertisers can enable consent mode, which allows them to modify Google tag behavior based on user consent. This ensures compliance with privacy regulations, enables detailed reporting, and optimizes conversion modeling. Upgrading to consent mode v2 is encouraged for self-managed banners.

Q10: What are some practical steps advertisers can take to adapt to the evolving digital advertising landscape?

A10: Advertisers should stay informed about alternatives to third-party cookies, review and edit web code, prioritize first-party cookies, explore privacy-focused options, and collaborate with industry stakeholders and regulatory bodies to navigate the changing landscape successfully.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by path digital; Unsplash – Thank you!

The post Depreciation of Third-Party Cookies: Google Analytics 4 Features appeared first on The Blog Herald.

The Correlation Between Domain Age and Rankings

Many SEOs have observed a correlation between older domain names and higher rankings on search engine result pages (SERPs). This observation has been the basis for the belief that domain age is an important ranking factor. However, it’s essential to understand that correlations alone do not provide a comprehensive understanding of the underlying factors.

To illustrate this point, consider the correlation between the number of computer science doctorates awarded in the United States and video game arcade revenues. While there may be a correlation, it does not imply a cause-and-effect relationship. The same principle applies to the correlation between domain age and search rankings.

John Mueller’s Take on Domain Age

John Mueller, a prominent figure at Google, has addressed the question of whether domain age impacts search rankings. In response to a tweet asking about the influence of domain age on rankings, Mueller tweeted, “Primarily those who want to sell you aged domains :-)”

To further clarify his stance, Mueller had previously tweeted, “No, domain age helps nothing.” These statements from Mueller highlight that the age of a domain does not play a significant role in determining its search rankings.

The Misinterpretation of Google Patents

SEOs have long believed that domain age is an essential ranking factor, possibly influenced by a Google patent called “Information retrieval based on historical data.” However, it’s crucial to note that the interpretation of this patent by SEOs is incorrect.

The patent mentions domains in the context of historical data but not in the way SEOs have understood it. It specifically focuses on the use of domain data to identify spam sites. The goal is to catch spammers who use throwaway or “doorway” domains to deceive search engines and obtain traffic before being caught.

The patent states, “Valuable (legitimate) domains are often paid for several years in advance, while doorway (illegitimate) domains rarely are used for more than a year.” This information is used to predict the legitimacy of a domain and its associated documents, not to award bonus ranking points to older domains.

The Role of Domain Data in Identifying Spam

The use of domain history information is primarily for identifying spam sites, not for ranking purposes. The patent mentions the analysis of domain data over time to identify illegitimate domains. It also discusses using DNS history information to detect spam sites.

By analyzing historical data, search engines can identify known-bad contact information, name servers, and IP addresses associated with spam sites. While the newness of a name server alone may not be a negative factor, it can contribute to identifying spam when combined with other data points.

In summary, the purpose of these patents is not to promote older domains but to identify spam sites based on historical data and other relevant factors.

The Truth About Domain Age and Rankings

Based on John Mueller’s statements and the analysis of Google patents, it’s clear that domain age does not directly influence search rankings. The belief that older domains receive preferential treatment is a misconception that has persisted in the SEO community.

Google’s ranking algorithm considers numerous factors, such as the relevance and quality of content, backlink profile, user experience, and overall website authority. While domain age may indirectly affect these factors, it is not a direct ranking signal.

See first source: Search Engine Journal

FAQ

1. Does domain age significantly impact search rankings?

• No, domain age does not play a significant role in determining search rankings, as confirmed by Google’s John Mueller.

2. Why has there been a belief in the correlation between domain age and higher rankings?

• The belief is based on observations of a correlation between older domain names and higher search rankings. However, correlations alone do not imply causation.

3. What did John Mueller from Google say about domain age and rankings?

• John Mueller stated that domain age primarily matters to those who want to sell aged domains and clarified that domain age does not help with rankings.

4. Are SEOs misinterpreting Google patents related to domain age?

• Yes, there has been a misinterpretation of Google patents. The patents related to domain data focus on identifying spam sites, not awarding ranking points to older domains.

5. How does Google use domain history information?

• Google uses historical domain data to identify spam sites and catch spammers who use throwaway or deceptive domains. The analysis includes looking at domain registration and DNS history.

6. What factors does Google’s ranking algorithm consider?

• Google’s algorithm considers a wide range of factors, including the quality and relevance of content, the backlink profile, user experience, and the overall authority of a website. Domain age may indirectly influence these factors but is not a direct ranking signal.

7. Why has the misconception about domain age and rankings persisted in the SEO community?

• The misconception may persist due to historical observations of correlations, even though they do not imply causation. Additionally, the misinterpretation of Google patents has contributed to this belief.

8. What should SEO professionals focus on instead of domain age?

• SEO efforts should prioritize factors that directly impact rankings, such as high-quality content, strong backlinks, and a positive user experience, rather than solely relying on domain age as a ranking factor.

9. How can I improve my website’s search rankings?

• To improve search rankings, focus on creating valuable and relevant content, building a strong backlink profile, optimizing for user experience, and staying up-to-date with SEO best practices.

10. Is there any situation where domain age might have an indirect influence on rankings?

• While domain age itself is not a direct ranking signal, older domains may have accumulated more backlinks and historical content, which could indirectly impact their rankings. However, it is not a guaranteed advantage, and other factors play a more significant role in SEO success.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Remotar Jobs; Unsplash – Thank you!

The post Does Domain Age Impact Search Rankings? appeared first on The Blog Herald.

Getting a Grip on Limited Ads

You may limit the gathering, sharing, and use of your personal data for ad personalization with limited ads. Limiting ad personalization prevents users’ data from being used for targeted ad delivery. Users’ privacy and data protection are enhanced, but the level of personalization and some ad features may be limited.

Ad personalization, remarketing, interest-based categories, conversion metrics, mobile carrier targeting, and audience targeting are some of the key features that aren’t available for limited ads. As a result, advertisers may have to resort to other targeting methods if they want their limited ads to be as personalized as they would like.

The New Programmatic Ad Limitation System

Google is introducing programmatic support for this ad format to give publishers more options when serving limited ads. Through real-time bidding platforms, programmatic bidding enables the automated purchase and sale of ad inventory according to specific targeting criteria. Publishers can now take advantage of programmatic demand from a variety of sources, such as Google Demand, Authorized Buyers, Open Bidders, and SDK Bidding, thanks to programmatic support for limited ads.

Programmatic demand for limited ads is contingent upon specific factors, though. Programmatic demand for limited ads can be enabled in the following scenarios: the absence of a certified CMP (Consent Management Platform), the inclusion of the &LTD=1 flag in the ad request, or a user’s decline of consent for Purpose 1 of IAB Europe’s Transparency and Consent Framework. Publishers need to check that the TC (Transparency and Consent) string contains all the other legal bases needed for limited ad eligibility.

Things That Publishers Should Think About

Although Google’s new programmatic feature opens up new possibilities for publishers, they should weigh the pros and cons and make well-informed choices according to their specific needs. Publishers are held accountable by law for the tools they employ and the way they manage user consent on their websites, according to Google. To that end, publishers should think long and hard about how this feature fits in with their commercial goals and regulatory requirements before deciding to enable programmatic support for limited ads.

Before deciding to utilize the expanded programmatic ad-serving feature, publishers should consult their legal teams to learn about the consequences of using invalid traffic-only cookies and whether their rules necessitate user consent. The user experience and possible revenue implications of serving less personalized ads must be carefully considered. People may not engage as much or be as satisfied with the publisher’s site if they see non-personalized advertisements, since they may not find them relevant.

Please be informed that once the programmatic support for limited ads is available, it will be enabled by default for publishers who choose to participate. If publishers would like to disable the feature, Google offers a simple way to do so. Ads Manager makes it easy for publishers to customize their ad serving preferences. Just go to Admin > Global settings > Network settings, and disable the programmatic limited ads feature.

See first source: Search Engine Journal

FAQ

1. What are Limited Ads, and how do they affect ad personalization?

Limited ads allow users to restrict the gathering, sharing, and use of their personal data for ad personalization. This means that data won’t be used to target ads specifically to individuals, enhancing privacy. However, this limitation results in reduced personalization, and certain ad features like ad personalization, remarketing, and audience targeting may not be available for limited ads.

2. What is Google’s new programmatic support for limited ads?

Google is introducing programmatic support for limited ads to give publishers more options for serving these ads. Programmatic support enables automated buying and selling of ad inventory based on specific targeting criteria. Publishers can tap into programmatic demand from various sources, such as Google Demand, Authorized Buyers, Open Bidders, and SDK Bidding.

3. Under what conditions can programmatic demand for limited ads be enabled?

Programmatic demand for limited ads can be enabled when there is no certified CMP (Consent Management Platform), the ad request includes the &LTD=1 flag, or a user declines consent for Purpose 1 of IAB Europe’s Transparency and Consent Framework. Publishers must ensure that the TC (Transparency and Consent) string contains all other legal bases required for limited ad eligibility.

4. What should publishers consider before enabling programmatic support for limited ads?

Publishers need to weigh the pros and cons and make informed decisions based on their specific needs. They are legally responsible for the tools they use and user consent management on their websites. Publishers should consult their legal teams to understand the consequences of using invalid traffic-only cookies and whether their regulations mandate user consent. Additionally, they should consider the impact on user experience and potential revenue implications of serving less personalized ads.

5. How can publishers enable or disable programmatic support for limited ads?

Programmatic support for limited ads will be enabled by default for publishers who choose to participate. To disable this feature, publishers can go to Ads Manager > Admin > Global settings > Network settings and turn off the programmatic limited ads feature. This provides publishers with control over their ad serving preferences.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Julian Hochgesang; Unsplash – Thank you!

The post Google Introduces Programmatic Bidding for Limited Ads appeared first on The Blog Herald.

The Cryptocurrency Coin Trust: A Brief Overview

It is essential to grasp the nature and operation of cryptocurrency coin trusts before delving into the policy revisions. Financial products known as cryptocurrency coin trusts enable investors to purchase shares in entities that hold large quantities of digital currency. Rather than requiring direct ownership, these trusts provide investors with equity in cryptocurrencies. Investors seeking exposure to the cryptocurrency market without the complexity of digital asset management can consider coin trusts as an option for diversifying their portfolio.

The Importance of Revised Advertising Guidelines

While the cryptocurrency market has experienced remarkable expansion and new developments, it has also encountered certain difficulties. Misleading or fraudulent advertising practices are common, which is a problem. In an effort to keep users safe and the advertising ecosystem running smoothly, Google has updated its policies regarding cryptocurrency coin trusts.

Bitcoin Trusts and Google’s New Policies

On January 29, 2024, the revised regulations regarding cryptocurrency coin trusts will be put into force. These updates will be implemented worldwide for all accounts that promote these types of financial products. To make sure that cryptocurrency coin trust advertisements follow all local rules and regulations, this document primarily aims to define the parameters and standards for such ads. Marketers aiming their ads at American consumers can now promote these goods and services—so long as they get certified by Google and follow the new rules.

A System for Ensuring Compliance and Certification

As a precaution against noncompliance with the new rules, advertisers should review the rules and regulations again. Google requires cryptocurrency coin trust ads aimed at US audiences to get certification before running such ads. Advertisers’ compliance with applicable laws and their provision of users with accurate and transparent information are the goals of this certification process. Advertisers also need to be mindful of the local rules and regulations in the places they want their ads to be seen.

Account Suspension and Warning System

Under the new policy, Google will issue warnings before suspending accounts for infractions. If an advertiser’s account is suspended due to policy violations, they will be notified at least seven days in advance. Advertisers have a window of opportunity to fix any non-compliance issues and bring their advertising practices in line with the updated guidelines during this grace period. Nevertheless, account suspension may be necessary in the event of repeated or serious infractions.

Reasons Why Local Compliance Is Crucial

Advertisers must adhere to local laws and regulations, even though Google’s policy updates lay out a framework for advertising cryptocurrency coin trusts. Crypto advertising may be subject to different regulations in different jurisdictions; it is the responsibility of the advertisers to comply with these regulations. Both the relationship with regulatory authorities and the trust among users can be enhanced by adhering to local compliance.

Effects on the Market for Cryptocurrencies

The cryptocurrency market is anticipated to be greatly affected by Google’s revised advertising policies regarding cryptocurrency coin trusts. A more secure environment for users to engage with cryptocurrency-related ads is Google’s goal, and they plan to achieve it by imposing rigorous standards and mandating certification. The cryptocurrency industry as a whole can benefit from this step since it lessens the likelihood of deceptive or fraudulent practices.

Cryptocurrency Ads of the Future

Ad strategies in the cryptocurrency industry will have to change to meet the demands of regulators and consumers as the market develops further. One step towards a more open and safe advertising ecosystem is Google’s revised policies for cryptocurrency coin trusts. To make the most of the cryptocurrency market’s advertising potential, advertisers will have to keep up with policy updates and make sure they’re compliant.

See first source: Search Engine Journal

FAQ

1. What are cryptocurrency coin trusts, and why are they relevant to Google’s advertising regulations?

Cryptocurrency coin trusts are financial products that allow investors to purchase shares in entities that hold significant amounts of digital currency. These trusts provide an alternative for investors looking to gain exposure to the cryptocurrency market. Google’s advertising regulations are relevant because they aim to ensure the safe and transparent promotion of cryptocurrency coin trusts.

2. Why has Google updated its advertising guidelines for cryptocurrency coin trusts?

Google has updated its policies to address issues related to misleading or fraudulent advertising practices in the cryptocurrency market. The goal is to protect users and maintain a trustworthy advertising ecosystem.

3. When will the new regulations regarding cryptocurrency coin trusts take effect?

The revised regulations will come into effect on January 29, 2024. These updates will apply globally to all accounts that promote cryptocurrency coin trusts.

4. How can advertisers promote cryptocurrency coin trusts to US audiences under Google’s new policies?

Advertisers targeting US audiences can promote cryptocurrency coin trusts if they obtain certification from Google and adhere to the new rules and regulations. Compliance with local laws is also essential.

5. What is the certification process, and why is it necessary for cryptocurrency coin trust advertisers?

The certification process ensures that advertisers comply with applicable laws and provide users with accurate and transparent information. It is necessary to enhance trust and accountability in cryptocurrency advertising.

6. What happens if an advertiser’s account violates the new advertising policies?

Google will issue warnings before suspending accounts for policy violations. Advertisers will receive a notification at least seven days in advance of an account suspension. During this grace period, advertisers can rectify non-compliance issues. However, repeated or serious infractions may lead to account suspension.

7. Why is local compliance crucial for advertisers despite Google’s policy updates?

Cryptocurrency advertising may be subject to varying regulations in different jurisdictions. Advertisers are responsible for complying with these local laws and regulations. Adhering to local compliance not only ensures legal conformity but also enhances trust with users and regulatory authorities.

8. How will Google’s revised advertising policies impact the cryptocurrency market?

Google’s revised policies aim to create a more secure environment for users engaging with cryptocurrency-related ads. By setting rigorous standards and requiring certification, Google intends to reduce deceptive or fraudulent practices in the cryptocurrency market, ultimately benefiting the industry as a whole.

9. What should advertisers in the cryptocurrency industry do to adapt to these policy changes?

Advertisers in the cryptocurrency industry should stay informed about policy updates, obtain certification, and ensure compliance with local regulations. Adapting ad strategies to meet regulatory and consumer demands is essential to maximize advertising potential in the cryptocurrency market.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Kanchanara; Unsplash – Thank you!

The post Google’s Updated Cryptocurrency Advertising Policy for 2024 appeared first on The Blog Herald.

Understanding the Google Reviews System

Google’s Reviews System is a set of algorithms that play a significant role in determining the ranking of review-related content and search queries. Its primary objective is to prioritize people-first content and reward high-quality reviews that provide insightful analysis and original research. Google has published guidelines to help publishers understand the types of content the Reviews System aims to rank. These guidelines offer general advice rather than a definitive list of ranking factors.

According to Google’s guidance, the Reviews System seeks to rank content written by experts or enthusiasts who possess in-depth knowledge of the topic. This emphasis on expertise and quality is in line with Google’s ongoing efforts to prioritize authoritative and valuable content in search results.

The Recent Google Reviews System Update

On November 8, 2023, Google announced a Reviews System update, which has now been fully rolled out as of December 7, 2023. Unlike previous updates, Google has decided not to provide explicit announcements for future updates to the Reviews System. Instead, these updates will be implemented on a regular and ongoing basis, with the algorithms powering the Reviews System being continuously improved.

The decision to stop announcing future updates raises questions about the frequency and nature of these updates. While Google has not revealed specific details, it is likely that the Reviews System will undergo daily adjustments as new webpages are analyzed and rankings are fine-tuned. As an SEO professional, it is important to familiarize yourself with Google’s guidance on the Reviews System and regularly assess your website’s compliance with these guidelines.

Impact of the Reviews System Update

With the implementation of the recent Reviews System update, website owners and SEO practitioners may notice changes in their rankings. This is not uncommon during algorithm updates, but it becomes particularly noteworthy when there is a surge in ranking drops reported across multiple SEO communities. In the days leading up to the completion of the Reviews System update, various Facebook SEO groups reported such drops, especially among sites that engage in edgy SEO practices.

To adapt to these changes and mitigate any negative impact on your website’s rankings, it is crucial to stay informed and proactive. Monitoring your website’s performance and analyzing any fluctuations in rankings can help you identify potential issues related to the Reviews System update. By following Google’s guidance on high-quality reviews and ensuring that your content aligns with their expectations, you can increase your chances of maintaining or improving your website’s visibility in search results.

Resources to Navigate Google Updates

Google provides several resources that can help you navigate updates and understand the various ranking systems they employ. These resources include:

1. Q&A on Google Search updates
2. List of Google’s Ranking Systems
3. A guide to Google Search ranking systems
4. Google Search’s reviews system and your website

By familiarizing yourself with these resources, you can gain valuable insights into Google’s ranking systems and updates, enabling you to adapt your SEO strategies accordingly.

Best Practices for Writing High-Quality Reviews

In light of the emphasis placed on high-quality reviews by Google’s Reviews System, it is essential to understand what constitutes a well-crafted review. While Google’s guidelines do not provide an exhaustive checklist of ranking factors, they offer valuable advice on writing reviews that are likely to be rewarded by the Reviews System. Here are some best practices to consider:

1. Be insightful and original: Provide analysis and research that goes beyond surface-level information. Offer unique perspectives and add value to the reader’s understanding of the subject.
2. Demonstrate expertise: Showcase your knowledge and authority on the topic at hand. Draw from your experience and expertise to provide valuable insights.
3. Write for the audience: Tailor your reviews to the needs and interests of your target audience. Understand their preferences and deliver content that resonates with them.
4. Be trustworthy and unbiased: Maintain transparency and honesty in your reviews. Avoid promoting biased opinions or engaging in deceptive practices.
5. Engage with the community: Foster discussions and engage with readers in the comments section. Respond to queries, address concerns, and promote a positive and interactive environment.

By adhering to these best practices, you can enhance the quality of your reviews and increase the likelihood of being recognized by Google’s Reviews System.

See first source: Search Engine Journal

FAQ

1. What is the Google Reviews System, and why is it important for SEO?

The Google Reviews System is a set of algorithms that determine the ranking of review-related content and search queries. It prioritizes high-quality reviews and content written by experts or enthusiasts. It’s important for SEO because it impacts the visibility of review-related content in search results.

2. What was the recent Google Reviews System update, and when was it implemented?

The recent Google Reviews System update was announced on November 8, 2023, and it was fully rolled out by December 7, 2023. Unlike previous updates, Google has decided not to provide explicit announcements for future updates to the Reviews System.

3. What are the implications of the Reviews System update for website rankings?

The update may lead to changes in website rankings, which is common during algorithm updates. Some websites, especially those using questionable SEO practices, may experience ranking drops. It’s crucial for website owners and SEO practitioners to monitor their site’s performance and adapt to any changes.

4. What are the best practices for writing high-quality reviews according to Google’s guidelines?

Google’s guidelines emphasize the importance of insightful and original content, demonstrating expertise, writing for the target audience, maintaining trustworthiness and unbiased opinions, and engaging with the community. Following these practices can increase the chances of being recognized by the Reviews System.

5. How can I stay informed about Google’s updates and ranking systems?

Google provides various resources, including a Q&A on Google Search updates, a list of Google’s ranking systems, a guide to Google Search ranking systems, and specific guidance on Google Search’s reviews system and your website. Familiarizing yourself with these resources can help you navigate updates effectively.

6. What should I do to adapt my SEO strategies to the Reviews System update?

To adapt to the update, monitor your website’s performance and rankings, adhere to Google’s guidelines for high-quality reviews, and ensure your content aligns with their expectations. Staying informed and proactive is key to mitigating any negative impact on your website’s visibility in search results.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by John Schnobrich; Unsplash – Thank you!

The post Google Reviews Update: What You Need to Know appeared first on The Blog Herald.