We hope you are in good health. Here are some of the major SEO news updates of the week that you need to know:
Search Related News and Updates from Major Search Engine
Google Translates Search Results Into 8 More Languages
Google expanded its translation capabilities in search engine results pages (SERPs), allowing publishers to reach a wider global audience. By translating SERPs into languages such as Arabic, Gujarati, Korean, Persian, Thai, Turkish, Urdu, and Vietnamese, Google is providing publishers with an opportunity to increase their website traffic from these regions. This development is particularly beneficial for businesses and content creators who are looking to expand their online presence and engage with users in different languages. By incorporating these additional languages into its translation services, Google is further enhancing its commitment to making information accessible to users worldwide.
In response to a question about why anonymous Reddit content can sometimes outrank expert advice from credible websites, Google’s John Mueller explained that although both are websites, they are quite different. He emphasized the importance of considering various factors when determining the relevance and usefulness of search results. Mueller highlighted the need to find the right tools and platforms that align with the specific needs of users and their target audience. Google’s ultimate goal is to provide search results that are tailored to user’s requirements and offer them valuable information.
Google’s Gary Illyes Says That Markup That SEOs And Site Owners Control Are Not Good Signals
In a statement, Google’s Gary Illyes expressed his lack of enthusiasm toward any plans to allow SEOs and site owners to control certain markup signals. He cited the period between 2011 and 2013 as an example of why this approach may not be beneficial. According to Illyes, most markups that SEOs and site owners have access to tend to be spam in some form. Therefore, Google generally does not consider these signals to be good indicators. For instance, the rel-canonical attribute is seen as a hint rather than a directive, and the Meta description is something that Google might consider but not strictly adhere to.
Google Now Supports AI-Generated Label & Identifying Manipulated Images in the Search Results
Google Search Central made updates to its documentation to announce support for labeling images that have been extended or manipulated using artificial intelligence (AI). This means that website owners and content creators can now add labels to images that have been modified or enhanced using AI technology. This update is significant as it allows search engines to understand and classify these AI-generated images better, providing users with more accurate and relevant search results. Additionally, Google quietly removed the “AI-generated” metadata from Beta status, signaling that the “AI-generated” label is now fully supported in search.
Bing Tests Labeling Images With Nutrition Details in the Search Results
Bing is experimenting with a new feature that aims to provide users with more detailed nutritional information. This feature involves adding labels to images in search results, specifically on food products. These labels include such as “high calcium,” “lean protein,” “anti-inflammatory,” and other relevant information. By incorporating this additional data directly into the search results, Bing hopes to make it easier for users to quickly assess the nutritional value of the food they are searching for. This feature could be particularly beneficial for individuals who are conscious about their dietary needs or have specific health goals in mind.
Google Updates its URL Structure Best Practices for Google Search Help Documentation
Google made an update to its URL structure best practices for Google Search help documentation. This update serves as a reminder to website owners and developers to avoid using URL fragments to modify the content on a page. According to Google, fragment URLs are generally not supported by their search engine. Instead, they recommend using the History API when utilizing JavaScript to change content. This latest guideline aims to ensure that web pages are properly indexed and displayed in search results, providing a better user experience for online visitors. Website owners need to adhere to these best practices in order to maintain visibility and accessibility on Google’s search platform.
Google Search Tests New Video Format in the Mobile Search Results
Google is conducting a test for a new video format in its mobile search results. This test aims to showcase thinner video search result snippets along with smaller video thumbnails. By introducing this new format, Google is seeking to enhance the user experience on mobile devices when it comes to searching for videos. The thinner snippets and smaller thumbnails allow for more content to be displayed on the screen, making it easier for users to browse through search results. This test is part of Google’s continuous efforts to optimize and improve its search engine capabilities, particularly for mobile users.
Google’s John Mueller Says SEO Feedback On The Last Core Update Was Really Helpful
Google’s John Mueller expressed his gratitude for the SEO feedback received on the last core update. He highlighted the importance of this feedback in the evaluation and discussion process within the search quality and ranking teams. The feedback collected from site owners and users alike has proven to be invaluable in understanding the impact of the update and making necessary improvements. Mueller extended his thanks to everyone who took the time to submit their feedback, emphasizing the significance of collaboration between Google and website owners in enhancing the search experience for users.
Google Ads Tests Double Row Carousel Shopping Search Ads in the Search Results
Google is testing a new ad format in the search results that includes two rows of shopping ads in a carousel format. This means that users can now scroll through more shopping ads simultaneously, allowing for a more efficient and streamlined shopping experience. This new format provides advertisers with increased visibility and enables them to showcase a wider range of products to potential customers. With this update, Google aims to improve the overall shopping experience for users while also maximizing the advertising potential for businesses.
Google Ads Tests People Also Browsed Carousel in the Search Results
Google is constantly innovating and testing new ad formats to enhance user experience and provide relevant information. One of their latest experiments is the “People also browsed” ad format. This feature aims to show users what other products or services people have viewed when conducting a similar search query on Google. By analyzing browsing sessions and matching them with relevant ads, Google aims to offer users more options and choices based on their interests and preferences. This new ad format has the potential to improve advertising effectiveness and help users make more informed decisions while browsing on Google.
Social Media Related News and Updates from Major Search Engine
YouTube Tests New Feature “Add Yours” Sticker for Shorts
YouTube is constantly evolving its platform to enhance user engagement and encourage content creators. In a move, YouTube has introduced an experimental feature called the “Add Yours” sticker. This feature aims to increase trend participation among YouTube Shorts creators. It allows select channels to initiate and join trending topics by prompting their audience to respond. This innovative approach provides a fresh way for creators to interact with their viewers and potentially spark viral trends and challenges. By rolling out this feature, YouTube is actively seeking to boost engagement and foster a sense of community among its user base.
PPC Related News and Updates from Major Search Engine
Google Enables Broad Match by Default for New Search Campaigns Within Google Ads
Google made a significant change in its advertising platform by enabling broad match by default when creating new search campaigns within Google Ads. Broad match is a keyword-matching option that allows ads to be triggered by a wide range of search queries related to the selected keywords. This change aims to provide advertisers with more reach and potential impressions for their campaigns. However, it also means that advertisers need to closely monitor their campaigns and make necessary adjustments to ensure that their ads are being shown for relevant searches. By defaulting to broad match, Google is empowering advertisers to extend their reach and potentially drive more traffic to their websites through targeted advertising.