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 Updates Review Snippet Guidelines: Recommending Ratings and Written Reviews with Author Names
Google updated its review snippet guidelines, advising website owners and businesses to include written reviews and author names in their ratings. This change aims to give users more context and information about the reviews they read. By including written reviews, users can better understand the specific details and experiences others share. Additionally, including author names enhances credibility and transparency. It allows users to identify who wrote the review, promoting accountability and trustworthiness. These guidelines can improve search visibility and user trust, benefiting businesses and users.
Google Chrome’s Barry Pollard has outlined five essential optimization tips to tackle the Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) issues, which is vital for every SEO. First, PageSpeed Insights (PSI) data can provide valuable insights into debugging LCP problems. Second, the Time to First Byte (TTFB) metric in PSI may explain poor LCP scores. Third, Lighthouse lab tests offer repeatable results, which are crucial for accurately diagnosing LCP issues. Fourth, CDNs can obscure the cause, so Barry recommends bypassing them for a more accurate lab score. Finally, he identifies six potential causes for poor LCP: server performance, redirects, code issues, databases, and geographic connection problems.
Google Can Display Sites with Manual Actions in AI-Powered Overviews
Google can display sites and pages with manual actions in its AI-powered overviews. This means that even if a page has been penalized and doesn’t appear in the main search results, it can still be featured in the AI overviews shown at the top of the Google search results page. This information is essential for website owners and SEO professionals, as it highlights the visibility these penalized pages can still have. It also emphasizes the need for diligent efforts to rectify manual actions and regain search visibility.
Google Tests New Feature: Search Results Zoom Into Next Page for Seamless Browsing
Google Search constantly evolves and experimenting with new features to enhance user experience. One of the latest tests is implementing a zoom animation/effect when users click to the next page of search results. This animation aims to provide a more visually appealing and seamless transition between pages. By incorporating such effects, Google aims to make the browsing experience more engaging and enjoyable for users. As with any new feature, this zoom animation is being tested to gather user feedback and assess its effectiveness. If successful, it may be rolled out to a broader audience.
Google Tests Gemini Generative AI to Enhance ‘People Also Search For’ Section
Google is testing its generative AI, Gemini, to enhance search results’s “People Also Search For” section. By leveraging Gemini’s capabilities, Google aims to provide more relevant, contextually aware suggestions based on user queries. This experiment could improve the accuracy and personalization of recommendations, helping users discover related topics more effectively. With this new AI-driven approach, Google hopes to deliver a smarter search experience that better anticipates users’ needs and offers more insightful search result connections.
Google Tests Sitelinks Carousel in Desktop Search Results for Enhanced Navigation
Google constantly tests and experiments with new features and enhancements to improve the user experience. In its latest endeavor, Google tests a sitelinks carousel on the desktop search results interface. Sitelinks are additional links that appear below the main search result, providing users with direct access to specific sections or pages of a website. The new site links carousel is designed to make it easier for users to navigate through different website sections directly from the search results page. By presenting these sitelinks in a carousel format, Google aims to enhance usability and streamline the user journey.
Google Introduces Continuous Scroll in Search Video Tab for Effortless Browsing
Google has introduced a new feature called Continuous Scroll in the search video tab. This feature aims to enhance users’ browsing experience by allowing them to scroll through videos seamlessly without clicking on separate pages. With Continuous Scroll, users can effortlessly browse through various videos, making it easier to find and watch the content that interests them. This new feature saves time and provides a more convenient and enjoyable way to explore the vast amount of video content available on Google. By introducing Continuous Scroll, Google is further improving its search experience and catering to the evolving needs of its users.
PPC Related News and Updates from Major Search Engine
Microsoft Tests Bold Sponsored Labels in Bing Search Results for Better Ad Visibility
Microsoft is testing bold sponsored labels in Bing search results to improve ad visibility and clearly differentiate between organic search results and sponsored content. The new labels are designed to catch users’ attention and help them quickly identify paid advertisements. This move is part of Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to enhance the user experience of its search engine. By making sponsored labels more prominent, Microsoft aims to ensure that users can make informed decisions while browsing search results. The testing phase will help determine the effectiveness of these bold labels in terms of user engagement and ad visibility.
Google Ads Tests New Chat Button in Top Navigation of Advertiser Console
Google is conducting tests to determine the effectiveness of placing a chat button at the top of the Google Ads advertiser console. This chat button is designed to potentially utilize artificial intelligence technology to respond to user queries. The testing phase commenced last week, and Google has included a “Chat” label with a “beta” designation next to the chat icon. By incorporating AI into the chat function, Google aims to streamline the process of obtaining information and resolving queries within the Google Ads platform.
