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

Microsoft Announces the Launch of Generative AI Captions in Bing To Write Custom Search Snippets

Microsoft unveiled the integration of generative AI captions in Bing, which are aimed at enhancing the user experience by providing custom search snippets. This groundbreaking feature leverages the advanced capabilities of OpenAI’s GPT-4 language model, which meticulously examines the user’s search query and the web page content to craft concise and informative descriptions. By analyzing the essence of each page, these AI-generated captions offer users a deeper understanding of the search results, facilitating more efficient information.

Google Launches “Notes” Feature in Search Labs To Add User Comments In Search Results 

Google launched a new feature called “Notes” in its Search Labs, allowing users to add comments and insights on search results. This feature lets users view and leave comments on search results and articles, providing helpful insights from real people alongside regular results. Notes are available in the U.S. and English and Hindi in India. Users can access this feature through the Google Search Labs option on both Android and iOS platforms. This new feature aims to enhance the search experience by incorporating the perspectives and insights of users into the search results.

Google Make Some Ranking Changes To Prioritize First-Hand Knowledge 

Google introduced significant updates to its Search platform, incorporating new personalization features and ranking changes. The revamped search rankings will precede content that showcases first-hand knowledge, aiming to enhance the accessibility of individual experiences, advice, opinions, and other direct knowledge when users seek information. Furthermore, introducing a ‘follow’ button feature will streamline staying updated on specific topics, empowering users to engage with content that aligns with their interests and preferences.

Google’s John Mueller Offers His Opinion on Topical Authority

In a recent discussion, a post surfaced where an individual expressed their concern after being told by their boss that they didn’t grasp the notion of topical authority. This prompted Google’s John Mueller to weigh in on the matter, advising the individual not to worry about topical authority. Mueller’s opinion on the subject brings forth an interesting perspective, indicating that perhaps the significance of topical authority may not be as crucial as some perceive it to be. This exchange serves as a reminder that while topical authority is a relevant consideration in the digital landscape, it may not always be the primary focus for every individual or business.

Google Introduces New Structured Data Markup for Educational Videos to Improve Search Results 

Google’s latest announcement aims to revolutionize the search experience for educational content, specifically videos. By introducing a new type of structured data markup, Google empowers publishers to provide detailed metadata through schema.org. This metadata will outline the educational level, concepts, and skills addressed in instructional videos. This initiative will enable Google Search to comprehend the content more effectively, ultimately delivering more tailored and pertinent results for users seeking educational material. Introducing this structured data for learning videos marks a significant step towards enhancing the accessibility and relevance of educational content on the platform.

Google Announces the Hidden Gems Ranking System Update 

Google announced the hidden gems ranking system, which is being rolled out. This new update is designed to elevate content buried within forum posts, social media, and blog posts that Google Search deems to offer genuine value based on personal insights and experiences. By highlighting content that might otherwise go unnoticed, this update aims to surface authentic and insightful perspectives from the depths of online platforms. With the hidden gems ranking system, Google emphasizes valuable content that may have previously been overshadowed by more popular or widely shared posts.

Google Introduces New Personalized Search Results 

Google introduced new improvements to its search results aimed at providing a more personalized experience for users. With the introduction of Perspectives and the increased highlighting of creator profiles, Google aims to offer more nuanced and relevant search results. Notably, the search engine will prioritize sites users frequently visit, indicating these results with a “you visit often” label. Additionally, Google will transparently display the ranking of these results, emphasizing the influence of user visitation within the “about this result” feature.

Google Announces a New Robots.txt Report Within Google Search Console

Google’s announcement of a new robots.txt report within Google Search Console signifies a significant upgrade in webmasters’ ability to monitor and manage their site’s crawling directives. This new tool replaces the old robots.txt tester tool and provides valuable insights into the top 20 hosts on a website, including the robots.txt files found, the timing of their last crawl, and any encountered warnings or errors. By offering this comprehensive view, webmasters can better understand how Google interacts with their sites and make informed decisions to optimize crawling and indexing.

Social Media Related News and Updates from Major Search Engine

Instagram Adds New Ways to Create Content With New Filters, Fonts, and Text Styles

Instagram introduced several new features to enhance content creation on its platform. Users can now enjoy a streamlined video editing experience, making editing and improving their video content easier. A dedicated media clip hub for memes has been added, allowing users to access various meme templates to incorporate into their posts. Introducing text-to-speech and font style updates gives users more options for personalizing their content. Furthermore, custom stickers have been introduced for further personalization and creativity, while mood-capturing photo filters enable users to enhance their visual storytelling. These new features aim to give Instagram users more tools and options for creating engaging and unique content.

PPC Related News and Updates from Major Search Engine

Microsoft Advertising Updates its Policy Violation Notification System

Microsoft Advertising significantly updated its policy violation notification system to ensure that advertisers are promptly informed when their ads, keywords, or product offers are disapproved. The new email notification cadence has been implemented to expedite the alert process, enabling advertisers to receive notifications within 24 hours of any ad or ad component rejection. This enhancement aims to provide advertisers with timely information about policy violations, allowing them to take swift corrective action and minimize disruption to their advertising campaigns. The subject line “Notice of Violation of Policy – Ad or Ad Component” will now accompany these notifications, further streamlining the communication process for advertisers.

Author

Navneet Kaushal is the Editor-in-Chief of PageTraffic Buzz. A leading search strategist, Navneet helps clients maintain an edge in search engines and the online media. Navneet is also the CEO of SEO Services company PageTraffic which is one of the leading search marketing company in Asia.