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 introduced new features in its Chrome browser that aim to enhance the search experience for users. One of these features includes providing search suggestions based on a user’s history and crowdsourced data. Another new feature in mobile Chrome is the ability to suggest images for broader product searches. Furthermore, Google has also improved the search suggestions feature in Chrome to work even with poor internet connections. Overall, these new features introduced by Google for its Chrome browser are aimed at providing users with a more personalized, efficient, and inclusive search experience.
Google Business Profile Websites Will be Shut Down in March 2024
Google announced that it will be shutting down the Google Business Profile Websites in March 2024. These websites are simple and basic websites that are created using the information available on a business’s Google Business Profile. This move by Google aims to streamline the online presence of businesses and ensure that customers are directed to the most up-to-date and accurate information about a business. From March 2024 onwards, when customers visit a website created with Google Business Profiles, they will be automatically redirected to the corresponding Business Profile instead. This redirect will be in effect until June 10, 2024, giving businesses ample time to update their online presence and ensure a smooth transition for their customers.
Google Fixes the Filetype Search Operator Bug
Google confirmed that the filetype search operator was missing from its search engine, but the issue has now been fixed. This operator allowed users to search for specific file types, such as PDFs or Word documents, by including the “filetype:” keyword in their search query. However, users noticed that this feature was no longer working as expected. After receiving numerous reports from users, Google acknowledged the issue and promptly resolved it. This fix is good news for those who rely on the filetype search operator to find specific types of files quickly and efficiently.
Google’s John Mueller Answers a Question on Crawl Budget Issue
Google’s John Mueller addressed the issue of crawl budget and its impact on websites. He explained that the crawl budget is primarily a concern for large sites with a significant amount of content. If you are experiencing crawl budget issues but your site is not massive in size, it is likely that Google simply does not perceive much value in crawling more of your pages. Mueller emphasized that this is not a technical problem but rather a reflection of Google’s priorities in terms of indexing and ranking web pages. Website owners need to understand the factors that influence crawl budgets and optimize their sites accordingly.
Google Search Ranking Algorithm Updates On February 28 & 29th
There have been early indications of a potential Google Search ranking algorithm update that began on February 28th and has continued into today, February 29th. The SEO community has started to notice a significant increase in discussions and speculation surrounding this possible update. Additionally, some third-party rank-tracking tools have detected a noticeable surge in volatility, further supporting the notion of an algorithmic change. While it is still too early to draw definitive conclusions, these early signs suggest that Google may have made adjustments to its search ranking algorithm, potentially impacting website rankings and visibility.
Google’s John Mueller Says Disallowing UTM Parameters In URLs Won’t Help With Crawling Or Ranking
In a recent discussion on Reddit, Google’s John Mueller provided some valuable insight on the impact of disallowing URLs with UTM parameters. According to Mueller, this practice will not improve crawling or rating with Google Search. He emphasized that it is important for a website to maintain clean and consistent internal URLs. However, he also noted that over time, the use of canonical tags can help address any issues related to external links carrying UTM parameters. Mueller’s stance is clear – if there is no value in disallowing such URLs, then there is no reason to pursue it.
Google Rolls Out Local Panels Design With Expandable Menus
Google introduced a new design for its local panels, accompanied by expandable menus. This update aims to enhance the user experience by providing more information and options within the local search results. The expandable menus allow users to access additional details about a specific business or location without having to leave the search results page. This feature is particularly useful for users who want to gather information or compare different options quickly. With the new design, Google continues its efforts to make local search more efficient and user-friendly, enabling users to find the information they need with ease.
Microsoft Bing Will Test Deep Search Features Again This Week
Microsoft announced its plans to resume testing Bing’s Deep Search features after temporarily pulling back its testing earlier this month. Deep Search is an innovative enhancement to Bing Search that allows users to delve into the web and discover a more comprehensive and immersive experience. By providing a deeper and richer exploration of the internet, Deep Search aims to enhance Bing’s search capabilities and provide users with more relevant and detailed results. With Microsoft’s decision to resume testing, it is clear that they are committed to continuously improving their search engine and offering users a superior search experience.
Social Media Related News and Updates from Major Search Engine
LinkedIn New Features and Algorithm Changes to Promote Your Best Posts For Months
LinkedIn is constantly evolving its platform to provide better opportunities for professionals to showcase their expertise and connect with their target audience. One of the recent changes includes a new feature called “suggested posts,” which aims to promote relevant old posts. This algorithm change indicates that LinkedIn values reaching niche audiences with high-quality content with overbroad reach or vanity metrics. As a marketer, it is crucial to understand that providing unique value and insights is key to standing out on the platform. This can be achieved through creating long-form and in-depth content that resonates with your target audience.
YouTube Launches a New “Collab” Feature for its Short-Form Video Product Shorts
YouTube introduced a new “Collab” feature for its short-form video platform, Shorts. This new feature enables creators to remix and respond to existing YouTube videos and Shorts in a split-screen format. With this feature, creators can now collaborate and create engaging content. This move by YouTube is seen as a direct competition to TikTok’s popular duet capability, which allows users to create split-screen videos. By introducing the Collab feature, YouTube aims to attract more creators and users to its platform, providing them with new opportunities for collaboration and creativity.
PPC Related News and Updates from Major Search Engine
Google Ads Will Show Search Partner Network Sites in the PMax Placement Report
Google Ads announced that it will soon introduce a new feature in the Performance Max Placement report, allowing advertisers to see which sites their PMax ads are running on. This is a significant development as it provides advertisers with greater visibility and control over their ad placements. This new feature will enable advertisers to optimize their campaigns more effectively by identifying the best-performing placements and making data-driven decisions to improve their ad performance.
Google Ads is testing a new change history page that offers advertisers more detailed information on the changes made to their ads and campaigns. This new feature aims to help advertisers track and understand the modifications made to their campaigns, enabling them to make more informed decisions about their advertising strategies. By providing a comprehensive overview of the changes made, advertisers can easily identify the impact of each modification and assess its effectiveness in achieving their advertising goals. This enhanced change history page will undoubtedly be a valuable tool for advertisers looking to optimize their Google Ads campaigns and maximize their return on investment.
