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 Offers 3 Tips For Diagnosing Technical SEO Issues

When optimizing your website for search engines, technical SEO plays a crucial role in ensuring that your site is easily discoverable by search engine crawlers. Google has shared three valuable tips to help web admins identify and diagnose technical SEO issues. The first tip is to check if the page is indexed or indexable. This means ensuring your page is not blocked by robots.txt or meta tags that prevent search engines from crawling and indexing your content. The second tip is to check for duplicate content or pages with conflicting canonical tags. Lastly, web admins should review the rendered HTML of their pages for any code-related matters. This includes checking for broken links, missing meta tags, or other code errors that could negatively impact your site’s SEO performance.

Google Reviews System Update Finished Rolling Out 

The last announced Reviews System Update by Google has finally finished rolling out, bringing a new and improved ranking system for review-related content and search queries. Google’s Reviews System is crucial to their algorithms, working together to produce accurate and relevant search results. This system aims to prioritize people-first content, ensuring that the most helpful and informative reviews are given priority in search rankings. To help publishers better understand how this system works, Google has published guidelines that outline the kind of content the Reviews System aims to rank. Following these guidelines allows publishers to optimize their content and improve their chances of ranking higher in search results.

Google’s New Local Ranking Factor: If A Business Is Open Or Closed on Business Hours 

Google’s new local ranking factor focuses on whether a business is open or closed based on business hours. This means that Google now considers a business’s real-time status when determining its position in the local pack rankings. This move by Google reflects the growing importance of providing accurate and up-to-date information to users. By considering whether a business is open or closed, Google aims to provide users with more relevant search results that align with their immediate needs. This new ranking factor emphasizes the significance of maintaining accurate business hours and promptly updating any changes to ensure visibility and competitive advantage in local search results.

Google Search Generative Experience Tests Export To Gmail & Google Docs

Google SGE, also known as the Search Generative Experience, is currently undergoing testing to enable users to export the responses it generates for their queries directly to Gmail and Google Docs. This new feature aims to provide users with a seamless experience by allowing them to easily save and share the information they find through Google search. The export button, conveniently located on the left side of the query box, enables users to transfer the generated responses to their preferred platforms effortlessly. This development further enhances the functionality of Google SGE, making it even more convenient and user-friendly.

Google Search Rolls Out Full-Width Image Pack With More Details

Google Search rolls out a new feature that enhances the user experience by rolling out a full-width image pack with more details. This update aims to provide users with a more immersive and informative search experience. The full-width image pack lets users view high-resolution images directly on the search results page, eliminating the need to click individual links to access image content. Additionally, this update includes more details about the images, such as captions and related information, making it easier for users to find the desired content.

Google Search Console Plans To Remove Product Results Search Appearance Filter From Performance Reports and the API

Google Search Console plans to remove the product results search appearance filter from its performance reports and API. This change is expected to occur in January 2024, giving website owners and marketers ample time to adjust their reporting strategies. Earlier this year, Google Search Console split the product results search appearance into two categories: merchant listings and product snippets. This move aims to provide more accurate and granular data for website owners and advertisers, allowing them to analyze the performance of their product listings better on Google’s search results pages.

Google Announces New Structured Data for Vacation Rentals Listings in Search Results

Google introduces new structured data for vacation rental listings in search results, rich results, and reporting. This update aims to provide users with more relevant and comprehensive information when searching for vacation rental properties. This will help users make more informed decisions when choosing a vacation rental. Additionally, the structured data will enhance the display of vacation rental listings in search and rich results, making them more visually appealing and easier to navigate. Introducing this new feature also brings opportunities for improved reporting and analytics, allowing property owners to gain valuable insights into user behavior and preferences.

PPC Related News and Updates from Major Search Engine

Google Tests Line Separator Between Paid & Organic Results 

Google is seen testing a line separator between paid and organic search results. This line separator aims to make it easier for users to distinguish between paid advertisements and organic search results. By differentiating between the two, Google aims to improve transparency and help users make informed choices. Whether this line separator will be implemented permanently remains to be seen, but it is a step towards enhancing the user experience on Google’s search engine results page.

Microsoft Advertising’s Partnership With Baidu Global and Introduces AI-Powered Ads

Microsoft Advertising’s partnership with Baidu Global is set to revolutionize the advertising landscape by introducing AI-powered ads. The collaboration targets key markets such as the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Australia in 2024, leveraging Baidu’s global keyboard app for enhanced user context. This integration allows Microsoft to deliver personalized ads that align with users’ interests and preferences, ultimately driving higher engagement rates, especially among Gen Z. With this strategic move, Microsoft is positioning itself as a leader in AI advertising, with plans to continuously evolve its conversational ad products based on valuable advertiser feedback. This partnership signifies a significant step forward in targeted and personalized advertising.

Google Ads Allows Advertisers To Opt Out Temporarily To Search Partner Network Even For PMax Campaigns 

Google Ads allows advertisers to choose whether or not they want their ads to appear on the Search Partner Network for their Search and Shopping ad campaigns. This is a significant development, giving advertisers more control and flexibility with different objectives or preferences regarding their advertising strategy. Advertisers using Performance Max (PMAX) and Universal App Campaigns can opt out of the Search Partner Network temporarily if they feel it aligns better with their campaign goals. This change empowers advertisers to make more informed decisions and optimize their campaigns based on their specific needs and targeting requirements.

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.