Google December 2024 Spam Update Deindexing & Deranking Some Sites Hard
On Thursday, December 19th at 12 pm ET, Google began its release of the Google December 2024 spam update. It seems like that update kicked into gear the day or so after it was released, but honestly, it is hard to tell if the damage is from the spam up…
Google Offers Its Required Remedies In DOJ Antitrust Case
Google has offered up its remedies over its antitrust case with the Department of Justice – it was forced to, it didn’t want to. Google said it will appeal the Court’s decision but the process requires that we first file proposed remedies.
Google Knowledge Panels Gain Payment Options
Google is now showing payment options on some retailer’s knowledge panels. This comes after Google started asking for the payment options a business accepts in Google Merchant Center, although, it might be unrelated (we don’t know).
Google Ads Tests Search Ads Without Ad Descriptions
Google Ads seems to be testing showing search ads in the Google Search results without ad copy, without the ad description text you added to your ads. I guess Google wants to see what type of impact this has on ad performance.
Bing Search Tests How To Pick Section
Microsoft is testing a new section in Bing Search titled “How to pick.” It helps you figure out what product you should pick, by breaking down the options and configurations.
Google Ads For Performance Max Brand Control Adds Shopping Ads Override
Google Ads added a new brand control override for Performance Max campaigns that lets you override the exclusion for Shopping Ads. The check box is under the brand exclusions section and reads, “Allow Shopping ads on searches that mention excluded bran…
Google Kwanzaa Decorations Are Live For 2024
And now we have the Kwanzaa decorations live in the Google Search results. Just search for [Kwanzaa] to see them. Google also went live with the Christmas decorations today and the Hanukkah decorations last week.
Google Christmas Decorations Are Live For 2024
Christmas is around the corner and Google finally posted its Christmas decorations in Google Search today. We already have the Hanukkah decorations live and now we have the Christmas decorations – we are now waiting on the Kwzanzaa decorations.
Search News Buzz Video Recap: Google December Core Update Done, Spam Update Starts, Google Ranking Exploit Leaked, Google Tests Double Serving Ads
Google has finished rolling out the December 2024 core update, it finished super fast and was incredibly volatile. The volatility started over the weekend but lasted throughout the whole update. Google then released the December 2024 spam update…
Google Testing Shaded Button Sitelinks On Mobile
Google is testing a new style of sitelinks again (I cover these way too often). This one turns the sitelinks into shades / gray buttons.
Google Search To Gain AI Mode
Google Search will roll out an ‘AI Mode’ within Google Search that will look “nearly identical to its Gemini AI chatbot” according to some reports. We also saw sources post screenshot of early tests of AI Mode within the Google App and on Android devices.
Google Tests Nearby Hotels & Restaurants In Business Profile Listing
Google seems to be testing adding buttons/links to nearby hotels and restaurants directly at the top of a Google Business Profile listing. This may be related to the Digital Markets Act (DMA) rules in European regions or it might just be some sort of o…
Bing Search Studies Of Carousel
Microsoft has this “studies of” carousel in the Bing Search results. It can help you find content that helps you prepare for a specialized exam or course, of sorts.
Google December 2024 Core Update Fast & Furiously Finished Rolling Out
The Google December 2024 core update quickly and brutally finished rolling out yesterday at around 2:00 PM ET. It took just over 6 days to roll out, starting on December 12, 2024 at 10:45 am and finishing on December 18, 2024 at 2:00 pm. This update …
Broken Google Maps Business Profile Listings
There are a number of reports of Google Business Profile listings in Google Maps coming up broken. Google seems to be showing half of the listing, with flickering maps portions, missing business names, blue maps and more issues.
Google Says It Makes No Sense To Block Disclaimer and Privacy Policy Pages
Google’s John Mueller said, “It makes no sense to block” privacy, disclaimers, or other legal types of pages from your site. He added on Reddit, “They don’t cause a ‘duplicate content issue’.”
Study On Removal Of Google Local Reviews
The folks over at GMBapi have put together a large study on the topic of how and why Google removes reviews from Google Business Profiles. It looked at nearly 5 million reviews across 78 countries and over 19,000 locations.
Google Merchant Center Now Lets You Select Your Payment Methods
Google Merchant Center now lets merchants specify which payment methods and options they offer customers. Google would normally handle this in an automated way but now Google is letting you override those payment options, in case Google is getting it …
2025 SEO Predictions: Are We Heading into an AI Winter?
What We’re Seeing Despite the initial excitement surrounding AI-generated content, AI written content by default lacks EEAT (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) compliance. Audiences are pushing back on low-quality outputs in search re…
Daily Search Forum Recap: December 18, 2024
Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today, through the eyes of the Search Engine Roundtable and other search forums on the web.
The Google search API leak, now with an end point leak…