Google's Latest Updates: Core & Reviews, Simple Search, Date Issues, Follower Counts, and More
Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- The November 2023 Core Update
- The November Reviews Update
- Google's Testing of Simple Search
- Date Issues with Google Search
- Reporting Issues with Google Search Console
- Follower Counts in Search Results
- Google's Entry into the Health Industry
- Google Notes in Search Results
- Removal of Robots FAQ Documentation
- Flight Information in Search Results
- Shading Colors of Favicon in Search Results
- Google Merchant Center and Promotions
- Enhanced Performance Max Products Views
- FAQ by Ads Liaison on Responsive Search Ads
- Understanding Videos with Google Bard
- Conclusion
Introduction
Good morning, everyone! I'm Barry Schwarz, and welcome to this edition of Search Buzz, where we recap the latest news from the world of search engines. In today's video, we'll be covering a variety of topics, including major updates from Google, testing of new search features, and some interesting developments in the search results. So, let's dive right in!
The November 2023 Core Update
The November 2023 Core Update has been rolling out for the past three weeks, making it the longest ongoing core update in history. While Google has not provided an estimated end time for this update, it is clear that they are taking their time to ensure incremental and safe changes. This update has had a significant impact on website rankings, leading to both positive and negative fluctuations for many sites.
The November Reviews Update
In addition to the core update, Google has also been rolling out the November Reviews Update for the past 16 days. This update focuses on improving the review ranking algorithm and ensuring that high-quality and relevant reviews are given more prominence in search results. Google has not yet completed rolling out this update, so it's important to monitor any changes in your search rankings closely.
Google's Testing of Simple Search
Google seems to be testing a feature called Simple Search, which aims to simplify search results for users. This feature, discovered by Dan Sully, adds a topic refinement option at the top of the search results page. When selected, Simple Search streamlines the search results and provides a more straightforward view of the most relevant information. While Google has not confirmed this feature, it is an interesting development worth keeping an eye on.
Date Issues with Google Search
There have been ongoing issues with date accuracy in Google search results. Many publishers have reported instances where the displayed publication dates are incorrect or inconsistent. This issue has raised concerns among publishers, as it affects the perceived freshness of content and can impact user trust. Google is aware of the issue and is currently investigating a fix.
Reporting Issues with Google Search Console
Google Search Console recently experienced reporting issues related to page experience and enhancement reports. These reports, including Core Web Vitals and AMP-related metrics, showed a reduction in the number of valid URLs being reported. Fortunately, Google has resolved this issue, and the reporting numbers will return to normal soon. However, this incident has caused frustration among SEO professionals who heavily rely on Search Console for data analysis.
Follower Counts in Search Results
Google has fully launched the inclusion of follower counts in search results. Users can now see the number of followers a person or brand has directly in the search results. This feature is similar to social media platforms that display follower counts for profiles. This addition can provide valuable social proof and influence user decisions when relevant.
Google's Entry into the Health Industry
Google is expanding its presence in the health industry by introducing a new feature called "Ask a Doctor." This feature appears in the search results when users search for medical information and provides trusted answers sourced from reputable associations, such as the American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association. While this feature may benefit users by providing quick and reliable medical information, it raises concerns among health-related websites that rely on traffic from search results.
Google Notes in Search Results
Google recently launched a feature called Google Notes, which allows users to add personal notes in their search results. These notes are publicly indexable and crawlable, meaning they can be discovered and accessed by others. This feature has both positive and negative implications, as it provides users with a personalization option but also raises privacy concerns.
Removal of Robots FAQ Documentation
Google has removed the Robots FAQ documentation, which provided guidance and explanations on how to control web crawling and indexing. While Google has not provided a specific reason for this removal, it is believed that the information previously covered in the FAQ is now adequately covered in other documentation. However, if you have any concerns or questions about handling robots.txt files, it is still recommended to seek guidance from established sources.
Flight Information in Search Results
Google has been testing the inclusion of flight information directly in search results. This new feature, potentially a rich result, shows flight details, including prices, directly in the search results. This development comes in contrast to a recent change where Google discouraged including flight prices in website titles. It is likely that Google is testing different ways to present flight information to users effectively.
Shading Colors of Favicon in Search Results
Google is experimenting with shading the colors and circles of favicon (website icon) in search results. This change aims to provide visual variety and make search results more engaging. By altering the appearance of favicons, Google can differentiate between websites more effectively, potentially improving the overall user experience.
Google Merchant Center and Promotions
With the holiday season approaching, many merchants rely on promotions to attract customers. Google Merchant Center can automatically create and update promotions based on information found on a merchant's website. While this feature can be beneficial, it also requires merchants to double-check the accuracy of these promotions. Google's automated system may sometimes misinterpret or incorrectly apply promotions, leading to potential issues for merchants.
Enhanced Performance Max Products Views
Google has introduced additional segments, including brand, custom labels, and product views, to the Performance Max products views area. This new feature provides advertisers with more granular insights into their advertising performance. It allows advertisers to analyze specific product categories, custom labels, or views attributed to their ads. This enhancement simplifies the analysis process and helps advertisers make data-driven decisions.
FAQ by Ads Liaison on Responsive Search Ads
Jenny Marvin, an ads liaison at Google, has answered several frequently asked questions about using automatically created assets for Responsive Search Ads. These FAQs cover topics such as asset selection, preview differences, and performance tracking. If you're using Responsive Search Ads, these insights can help you optimize your ad campaigns for better results.
Understanding Videos with Google Bard
Google has unveiled a new feature called Google Bard, which can understand and summarize videos using the YouTube extension. This feature, currently available for Gmail personal accounts, allows users to search for specific information or moments within videos. By leveraging AI and machine learning, Google Bard makes it easier to find relevant video content without having to watch the entire video.
Conclusion
That wraps up this edition of Search Buzz, where we explored various updates and developments in the search industry. From Google's prolonged core update and ongoing reviews update to the introduction of new search features and enhancements, it's clear that the search landscape is continuously evolving. As always, stay tuned for more news and insights from the world of search. Have a great weekend, everyone!
【FAQ】
Q: How long has the November 2023 Core Update been rolling out?
A: The November 2023 Core Update has been rolling out for almost three weeks now.
Q: What is the purpose of Google's Simple Search feature?
A: The Simple Search feature aims to simplify search results for users by providing a streamlined view of the most relevant information.
Q: Are there any date issues with Google search results?
A: Yes, there have been reported issues with incorrect or inconsistent publication dates in Google search results.
Q: Has Google resolved the reporting issues with Search Console?
A: Yes, Google has fixed the reporting issues with Search Console, and the numbers will return to normal soon.
Q: Can users now see follower counts in search results?
A: Yes, Google has fully launched the display of follower counts in search results.
Q: How does Google's Ask a Doctor feature work?
A: Google's Ask a Doctor feature provides trusted answers sourced from reputable associations when users search for medical information.
Q: Can users add personal notes in their search results?
A: Yes, users can add personal notes in their search results using the Google Notes feature.
Q: Why was the Robots FAQ documentation removed?
A: While there is no specific reason provided, it is believed that the information previously covered in the FAQ is adequately covered in other documentation.
Q: What flight information is Google testing in search results?
A: Google is testing the inclusion of flight details, including prices, directly in search results.
Q: How is Google enhancing the performance max products views?
A: Google has added brand, custom labels, and product views segments to provide advertisers with more detailed insights into their advertising performance.
Q: What does Google Bard do?
A: Google Bard can understand and summarize videos using the YouTube extension, allowing users to search for specific information within videos.
