Latest SEO Updates from Google and Bing | October 2023

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Twitter's Partnership with Google Ads
3. AI Features in Meta and Facebook Ads
4. October Spam Update by Google
5. Google's Broadcore Update
6. Data Reduction Feature in Google Analytics
7. Announcements for Instagram and Reels Ads
8. Global Launch of Demand Gen Ads by Google Ads
9. Introduction of Google Ads Data Manager
10. Indented Search Results No Longer Displayed
11. Support for Vehicle Listing Type Schema Data
12. Accessibility Announcements by Google
13. Structured Data for Paywalled Content
14. Relaunch of Microsoft's PubCenter
15. Themes Support for Performance Max Campaign
16. Mobile-First Indexing Completion by Google

Introduction

SEO has evolved rapidly with the introduction of AI and has become a field that constantly undergoes updates and changes. Staying updated with the latest developments in the SEO industry has become crucial for professionals in the field. In this article, we will summarize the key updates and announcements made in the month of October 2023. From partnerships to new features, we will cover everything you need to know about the latest happenings in the world of SEO. So, let's dive in and explore the exciting updates from the past month.

Twitter's Partnership with Google Ads

📢 Partnership with Google Ads

On October 2nd, Twitter announced its partnership with Google Ads. This collaboration will enable the display of Google Ads on Twitter, expanding the reach and revenue potential for both platforms. With 90% of Twitter's income coming from ads, this partnership aims to boost their ad revenue even further. Additionally, Google Ads will benefit from access to Twitter's active user base. This partnership presents a win-win situation for advertisers, as it provides an opportunity to reach a wider audience without the hassle of managing separate ad platforms.

AI Features in Meta and Facebook Ads

🔍 AI Features in Ads Platform

Meta (formerly known as Facebook) introduced three AI-powered features in their ads platform on October 4th. These features aim to streamline ad creation and save advertisers time. The first feature allows users to generate ad graphics' backgrounds by simply providing a prompt. The second feature enables the expansion of small images, enhancing their visual impact. Lastly, AI can now automatically generate text for ads, eliminating the need for advertisers to spend time crafting compelling copy. According to Facebook, these AI features can save advertisers up to 5-6 hours per week.

October Spam Update by Google

🔥 October Spam Update

On October 4th, Google implemented the October Spam Update. This update specifically targeted languages such as Hindi, Chinese, Indonesian, Turkish, and Vietnamese, which are not predominantly English. Google recognized the need to combat spam in websites catering to these languages, aiming to enhance user experience and search quality. The update utilizes Google's spam systems, ensuring that websites in these languages comply with spam guidelines. Webmasters and site owners operating in these languages should closely monitor the impact of this update on their websites.

Google's Broadcore Update

🔄 Google's Broadcore Update

Google introduced the Broadcore Update, which coincided with the October Spam Update. However, Google has not disclosed specific details about this update, leaving webmasters in a state of confusion. In typical fashion, Google's advice has been cryptic, offering limited insights to webmasters. This update has elicited mixed reactions and uncertainty among the SEO community. It is important for webmasters to stay updated and monitor any fluctuations in their search rankings and traffic.

Data Reduction Feature in Google Analytics

📊 Data Reduction Feature in Google Analytics

Google Analytics launched a new feature called Data Reduction on October 8th. This feature provides website owners with the option to remove sensitive user data such as email addresses, names, and other personal details from their analytics data. By utilizing this feature, website owners can prevent the collection of unwanted and potentially risky data. Data Reduction can be accessed through the Admin section of Google Analytics, allowing users to safeguard privacy and reduce potential liabilities.

Announcements for Instagram and Reels Ads

📸 Important Announcements for Instagram and Reels Ads

On October 10th, Meta (formerly known as Facebook) made significant announcements regarding Instagram and Reels ads. These updates aim to enhance the advertising experience on both platforms and increase engagement. The announcements include the introduction of Collection Ads, allowing users to explore multiple products within an ad, and Multi-Destination Reel Carousel Ads, which enable users to click on multiple pages or links within a single reel. Additionally, a new feature called Swipe Left Function was introduced, allowing users to easily access the landing page of an ad by swiping left. These new features present exciting opportunities for advertisers to create immersive and interactive ad experiences.

Global Launch of Demand Gen Ads by Google Ads

🌍 Global Launch of Demand Gen Ads

Google Ads globally launched Demand Gen ads on October 10th. These AI-based ad types are designed to replace the Discovery campaign. Demand Gen ads utilize a combination of images, carousels, product feeds, and even YouTube videos to reach and engage target audiences. Google claims that Demand Gen ads offer a 61% lower CPA (Cost per Acquisition) compared to social media ads, while delivering 3 times more CDR (Click-Through Rate). These ads are shown on platforms like YouTube, Google Discover, and Gmail, providing advertisers with a unique opportunity to maximize reach and drive conversions.

Introduction of Google Ads Data Manager

🔢 Introduction of Google Ads Data Manager

Google Ads introduced a new feature called Data Manager on October 11th. This feature allows advertisers to manage all data access from a single window. With Google Ads providing access to various services where website data can be stored, Data Manager simplifies the management process by centralizing data access. As third-party cookies become less prevalent in the future, this feature will become increasingly valuable for advertisers looking to store and utilize first-party data. The rollout of Data Manager is expected to be completed for all accounts by early 2024, providing advertisers with a comprehensive data management solution.

Indented Search Results No Longer Displayed

🔍 Indented Search Results No Longer Displayed

In a recent announcement on October 13th, Danny Sullivan from Google confirmed that indented search results will no longer be displayed on the SERP (Search Engine Results Page). Indented results are secondary URLs listed beneath the main URL. Google stated that indented results have lost their value in the era of continuous scroll, leading to their removal from search results. While this change may impact the visibility of certain pages, it reflects Google's commitment to providing a more user-friendly and streamlined search experience.

Support for Vehicle Listing Type Schema Data

🚗 Support for Vehicle Listing Type Schema Data

Google announced support for vehicle listing type schema data on October 16th. Car dealerships can now leverage schema data to showcase their inventory in search results. This schema data enables car dealerships to display key information, such as price, mileage, and availability, directly in search results. Moreover, Google introduced a new report named Vehicle Listing in Google Search Console to provide deeper insights into the performance of schema data for vehicle listings. With this update, car dealerships can enhance their visibility and attract potential buyers through enriched search results.

Accessibility Announcements by Google

♿️ Accessibility Announcements by Google

Google made several accessibility-related announcements on October 17th, focusing on improving the experience for disabled users across various products, including Google Maps and Search. These announcements include:

1. Attribute for Disabled-Owned Businesses: Google My Business now includes the attribute "Disabled Owned" alongside attributes like women-owned, black-owned, and LGBTQ-friendly. This attribute aims to promote and support businesses operated by disabled individuals.

2. Wheelchair-Friendly Routes on Google Maps: Users can now view wheelchair-friendly routes separately on Google Maps. This feature helps individuals with mobility restrictions navigate with ease, empowering them to explore the world confidently.

3. Reading Signs and Boards with Google Lens: Google Maps now allows users to hear signs and boards using Google Lens. This feature is especially beneficial for blind users, as it provides audio descriptions of visual information, enhancing accessibility and independence.

4. Customizing Routes in Google Maps: Disabled users can customize routes in Google Maps using tiles and custom images. This feature enables them to create personalized routes that suit their specific needs and preferences.

5. Camera App Magnification for Pixel Users: Pixel users can utilize their camera app to magnify objects around them. This feature enhances visibility for visually impaired individuals and offers greater convenience in their daily lives.

These accessibility features not only benefit disabled users but also provide temporary assistance to individuals facing mobility challenges. It is commendable that companies like Google are continuously striving to create inclusive technologies and solutions.

Structured Data for Paywalled Content

💰 Structured Data for Paywalled Content

Google announced the introduction of structured data for paywalled content on October 18th. This schema data allows publishers to inform Google about content that is exclusively available to paid users. By using this structured data, publishers can differentiate between free content and content behind a paywall. This implementation helps prevent accusations of cloaking, as Google acknowledges the designated access restrictions for paid articles, news, blogs, comments, courses, reviews, and web pages. Publishers can leverage this feature to maintain user trust and ensure fair representation of their content.

Relaunch of Microsoft's PubCenter

💻 Relaunch of Microsoft's PubCenter

Microsoft relaunched PubCenter, its competitor to Google AdSense, on October 26th. PubCenter allows website owners and bloggers to display Microsoft ads on their platforms, providing an alternative revenue source. Similar to Google AdSense, publishers can integrate PubCenter code into their websites and receive revenue based on ad clicks and impressions. While PubCenter offers an additional monetization option, it is currently limited to the United States market. However, its relaunch demonstrates the potential for diversifying ad revenue beyond relying solely on Google AdSense.

Themes Support for Performance Max Campaign

🎨 Themes Support for Performance Max Campaign

Google Ads introduced the option to add themes to Performance Max campaigns on October 26th. Advertisers can now select up to 25 themes to help guide the audience targeting for their campaigns. By categorizing different themes, advertisers can align their campaigns with specific interests and optimize performance. Each theme should be separated by a comma and should not exceed 80 characters. Adding themes to Performance Max campaigns enhances the precision of ad delivery and increases the likelihood of reaching the intended target audience.

Mobile-First Indexing Completion by Google

📱 Mobile-First Indexing Completion

After seven years of gradual implementation, Google announced the completion of mobile-first indexing on October 31st. Google now exclusively crawls and indexes websites using a smartphone bot. This transition reflects Google's commitment to prioritize mobile usability and deliver optimal search experiences to mobile device users. While a small percentage of websites still lack mobile compatibility or block the mobile version from Google Bot, Google continues to crawl these websites with a desktop bot. However, Google's reliance on the desktop bot will diminish over time. As the process of mobile-first indexing concludes, website owners must ensure that their sites are fully optimized for mobile devices to maintain and improve their search rankings.

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【FAQ】

Q: Can you provide more details about the Google Ads Data Manager? A: Google Ads Data Manager is a new feature that allows advertisers to manage all data access from a single window. This feature simplifies the process of connecting to various services where website data can be stored. It enables advertisers to control and manage data access easily. With the diminishing importance of third-party cookies, using platforms to store first-party data will become increasingly valuable in the future. The rollout of Google Ads Data Manager is expected to be completed for all accounts by early 2024.

Q: What are the benefits of using Demand Gen ads in Google Ads? A: Demand Gen ads are a new ad type introduced by Google Ads that aims to provide an AI-based solution for driving demand generation. These ads utilize various formats, including images, carousels, product feeds, and YouTube videos, to engage target audiences. The benefits of using Demand Gen ads include lower CPA compared to social media ads, higher CDR, and the opportunity to reach a broad audience through platforms like YouTube, Google Discover, and Gmail. This ad type is designed to compete with social media ads and offers advertisers an alternative avenue for driving conversions.

Q: How does the completion of mobile-first indexing impact website owners? A: The completion of mobile-first indexing signifies Google's transition to prioritizing mobile versions of websites for crawling and indexing. This shift underscores the importance of mobile usability. With Google exclusively using a smartphone bot for crawling, website owners must ensure that their sites are optimized for mobile devices to maintain and improve search rankings. Failing to provide a satisfactory mobile experience may result in decreased visibility and potential loss of traffic. Website owners should continue to prioritize mobile optimization and monitor their site's performance on mobile devices.