SEARCHENGINES
February 8th/9th Google Search Ranking Algorithm Update
I am seeing signs of another Google search ranking algorithm update just a few days after the February 4th Google search ranking update – both of these have not been confirmed by Google. This February 8th and 9th Google update may be even stronger than the previous update.
I probably should have covered this yesterday, but the travel got the better of me.
The chatter started around February 8th at WebmasterWorld, despite all of this AI distraction (rightfully so). There is also chatter here in our comments area. Here are some quotes from the thread:
What I am seeing is a continuation of the same trend. USA / Canada traffic lag every day, while the rest of the world is strong. Traffic is now strong in the morning, and falls off a cliff every day during peak commercial hours. That can be 9/10am, 11am/12pm, or as late as 1pm. It stays down for hours in the USA and Canada, then bumps back up again and ends the day up overall, but with USA at even or negative by up to 10%. Yesterday USA was down 10%, Canada was -14%, and UK was -17%. Today USA is -22% and Canada is -28% at 1pm.
HUGE drop since last monday. Today it looks even worse 😐
I’m also seeing a massive drop on my biggest website (20% week over week) – I’ve made a couple of changes and will let you know if any of them work, so far:
I’m also seeing a massive drop on my biggest website (20% week over week) – I’ve made a couple of changes and will let you know if any of them work, so far
90% zombified traffic here,
Attack on brand terms, especially
Here is a chart from the thread at WebmasterWorld:
Today, ranking of my KWs and traffic show discrepancies. Traffic looks better today than the past 5-6 days (but still no conversation), but rankings have dropped since yesterday.
Traffic Stopped @12pm IST today till 4pm.
I saw it yesterday, there was no traffic from 4 pm to 8pm.
Big G is doing something and taking our traffic !! This is a pure scam!
Today’s in the first half, traffic was not too bad, but has stopped again for 2 hours.
Here is a chart from Glenn for a site getting hit around then:
Quick update on the domain name change situation I covered in Dec. The site owner just reached back out. It dropped AGAIN. So whatever G pushed over the past few days (where a lot of sites are seeing volatility) also impacted this site w/a domain name change that went sideways: pic.twitter.com/CX78swzzVU
— Glenn Gabe (@glenngabe) February 9, 2023
And the tools are pretty heated right now.
What are you all noticing?
Forum discussion at WebmasterWorld.
SEARCHENGINES
Daily Search Forum Recap: October 9, 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.
DOJ may breakup Google and worse, but the ruling won’t happen officially until next year. Google is testing what people are saying short videos. Google is testing card style knowledge panels on desktop. Google is testing most mentioned places. Google Ads cleaned up its side bar navigation. Google Business Profiles lets you reorder your menu items for your restaurant.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
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DOJ May Breakup Google As Remedy To Monopoly Ruling
Late last night, the Department of Justice indicated that it was considering a possible breakup of Google as an antitrust remedy to its monopoly ruling. Of course, Google will appeal this decision, which will have this stuck in courts for years. A breakup is probably the most strict outcomes of this ruling that anyone expected. -
Google Tests What People Are Saying Short Video Search Results
Google had this feature titled “What people are saying” that led to forums, in a list and text format. Now, Google is testing this same thing but it leads to short videos on TikTok and other platforms. -
Google Tests Card Style Knowledge Panel Desktop Design
Google is testing its mobile design for knowledge panels on desktop. You can see the card formatted design for these knowledge panels on the desktop interface. -
Google Search Tests Most Mentioned Places Carousel
Google is testing a new local search carousel named “Most Mentioned Places.” It seems to bring up local retail stores that have the product you are searching for. It shows local Google Business Profile listings, with the photo, and review summaries. -
Google Drag & Drop Reorder Your Restaurant Menu Items
Google Business Profiles now lets you quickly reorder your menu items on your restaurant’s menu with drag-and-drop menus. This allows you to move menu items from section to section much faster and easier. -
Google Ads Improved Console Sidebar Navigation
Google has made a small but useful change to the Google Ads sidebar navigation. It made the background white on sub-navigational elements, which helps differentiate between main menu options and sub-menu options. -
Google Bike Window Stickup Sign
Here is a large window stick up sign or decal I found on Instagram. It looks a bit over the top but hey, that is why I am sharing it with you.
Other Great Search Threads:
Search Engine Land Stories:
Other Great Search Stories:
Industry & Business
Links & Content Marketing
Local & Maps
Mobile & Voice
SEO
PPC
Search Features
Other Search
Feedback:
Have feedback on this daily recap; let me know on Twitter @rustybrick or @seroundtable, on Threads, Mastodon and Bluesky and you can follow us on Facebook and on Google News and make sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or just contact us the old fashion way.
SEARCHENGINES
Google Showing Competitor Ads Above Local Reviews
Google has done it again, it has shown ads from competitors directly above the reviews section of a Google local listing. We’ve seen Google do this before with LSA listings numerous times, with Google local listings and branded knowledge panels and LSA messaging.
Anthony Higman spotted this and posted screenshots and a video of this in action on X – I will say, I tried to replicate it and it did not come up for me. But here is what Anthony saw:
This is a screenshot from his videocast:
This is what I see – no ads:
Here is his video:
— Anthony Higman (@AnthonyHigman) October 7, 2024
There is also this:
Recently, many clients have had a sudden influx of calls or hangup calls from paid search ads. When reviewing the calls, the consumer thinks they are calling the competitor (not bidding on them). It’s been a nightmare to navigate and negate. Plus, several brand’s name cpc went up
— Nate Louis (@N8Louis) October 8, 2024
Forum discussion at X.
SEARCHENGINES
Google Shopping Researched with AI
Google Shopping is testing a new AI Overview answer titled “Researched with AI – Experimental.” This seems to pull together reviews for specific products based on Google Gemini AI.
I am told this was displayed in the Google Shopping interface for the query [TV] – I cannot replicate this.
But Khushal Bherwani shared a couple screenshots on X – here are one of those screenshots:
Bordie Clark was then able to replicate this and post this video of it in action:
Whoa, Google is now testing out a researched with AI experiment within the Shopping tab. This was first discovered by @b4k_khushal. The experience involved an AIO-type summary appearing at the top with product suggestions included. cc @rustybrick Details: https://t.co/WupmipgeQg pic.twitter.com/VpPl9SBS0n
— SERP Alert (@SERPalerts) October 7, 2024
Here are more:
🆕 Google testing “Researched with AI · Experimental” in shopping search with big More button pic.twitter.com/CLajfEO0iM
— Khushal Bherwani (@b4k_khushal) October 7, 2024
This seems to replace the “AI Overview” with this “Researched with AI” specifically in Google Shopping. Although, it looks a lot like an AI Overview, just with a different title.
Forum discussion at X.
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