SEARCHENGINES

Google Discover Impacted By The Helpful Content Update Since October 2022

Published

3 months ago

March 8, 2023

A few weeks ago, I reported that Google has updated its help documentation to specify that Google Discover visibility can be impacted not just by the core updates but also specifically by the helpful content update. I asked Google when this changed and after flip-flopping a bit on the answer, Danny Sullivan of Google said this changed around October 2022.

October 2022 is a bit weird in terms of timing being that this was between helpful content system updates. We had the August 2022 helpful content update that finished rolling out on September 9, 2022 and then we had the December 2022 helpful content update that started on December 6, 2022.

I guess sometime in October Google pushed a more minor update to say, let the helpful content update impact Google Discover. I guess a new helpful content update did not need to be pushed for this to happen, but I assume something was tweaked with Google Discover to make this happen that was not announced – not that Google has to announce everything for us…

Going back to the flip-flop… Danny Sullivan, after first saying the help document was incorrect, that the helpful content update did not impact Google Discover visibility, said last night that he has a correction, it does. And he added that this change happened in October 2022.

Danny wrote on Mastodon, “Sorry for the confusion over this. Did more checking. We do indeed use it and have done so since last October.” So he is saying that after checking one more time, (1) Google Discover is impacted by the helpful content update and (2) he got back to me on when this changed, and this changed in October 2022.

Then Danny went on to say, “but it’s a very light use.” Because of that he added, “so we’re leaving the page as is, but as I also said, we won’t be confirming each search signal used by Discover.” This is the page that says The system generates a site-wide signal that we consider among many other signals for use in Google Search (which includes Discover).”

Danny also referenced this generic advice, “If you want to be successful with Discover, which is part of Search, it makes sense to pay attention to the things that are helpful with Search.”

So there you have it:

(1) Google Discover is impacted by the helpful content update.

(2) This all began in October 2022.

Forum discussion at Mastodon.

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SEARCHENGINES

Bing Search Testing Short Search Menu

Published

2 hours ago

June 7, 2023

Entireweb News Bot

Microsoft Bing Search is testing showing fewer options in the search bar menu below the search box. We saw this with Bing Image search before and now we are seeing this with Bing web search.

This was spotted by Frank Sandtmann on Mastodon who wrote, “Bing is testing a massively reduced top navigation. Most navigation items have been grouped under “More”. Besides “All”, only “Chat” and “Shopping” are displayed.”

Here is his screenshot (click to enlarge it):

I believe I saw this before, but I cannot find my story on this. So I am a bit confused if I really saw it or not. Did you see this before?

I am not a fan of a short menu if there is space but that is me.

Forum discussion at Mastodon.

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SEARCHENGINES

Bing Testing Search Result Listing Side Labels

Published

8 hours ago

June 7, 2023

Entireweb News Bot

Bing seems to be testing placing labels that describe the search result listing, on the left side bar of the search result listing. It seems the label will help define what the search result listing is about, maybe listing out some of its entities.

Frank Sandtmann spotted this and posted this screenshot on Mastodon (click to enlarge):

Frank said, “Possibly these boxes represent entities and main keywords of these pages.” “At first glance I don´t see the advantage for regular users. So, maybe this is giving a glimpse into how Bing organizes results? Maybe it’s not meant for the public?”

What do you think these are?

Forum discussion at Mastodon.

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SEARCHENGINES

Google View In 3D Product Results With QR Code On Desktop Search

Published

14 hours ago

June 7, 2023

Entireweb News Bot

The other day we reported that Google was showing 3D product images not just on mobile search but on desktop. Now, Google is testing showing a QR code that the searcher can scan with their mobile phone so they can quickly see the product in 3D, since that is hard to do on desktop devices.

Brian Freiesleben posted a screenshot of this on Twitter showing the QR code displayed after clicking on a product. It says “scan the QR code with your mobile phone camera to view the item in your space.” This way you can see the 3D product image using augmented reality in your space.

Here is his screenshot:

Brian wrote, “Wow, okay so I was just added into this test again and spotted a new addition to this feature for 3D/AR on desktop. Google is testing displaying a QR code that you can scan with your mobile device camera to view the item in your space. Interesting.”

This is a smart way for Google to handle this feature on desktop.

Forum discussion at Twitter.

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