SEARCHENGINES
Google Search Console International Targeting Setting Can Take Weeks To Update In Search
Google’s John Mueller said that it can take from a week to a couple of months for Google Search to pick up on the international targeting setting you selected in Google Search Console. He said it would likely go faster for news sites but other sites can take up to a couple of months.
Aleem Bawany asked John Mueller how long it takes to “expect to see the results or the impact” after the setting is changes in Google Search Console? John replied that he did not know exactly but his guess would be “anywhere from a week or two to maybe a month or two.” He added “with regards to a news website, I suspect it’ll be a little bit faster than usual.”
I should note, this setting is still in Google Search Console but in the “legacy tools” section and does not work for domain properties, only for specific URLs – at least at the time I wrote this story.
John said this at the 32 minute mark:
Here is that piece of the transcript:
ALEEM BAWANY: All right. I’ll do that. Thanks very much. Just a quick question. How soon would these settings take effect? Let’s say I make it international. How soon can I expect to see the results or the impact?
JOHN MUELLER: I don’t know. My guess is it’ll be anywhere from a week or two to maybe a month or two. So that’s the time frame that I suspect it takes for something like the geotargeting setting to change. With regards to a news website, I suspect it’ll be a little bit faster than usual, just because with a news website, we would focus on the newer content, and with the newer content we would see the setting very quickly. So probably more on the shorter side for a news website. But I don’t know all of the systems that are involved with geotargeting settings changes.
There is a whole other part of this conversation where Aleem thinks the site is penalized but John told he no, it is not. That maybe it has to do with this geotargeting setting. That part started at 26:52 mark into the video, here is that transcript:
ALEEM BAWANY: Thanks for taking my call. So we have a situation where we have a news website that’s one of the leading financial publications in the country. They’ve done well always. And there’s another sister website, completely unrelated. But again, it’s a smaller site, smaller traffic, a smaller number of stories daily, smaller number of stories overall.
The bigger website, the financial publication, over time we suspected that previous stakeholders, they did some nefarious activities. We think it’s penalized, but there’s no way for us to know that it’s been penalized. But lately what we noticed was that the other website sometimes takes stories from the financial publication with attribution. And on the lesser website, on Google News, it always seems to end up ranking higher. And we realized that the smaller website with the lower page rank potentially is ranking higher. We figured that something is afoot or something is amiss, and we don’t know how to go about it. I’ve disavowed a lot of links– over 3,000 links, and a lot of domains as well. We realized a lot of traffic is coming from Blogspot. Some of them are shady. We realized there was about 200 or 300 URLs that were marketing related. We blocked those about six to eight months ago.
We still are not able to rank higher. In fact, what happens is, on Google News, we’ll have a story. We’ll be the exclusive. We’ll be the first one. The whole E-A-T thing will be trustworthy. We are exclusive. We will rank very high. And as soon as even this lesser website or other websites publish the same story, even if they do a spin on our take, or if they have a genuine story, or a copy of or extrapolating from our story, when they do that, they suddenly start ranking higher. And we’ll immediately start disappearing into oblivion.
And now I’m tasked with improving the SEO. The editors are frustrated. We put a story, it’s original, and kind of feeling out of options on what to do. And the second part of the question is, with the Disavow list, there’s two ways to get the list. One is on these SEO Tools, the paid tools. They come up with a lot of URLs that don’t show up in the Search Console. So we’re looking at those lists, adding them to our Disavow list, and adding them. Should we be looking at both sides or not? And what are my options if there any recommended reading, or any– how should I go about this? Thank you.
JOHN MUELLER: Yeah. I think you posted on YouTube as well with the domain, right?
ALEEM BAWANY: Yes.
JOHN MUELLER: So I took a quick look at the domain beforehand, and I don’t see any kind of manual action or penalty associated with that domain. I also don’t see any issue with regards to the links for that domain. So my suspicion is, you probably don’t need to put a lot of time into the Disavow work. And probably even just focusing on Search Console links, if you actually find something really problematic there, would be enough. So that’s– I think from the overall point of view there, I don’t see anything really holding back this website in Search.
The main thing I did notice, though, is that you have geotargeting set up in Search Console for Pakistan. I don’t know if that’s by design, if that’s something that you’re trying to do. If you want to make a general English-speaking news website, then probably it makes sense to turn off the geotargeting there. So that might be something that can help you.
The other thing I think that I just realized in listening to your question is that you’re focusing very much on Google News. And while Google News does a lot of things similar to Google Search, I don’t know if it does everything in the same way. And in particular with regards to the ranking there, I don’t know if there might be separate things that Google News would do that doesn’t apply to Google Search.
So what I would also do there is try to contact someone on the Google News side. In the Help Center for Google News publishers, I believe there’s a form that you can use to contact the folks on the Google News side and to try to get some input from them as well. So that’s the direction I would take there.
I think when it comes to Search, the geotargeting, if you want to target countries other than Pakistan, like a general English-speaking news website, then I would definitely turn that off, because that can have an effect there in that it really focuses on Pakistan and then slightly focuses less on other countries.
Here is how Glenn Gabe summed that part up:
More from @johnmu: But check your geotargeting… If you want to have a general English news site, then it makes sense to turn off geotargeting there. If you target a specific country via GSC, then it can really focus on that country… & could focus less on other countries. pic.twitter.com/OAr4kIu6ts
— Glenn Gabe (@glenngabe) January 3, 2022
Forum discussion at Twitter.
SEARCHENGINES
Daily Search Forum Recap: March 28, 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.
Google released its Google Ads Saftey report showing how many ads they removed and advertisers they suspended. Google changed the definition of “Top ads” in their help documents, guess why… Google launched a number of maps and shopping features yesterday. Google Ads Share ad preview is now live. Google now lets you search for blockchain wallet addresses.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
-
Google Ads Suspended 90% More Advertisers This Year & Removed 5.5 Billion Ads
Google has released the 2023 Google Ads safety report sharing that Google has removed 5.5 billion ads, suspended 12.7 million advertiser accounts and restricted ads from showing up on 2.1 billion publisher pages. That is about 6% more ads removed, 90% more suspended advertiser accounts and 40% more ads removed from publisher pages. -
Google Updates Its Definition Of Top Ads; They May Not Be At The Top
Back in October we reported that Google has confirmed its search ads, Google Ads, can show up mixed in the middle of the organic search results. Now Google is updating its help documentation to change the definition of top ads to say the ads may appear below the organic results, ultimately not making the ads appear at the top. -
New Google Shopping & Maps Search Features
Google announced a number of new(ish) shopping and maps/local features yesterday, a lot of them using AI features that Google likes to tout. There are glanceable AI-generated reviews, swipe left/right shopping, AI-generated product ideas, local trip ideas, recommendation lists for locations, and more. -
Google Ads Adds Share Ad Preview For Performance Max
Google is now rolling out the ability to share ad campaigns within Google Ads for Performance Max campaigns without the need for the person you are sharing it with to have a Google Ads account. This is a new Share Ad Preview button available in Google Ads account for this. -
Google Can Search For Your Blockchain Wallet Addresses (Bitcoin & More)
You can now search Google for any of your wallet addresses across bitcoin and five new Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) networks. So you can look up your balances within those networks directly on Google Search. -
Google Calligraphy Class In NYC
It appears that Google held some calligraphy class or art class of some sorts at the New York City office. I found this photo on Instagram.
Other Great Search Threads:
- “Grow with Google” serves as a resource for training and tools to enhance your skills, career, or business. However, it appears that the platform is not regularly updated. Here are a few examples: [List examples under use-too, Shameem Adhikarath on X
- To help understand better the difference between key events and conversions, we’ve launched a detailed resource to answer all the questions you might have. Check it out!, Google Analytics on X
- Hreflang tag on individual blog post?, Reddit
- Webmasters, who may be less talented than you, have made significant mistakes in the past with this feature. They accidentally wiped out their entire sites. Since we have limited the usage of this feature to, Fabrice Canel on X
Search Engine Land Stories:
Other Great Search Stories:
Analytics
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
Daily Search Forum Recap: March 27, 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.
Google Local Service Ads is asking for more photos. SEOs, please don’t remove the contact us and about us pages. Hotels can remove pricing details from its Google listings. Google Local reviews is testing reactions. Google Analytics real time reporting had issues today. Google help documentation is testing using AI features.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
-
SEOs, Please Don’t Remove Contact Us & About Us Pages
Google’s John Mueller asked if it would be alright not to list a contact us and about us page on their website. The reason is, they would only add it if Google wanted it, but not for users. John Mueller responded, “I can think of good reasons for some sites to have these kinds of pages, but, after double-checking, there’s nothing in our search developer documentation that suggests this is needed.” -
Google Local Service Ads Sends Email Asking You To Upload Photos
Google is sending some Local Service Ads advertisers emails asking them to upload photos to their profiles. The email says, “Photos are coming to your Local Services Ads. Upload images to your profile to help your business stand out.” But don’t LSAs already contain photos? -
Google Search Developer Docs Gain AI Generated Help Features
A week ago Monday, March 18th, I noticed Google’s search developer documentation had generative AI features to help you find the answers to your question. This is in the form of an improved search, summary of the page content, a chat feature and more. I was told this was rolled out on some developer docs earlier in the year. -
Google Local Reviews Reactions Notice
In November 2023 we started to see Google allow reactions on local photos and some reviews. Well, it seems to be rolling out more widely now. -
Google Analytics Real Time Data Lagging Today
There are countless complaints across the forums and social media that Google Analytics real time data is lagging and not reporting accurately. It seems like those complaints are legit after checking a number of sites. -
Google Cafe Cleaning & Delivery Robot
You probably have seen these cleaning and delivery robots in some restaurants and lounges but have you seen them in the Google cafes? Here is one doing its thing at one of the cafes at the GooglePlex in Mountain View, California.
Other Great Search Threads:
- It’s also not a request for the site’s homepage nor for a comprehensive sorted list – it’s a restrict. Sometimes the homepage doesn’t show on top, I wouldn’t take that as a sign of anything in particular. It’s a bit easier with small sites, but not always, John Mueller on X
- It’s really refreshing to see this level of detail after an appeal is denied in GBP. This saves us a lot of time trying to get everything ship shape! Also – make sure you know who has admin access to your GBP, y’all.., Carrie Hill on X
- That’s correct – hreflang is not geotargeting, it’s all about alternate versions., John Mueller on X
- When I joined Google in early 2021, it was clear that regulatory & privacy changes and AI (automation) advancements would be key focus areas for marketers over the next several years. Fast-forward three years, and we’re now at the inflection point., AdsLiaison on X
- Hey Brett, This is currently in closed beta. I don’t have further details to share at this time, but we’re continuing to test it., AdsLiaison on X
Search Engine Land Stories:
Other Great Search Stories:
Industry & Business
Links & Content Marketing
Local & Maps
Mobile & Voice
SEO
- All about Core Web Vitals: INP (Interaction to Next Paint), Yoast
- Google Shopping GTIN Requirements Explained!, ZATO Marketing
- Google’s Helpful Content Update & Ranking System: What Happened and What Changed in 2024?, Amsive
- How to Do Keyword Mapping for SEO (+Free Template), WordStream
- Managing decentralized marketing for international SEO, Oncrawl
- Structured data for SEO: What you need to know, Wix SEO Hub
- The helpful content system has changed, Marie Haynes
- Why Site Speed Matters for SEO, Lumar
- Content Pruning: Why It Works, and How to Do It, Ahrefs
- Does Google rank AI content?, SERP’s Up SEO Podcast
- How To Survive 3 New Threats to Your SEO Strategy, Content Marketing Institute
PPC
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
Daily Search Forum Recap: March 26, 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.
Google Search Console is testing an Android App. Google is testing places and places sites in the search bar menu. Google spoke about if a business should have a website and a blog. Google added 3D models to product structured data. Google Search does not support AVIF images, yet. Mikhail Parakhin stepped down as the head of Bing Search and Microsoft Advertising.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
-
Google Search Console Tests Android App
Google seems to be testing an Android App for Google Search Console. This comes several weeks after I reported that Google has no plans for a mobile app for Google Search Console. -
Google Tests Places & Places Sites Search Bar Filter Tabs
Yesterday we reported Google is testing products and products sites in the search bar tab in the European regions. Today, Google is testing places and places sites in the search bar tab in the European regions. -
Google: Should Small Service Businesses Start A Website & A Blog?
Google’s Search Liaison, Danny Sullivan, was asked about if a business should always have a website and if so, should they also have a blog. Sullivan replied that he believes all businesses should have at least a basic website, but when it comes to a blog, that depends on what they have to say on that blog. -
Google Adds 3D Models Markup To Product Structured Data For Linking
Google has added new 3D models markup support to the product structured data documentation so that you can connect, associate or link your products to the appropriate 3D model. -
Google Search Does Not Support AVIF Images Just Yet
Did you know that Google Search does not support the AVIF image format? At least not yet. Google Search doesn’t list it on its supported image formats and Google Image Search simply won’t index them. But John Mueller of Google said on X, “I’m sure this won’t be necessary long term.” -
Mikhail Parakhin Steps Down As Head Of Bing Search & Microsoft Advertising
Mikhail Parakhin, the head of Bing Search and Microsoft Advertising, is stepping down from that role as Parakhin “decided to explore new roles.” We’ve quoted Mikhail Parakhin here countless times over the past couple of years, to hear that he is leaving the role makes me super sad. His transparency and willingness to listen to the community was amazing. -
St. Patrick’s Day Dancers At Google Ireland
Here is a video I found on Instagram from the Google Ireland office of dancers performing at the Google office in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. It looks like they call themselves the Golden Beats.
Other Great Search Threads:
Search Engine Land Stories:
Other Great Search Stories:
Analytics
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.
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