SEARCHENGINES
Google Search Ranking Algorithm Update & Volatility Exploding This Weekend
I often post about Google ranking volatility and search ranking algorithm updates but I rarely post about them on a weekend. But I just had to this Sunday morning; the tools are literally all reporting massive and explosive volatility this weekend and the SEO chatter is also very high.
I know we just reported one of these updates a few days ago but it is even more heated, even more explosive, than mid-to-late last week. This weekend, is off the charts for many of these tools.
Google did fix the Google News indexing bug on Thursday/Friday, so I doubt that is related. And Google is still radio silent on any confirmed type of update. The last update Google confirmed was the April 2023 reviews update and the last core update was the March 2023 core update. Google did say on Friday that when they have an update to confirm, they will confirm it – they added that there will be confirmed updates in the future.
Previous Recent Unconfirmed Updates
Just to catch you up, we last reported about an unconfirmed Google update around July 12th/13th, then around July 6th or 8th and then on June 28th and 29th and then again June 23rd then on June 19th we reported about ongoing heated volatility with Google Search. We also reported on an update on June 14th, one around June 14th and ongoing, then June 6th then around May 22/23rd, then around May 17t, then on May 10th and the other around early May.
Google Tracking Tools
Here is what those tracking tools are showing over the past month or so, especially with today’s volatility:
SEO Chatter
There has been a spike in chatter also amongst the SEO community both at WebmasterWorld and the comments here.
Heavy traffic this moring. Has anyone else noticed any changes today.
I was checking GSC and saw that my top referring terms have fallen down the list for quite some time now. All of the semantically related terms which used to refer a huge amount of traffic to my site dropped off a cliff at the same time around April 10th:
The drop was 80-90% and has never recovered. I am still in the top five for these terms, but the traffic just vanished. Was there a major update around this time? I am wondering if this is just the effect of losing the image carousel.
My global sites are where I would expect for a weekend heading towards the 70% mark at my new lower average level whereas our hotel function site is well ahead so far this month at 148% for July.
Our overall Google traffic is slightly up from the same days last week, but just barely.
I do see a lot of volatility for our most popular individual pages. One page might be up 30 or 40 percent one day while another is down by a similar amount. This isn’t typical.
I see looking back on this week that they have undone the last three updates. We are back to a month ago. SERPS shows MadeinChina, IndiaMart, Alibaba and Amazon on all the slots on the front page again. The PDF’s are also back in full bloom.
Sunday so far is looking like my new norm at 50% however do bear in mind that 50% is 50% of what its was only a few months ago therefore by my “old average” I’m at 25%.
Glenn Gabe also posted some specific examples:
And here are some more examples (this time using Semrush versus Sistrix). I’m seeing these changes across tools. I wonder if Google is having trouble with how the next HCU is interacting w/the reviews update? i.e. dueling machine learning algos… Something big is coming… pic.twitter.com/O4us8XbrOu
— Glenn Gabe (@glenngabe) July 16, 2023
It is the weekend, so chatter is generally lighter but man, these tools are on fire.
What are you all seeing this weekend?
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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