SEARCHENGINES

Google Search Ranking Algorithm Volatility Cooling?

Published

1 year ago

July 25, 2023

For the past few months, Google’s search results have been very volatile, but over the past couple of days, it seems, at least to some rank-checking tools, the volatility is cooling and calming. I should note that I did see a spike in chatter over the weekend about movement from within the SEO community, so the tools and the community are not exactly aligned on this one.

We have seen many unconfirmed Google search ranking updates since the last official one in April 2023. But we are all expecting a confirmed update sometime soon.

So what are the tools showing?

Google Tracking Tools

Here is what the tools are showing, Semrush is one of the few tools that have not calmed down at all, while most of the others really showed a huge reduction in volatility:

Semrush:

SERPmetrics:

RankRanger:

Advanced Web Rankings:

SEO Chatter

But for some reason, over the weekend, I saw a spike in chatter that may have cooled a bit this morning but was pretty heated over the weekend. Between the WebmasterWorld thread and the comments on this site, here is what SEOs were saying over the weekend:

High traffic this morning and Semrush sensor on fire yet.

As usual, we are in sync…my traffic is very high today from everywhere outside of the US (-49%), CA (-100% 0 visits), and AU (-36%). This is deceiving because it’s a lot of useless, one-hit traffic to interior pages… Meanwhile, some of my most important category pages are -50% today. Google is sending irrelevant traffic with one hand and taking away the best referrals with the other, it seems.

Extremely high traffic from everywhere yesterday, except USA which ended the day -11%. Search was up 19% and direct traffic up 73%. Today is a similar pattern, with the entire world going strong, but USA at -46% this morn…despite my ranking heading upwards in the USA market for both desktop and mobile. It seems that Google is focusing on the USA market to squeeze the hardest by far…

Extremely high traffic from everywhere yesterday and today…

I can confirm traffic is up across all main markets on the 22-nd and 23-d and there was a possitive movement on many long tail phrases. It’s almost like the traffic before the most recent update.

Sunday’s traffic is really nonsensical.

The entire morning it was throttled and only getting like 5% of the usual traffic. Then near mid-day a small surge in traffic. Suddenly, traffic became 0 all of sudden until now (10 hours and counting). Checked keyword rankings and they are as normal.

There are a lot more comments but I don’t want to overload you with them all, you can click through to those links to read them.

So what are you all seeing? Are things calming for you all today?

Forum discussion at WebmasterWorld.

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SEARCHENGINES

Daily Search Forum Recap: October 11, 2024

Published

8 hours ago

October 12, 2024

Entireweb News Bot

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.

We are seeing more signs of intense Google Search ranking volatility. Google is now showing sites hit by HCU or core updates in the AI Overview links/citations. Google Search is missing the video tab in search for some users. Google spoke about when your robots.txt is unavailable. Google added edit and delete buttons next to your reviews. Bing is testing “best list of” carousels in search. And I posted the SEO video recap this morning.

Tonight is Yom Kippur – which those who observe the holiday an easy and meaningful fast. Also, if I have upset anyone in any way with something I’ve posted here or said or written, I hope you can accept my apology. I will try to do better next year.

Search Engine Roundtable Stories:

Google Search Ranking Volatility Rumbling Again October 10th

Can you believe it, it has been over a week since I reported on any Google Search ranking algorithm updates or volatility. Over the past 24-hours or so, the level of chatter have spiked, along with many of the third-party Google Search ranking tracking tools.

Google AI Overviews Not Linking To Sites Hit By Helpful Content Update

Google’s AI Overviews seem to not show citations or link to sites that were hit by the helpful content update (and probably core updates), even when you ask the AI Overview directly about that site and even if that site is ranking well for that query in the traditional Google search results.

Google Search Missing Video Tab For Some Users – Bug?

Google Search seems to be missing the video tab under the search bar for some searchers. I suspect this is some sort of weird bug, there is no way in my mind that Google will do away with the ability to search for videos.

Google: Robots.txt Is Unreachable, Other Pages Reachability Matter

There is this interesting conversation on LinkedIn around a robots.txt serves a 503 for two months and the rest of the site is available. Gary Illyes from Google said that when other pages on the site are reachable and available, that makes a big difference, but when those other pages are not, then “you’re out of luck,” he wrote.

Bing Tests Best List Of Carousel

Microsoft is testing a new Bing Search carousel titled “Best list of X.” It can be the best list of PPC agencies or other queries that Bing wants to show you the best list of.

Google Adds Edit & Delete Button Links To Your Reviews

Google has added an edit and delete button link next to the reviews you added to a Google Business Profile listing. This gives the reviewer a quicker method to modify or remove the review they left for a business.

Google 5k Run

Here is a video I found on Instagram of a 5k run at Google. This is called the Global Google 5k Run. I embed the video below.

Search News Buzz Video Recap: DOJ May Breakup Google, Ranking Volatility, Quick View Theft, Google Web Creator Event, Google Ads & More Search News

Google may be forced to breakup, the DOJ is leaning towards forcing that and more as a remedy to its monopoly ruling. This morning we are seeing a spike in Google Search ranking volatility. Google is testing quick view, where….

Other Great Search Threads:

Search Engine Land Stories:

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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SEARCHENGINES

Daily Search Forum Recap: October 10, 2024

Published

1 day ago

October 10, 2024

Entireweb News Bot

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 will require advertisers to have a Google Business Profile next month. Google is testing a Quick view button in search that gives searchers no reason to look at your site. Google may have 9,000 ad campaigns created every second. Google is testing verified labels for retailers in the product search results. Google is expanding store ratings to more countries.

Search Engine Roundtable Stories:

Google Tests Quick View Button For Recipes That Keep You On Google

Google is testing placing a “quick view” button overlayed on the images on recipes within Google Search. The crazy part is that clicking on “Quick view” keeps you on Google while giving you a snapshot of the content from the publisher, without sending that traffic to the publisher.

Google Local Service Ads To Soon Require Google Business Profile

Google will soon require businesses who want to advertise using Google Local Service Ads to also have a Google Business Profile. Google posted a notice that reads, “By Thursday, November 21, 2024, your Local Services ad will need a matching Google Business Profile to continue appearing in search results and to display your customer reviews.”

9,000 Google Ads Campaigns Created Every Second???

Thomas Eccel posted a guess, trying to figure out how many Google Ads campaigns are created in a timeframe. He said if the ad campaigns are issued in sequential order, based on his calculations, 9,000 ad campaigns are created on Google Ads every second.

Google Search Tests Verified Labels For Product Results

Back in August we reported that Google was testing showing verified badges, verification labels, in the organic search results. Well, now Google is testing the verified label on the detailed product results overlay, on retailer listings.

Google Store Ratings Now Available In India, Australia, Canada & UK

Google is rolling out the Store ratings feature beyond US Search. It is rolling out to searchers in Australia, Canada, India and the United Kingdom. Although, we’ve seen examples of Google showing them in Australia and other countries over the years, I guess as a test.

Google Noogler Bison Again

We have a photo of this Google Bison from 2018. It looks to be in the same condition but moved from its previous location. It also looks angry…

Other Great Search Threads:

We’re now seeing AI Overviews appearing for non signed-in users in the UK, ZA, NZ, SG, KE – well countries where English is commonly spoken., Authoritas on X

I’m sure it’ll be a great event! Unfortunately, I’m only able to make it virtually this time :-/. Martin’s there though, he’s pretty cool too!, John Mueller on LinkedIn

That’s a fantastic question and right upfront: I don’t have an answer, but I have an idea., Martin Splitt on LinkedIn

You know how sometimes you’re certain you had a good reason to do something, later on forget why, but continue doing it just in case there’s still a good reason? That’s why. 🙂, John Mueller on Mastodon

Search Engine Land Stories:

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SEARCHENGINES

Daily Search Forum Recap: October 9, 2024

Published

3 days ago

October 9, 2024

Entireweb News Bot

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:

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.