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July 4th Weekend Google Search Ranking Volatility

Published

3 months ago

July 8, 2024

Surprise, surprise, it was another weekend and we again see some more than usual Google search ranking volatility/updates. Again, this reminds me of the weekend ranking bug Google had late last year into early this year. But who knows, maybe it is just a ranking system that shuffles things up for weekend searchers?

Or maybe we are all crazy – that might be just as likely.

I am seeing a spike in chatter after the July 4th date, so again, starting the Friday before the weekend and going through the weekend, like the past several unconfirmed updates I covered. This one seemed to kick off on July 5, 2024.

There as a spike in SEO chatter across the various forums and some, not all, of the tools picked up on the Google Search volatility over the past couple of days.

Here is what I am seeing.

Google Rank Tracking Volatility Tools

Here is what the tools are showing – notice around the July 5th date on many of these tools:

Advanced Web Rankings:

So many of the tools are heated around July 4th, 5th and 6th.

SEO Chatter

Now, it is normal to see a drop in traffic for many sites around the July 4th holiday and the weekend that follows. So keep that in mind, but many of these SEOs know it is July 4th and can compare it to previous July 4th holiday weekends.

Here is some of the chatter from WebmasterWorld and then from comments throughout several blog posts here on this topic:

I am seeing enormous drops of ~60% in traffic to some of my most important category pages this week. Upon further inspection it’s happening on the pages where Google has added one huge AI snippit result at top, then sometimes a huge image block, a People Also Ask and Things to Know block, and sponsored ads. Even though I am ranking #1-#3 the traffic is dropping off completely.

In one case, an article I wrote went to #1 and has been pulling in so much traffic that it passed my home page some days. Suddenly in the last day the traffic had dropped 81%! The reason being that my article is now being used for the AI snippit at top of results, and not just the first result. The link to my site is there, but apparently nobody clicks on it despite the huge top placement. Is this what others are seeing when their articles are being used for AI snippits at top?

Yesterday there was a 50% drop and today there are practically no visitors to my site. It’s like being kicked out of the index. I can’t explain it.

I also noticed a traffic drop yesterday (July 5th) especially towards the evening (Germany) and today is pretty sh*t so far

I agree, yesterday was a big drop in google traffic. now it’s starting to rise again

Yesterday, our pageviews were up 23 percent and UVs were up 16 percent. Our top pages were the usual batch (no unusual spikes).

I can’t thank Google for the increase, though–yesterday’s Google traffic was only 29 percent of the UV total, compared to 35 percent for the last 30 days.

Completely normal drops for me Thursday at 50% and 75% Friday, my explanation is the US long holiday weekend.

Clearly there’s something going on this weekend. The holiday slump doesn’t end.

The search results after July 4 were pretty much trash.

Has anyone else experienced a traffic drop like me on 4th July? I’ve experienced a 100-daily traffic drop.

Something seems to have happened in the past few hours, right after 4th of July ended.

Massive shuffling for my keywords and drops.

Yep, same here. Traffic died a death in the days before, and now it’s back again. I’m in UK, so shouldn’t be affected US hols (but we did get a new Prime Minister 🙂

And then a lot more of the same. But I saw both comments about negative ranking changes and also positive ranking changes. Sometimes it is hard to weed out holiday traffic drops, which can be normal versus ranking changes that are associated with traffic improvements or declines.

I am just wondering if we are seeing this Google weekend ranking bug again or if this is just normal patterns.

Forum discussion at WebmasterWorld.

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Related Topics:4th Google July Ranking Search searchengine Volatility Weekend

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Daily Search Forum Recap: October 10, 2024

Published

7 hours 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:

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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Daily Search Forum Recap: October 9, 2024

Published

1 day 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.

Other Great Search Threads:

Search Engine Land Stories:

Feedback:

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Google Showing Competitor Ads Above Local Reviews

Published

3 days ago

October 8, 2024

Entireweb News Bot

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:

pic.twitter.com/iNAczCTt7U

— 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