Google on GMB policies, honest mistakes and AI powered search results
In issue #267 of the SEOForLunch we discuss Google's maps policies, making "honest" SEO mistakes, how AI plays a role in search and creating an ideal search engine.
Hi Lunch Buddies!
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I’m thankful for all of you who take time out of your busy Tuesdays to have lunch with me. We’ve gone from one dorky SEO kid sitting in the corner to rocking the entire cafeteria. Way to go us!
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-Nick
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Official Search Engine Updates
Article
Google: How we create and enforce our (GMB) Policies
What's Important:
Every wonder how Google goes about creating and enforcing maps listing policies - specifically reviews? Google’s Ian Leader covers this on the Google blog. Prefer video? They also posted on this topic on their YouTube channel.
Nick’s Take:
The industry hasn’t been happy with Google’s efforts to enforce map SPAM for years. While this post is great for transparency, many believe Google has a long way to go to fix the root of the issue.
YouTube Video
How Does Google React To “Honest Mistakes” (manual action)
What's Important:
John Mueller answers a users question about honest mistakes that go against Google’s webmaster guidelines. The short answer is nothing BUT in extreme situations can still lead to a manual spam action.
Nick’s Take:
As John states, users should claim and monitor their Google Search Console account. Whether you got caught or legitimately made a mistake, this is the location where you will see manual action details brought to your website. The next step depends on the type of action you received.
Article
How AI powers great search results
What's Important:
Panu Nayak, Google Fellow and VP of Search wrote a great article detailing how Google uses AI to power its search results. This includes popular systems such as “RankBrain”, “BERT”, and “MUM”.
Nick’s Take:
I highly recommend that you all take a moment to review this article. While each of these AI topics have been covered in individual posts, this one explains how all Google AI integrations “play nice” with one another. It also explains the intent of content and how results may be prioritized over another in G’s search results.
YouTube Video
Google: Building a better website for Steve
What's Important:
John Mueller and fellow teammates Martin Splitt + Gary Illyes discuss what it takes to build a good websites for a hypothetical search engine, Google I mean Steve.
Nick’s Take:
Avoid content stuffing and gibberish content. Check. Coding a site in easy to render code that is fast and a great experience for users. Check. OK, but what about robots.txt directives or even noindex tags? What about more direct spam attempts? So much to discuss…
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Top SEO Resources From Last Week
How To Use Autosuggest To Develop Your Content Strategy
Steve Toth, SEONotebook.com
Steve writes a very complimentary newsletter to the #SEOForLunch where he offers tips they he either has used or actively uses with his SEO clients. This tip on autosuggest is a great strategy that I also utilize for my clients. Definitely check it out.
How Google’s Ecommerce Landscape is Evolving + Predictions for 2022
Lily Ray, AmsiveDigital.com
With Amazon, “free” Google paid product listings and even COVID-19, how will eCommerce websites SEO efforts be impacted? This is a great post (all of Lily’s stuff is fire) that touches on these topics and even how the product review update may challenge many eCommerce owners in 22’+.
Patent Reveals How Google May Interpret Queries Based On Entity Information
Bill Slawski, SearchEngineJournal.com
Bill Slawksi, well known for breaking down complex Google patents walks us through how Google might use entities to interpret search queries.
How to Check The Indexing Status of a Large Website
Gosia Poddębniak, Onely.com
The larger a website, the harder it is to QA and ensure its all working the way its suppose to. The first step of ranking in Google is to get the content successfully indexed. The new Google URL inspection API will help a lot but it still has its limitations. This guide is a must read IMO.
8 SEO tools to get Google Search Console URL Inspection API insights
Aleyda Solis, SearchEngineLand.com
Google recently announced its URL inspection API integration. What if you don’t know how to leverage an API? No worries! Aleyda lists several free (and paid) tools that have already integrated the API into their tools — including our sponsor SiteBulb!
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Learn About The Guy Behind The #SEOForLunch
Nick LeRoy is a professional SEO Consultant specializing in technical SEO, content strategy, and website migrations.
Nick is also the author of two SEO-focused newsletters: #SEOForLunch and The SEO Freelancer.
You can connect with Nick online through Twitter and LinkedIn.