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.
I covered some old statements from former Googlers on Navboost from Hacker News. Google replaced the cache link with links to the Wayback Machine, but they are deep inside. Google says it doesn’t use Exif data for ranking. Google updated its Indexing API docs warning not to abuse the API or else. Google has had this get definitions box for a while.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
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Ex-Googler Forum Statements On Google Navboost
In my interview with Danny Sullivan, the Google Search Liaison, I tried to get more details on Navboost and how it plays a roll in core updates and general rankings. I was pretty much shot down (I am a good loser). That being said, here are some old posts from ex-Googlers (from what I can tell) on the topic of Navboost from the Hacker News forums. -
Google Indexing API: Submissions Go Undergo Rigorous Spam Detection
Google has updated its Indexing API documentation to add a few things but the largest update talks about how “all submissions through the Indexing API undergo rigorous spam detection.” Plus, it says that attempts to abuse the Indexing API “may result in access being revoked.” -
Google Replaced Cache Link With Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine
After Google has angered tons of SEOs and searchers over removing the cache link from the search result snippets, Google decided several months later to add links to Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine. This will give you snapshots in time of what that webpage looked like, but it is not powered by Google. -
Google’s Martin Splitt: We Do Not Use Exif Data For Ranking
Over the years Google has been wishy-washy on if they use or do not use Exif (Exchangeable image file format) data for rankings. In 2014, Google’s Matt Cutts said Google can parse the data and reserves the right to use it. But in 2019, Gary Illyes from Google said it was not used for rankings. Now in 2024, Martin Splitt of Google said it is not used for rankings. -
Google: Get Definitions & Translations As You Search
Google is now notifying some searchers of a translation feature within the search results. It says, “Get definitions and translations as you search. Select words to get definitions & translations without leaving the page.” -
Google Silence Phone Boxes
We saw the Google silence box before, but it was one box. Now here are photos of many of them, also in the Google Paris, France office.
Other Great Search Threads:
Search Engine Land Stories:
Other Great Search Stories:
Industry & Business
- Are digital marketing conferences worth it?, SERP’s Up SEO Podcast
- Google dominates online ads, says antitrust trial witness, but publishers are feeling ‘stuck’, The Verge
- Google says it’s made a quantum computing breakthrough that reduces errors, MIT Technology Review
- Google’s AI model faces European Union scrutiny from privacy watchdog, ABC News
- Google’s ‘my way or the highway’ approach takes center stage in antitrust trial, Digiday
- The DOJ vs. Google, Day Two: Tales From The Underbelly Of Ad Tech, AdExchanger
- Google’s AI model faces EU scrutiny from privacy watchdog, AP News
Links & Content Marketing
Local & Maps
Mobile & Voice
SEO
PPC
Search Features
Other Search
Feedback:
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