SearchCap: Google autoplay videos, SOS alerts, Sitelinks update & GOOG earnings

Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web.

From Search Engine Land:

• Google confirms testing auto-play videos in the search results
  Jul 24, 2017 by Barry Schwartz

  Google is running a small experiment where videos automatically play in the knowledge panel. While it’s a surprising move by Google, the test does not mean auto-play will be rolled out to everyone.

• Alphabet (GOOG) reports big revenue gains but EU fine takes a bite from earnings and income
  Jul 24, 2017 by Greg Sterling

  Aggregate paid clicks were up 52 percent but CPCs were down 23 percent.

• Google officially changes Sitelinks design to carousel format
  Jul 25, 2017 by Barry Schwartz

  After a year of testing, we now have a carousel format for the Sitelinks interface in the mobile Google search results.

• Google adds new SOS Alerts to search and Maps as part of its crisis response features
  Jul 25, 2017 by Amy Gesenhues

  For search, the alerts will display at the top of results related to the incident or crisis location. In maps, there will be a tappable card with relevant details.

• Meet the fake news of the online marketing world (that Google loves!): Review sites
  Jul 25, 2017 by David Rodnitzky

  Move over, fake news. Columnist David Rodnitzky takes a look at fake facts about online marketing vendors and why Google’s SEO algorithm isn’t separating the fake review sites from the real ones.

• The psychology of search: Unleashing the power of connection
  Jul 25, 2017 by Ryan Shelley

  There are many factors that contribute to high search engine rankings, but columnist Ryan Shelley argues that we often overlook the most important one: the user experience.

• Google adds vacation rentals filter to hotel search results
  Jul 25, 2017 by Barry Schwartz

  Now filter your hotel searches in Google for vacation rentals directly in web or hotel search results.

• Building ROI-focused SEO strategies: A framework
  Jul 25, 2017 by Chris Liversidge

  How can we, as SEOs, do better for our clients? Columnist Chris Liversidge has his own framework for mapping SEO strategy down to hard-dollar impact.

Recent Headlines From MarTech, Our Sister Site Dedicated To Internet Marketing:

• Got amazing content but no leads? 5 ways to rethink your paid strategy
• Navigating the programmatic turn in content distribution
• European regulators turning up the heat on Facebook, other social sites to modify terms
• Are you a content hoarder? Maybe it’s time for a blog cleanup
• How to bring your potential customers back with retargeting
• Amazon advertising: Beyond Prime Day

Search News From Around The Web:

Industry

• Michelle Robbins & Ginny Marvin: The New Leads At Search Engine Land, Search Engine Roundtable
• SimilarWeb raises $47M at valuation approaching $800M to take on Nielsen in digital market intel, TechCrunch
• The 2017 Top 25 Most Influential PPC Experts, PPC Hero
• Google Fights Against Canada’s Order to Change Global Search Results, WIRED

Local & Maps

• Google Posts – What They Are and How to Use Them, hallaminternet.com

Link Building

• 5 Ways to Check if a Website is Worth Getting a Link From, Majestic Blog
• Yoast SEO 5.1: Internal linking suggestions in Italian, Yoast

Searching

• Google Tests White "See More Results" Button, Sergey Alakov
• HTTPS On The Rise: RankRanger Says 99% Of Google’s Page One Results Have At Least One HTTPS Result, Search Engine Roundtable
• Bing Adds Deal Tag to Local Pack in Search Results, The SEM Post
• Helping journalists experiment with 360 content, Google Blog

SEO

• SEMrush Ranking Factors Study — Methodology Demystified, SEM Rush
• How To Become A Featured Snippet, Search Engine People
• The responsive design SEO checklist., Builtvisible
• What’s the Most Important Aspect of SEO?, Search Engine Journal

SEM / Paid Search

• A Guide to Optimal AdWords Campaign Settings for Savvy Advertisers, Search Engine Journal

Search Marketing

• Wake Up Your Sleeping Beauty Content!, Stone Temple