Google uses RankBrain for every search, impacts rankings of “lots” of them
Last year, RankBrain was used for less than 15% of queries. Now Google's confidence has increased enough that it's used all the time.
Danny Sullivan was a journalist and analyst who covered the digital and search marketing space from 1996 through 2017. He was also a cofounder of Third Door Media, which publishes Search Engine Land and MarTech, and produces the SMX: Search Marketing Expo and MarTech events. He retired from journalism and Third Door Media in June 2017. You can learn more about him on his personal site & blog He can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.
No, SEO isn’t “search engine manipulation” that Google will ban you for
In a legal statement, Google introduces the term "search engine manipulation" -- but think of it as a synonym for spam, not SEO.
Apple brings Siri to Mac, new exposure for non-Google search engines
Soon, you will finally be able to search the web from your Mac desktop -- and Google won't be a default provider.
Google says it’s not deliberately filtering “Crooked Hillary” suggested search to favor Clinton
Google offers an autocomplete suggestion of "Lying Ted" for "lying" but fails to do something similar for Clinton, raising questions.
Google now handles at least 2 trillion searches per year
The search giant won't say exactly how many trillions of queries it processes, other than it's now two or more. It last claimed 1.2 trillion in 2012.
All the AdWords & Google Analytics changes announced at Google Performance Summit 2016
At Google's annual event for AdWords and Google Analytics customers, it shared new ad formats, mobile-first bidding options and more.
Meet Google assistant: A new search platform, rather than a gadget or an app
Think of it as Google 2.0. Google assistant is Google's search smarts put into anything, no keyboard needed & conversations welcomed.
SEO for Gboard? How Google’s new keyboard search for iOS ranks content
There's a new SERP in town, the search engine results page generated by Gboard. And it's not just mobile search results reformatted in a horizontal layout.
Microsoft blocks Google Chrome & other browsers from Cortana in latest Windows 10 release
Microsoft says blocking third-party browsers & search providers improves user experience and is in keeping with how competitors act with their own digital assistants.
Google honors Prince with special Purple Rain logo
Music legend receives logo within hours of news of his death.
10 big changes with search engines over my 20 years of covering them
Search Engine Land founding editor Danny Sullivan looks at how search has changed over the two decades he's been writing about it.
RIP Google PageRank score: A retrospective on how it ruined the web
While Google will remove PageRank scores from public view in the coming weeks, the way those scores dramatically reshaped the web will remain.
Google Dance 2016: The recap post
Over 500 search marketers gathered at Google last week for a revival of its annual Google Dance celebration offering food, drinks, fun and knowledge.
Google Agrees To Complicated Worldwide “Right To Be Forgotten” Censorship Plan
Google will ensure those within a country where a RTBF request was granted cannot find censored content, regardless of what Google edition they use.
Google To Remove Right-To-Be-Forgotten Links Worldwide, For Searchers In European Countries
Links will no longer show for those in the particular country where a RTBF request was made, regardless of the Google edition they use.
New US Presidential “Candidate Cards” Are A Disaster For Google’s Search Quality
An experiment to allow US presidential candidates to have an unprecedented guaranteed spot at the top of Google's search results turned into a megaphone for one.
How Google’s Search Chief Has Been Living The “Mobile First” Life For Over A Year
Amit Singhal has been living his digital life mostly off his two smartphones for more than a year.
The Google Dance Is Back For Search Engine Land’s SMX West Search Conference
After a hiatus since 2008, the "Google Dance" returns to the Googleplex, where Google will host a special event on March 2, 2016 for marketers attending Search Engine Land's Search Marketing Expo & Conference in Silicon Valley.
What Time Is The Super Bowl? Google & Bing Are Confused
You might get information for 2015, depending on how you ask.
New Year, New Look For Search Engine Land’s SMX Search Marketing Conference
Search Marketing Expo gets a new logo, site makeover and a new tagline: "Obsessed With SEO & SEM"
Where’s Santa Claus? Your 2015 Guide To NORAD Tracks Santa & Google’s Santa Tracker
Santa Claus is coming to town! Here's how to keep track of his approach via the web, smartphone, or even by making a voice call.
For Festivus, Google Once Again Provides A Festivus Pole
Google isn't doing the traditional "Airing of Grievances," but a virtual pole shows its Festivus spirit.
Report: Competitors Amazon, Facebook, Yelp & TripAdvisor Gain Top Google Search Visibility In 2015
Etsy, Instagram, Groupon and Food.com post the biggest improvements in search visibility.
Bait & Switch Hacking Is Gaining Top Rankings In Google
Hackers are injecting content into websites to get Google visitors, then redirecting them elsewhere.
Google’s Not Sure What Day Super Bowl 50 Is Happening In 2016
Google sometimes makes it Super Bowl Saturday rather than Super Bowl Sunday.
Microsoft’s Cortana Digital Assistant Comes To iOS & Android
On non-Windows devices, Cortana is more limited in functionality and predictions.
Google Says AMP Will Come To Google Search “Early Next Year”
Still in testing, AMP pages are set to see their public debut in Google search in early 2016.
Facebook Now Using Google App Indexing To Drive Visitors From Search Into Its App
Use of app indexing will send searchers from Google into the Facebook app, but only on Android and not for all Facebook content.
Meet RankBrain: The Artificial Intelligence That’s Now Processing Google Search Results
A machine-learning AI is handling a large fraction of Google's search queries.
Yahoo & Google Together Again In New Search Deal
Three-year deal to put Google's results and ads into some of Yahoo's search results needs US Department of Justice approval and still might get vetoed by India or EU action.
Google Search Adds Support For App Indexing In Safari On iOS 9
By the end of October, searching on Google in Safari on iOS 9 will provide deep links into apps, when appropriate and where publishers have taken action.
Worldwide, More Than Half Of Google’s Searches Happen On Mobile
Google also says it has indexed 100 million links within apps.
New Deal Makes Baidu The Search Default For Microsoft’s Edge Browser In China
Deal will see special promotion of Windows when people search for it on Baidu. Baidu also to be home page.
Google Snubs & Bing Embraces The 2015 Rugby World Cup
Bing provides a special area in search with standings and information for fans. Google does a special logo, but only in some countries.
How Google Now, Siri & Cortana Predict What You Want
It's like magic when your digital assistant has an answer before you think to search. Here's how they understand your needs.
With iOS 9, Apple’s Siri & Spotlight Search Get Smarter
New sources continue to push Google to the edge of Apple's search ecosystem, but Google Now remains ahead on predictions.
Mount McKinley Becomes Mt. Denali On Google Maps; Bing Stays With Old Name
Restored to its native name by US President Barack Obama, the transformation has yet to fully complete on the major search engines.
Is Google Experimenting With Bringing Twitter Into Desktop Search Results?
Twitter integration into Google's desktop results has been spotted in the wild. Until now, only mobile results had this.
Irony Alert: Could Alphabet’s Hidden Link To Hooli Get It Banned In Google?
If you know where to look or click, there's a hidden link from Alphabet to Hooli, the fictional tech company in HBO's Silicon Valley comedy. But hidden links are a no-no with Google's search guidelines.
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