Technical SEO in the age of semantic search and Google
Contributor Ryan Shelley explains that technical SEO is more important than ever -- but for long-term ranking success, understanding how Google processes data is key.
Search features
Search Engine Land is your source for information on Google search features including rich snippets, knowledge panel, and much more. You’ll find a variety of up-to-date and authoritative resources, including the latest news, tactic-rich tutorials, and the latest data to help you work smarter and make better decisions.
What you read here is written by our experienced in-house team, and subject matter experts from leading brands and agencies.
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SearchCap: Google AdWords app, SEO success & managing redesigns
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 adds keyword functionality to the AdWords appJan 18, 2018 by Ginny Marvin Advertisers can make more on-the-go changes. The unique selling proposition: A key element for SEO successJan 19, 2018 […]
The unique selling proposition: A key element for SEO success
Columnist Fili Wiese explains what a unique selling proposition (USP) is and why every indexable page on your site needs one.
What’s next for technical SEO?
As web technologies continue to grow and evolve, interest in technical SEO is growing along with it. Columnist Patrick Stox looks ahead to see what advancements are on the horizon and how these may impact technical SEO.
SearchCap: Google Speed Update, schema reviews & PPC artificial intelligence
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: The Google Speed Update: Page speed will become a ranking factor in mobile searchJan 17, 2018 by Barry Schwartz Starting in July 2018, Google will finally use mobile page speed as […]
FAQs on new Google Speed Update: AMP pages, Search Console notifications & desktop only pages
A page with AMP but a slow canonical URL will not be impacted by this update, assuming the AMP URL is not slow, Google told us.
Bizarre review schema implementation spotlights gaps between Google’s guidelines & how rich results really work
Google has made its review markup guidelines fairly clear and has even issued penalties to sites that utilize spammy or misleading structured data markup. But columnist Andrew Shotland points out that many sites are still violating these guidelines, intentionally or unintentionally.
What to watch for in 2018: Mobile SEO predictions
Mobile SEO expert Cindy Krum shares her predictions for where mobile is headed in 2018 and dives deep into how current trends fit into the impending mobile-first index.
SearchCap: Rich results testing tool, Google AdWords images & Search Console bug
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 launches new Rich Results testing tool with some rebrandingDec 19, 2017 by Barry Schwartz In addition to the new testing tool, Google is grouping all the names for these types […]
Google launches new Rich Results testing tool with some rebranding
In addition to the new testing tool, Google is grouping all the names for these types of search results into the name "Rich Results."
Data bug with Google Search Console’s Search Analytics report
The AMP filter, specifically for AMP non-rich results impressions and clicks, may show incorrect data for your site.
How on-site search can drive holiday revenue & help e-commerce sites compete against major retailers
According to SLI Systems, people who use on-site search are more likely to make a purchase than visitors who only browse a website.
Google’s latest search updates brings more content to Featured Snippets & Knowledge Panel info
“Search is not just about answering your questions -- it’s also about discovery,” writes Google product manager Michael Galvez.
Google updates mobile product knowledge panels to show even more info in one spot
The real estate-heavy panels on mobile encompass multiple product images, more review sources, videos and, of course, Shopping ads.
3 last-minute Google Shopping tricks to level up your account for the holidays
Looking for ways to make your product listing ads stand out this holiday season? Columnist Todd Saunders has some tips.
Google adds new knowledge panel to provide information about news publishers
In an effort to combat fake news and equip searchers with more data about news sources, Google has released a new publisher knowledge graph.
Confirmed: Google rolling out new curved mobile search results interface
Are you seeing a new look for the Google mobile search results page? You are not alone!
Siri, Safari and Google Search: What does it mean for marketers?
Columnist Jim Yu explains how Apple's recent announcements and updates to Siri and Safari have had a major impact on the search marketing industry.
Google searches now correspond to user location instead of domain
Users can still change their search settings to select a country service if desired.
SearchCap: Updates to AdWords daily budgets, Bing’s Dynamic Search Ads & more
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 announces AdWords daily budgets can overspend by 2x, automaticallyOct 5, 2017 by Ginny Marvin While advertisers won’t be on the hook for overages, the real question is why are daily […]
SearchCap: Google Insights Engine Project, Instant AMP label & Google Express
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 test surfaces user data for publishers as part of new Insights Engine ProjectOct 4, 2017 by Ginny Marvin Several new initiatives are aimed at bringing machine learning into publisher products […]
Will chatbots become part of the consumer search experience?
Recently, Bing has been experimenting with a chatbot feature directly in search results. Columnist David Freeman discusses how this shift could impact marketers.
Targeting featured snippet and ‘People also ask’ SERP features
Wondering how to obtain the elusive "position zero" in Google search results? Columnist Marcus Miller discusses how to target answer boxes and related questions.
SearchCap: Smart speaker stats, link building AI & Google doodle
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: Report: 57% of smart speaker owners have bought something with their voiceSep 26, 2017 by Greg Sterling Part two of NPR Smart Audio report exposes the ‘v-commerce’ potential of virtual assistant […]
Apple switches back to Google search results for iOS & Mac
After serving Bing web search results in iOS and Mac for a few years, Apple has just switched the results back to Google, its original search partner.
Bing says links are still a very important ranking factor
A recent interview with a Bing representative suggested links will be downplayed for rankings in the near future. But that is not currently the case.
How to conduct an SEO content audit
Columnist Thomas Stern shows how a content audit, when done right, can help you assess whether your content is relevant not only to your brand goals and SEO objectives, but also to the customer’s needs.
Maximizing the potential and value of your SEO team
Wondering how best to invest in your SEO talent? Columnist Bobby Lyons shares his management philosophy based on his experience as an in-house SEO director at a major brand.
Google debuts giant new look for Local Inventory Ad product search in Knowledge Panels
A search bar and multiple product listings are part of the update.
SearchCap: Google knowledge panel ads, Google Maps videos & AMP survey
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on and from other places across the web.
Google is testing ads in local business knowledge panels
The new test is part of a broader focus on monetizing the growing number of local searches.
How important is Google Shopping for retailers?
Columnist Andy Taylor shares his views on the recent European Commission antitrust ruling against Google and how this might impact retailers that rely on Google Shopping for sales.
Google confirms testing auto-play videos in the search results
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.
Developing content for the customer journey
Columnist Bobby Lyons explains why SEOs must move away from "SEO content" and start thinking about content that meets users' needs throughout the buyer journey.
Google image search now shows videos and recipes
Google video structured data schema now supports image and recipe information.
What to make of the EU’s absurd antitrust ruling against Google
In its concern over Google's market dominance, the EU has focused on the wrong issue. Its ruling won't benefit consumers and isn't going to bring CSE business back.
7 changes by Facebook that make it a real local search player
Columnist Wesley Young looks at recent improvements Facebook has made -- and functionality being tested -- that may position the social media giant to compete with Google in the area of local search.
Google tests ‘highlights’ icons in the local knowledge panels
Google is busy testing new features in the local listings. Here is one that shows fun icons.
SearchCap: Bing Ads standard text ads, canonical tags & relevancy
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: Relevance vs. authority: Which link has more value? (Part 2)May 11, 2017 by Andrew Dennis In part two of his three-part series on authority versus relevance in link building, columnist Andrew […]
Let’s get visual: Shopping from within images
Columnist Christi Olson outlines exciting developments that bring image search and shopping together to enhance the search experience for users.