Google replaces its Webmaster Guidelines with Google Search Essentials
Google has done a full refresh of its old Webmaster Guidelines, simplifying them and removing the term "webmaster."
Search penalties
Search Engine Land is your source for search penalties news and content. 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.
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7 best link-building services for SEO performance
Use these services to help you improve your search engine rankings.
Keep your emails out of the spam folder and in front of your subscribers
Everything you need to know about sending emails that your customers want to receive and that inboxes won’t block from being delivered.
The Google link spam update is rolling out; Wednesday’s daily brief
And, the review stars are back in Google Search results.
Why brands should care about inclusion in marketing; Friday’s daily brief
Plus, Merchant Center guidelines change in August -- for the advertiser's benefit
The 2021 SEO Periodic Table is here to help you achieve more visibility; Thursday’s daily brief
Plus, diners are returning to restaurants in record numbers and what that means for local businesses
Search Engine Land’s updated SEO Periodic Table is now live
We hope this refreshed graphic serves as an essential reference for your experiments.
Optimize your email campaigns with the updated Email Marketing Periodic Table; Tuesday’s daily brief
Plus, why you shouldn’t let your employees choose their WFH days.
What SEO elements are most important? Plus, a HUGE announcement; Monday’s daily brief
And don't miss Search Engine Land’s updated PPC guide
Video: Drew Madore believes Google’s ranking algorithm uses user experience signals
Many SEOs do not believe Google when they say they do not use Google Analytics or Chrome data for ranking purposes.
Video: Drew Madore on how “black hat SEO” has changed over the years
What was considered "white hat" SEO in the old days may now be considered "black hat" SEO.
8 major Google ranking factors — SEO guide
Of over two hundred Google ranking factors that we know about, which ones are the most important? Here is the definitive list.
Search engines penalize websites – but why?
Penalties must be seen for what they truly are: stopgap measures.
The Ultimate Google Disavow Guide
Here's a blueprint for anyone considering using the Disavow Tool in order to improve their website signals.
Pro Tip: What it takes to build high-quality links
You have to invest real time into earning links from high-authority sites by doing your own research and digital public relations.
Chapter 8: Toxins & search engine spam penalties
Anyone entering the realm of search engine optimization is likely to encounter some questionable (aka “black hat”) tactics, or Toxins, as we call them in our Periodic Table of SEO Factors. These are shortcuts, or tricks, that may have been sufficient to guarantee a high ranking back in the day when the engines’ methods were […]
Search Engine Land unveils Periodic Tables of PPC at SMX East
The new resource breaks down key facets of paid search marketing, from ad types, to analytics and more.
SMX Advanced Overtime: Your questions answered about webspam and penalties
Bing's Frédéric Dubut and ex-Googler Fili Wiese covered a wide range of questions in Seattle and will be sharing more insights at SMX East.
Review fraud: Hijacked Amazon reviews a big problem says Consumer Reports
The fake reviews problem on Amazon isn't going away any time soon.
New edition of SEO success factors reinforces the importance of content
A theme that resounded in the SEO community during SMX Advanced in Seattle was that Google wants relevant, differentiated content above all else.
The Periodic Table of SEO Factors gets major overhaul for 2019
The new version features updated weightings, new elements, emerging verticals and some nasty toxins to avoid at all costs. Get it now.
Back to Basics: App optimization and Firebase indexation
With the vast number of apps available, your marketing strategy needs to focus on optimizing so consumers can find your app.
SearchCap: Google Dynamic Search ads, advanced speed optimization tips, Google penalties & 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 now shows dynamic search ad performance aggregated by landing page Sep 10, 2018 by Ginny Marvin The landing page report is one of three reports available for dynamic ad targets […]
After Google manual actions expire, algorithms may handle some of those site penalties
Google has confirmed again that manual actions, human-driven search penalties, can expire over time.
What negative SEO is and is not
In the first of a six-part series on negative SEO and its effect on links, content and user signals, contributor Joe Sinkwitz sets the tone by dispelling myths and providing definitions of key concepts.
SearchCap: PPC branded content & bad local reviews
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: How to use good ol’ PPC to support fun and creative branded contentApr 25, 2018 by Kevin Lee Contributor Kevin Lee looks at creative synergies and the power of collaboration to […]
SearchCap: EU domains at risk, mobile page speed & search pictures
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: UK webmasters prepare for #Brexit – the EU is coming for your .eu domainsMar 30, 2018 by Barry Schwartz You may want to consider migrating to a new domain now, so […]
How to effectively report competitor spam
Contributor Kaspar Szymanski outlines reasons why submitting a spam report against a competitor practicing "blackhat SEO" can be another tool in your marketing arsenal.
SearchCap: Google Express search promo, SEO goals & search pictures
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: New test prominently showcases Google Express in mobile search resultsDec 29, 2017 by Ginny Marvin A test includes a new callout and ad treatment for the shopping program in mobile search […]
SearchCap: Yahoo sues Mozilla, Google Lens review & celebs help Google
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 lowdown on driving app downloads with Universal App campaignsDec 7, 2017 by Matt Lawson Google’s Universal App campaigns use machine learning to automate app promotion. Columnist and Googler Matt Lawson […]
SearchCap: Google snippets increase, Google local Q&A, local services on Google Assistant
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 officially increases length of snippets in search resultsDec 1, 2017 by Barry Schwartz Company says change is meant to provide more descriptive snippets. Merkle: Black Friday, Cyber Monday sales from […]
Private blog networks: A great way to get your site penalized
Columnist Kevin Rowe explains what private blog networks (PBNs) are, how to identify them, and why you should steer clear.
SearchCap: Google job search, Firefox picks Google & Bing Black Friday
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 new features to its job listings search tool released earlier this yearNov 15, 2017 by Amy Gesenhues Salary, location and application details are now included directly in job listing […]
Google Manual Actions: Frequently asked questions and their answers
Contributor Kaspar Szymanski addresses some of the most commonly raised questions and issues regarding Google penalties.
13 outdated SEO tactics that should terrify you
In the spirit of Halloween, columnist Jeremy Knauff shares some frighteningly outdated SEO tactics that simply won't die!
SearchCap: Google chrome warnings, Facebook marketplace & SEO data
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 emails warnings to webmasters that Chrome will mark http pages with forms as ‘not secure’Aug 18, 2017 by Barry Schwartz Have forms, login fields and other input sections on your […]
5 ways to balance technical & non-technical SEO
Though tactics and strategies differ greatly for technical and non-technical SEOs, columnist Jim Yu believes it’s critical that they find ways to work together. Each is powerful on its own, but it’s in the combined efforts of both that the real magic happens.
SearchCap: Google Instant dies, AdWords call bids & Google legal issues
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 has dropped Google Instant SearchJul 26, 2017 by Barry Schwartz Several years after Google launched Google Instant, they are killing the default search feature to bring search more inline with […]
SearchCap: EU to fine Google, SEO reputation & PPC planning
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: EU sources say $1.17 billion antitrust fine against Google coming in weeksJun 16, 2017 by Greg Sterling Shopping search penalty is the first of three potential fines against the company. SEO: […]
EU sources say $1.17 billion antitrust fine against Google coming in weeks
Shopping search penalty is the first of three potential fines against the company.