Ten Google Sitelinks For Domain Searches

Ten Google Sitelinks For Domain Searches
 Search Google for your domain name, and if that doesn't work try [seroundtable.com] - you should see ten large sitelinks come up under the main site listing:


Searching for the brand name, such as [search engine roundtable] doesn't return ten sitelinks for me. It only returns the ten sitelinks when I do a domain search.

Do you like this? I mean, domain restrictive search is probably a bit more navigational in nature than searching for a brand name.

Author: Barry Schwartz

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Google Publisher Coming To Search Results With Google+ Logo?

Google Publisher Coming To Search Results With Google+ Logo?
As you know, authorship in the search results is a big deal. In fact, I am missing my face big time in the search results. But now, it seems that Google was testing Google+ company logos in the search results.

Note, this page doesn't have rel publisher code on it. It did however have a verified Google+ page and web site linked in the Google+ profile.
I spotted this via siegemedia.com and reported it on Search Engine Land last night.
I can no longer see this coming up in the search results. It worked for me last night.
So it is either a weird bug or a feature Google was testing.
Personally, I like it but hey - it is not my search engine.

Author: Barry Schwartz

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MozCast Shows Huge Google Update But SEOs Don't Agree

MozCast Shows Huge Google Update But SEOs Don't Agree
Yesterday, MozCast, Moz's Google ranking volatility tool, reported the highest level of change in Google's search results in the history of MozCast. 113 degrees hot. Typically, on a normal day it will be in the high 60s or low 70s.

Why the huge temperature? The other tools such as SERPs.com and SERP Metrics reported normal days for Tuesday. And more importantly, I didn't see any chatter in the SEO forums that would signal a Google search algorithm or ranking update.

What set off MozCast? Dr. Pete explained what it might have been, giving a detailed look at the data but saying, he needs more time to give a definitive answer and even then, he might not know for sure.
One thing is for sure, I am 99% certain there was no major ranking change yesterday. The forums and level of discussion in those forums did not spike at all. In fact, it seemed like an incredibly slow day over the past 48 hours.

Author: Barry Schwartz

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Matt Cutts As Moses In SEO's Ten Commandments

Matt Cutts As Moses In SEO's Ten Commandments
I am not sure that Matt Cutts will enjoy this too much but hey, if you ever see him at an SEO convention, it may appear as if he is a god. So why not be dressed like moses, holding the ten commandments in his hands with a halo-like glow behind him?
Steve Toth put together the 10 Commandments of SEO infographic and featured Cutts at the top. The 10 commandments include:

Thou Shalt Not:
(1) Have an Unnatural Link Profile
(2) Cloak and Use Hidden Text
(3) Steal / Duplicate Content
(4) Spin Content
(5) Stuff Keywords
(6) Spam Google Maps
(7) Create Microsites
(8) Sell Links
(9) Go Overboard on Ads
(10) Create Multiple Websites to Rank for the Same Business

Author: Barry Schwartz

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Google's Cutts: Add User Satisfaction Poll To Your Site

Google's Cutts: Add User Satisfaction Poll To Your Site
Google's Matt Cutts reshared a post on Google+ about Google consumer surveys adding a free feature for publishers to add code to their site to poll their website visitors if they like the pages.

Cutts said, "they just rolled out a new (free!) feature that helps you figure out how your users like your website!" "I highly recommend it," he added.

Here is a screen shot of what it might look like on your site:


The reports that it outputs is nice and it is good to get user feedback on your site about your pages but I am sure there are a ton of webmasters who will think - no way am I adding this to my site. Google can then use this data to hurt my web site. Of course, Matt Cutts would say Google currently doesn't use this data for ranking purposes.

Author: Barry Schwartz 

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Google's Matt Cutts: Multi-Week Update Rolling Out

Google's Matt Cutts: Multi-Week Update Rolling Out
For the past week or so, I've been seeing a lot of chatter around a Google updating happening. The thing is, it is hard to tell what is going on right now.

The Webmaster World thread has a lot of chatter that symbolizes an update but that chatter has been pretty steady for the past couple weeks or so. In addition, the monitoring tools, such as MozCast shows higher signs of volatility than normal. Here are the temperatures 73° on June 24, 86° on June 23, 77° on June 22, 71° on June 21 and 72° on June 20. So pretty hot days this week and the week before.

Author: Barry Schwartz 

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Screen Shots Of The New Google Webmaster Tools Structured Data Error Report

Screen Shots Of The New Google Webmaster Tools Structured Data Error Report
Google is now inviting webmasters to try out the new Webmaster Tools structured data error reports.

I signed up for the beta a few weeks ago and was invited yesterday to check out the reports. Fortunately for me, but unfortunately for you, I have no errors - so there is not much to show you.

However, I did spot Tony McCreath post screen shots with errors on Google+ for all to see.

Author: Barry Schwartz

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Google Language Change: Content That Gets Used & Shared, Not Linked To.

Google Language Change: Content That Gets Used & Shared, Not Linked To.
As I reported yesterday at Search Engine Land with Google Changes Ranking Advice, Says Build Quality Sites Not Links - Google made a change to their messaging on the ranking article help document. This was first spotted by @Baeumlisberger and it is an important change.
As I said yesterday, this "change is to keep Google consistent with their general change in messaging that content is what webmasters should focus on, not links."

What was the actual change? The line use to read, "In general, webmasters can improve the rank of their sites by increasing the number of high-quality sites that link to their pages." Google changed the last part to read "by creating high-quality sites that users will want to use and share."

So it is no longer about increasing the number of quality links, it is more about increasing people who want to use and share your content. Again, this is Google's new messaging.

Author: Barry Schwartz

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Google Search May Be Updating...

Google Search May Be Updating...
There is a lot of new chatter in the Webmaster World forums, along with random threads at other forums including Google Webmaster Help about Google's search results shifting around and some webmasters claiming huge declines in referrals from Google starting around 8pm EDT last night.
Some are hoping it was just an Analytics issue but looking at the reports throughout the day and this morning, it seems like it wasn't.

One webmaster said:

Another 50% drop from what has left till yesterday. That is now 25% left from pre-panda/penguin. Serps itself look quiet spammy like normal.

Last time we reported a shift without Google confirmation was on June 5th and there are still many sites who have seen huge drops on that date, despite Google not confirming anything.

Mozcast just updated and it is not showing major changes.

Author: Barry Schwartz

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Webmaster: "Good Content Has Never Been Hit So Hard" By Google

Webmaster: "Good Content Has Never Been Hit So Hard" By Google
A featured WebmasterWorld thread has an emotional but powerful post from a Webmaster who has been creating web sites for over 15 years. In fact, he joined Webmaster World as a member back on March 4, 2003, so he has been around a long time.

In short, he said when talking about Google's latest algorithms, "good content has never been hit so hard." He doesn't blame Google, in fact, he believes Google has user's best interests at heart. He just thinks there is way too much collateral damage with the algorithms - especially Panda.

Author: Barry Schwartz

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Matt Cutts: Stock Images Currently Don't Impact Rankings But We'll Look Into It

Matt Cutts: Stock Images Currently Don't Impact Rankings But We'll Look Into It
Google's Matt Cutts latest video answers a quick question, "does using stock photos on your pages have a negative effect on rankings?" The answer is currently no.
The images you use on a page have no ranking impact, either positive or negative, on that web page ranking well or not. At least directly.

Matt doesn't get into the possibility of nicer, more unique, images having more of an appeal to readers, bloggers and reporters. Which then can encourage more shares and links to the story. But looking at stock images as a ranking factor is currently something not done.

Matt Cutts said they will look into maybe looking at using the unique value of an image as being part of the ranking algorithm or a signal in the ranking algorithm. But I am not sure if he meant that. :)

Anyway, stock images, like the one I used here, should have no impact on this story not ranking.

Author: Barry Schwartz 

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Search Spammers Admit Defeat After Spam Algorithm But Vow To Return

Search Spammers Admit Defeat After Spam Algorithm But Vow To Return
Last Wednesday Google released the spam algorithm to target very spammy niches and "illegal" link building and spamming techniques. Did it work?
For the most part, it seems it did. Despite some black hats mocking Matt Cutts, it seems most of the black hatters in that niche are complaining and admitting defeat.

Author: Barry Schwartz

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Matt Cutts: Google Panda Updated Monthly But Slowly Rolled Out

Matt Cutts: Google Panda Updated Monthly But Slowly Rolled Out
Back in March, Google said they will stop confirming Panda updates because they are now more baked into the index and algorithm.
Well, at SMX Advanced, Matt Cutts of Google announced it is still roughly updated monthly (although it has been 6 weeks because they are trying to soften Panda - note, next Panda update sites should be released) but these updates are rolled out gradually over a 10 day period. (How is that for a run on sentence?)
So, Panda might be pushed out on the 1st of the month but take ten full days to fully roll out everywhere. Then it will happen again roughly a month later. So 1/3rd of the month, Panda is rolling out. I called this at Search Engine Land, the Panda Dance.

Author: Barry Schwartz

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Example URLs Now In Google Webmaster Tools Notifications

Example URLs Now In Google Webmaster Tools Notifications
Last night at SMX Advanced, Matt Cutts announced that now most Google Webmaster Tools notifications will contain example URLs with specific examples of what is wrong with your site.

For example, if you had an unnatural link manual penalty, Google will share a few examples of the links that Google found to be unnatural. Or if you have a user generated content spam penalty, Google will show you example pages with where that content is.

The point is, Google is taking this to the next step to be even more transparent.
They aren't going to share ALL the URLs of the problems, but they will show you one, two or three examples,

Matt Cutts said.
Google actually started doing this on a limited basis over a year ago with example inorganic links but it wasn't consistently for all manual spam notifications. It seems like going forward, almost all of these notifications will include examples.

Author: Barry Schwartz

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Matt Cutts: Google Webmaster Penalty Emails to Include Examples of Bad Links

Matt Cutts: Google Webmaster Penalty Emails to Include Examples of Bad Links
Matt Cutts said that Google Webmaster Penalty emails will start to Include Examples of Bad Links in them.  Cutts stated “One thing that’s new is we’re testing the inclusion of example URLs — when we send a manual action notification, we’ll include one or two or three sample URLs to show what’s wrong.”

This got the audience’s attention tonight as people started jumping up and down.  This is big news in the search marketing world.

Author: John Rampton

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Google's Matt Cutts On Disavow Tool Mistakes

Google's Matt Cutts On Disavow Tool Mistakes
Google's Matt Cutts posted a video the other day explaining the top six or so mistakes that SEOs and webmasters make when using the disavow tool.
By far, the most common mistake is uploading anything but text (TXT) files. Many upload Word documents or Excel files, they should not - you should only upload TXT files.

(1) File you upload should be a regular text file only. No syntax, etc. People often upload word docs, excel spreadsheets, etc. Just upload a text file.
(2) Typically, the first attempt by users are to be very specific and fine tuned with their individual urls. Instead use a domain: command and disavow the whole site. That is often better.
(3) Wrong syntax is another common issue, use the right syntax.
(4) Do not write the story on why you are disavowing in the disavow text file. Do that instead in the reconsideration request, not in the text file.
(5) With that, when you do that, they use comment out tags. So don't add lots or any comments, it will increase the chance of errors on Google's parser.
(6) The disavow is not the be all and end all. It will not cure all your URLs. Clean up your links outside of the disavow tool as well, don't just go this route.

Author: Barry Schwartz

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Google Launches A Google+ Dashboard For Managing Business Pages

Google Launches A Google+ Dashboard For Managing Business Pages
Google announced yesterday on Google+ a new Google+ Dashboard for businesses that manage their Google+ local page on Google+.

Jade Wang also posted about it in the Google Business Help forum explaining:

It will give business owners using Google+ to manage local pages one place to easily manage the pages, share, and access other tools like AdWords Express and Offers. Local Google+ page managers will also have access to improved page insights. Google+ users, find the new dashboard simply by logging into plus.google.com and switching to the page you’re managing.

Author: Barry Schwart

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A Google Update Kicking Into Gear Now?

A Google Update Kicking Into Gear Now?
As I mentioned in our monthly Google webmaster report this morning, it seems like there is an uptick in chatter around a possible Google update kicking off this morning. It is extremely early but I've received emails, tweets and other correspondence of a possible Google update.

In addition, the WebmasterWorld thread has some renewed discussion around changes in traffic and search results and both SERPmetrics and especially SERPs.com show volatility in the Google search results. And MozCast just updated showing incredibly high changes in the Google search results.

Author: Barry Schwartz

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Google's Matt Cutts Says Rel=Author Can Help Search Quality

Google's Matt Cutts Says Rel=Author Can Help Search Quality
Google authorship rich snippets are everywhere these days and they supposedly do help increase traffic to your web site by improving the visibility of your listing in the search results. But can they help you rank higher? Maybe...
In a recent video by Matt Cutts, as I reported at Search Engine Land, Matt implies pretty directly that using the rel=author data can help Google understand the authority and credibility of the individual who posted a piece of content.

Do you think Google should use rel=author to improve search quality? Do you see issues with that?
Either way, if you are not on Google+ or using rel=author on your content site, get to it!

Author: Barry Schwartz

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Google's Matt Cutts: Negative SEO Extremely Rare

Google's Matt Cutts: Negative SEO Extremely Rare
Yesterday, Search Engine Watch published a story that was a bit outdated. What they eventually did was redirect the story to an older story which said the same thing.

In short, Google updated the time stamp on their Can competitors harm ranking? help document. It was assumed by the author of the story that the content changed as well, but it did not. The content did change over a year ago and we reported that but the truth is, on the negative SEO claims by Google, Google's Matt Cutts always said it was possible.

I mean, back in 2007 we reported Matt Cutts as saying that it is possible, but very hard. Now it is easier but still very rare, according to Matt Cutts.

Author: Barry Schwartz

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Are These Your Best SEO Tips?

A WebmasterWorld thread has Webmasters and SEOs sharing their best SEO tips. The thread was started by moderator, goodroi, asking "Put Up or Shut Up - Share your best tip for better Google rankings." So what are some of the best SEO tips being shared? 

• Every page of your site should offer significant value to your audience.
• Check your site for errors on a regular basis.
• Test your own SEO theories and don't just go by what forums or bloggers say.
• Be patient with your tests.
• Focus on metrics that matter.
• Network not just online but offline, those relationships will help your site grow.
• Don't spam your real, money making web sites. Go long term with those.
• Always learn and try things.
• etc.

Author: Barry Schwartz

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Google (Rich Snippets) Structured Data Markup Helper Tool

Google (Rich Snippets) Structured Data Markup Helper Tool
In December 2012, Google launched a data highlighter tool that aided more novice webmasters in creating structure data for use in the rich snippets in Google's search results.
Google announced that they added more data types support to that tool, which we covered two weeks ago. But they also added a web based version of that tool, that instead works within the browser and produces the HTML for the markup for you.
The tool is named the structured data markup helper and it basically allows you to select your markup type, highlight what you want to markup on your page and then outputs the HTML for you to copy into your code.

Author: Barry Schwartz

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Google's Official Tips On Internationalizing A Web Site

Google's Official Tips On Internationalizing A Web Site
Google's Jens O. Meiert and Tony Ruscoe posted on the Google Webmaster Blog 6 quick tips for international web sites.
This is a topic we covered a lot and honestly is somewhat foreign (pun) to me.
The 6 tips in short are:
1. Make pages I18N-ready in the markup, not the style sheets
2. Use one style sheet for all locales
3. Use the [dir='rtl'] attribute selector
4. Use the :lang() pseudo class
5. Mirror left- and right-related values
6. Keep an eye on the details

Author: Barry Schwartz

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Google's Cutts On Internal Links Hurting You

Google's Cutts On Internal Links Hurting You
A WebmasterWorld thread asks the question, is having too many internal links with the same anchor text something you have to worry about post Penguin 2.0?

Matt Cutts answered this in a video from over a month ago, where he said:

Typically, internal website links will not cause you any sort of trouble. Now, the reason why I say ‘typically not’ rather than a hard ‘no’ is just because as soon as I say a hard ‘no’ there will be someone who has like five thousand links – all with the exact same anchor text on one page. But if you have a normal site, you know…a catalog site or whatever…. you’ve got breadcrumbs…you’ve got a normal template there…that’s just the way that people find their way around the site, and navigate, you should be totally fine.

Author: Barry Schwartz

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