We all agree that E.A.T. is not a ranking factor or a single signal to get your site to rank in YMYL or any category. Join Grant Simmons, formerly VP of performance marketing at Homes.com (grew organic traffic to over 10M monthly organic sessions), and Kevin Rowe, founder and CEO of PureLinq, who will share their experience in ranking in highly competitive markets and how they leveraged E.A.T. for their site entities to drive organic growth. Register today for “Drive Ranking in YMYL Categories by Mastering E.A.T. with Content and Links” presented by Purelinq. The post Drive ranking in YMYL categories by mastering E.A.T. with content and links appeared first on Search Engine Land. via Search Engine Land https://ift.tt/Ydgp4s3
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It was 11 years ago today that Google announced an algorithm update that had a massive and far-reaching impact on SEO for years to come. Here’s a complete history of the Google Panda algorithm update. What was the Google Panda update?Google Panda was a major algorithm update that impacted search rankings for 11.8% of queries in the U.S. Google said Panda was designed to reduce the rankings for low-quality sites (“ sites which are low-value add for users, copy content from other websites or sites that are just not very useful”) and reward better rankings to high-quality sites (“ sites with original content and information such as research, in-depth reports, thoughtful analysis and so on”).The algorithm officially started rolling out on Feb. 23 but it wasn’t until Feb. 24 that we learned about it. Panda didn’t only impact content farms. Websites of all sizes, across industries, felt the wrath of Panda. There were multiple reports of companies going out of business because they had relied on Google traffic for years. Once that traffic was gone, so was their business. After its initial launch, Google announced several refreshes and updates to Panda on a near-monthly basis for the next two years (9 in 2011 and 14 in 2012). You will find a full timeline and our coverage of those updates at the bottom of this guide. Why was Google Panda launched?In 2011, Google was trying to find a solution for its content farm problem. In case you’re not familiar with the term, a “content farm” was a website that paid freelance writers (typically poorly) to pump out as much content as fast as possible. The sole goal for these companies was to rank extremely well in Google’s search results for high-traffic keywords. Article quality was typically low. Those high rankings meant these content farms got lots of traffic. And they monetized that traffic via display advertising (ironically, many of those sites were using Google AdSense.) Demand Media is probably the best example of the classic content farm model. Suite 101 was another big content farm. Interestingly, many of the content issues Google was trying to solve in 2010 had come about after the Caffeine Update. Google was now crawling content faster and its index grew quickly. But some of that content was “shallow” and it was ranking well. Business Insider even published an article with this rather blunt headline: Google’s Search Algorithm Has Been Ruined, Time To Move Back To Curation.” On TechCrunch, there was: “Why We Desperately Need a New (and Better) Google.” Well, on Feb. 24, Google rocked the world of content farms – and the entire SEO industry. Why did Google name it Panda?In an interview with Wired, Amit Singhal revealed where the Panda name came from:
The full name of that Google engineer is Navneet Panda. However, the update wasn’t referred to as “Panda” outside of Google when it initially launched. Search Engine Land founder Danny Sullivan called it the “Farmer’ update – until the Panda name was revealed in Wired. So if you see the Farmer name pop up in any of our old coverage of Panda, that’s why. Google on ‘high-quality sites’On May 6, 2011, in an effort to help those who had been negatively impacted by Panda, Google published a list of 23 questions to provide guidance on how Google searches for high-quality sites:
Panda is part of Google’s core algorithmOn Jan. 12, 2016, we reported that Panda had become part of Google’s core algorithm. Google never confirmed an exact date when this changed. All we know with 100% certainty is that it happened at some point after Google’s last confirmed Panda update (4.2, July 17, 2015). So even though it’s been years since Google announced an update to Panda, Panda lives on. It continues to live on in the core algorithm, which means it is still impacting SEO, more than a decade later after its launch. The lasting impact of Google Panda todayGoogle Panda had an impact on SEO that lasts to this day. Here are just three big changes that came from Panda:
A complete Google Panda timelineBelow is the complete list of all 28 confirmed Panda updates and refreshes. Oh, and since we didn’t discuss that yet, an update meant Google actually changed the Panda algorithm in some way, while a refresh meant Google reapplied all the same signals from the most recent update. Here’s Search Engine Land’s coverage of Panda, from 2011 to 2016: Feb. 23, 2011: Panda Update 1.0
April 11, 2011: Google Panda Update 2.0May 9, 2011: Panda Update 2.1June 21, 2011: Panda Update 2.2
July 23, 2011: Panda Update 2.3Aug. 12, 2011: Panda Update 2.4Sept. 28, 2011: Panda Update 2.5Oct. 19, 2011: Panda Update 3.0Nov. 18, 2011: Panda Update 3.1Jan. 18, 2012: Panda Update 3.2Feb. 27, 2012: Panda Update 3.3March 23, 2012: Panda Update 3.4April 19, 2012: Panda Update 3.5April 27, 2012: Panda Update 3.6June 8, 2012: Panda Update 3.7June 25, 2012: Panda Update 3.8July 24, 2012: Panda Update 3.9Aug. 20, 2012: Panda Update 3.9.1Sept. 18, 2012: Panda Update 3.9.2Sept. 27, 2012: Panda Update #20Nov. 5, 2012: Panda Update #21Nov. 21, 2012: Panda Update #22Dec. 21, 2012: Panda Update #23Jan. 22, 2013: Panda Update #24March 14, 2013: Panda Update #25May 20, 2014: Panda Update 4.0Sept. 23, 2014: Panda Update 4.1July 17, 2015: Panda Update 4.2
The post Lookback: Google launched the Panda algorithm update 11 years ago appeared first on Search Engine Land. via Search Engine Land https://ift.tt/QHTwOpC Google is testing a new messaging feature that would allow customers to send messages to the customer service email address provided in your Google Merchant Center account. Google has invited select merchants to participate in this pilot via email. We’ve reached out to Google and will update this article as more details become available. Tip of the hat to Kirk Williams for bringing this to our attention. Why we care. Providing potential customers with a way to contact retailers via Google Shopping may increase the value of the platform for both merchants and customers. Winning over more shoppers and retailers will also help strengthen Google as a shopping destination, helping it compete with the likes of Amazon, eBay and other marketplaces. The company has not announced when (or whether) this feature will become widely available. What Google said in the email. “We’re excited to announce a new messaging pilot to help you connect with customers and improve your sales through Google Shopping,” Google wrote in the email. “This optional feature will allow customers to send messages to the customer service email address you’ve provided in your Merchant Center account.” “We anticipate that questions will typically be about product availability or specifications, and believe that this will improve customer trust and traffic to your site,” the company also said. Merchants that have received this email can opt into the pilot by completing the associated questionnaire. Get the daily newsletter search marketers rely on. See terms. The post Shoppers may soon be able to message merchants via Google Shopping appeared first on Search Engine Land. via Search Engine Land https://ift.tt/PJbQdNB Google has updated its Buy on Google Retailer Standards policies. The changes include removing: order caps, automatic suspension via the Retailer Standards program and the “Defects” tab within the Merchant Center dashboard. Tip of the hat to Lawrence Chasse for bringing this to our attention. Why we care. Order caps were previously imposed on merchants that were performing poorly (according to Google’s Retailer Standards score); the same was true for automatic suspensions. Order capping could also slow down sales for new merchants until they complete onboarding by requesting a review of their store. Now that these two penalties are gone, merchants have fewer potential bottlenecks when it comes to selling via Buy on Google. However, these policies were designed to protect customers (as well as Google’s reputation as a shopping platform) from disreputable merchants. Google has yet to reveal what new safeguards it’ll put in place (if any) to ensure a consistent, positive Buy on Google experience. What’s changing. In the email notification sent to merchants, Google said it will:
Why Google made these changes. “We’re making these changes to help you succeed on Google while ensuring our policies keep up with Buy on Google’s evolution,” Google said in the email. Get the daily newsletter search marketers rely on. See terms. The post Buy on Google gets rid of order caps and automatic suspensions appeared first on Search Engine Land. via Search Engine Land https://ift.tt/6Q3A9iB Storyselling helps you strategically deliver stories that get people to take action. It supercharges your content marketing and copywriting to... The post Storyselling 101: Build a Business Around Your Blog appeared first on Copyblogger. via Copyblogger https://ift.tt/Nm7oDIg The stakes are high for marketers today to adapt and scale their operations. Trends like the hybrid work shift and the looming metaverse have cemented our digital reality while workforce and customer demands continue to escalate and create new challenges. As a result, it’s never been more perplexing for CMOs to manage and grow their organizations effectively. Yet, many do not realize there is one overlooked issue that’s seriously costing their organizations—one that, if addressed, could significantly enhance their business: poor communication. That’s what new research by Grammarly and The Harris Poll found. The “State of Business Communication” survey of business leaders and knowledge workers reveals that poor workplace communication is a pervasive problem burdening businesses and employees alike. In fact, the study estimates a $1.2 trillion annual loss among U.S. businesses due to poor communication—or approximately $12,506 per employee every year. The findings are especially relevant for communications-heavy teams like marketing as they engage with each other, buyers, and customers across new digital touchpoints and channels. And while the cost alone is staggering, the findings go much deeper—illuminating the far-ranging impacts of ineffective communication today and the need to fundamentally rethink productivity and engagement in the workplace. Let’s take a closer look at what the research reveals and the implications for marketers to succeed in the next era. Boost productivity and profitability with effective communicationEffective communication across teams, customers, and prospects is essential as workplace demands evolve. Nearly all business leaders surveyed (93%) acknowledge that effective communication is the backbone of their business. From emails to documents to pings, employees report spending almost 20 hours a week (19.93) on written communication alone—or half of the typical 40-hour workweek. At the same time, the research suggests poor communication is rampant in the workplace—with direct effects on business results. Nearly three in four business leaders (72%) say their team struggled with communicating effectively over the last year. Moreover, they estimate teams lose the equivalent of nearly an entire workday each week (7.47) due to poor communication issues such as resolving unclear communications or following up on asks. That’s up to a fifth of employees’ time that they could reclaim with better communication. The consequences of not addressing the issue are significant: Over nine in 10 business leaders say poor communication impacts productivity, morale, and growth, citing impacts such as increased costs, missed or extended deadlines, and reputational erosion. One in five leaders even reported losing business or deals due to poor communication. As CMOs look to scale, overcoming the impact of poor communication is pivotal to achieving growth and profitability. Deliver an exceptional employee experience with better communicationBeyond the direct cost benefits, the indirect advantages of improving communication are just as critical to business success. In particular, leaders have a new urgency to improve the employee experience as record numbers of workers continue leaving their jobs. The Grammarly and Harris Poll data shows most business leaders (57%) cited employee satisfaction and retention as a top priority this year, even ahead of team productivity and customer satisfaction. But the findings also reveal links between poor communication and employee morale and turnover. The majority of employees (86%) experience communication issues at work, and they report increased stress as the top impact. Those experiencing miscommunications multiple times a day are more likely to feel stressed. Leaders reporting higher employee retention are also more likely to have better communication. Any breakdowns in the communication process slow down and frustrate employees, with domino effects on productivity, engagement, and the customer experience. As workforce needs continue to evolve, improving communication with greater clarity and empathy and nurturing confidence among employees are imperative. Harness new tools to underpin the digital workplaceNearly two years into the shift to remote and hybrid work, teams still don’t have the tools they need for success in a digital environment. Despite all the time they spend communicating, the research shows leaders (88%) and employees (63%) alike wish they had better tools to communicate effectively. In particular, written communication takes up much of employees’ day-to-day. Over half (57%) say they communicate in a written format most of the time, and email remains the most popular and preferred method, ahead of virtual video meetings and text-based chat. Teams may also be interacting more than leaders even know: They estimate their teams spend 29% of their time collaborating with others when employees say it’s nearly half their time (49%). A more dispersed workplace creates more opportunities for misunderstanding, and CMOs must rethink technology investments to equip teams to stay in sync and productive. AI and automated technologies are available that can help augment and optimize teams’ communication in all the places they’re already working. Platform-agnostic solutions, like AI communication assistance from Grammarly Business, integrate into existing systems and channels to enhance the quality and efficiency of communication across the board. By revisiting lagging technology, CMOs can recapture the time lost to poor communication while delivering more impactful engagement with customers and employees. The bottom lineNow more than ever, effective communication is the linchpin of organizations that can determine their performance. CMOs can no longer afford to ignore the cost of poor communication—those that invest in building better practices, bridging communication gaps at every level, and empowering teams with the right tools will see their businesses reach new heights. ________ The “State of Business Communication” report is based on a survey conducted online by The Harris Poll in October 2021 among 1,001 knowledge workers and 251 business leaders in the U.S. For complete methodology and more findings on the high cost and business impact of poor workplace communication, download the report, “The State of Business Communication: The Backbone of Business Is Broken,” and visit www.grammarly.com/business. This article was written by Dorian Stone, head of organizations revenue, Grammarly. The post The cost of bad communication is skyrocketing — what CMOs need to know appeared first on Search Engine Land. via Search Engine Land https://ift.tt/5i2Bqe9 Google Ads has rolled out Enhanced Conversions for Leads. Spotted as a beta test earlier this month, this option offers an alternative to the existing Google Click ID-based offline conversion tracking method. Why we care. Since this can be configured from your Google Ads account (instead of your CRM), it may be easier to adopt, enabling more advertisers to track their offline conversions. Using that data, Google’s systems may be able to make better auction decisions, which could mean more efficient campaigns and better conversions. For those using the existing Google Click ID-based upload method, this option is still supported. How it works. When a potential customer fills out a lead form on your site, you’ll likely receive first-party data including their email address, name, home address and/or phone number. That data can be captured in your conversion tracking tags, hashed and then sent to Google. When a lead converts, you upload your hashed lead information and Google matches that information to the ad that drove the lead, providing the platform with a more complete picture of the customer’s full journey. The issue with the existing offline conversion tracking method. Offline conversion tracking can help Google get a better idea of the value of different leads, which can help it prioritize more valuable leads via the Maximize Conversion Value bid strategy, for example. Despite this potential advantage, offline conversion tracking has not been widely adopted due to the difficulty of implementing it. “Advertisers are used to being able to control most elements of their campaigns through self-service tools,” Frederick Vallaeys, co-founder and CEO at Optmyzr said, adding, “But those same marketers usually don’t control the CRM systems where this valuable offline conversion data lives inside their organization. This dependency on other teams and sometimes even engineering significantly reduces the adoption of OCI [offline conversion tracking].” Since Enhanced Conversions with Leads uses information about your leads that you’ve already captured (i.e., email addresses), it doesn’t require you to modify your CRM systems, making this a more convenient solution for many advertisers. Set up methods. Enhanced Conversions for Leads can be configured via Google Tag Manager so long as you have Google Ads conversion tracking set up and auto-tagging is enabled. Alternatively, it can also be configured using the global site tag directly on your page if you already have conversion tracking implemented this way. The post Google makes offline conversion tracking easier with Enhanced Conversions for Leads appeared first on Search Engine Land. via Search Engine Land https://ift.tt/Ja8sfTc Over the past few hours search marketers have been complaining about slowness, errors and other unexpected issues within the Google Ads advertiser console. Google has posted a status update just now confirming “affected users are able to access Google Ads” however they may be “seeing error messages, high latency, and/or other unexpected behavior.” The confirmation. Here is what Google posted in the Google Ads status dashboard:
When did it start. This seems to have started days ago, where users have been complaining both on Twitter and in the forums. Ginny Marvin, the Google Ads Liaison, replied to a few advertisers on Twitter this afternoon after escalating their complaints: The Ads Liaison then posted this notice on Twitter after we posted these details here: Why we care. If you have noticed error messages, high latency, and/or other unexpected behavior – you should know you are not alone and Google is now investigating these issues. Hopefully we will hear back with good news soon that these errors and latency issues are resolved.The post Google Ads latency issues and error messages within advertiser console appeared first on Search Engine Land. via Search Engine Land https://ift.tt/KBxFizm Google AdSense will separate YouTube earnings into its own AdSense for YouTube homepage and payments account, the company announced Wednesday. The change will begin in March and roll out over the following months. YouTube publishers were first made aware of this change in an email sent by Google in January. Why we care. Soon, YouTube earnings will no longer appear alongside AdSense earnings. Making note of this change and alerting colleagues and/or stakeholders will help eliminate confusion when the change rolls out. AdSense publishers aren’t actually earning less, those earnings are simply being reorganized. Unfortunately for some, it may take longer to reach the payment thresholds since AdSense and YouTube now each have their own threshold. Separate payment thresholds. YouTube earnings will be bucketed into its own payments account, meaning that YouTube and AdSense payments accounts will have separate payment thresholds. This could affect payment timing for some as it may take more time to reach the payment threshold. Get the daily newsletter search marketers rely on. See terms. The post Google AdSense separates YouTube earnings into its own payments account appeared first on Search Engine Land. via Search Engine Land https://ift.tt/tghYCHi Google AdSense publishers this morning have been complaining that the report that shows them their estimated earnings on the AdSense console overview page is wrong and significantly lower than what is expected. It seems there is some sort of bug with the report on the overview page, but the reports within the reporting tab seem to be more aligned with expected publisher earnings. The complaints. There are a number of complaints in the AdSense forums that have concerned publishers worried that something is wrong and their AdSense earnings have dropped significantly from what they normally see on a daily or monthly basis. There is one thread that has the most detail, which can be found over here. A top contributor, not a Google employee but a volunteer recognized by Google as someone who is helpful in the forums, wrote “Looks like there are issues with the statistics on the main dashboard page (it’s happening to my account too): go to the Reports tab which seems to be showing the accurate figures.” Don’t panic. There is no need to panic, just yet, it seems like this is a widespread issue where many publishers are waking up to these reporting glitches. Google has yet to confirm that there is a bug but it seems like the reports are not all matching up and there may be some reporting pipeline delay. Why we care. If you noticed your AdSense earnings are unusually low this morning from the overview page report, you are not alone. Dig into the reporting tab to confirm the estimated earnings look accurate and you can alway reach out to AdSense support for help. We have yet to receive a confirmation from Google on the issue, but if and when we do, we will update this story. Postscript. Google has confirmed the issue over here saying “We’re aware of a problem with AdSense affecting a majority of users. We will provide an update by Feb 23, 2022, 7:00 PM UTC detailing when we expect to resolve the problem. Please note that this resolution time is an estimate and may change. The affected users are able to access AdSense, but may not have access to the most recent data. AdSense is currently double-counting metrics when using the Sites dimension / breakdown.” The post Google AdSense earnings report may be buggy appeared first on Search Engine Land. via Search Engine Land https://ift.tt/byqfFKv |
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