Daily Search Forum Recap: December 18, 2023 -

Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today, through the eyes of the Search Engine Roundtable and other search forums on the web.

Google has confirmed that “openness” for local ranking is now a stronger signal. Google continues to have strong search ranking volatility into the holidays. Google Merchant Center is testing a browsing experience feature card. Google has a video label on some top stories. Google Search Ads for publishers will enforce consent management requirements on February 1, 2024. I posted another vlog with Dave DiGregorio, who went through my Michael Jordan cards.

Search Engine Roundtable Stories:

Confirmed: Google Local Search Algorithm “Openness” Now Stronger Signal

Earlier this month we covered a report from Sterling Sky that said the Google Local search ranking algorithm now uses if a location is open as part of its local ranking system. Google’s Search Liaison, Danny Sullivan, confirmed the change late on Friday saying, “we’ve long used “openness” as part of our local ranking systems, and it recently became a stronger signal for non-navigational queries.”

Google Search Ranking Algorithm Volatility Holiday Surge

You’d expect that the Google search ranking volatility would calm as we get closer to the holiday break, Christmas timeframe. But no. Google’s search ranking volatility is ever so heated, or shall we say, cold, as we approach the holidays.

Google Merchant Center Browsing Experience BETA Card

Google Merchant Center is beta testing a new score card to help merchants understand how their browsing experience score is doing. This card is called “Browsing Experience” and it shows how well your site’s products are doing with image quality.

Google Top Stories Adds Video Labels

Google can now show video labels or indicators to some news stories in the top stories section of Google Search. The video label is added under the snippet on the top stories section.

Google Search Ads For Publishers (i.e. AdSense, etc) To Enforce Consent Management Requirements

Google announced late on Friday that starting on February 1, 2024, it will start to enforce the consent management requirements for Google Search Ads publisher products, such as AdSense for Search, AdSense for Domains, and Programmable Search Engine.

Vlog #253: Dave DiGregorio Goes Through My Michael Jordan Basketball Cards

In part one with Dave DiGregorio we spoke about his journey from working in sports memorabilia to getting into SEO. Then, in part two we talked about some local pack reductions, diversifying your local SEO efforts, the services feature, and the amazing SEO community…

Santa At Google’s Dublin Office

Holidays are here, we had a holiday market, we saw Rudolph and now here is Santa at the Google office in Dublin. I spotted this on Instagram.