This week at SEOPartner, we’re sharing: SEO updates that can deliver significant impact to your results, exciting changes in the marketplace to watch out for, good-to-know studies and information, and tips to try based on recent findings on search, online marketing and more.
1. Google: Click-to-Expand Content Now OK for SEO
no, in the mobile-first world content hidden for ux should have full weight
— Gary 鯨理／경리 Illyes (so official, trust me) (@methode) November 5, 2016
Google’s Webmaster Trends Analyst Gary Illyes has stated that content hidden behind tabs (to improve user experience) will now be able to catch the attention of the search engine giant’s crawlers.
Hidden content was previously considered a negative factor for SEO. An earlier statement from John Mueller, also from Google, expressed how web users may feel misled when Google sends them to a page that matches their search terms, only to fail to find the content because it is hidden in tabs.
Now, however, Illyes emphasizes that “in the mobile-first world, content hidden for UX should have full weight.”
Source: https://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-says-now-ok-put-content-behind-tabs/178020/?ver=178020X2
2. Google Cracks Down vs. Safe Browsing Violators
Websites that repeatedly violate Google’s safe browsing guidelines will now have to undergo a new, stricter review process.
Sites that violate Google’s Malware, Unwanted Software, Phishing, and Social Engineering Policies show a “This site may harm your computer” warning to users. Until last week, the warning will be removed, either automatically or at the site owner’s request filed via the Search Console, if the site owner makes the necessary corrections.
However, Google observed that some websites simply revert to harmful activity after the warning has been lifted. Thus, they adjusted the policy, classifying sites that go back to risky practices as “Repeat Offenders.”
If a site is classified as a Repeat Offender, it will continue to show warning notifications to would-be visitors for 30 days or more. The owner of the offending website will be able to submit a review request to Google only after the 30-day waiting period.
The search giant also launched a new site for Safe Browsing, which is designed for easier and faster reporting of malicious sites. It will serve as the central hub for accessing Google’s developer documentation, policies and help content.
Source: http://searchengineland.com/google-safe-browsing-repeat-offenders-will-get-30-day-time-262796
Image via https://safebrowsing.google.com/
3. FYI: Search Console is Conducting Infrastructure Updates
If you notice data anomalies in your Search Console graph since Nov 1, those may be a result of ongoing infrastructure updates.
“Search Console is performing infrastructure updates that will prevent data logging in some reports for the next few weeks (Search Analytics should not be affected),” Google said, adding logging will resume shortly.
Source: https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/6211453?hl=en
4. Google Shuts Down Map Maker
Google has retired Map Maker as a standalone product. But it won’t be entirely gone, since they are now working to integrate its features into Google Maps.
According to the Map Maker team, the update aims to speed up and streamline the editing process within Google Maps for both mobile and desktop users.
“We’ll continue to roll out new features to make sure you’re able to do most of the things you’ve grown accustomed to doing in Map Maker – like edit roads – leading up to March 2017 and after,” they said.
Source: http://searchengineland.com/google-retiring-map-maker-speed-maps-editing-process-262779
5. How Voice Search via Google Home Works (So Far)
A Moz review of Google’s newest digital assistant revealed the following insights:
– Google Home directly translates featured snippets into voice answers. This offers clear and direct search marketing opportunities. However, the impact and scope of those opportunities can’t be fully measured yet.
– If you can rank for voice, you can rank well in desktop and mobile search. Since voice search is expected to enjoy remarkable growth in the near future, investing in voice search now can deliver great returns in the next few years.
Other discoveries:
– For simple, objective questions, Google Home provides a short answer, names the source (“According to Wikipedia…”) and reads a snippet, which is usually the first sentence.
– If Google Search returns a question with a paragraph-based snippet, Home will read the entire paragraph.
– For list-based answers, Home reads off the entire list if it’s short; longer lists are cut off with “…and more.”
– Home can’t translate tabled data to voice.
Source and demo via: https://moz.com/blog/how-to-rank-on-google-home
6. Instagram to Make In-App Shopping Seamless
Instagram is currently testing two new online shopping features which allow users to purchase without leaving the app.
The “Tap to View Products” icon can be found at the lower left portion of posts. When a user taps the icon, the name and prices of up to five products tagged in the post will be revealed. Tapping the featured products tagged in the post will reveal additional information.
The “Shop now” link, on the other hand, is found on the product page. Tapping on the link will take the users to the retailer’s website where they can complete the purchase.
The two features are currently in the testing phase and are available to 20 U.S. retail brands. They are also planning for global expansion with the further roll out of these new features.
Source: https://www.searchenginejournal.com/instagram-shop-now/177869/
Images via: http://blog.business.instagram.com/post/152598788716/shopping-coming-to-instagram
SUMMING IT ALL UP
Here are the top headlines in this week’s SEO news roundup:
Google: Click-to-Expand Content Now OK for SEO. Google crawlers can recognize and read content hidden in tabs.
Google Cracks Down vs. Safe Browsing Violators. Repeat offenders will need to go through a longer and more difficult review process.
FYI: Search Console is Performing Infrastructure Updates. If you’re seeing some inaccurate reports, this may be the reason.
Google Shuts Down Map Maker. The standalone product will be integrated into Google Maps by next year.
How Voice Search via Google Home Works (So Far). How it works can provide clues on how it can impact SEO.
Instagram to Make In-App Shopping Seamless. Features that allow users to shop around and make purchases within the app are in testing phase.