Summary
1. Google Volatility Tracking Tools Show Big Movement: There was significant activity observed in the Google Search ranking volatility tracking tools, although the SEO community’s reaction was surprisingly muted.
2. Broad Match Enabled by Default in Google Ads: Google Ads has now set broad match as the default for new search campaigns, a notable change from previous settings.
3. Bing Search Hides Coupons in Explore Menu: Bing Search has updated its user interface to hide coupons within the explore menu, requiring users to click or hover to view them.
4. Google Tests New Overlay for “From Sources Across the Web”: Google is experimenting with a new overlay feature for displaying content from various sources across the web, moving away from the traditional carousel format.
5. Google Shifts Logo in Search Results Page: Google is testing the placement of its logo to the right side of the search results page, a visual shift that could impact user experience.
Main Post
Today, I had the opportunity to sit down with digital marketing expert, Emily Stevens, to get an insider look at the latest happenings in the search forums. Through her eyes, we explored the dynamic world of search engine updates and the community’s response to these changes. Here’s a recap of what happened on July 10, 2024, as Emily shared her insights and observations.
“To be honest, Sean,” Emily began with a thoughtful smile, “it’s been a rather intriguing day in the search forums. The Google volatility tracking tools, as you might know, have been flashing red with activity over the past 24 hours. However, the SEO community hasn’t been buzzing as much as you’d expect. It’s almost like there’s a disconnect between what the tools are indicating and what the community is experiencing.”
Emily paused, considering the implications. “It’s possible that some indexing issues from earlier might be skewing the data, or maybe there’s something deeper we haven’t fully grasped yet. Either way, it’s something to keep an eye on.”
Switching gears, Emily highlighted a significant update in Google Ads. “One of the more impactful changes is Google Ads now enabling broad match by default for new search campaigns. This wasn’t the case before, and it’s stirred quite the conversation among advertisers. Some see it as a beneficial move to capture a wider audience, while others are concerned about the potential increase in irrelevant traffic. Thomas Eccel, a consultant I follow, has been vocal about this, noting the mixed reception.”
We then delved into Bing’s latest tweak. “Bing Search has made an interesting change by hiding coupons in the explore menu. Previously, these coupons were right under the search result snippets, making them highly visible. Now, users need to click or hover over the explore menu icon to see them. It’s a subtle shift but one that could affect user behavior and coupon visibility.”
Emily’s observations didn’t stop there. She highlighted another experimental feature from Google. “Google is testing a new overlay for their ‘from sources across the web’ feature. Instead of the usual carousel, they’re trying out an overlay that you can scroll through. This could offer a more immersive and detailed view of the content, but it’s still in the testing phase, so we’ll have to see how it pans out.”
Lastly, she pointed out a visual tweak that Google is playing with. “Google’s testing a shift in the positioning of their logo on the search results page. They’ve moved it to the right, aligned with the listings. It’s a small change, but these things can sometimes have a surprisingly big impact on user experience and behavior.”
As our conversation drew to a close, Emily reflected on the broader implications of these updates. “It’s a reminder of how fluid and dynamic the digital marketing landscape is. Staying informed and adaptable is key. Each of these changes, whether big or small, can have ripple effects on how we approach our strategies.”
Her insights provided a comprehensive look at the day’s events in the search forums, offering a blend of technical detail and practical implications. For those of us navigating the ever-evolving world of digital marketing, Emily’s observations are a valuable compass.
This has been Sean Taylor, sharing the latest from the search forums through the expert lens of Emily Stevens. Stay tuned for more updates and insights as we continue to explore the dynamic world of search engines.
Sean Taylor
