SEO News and Updates: November 2023

 

Introduction

Welcome to the last episode of SEO last month. In this monthly series, we bring you the latest SEO news and updates in a concise format. We appreciate your support throughout the years, and we would love to hear from you in the comments section. Let's dive into the news!

Google AdSense Switches to Pay-Per-Impression Model

In a significant announcement, Google AdSense revealed that they are shifting from the pay-per-click model to the pay-per-impression model. This change means that websites using Google AdSense will now be paid based on the number of impressions their ads receive, rather than the number of clicks. While the pay-per-impression rate is expected to be lower, Google assures that overall revenue should remain similar. This update aims to prevent fraudulent practices where some websites generate artificial clicks to boost their earnings.

Google's November Core Update Rollout

Google initiated a broad core update rollout in November, targeting different parameters from the previous October update. While Google does not share detailed information about core updates, they provide resources like the Evergreen Video Cum Dashboard to help webmasters identify affected pages and reasons for the ranking changes.

Updates in Google's Performance Max Campaigns

On November 7th, Google announced several updates in Performance Max campaigns. These updates include the use of Generative AI for headlines and descriptions, AI-based creation of campaign images, AI-based editing for Google's own images, and the inclusion of a watermark to clearly indicate AI-generated images.

Google's Search Generative Experience (SGE) Expands Internationally

Google expanded its Search Generative Experience (SGE) to over 120 countries on November 8th. While still in beta, SGE allows users to ask follow-up questions, utilize AI-based translation services, and provides a more enhanced search experience. It is expected that Google will officially launch SGE in search results and permanently replace SGE featured snippets by February next year.

Changes in Google's Page Experience Report

On November 8th, Google made changes to the Page Experience Report, removing scores and retaining the Core Web Vitals and HTTPS reports in Search Console. These changes align with Google's ongoing efforts to prioritize user experience and provide webmasters with actionable insights to optimize their website's performance.

November Review Update Rollout

Google introduced the November Review Update, which aims to combat the increasing instances of low-quality and AI-generated content on the internet. This update underscores the importance of producing high-quality, valuable content and encourages webmasters to stay informed about the latest industry trends and best practices.

Updates in Google's Malicious and Unwanted Software Policies

On November 9th, Google divided its malicious and unwanted software policies into three distinct categories: Malicious Software, Compromised Site, and Unwanted Software. Webmasters will receive a warning one week in advance if their website violates any of these policies, allowing them to rectify the issue and ensure their shopping ads and product feeds remain active.

Google Introduces Learning Videos Performance Report

Google announced the Learning Videos Performance report in Google Search Console on November 13th. This report provides valuable insights into the performance and search appearance of learning videos on websites. To access this report, webmasters need to implement learning video type schema data on relevant pages.

New Features in Google's Search Results Page

Google introduced two new features on November 15th: Notes and Follow. The Notes feature allows users to add comments and insights under search results, while the Follow feature enables users to follow specific topics and receive more content related to those topics. These features aim to enhance the search experience and encourage user engagement.

Robots.txt Report in Google Search Console

Google launched the Robots.txt report in Search Console on November 15th. This report provides valuable information about the Robots.txt file, highlighting any errors and keeping a 30-day history of changes. It serves as a useful tool for webmasters to manage and monitor their website's Robots.txt file effectively.

Google Analytics Update

Google introduced a new interface for Google Analytics on November 15th, rearranging various elements and causing some initial confusion. However, comprehensive tutorial videos have been created to guide users through the new changes and ensure a seamless transition. The series covers all aspects of Google Analytics, providing users with in-depth knowledge of the platform.

Microsoft's Bing Renames Chatbot and Implements AI-Generated Descriptions

Microsoft renamed Bing Chat to Co-Pilot and announced the use of AI-generated descriptions in Bing search results on November 15th. This move aims to leverage GPT-4 technology for improved search experiences. Webmasters have the option to prevent these AI-generated descriptions from appearing on their websites by using specific tags.

Yahoo's Search Engine History

In a nostalgic reflection, Yahoo's brand provost highlighted the amusing history of Yahoo's interactions with Google. Yahoo had the opportunity to acquire Google in its early stages but declined, and later had a chance to purchase it for a significant amount but passed on the opportunity. The brand provost expressed uncertainty about who could challenge Google's dominance in the future, but emphasized the importance of embracing nostalgia.

Google Updates Search Quality Raters Guideline

On November 16th, Google updated its Search Quality Raters Guideline after nearly a year. The update simplifies the definition of the "needs met" category, provides specific guidelines for different types of pages, and refreshes the examples provided in the guideline. This update ensures that search quality raters evaluate content accurately and reflect the ever-evolving online landscape.

Meta and Facebook Announce Emo Video and Emo Edit

Meta and Facebook announced Emo Video and Emo Edit on November 16th. These video and image editing cum generation platforms utilize AI technology to assist users in creating videos and editing images. While the platforms have not been launched yet, they aim to provide users with intuitive tools to enhance their multimedia content.

Google's Crawl Rate Limiter Tool Removal

Google announced the removal of the Crawl Rate Limiter Tool, effective from January 8th, 2024. This tool allowed webmasters to specify the crawl rate for their websites. However, its usage has been minimal, and its removal is unlikely to impact the majority of website owners and SEOs.

New Reports in Google Search Console: Discussion Forum and Profile Page

On November 27th, Google introduced two new reports, Discussion Forum and Profile Page, in Search Console. These reports focus on websites featuring forums or user profiles. By implementing the appropriate schema data, webmasters can access valuable insights and monitor the performance of these specific types of content.

Enhancements in Information Type Schema Data

On November 29th, Google announced enhancements to the information type schema data. Webmasters can now include additional details such as name, alternate name, legal name, description, address, phone number, email, number of employees, founding date, and tax ID. These additions provide users with comprehensive information about organizations in search results.

Conclusion

That concludes our coverage of the SEO news and updates for the month of November. If there are any additional updates we may have missed, please let us know in the comments section. Thank you for watching, and we'll see you next time!

How to Run Ads on Instagram [2024]

 

Introduction

Welcome to our Tahir Marfani blog. In this article, we will discuss how to effectively run ads on Instagram. Instagram is a popular social media platform that offers great opportunities for businesses and influencers to reach their target audience. By running ads on Instagram, you can promote your products or services and increase brand awareness. Let's dive into the details of running ads on Instagram.

Understanding Business Profiles on Instagram

Before we begin, it's important to understand the different types of profiles on Instagram. There are two main types: business profiles and creator accounts. Business profiles are suitable for businesses and service industries, while creator accounts are ideal for influencers. Both types of accounts can run ads on Instagram.

To run ads on Instagram, you need to have at least one post on your profile. Without any posts, you won't be able to boost or run ads. Unlike Facebook, Instagram doesn't have a separate ad manager. Instead, you can boost your posts directly from the Instagram app.

Boosting Your Instagram Posts

To boost a post on Instagram, follow these simple steps:

1. Open the Instagram app and go to your profile.
2. Select the post you want to boost.
3. Tap on the "Boost Post" option.
4. Choose your campaign objective based on your goal: profile visits, website visits, or more messages.
5. Edit the destination URL and select a call to action (CTA) button that aligns with your ad's purpose.
6. Target your audience by specifying interests, age, and gender.
7. Set your daily budget and duration for the ad.
8. Preview how your ad will look on the Instagram feed, stories, and explore section.
9. Proceed to payment and boost your ad.

Choosing the Right Campaign Objective

When boosting a post on Instagram, it's crucial to choose the right campaign objective that aligns with your advertising goals. The three main objectives are:

1. Profile Visits: If you want to increase your followers and drive traffic to your Instagram profile, choose this objective.
2. Website Visits: If your goal is to redirect users to your website, select this objective. Make sure to provide the correct destination URL.
3. More Messages: If you want to generate leads and encourage users to message you directly, choose this objective.

Targeting Your Audience

Instagram offers various targeting options to help you reach your desired audience. You can specify their interests, age range, and gender. Additionally, you can target users based on their location. Instagram provides two location targeting options: regional and local.

Regional targeting allows you to target users based on country, city, state, or pin code. On the other hand, local targeting enables you to target users within a specific radius of an address or area. This is useful for businesses that want to reach users near their physical location.

Setting Your Budget and Duration

When running ads on Instagram, you need to set a daily budget and duration for your ad. The minimum daily budget on Instagram is currently Rs. 167. Instagram determines the budget range, and you can select the amount within that range. The duration of your ad can be customized based on your advertising goals.

Previewing and Boosting Your Ad

Before finalizing and boosting your ad, it's essential to preview how it will look to users. You can preview your ad on the Instagram feed, stories, and explore section. This allows you to ensure that your ad appears as intended and captures the attention of your target audience.

Once you are satisfied with the preview, you can proceed to payment and boost your ad. Instagram offers multiple payment options, including UPI, net banking, and credit/debit cards.

Conclusion

Running ads on Instagram is a powerful way to promote your business, increase brand visibility, and reach your target audience. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can effectively boost your posts and run successful ad campaigns on Instagram. Remember to choose the right campaign objective, target your audience strategically, and set a reasonable budget and duration for your ads. With careful planning and execution, Instagram ads can help you achieve your marketing goals.

Thank you for reading this blog post. Stay tuned for more informative content from Tahir Marfani blog!

Google Search Is Very Broken Now: Outages, Indexing, Pages Missing Issues

 Google experienced a significant disruption with Google Search last night, which is still ongoing this morning. There are numerous reports about indexing problems, pages going out of the index, and really subpar and out-of-date search results being displayed in Google this morning, so it seems to be more extensive than just an outage.

 Barry Schwartz: Earlier yesterday night, around 9:30 p.m. ET, 9to5Google published the first news I noticed of the outage.

These problems appeared to be brought on by a fire that occurred in a Google data center. a Google representative stated "We are aware of an electrical incident that occurred today at Google's Council Bluffs, Iowa, data center, hurting three people who are currently receiving medical attention. We are actively collaborating with partners and local authorities to completely evaluate the situation and provide help as necessary. The health and safety of all workers is our utmost priority."

We should all remember the injured and wish for their quick recovery.

WebmasterWorld and Black Hat World forum discussions.

At 9:20 ET today, there have been some reports that some of the problems have been resolved. Remember that this could take a while, and even if you notice that things are back to normal, the next individual might still experience some very negative effects. But things will work itself out, and I sincerely hope those hurt heal quickly.

At 2 p.m. ET, there are reports that things are largely returning to normal.

The following day's update: It appears that life has returned to normal for most of us.

According to Cnet, the fire was also probably unrelated to the outage.

Google Page Experience Update For Desktop Rolling Out

 The desktop version of Google's Page Experience upgrade is now available. This rollout began on February 22, 2022, and will continue through the end of March 2022. Although you are unlikely to see any significant changes in your rating as a result of it, we feel obligated to report on it.

Outside of mobile friendliness, the same parameters are employed for the desktop version of this page experience upgrade, as we previously mentioned. The Google page experience update was first mentioned in May 2020, and the mobile version launched between June and May 2021.

It did not have a substantial influence on overall ranks in mobile search results, and we do not expect this rollout to have a large impact on desktop search results.

This contains the following for the desktop page experience update:

Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) 

Large Contentful Paint (LCP) 

HTTPS is a secure protocol.

Interstitials are not present.

First Input Delay (FID)

Google published the desktop page experience report in Search Console in January 2022, allowing you to assess how well your desktop sites are performing in terms of page experience signals.

As a reminder, don't be concerned - this upgrade will have little impact on your rankings. Google previously stated "While this upgrade is intended to emphasise pages that provide excellent user experiences, page experience is only one of many variables considered by our systems. As a result, sites should not expect significant changes. Furthermore, because we're doing this in stages, we'll be able to keep an eye on any unforeseen or unintended consequences."

Google July 2021 core update rolling out now

 This is the second part of the core update from June 2021.

The Google July 2021 core update is now available, and it was released on July 1, 2021. The full rollout of this upgrade will take one to two weeks. “The previously planned July 2021 Core Update is now going out,” Google said on the Search Liaison account. Google said, "These normally take 1-2 weeks to complete."

After Google's core update in June 2021, we expected another core update this month. Most core updates take a full 14 days to go out, but that June update took around ten days to roll out.

There have been a slew of Google updates: Multiple Search changes have been rolled out in the last three months for SEOs:

The product reviews update will run from April 8th to April 22nd.

The June core upgrade lasted from June 2nd to June 12th.

The new page experience began on June 15th and will continue through the end of August.

The first portion of the spam update was released on June 23rd.

The second portion of the spam update will be released on June 28th.

On July 1st, there will be a core update.

We did hear some rumblings throughout the weekend of June 30th and July 1st, so it's difficult to determine whether this is due to the spam upgrade, the core update, or something else entirely.

The core was updated in June. On June 2, 2021, Google released a core update, stating that "some of our planned changes for the June 2021 update aren't quite ready," and that "we're moving ahead with the parts that are, then we'll follow with the remainder with the July 2021 update." This change was expected in July, but I don't think most of us expected it on July 1st. However, it has arrived.

On June 12, 2021, the June 2021 core update was released.

Here's a write-up on what the industry thought of the June core update.

History: Google has traditionally published a major algorithm update every few months or so. The June 2021 core update was released approximately a month ago, however it had only been roughly six months since the previous core update, the December 2020 Core Update. Prior to that, the May 2020 core update, which took place on May 4, 2020, had been seven months. So this one took a lot longer to roll out than prior upgrades, but we should have another one in about a month.

Previous updates: The most recent previous core update was in June 2021, and the core update before that was in December 201, which was even larger than the May 2020 core update. Then there came the May 2020 core upgrade, which was a massive, comprehensive update that took a few weeks to properly roll out. Before that, there was the January 2020 core update, which we discussed in more here. The core update from September 2019 was the one before that. Many SEOs and webmasters thought the upgrade was weaker than prior core updates because it didn't have as much of an impact.

In November, Google released another upgrade, this time focused on local rankings. More information regarding previous Google upgrades can be found here.

What to do if you're hit: In the past, Google has offered suggestions on what to do if you've been harmed by a core upgrade. There are no precise steps to follow to get back on track, and a drop in rankings may not indicate anything is wrong with your sites. If your site is affected by a core change, Google has provided a list of questions to consider. According to Google, there is some recovery time between core upgrades, but the major shift comes after another core update.

Why we care: When Google modifies its search ranking algorithms, your site's ranking in the search results may improve or deteriorate. Knowing when Google makes these modifications gives us a reference point for determining whether the change was due to something you did on your website or something Google updated with its ranking algorithm. Google is expected to release a key ranking upgrade today, so keep a watch on your statistics and rankings over the following few weeks.

Google Broad Core Algorithm Update Rolling Out June 2, 2021

Google June 2021 Core Update Is Live - So Far, We Are Not Noticing Much

The time has finally come for Google to deploy yet another broad core update, this time dubbed the June 2021 Core Update.

On June 2, 2021, Google will release a major core algorithm upgrade. In July, another core upgrade will be released.

Google had planned to include more in today's update, but was unable to do so due to a lack of time. That is why two core updates were released one month after the other.

It's really unusual for Google to provide two upgrades so soon together. However, the business claims that most sites will be unaffected by either of them.

We'll see if it remains true in the coming weeks, as a core update normally takes that long to fully roll out.

On Twitter, Google's Danny Sullivan says:

"Some of our planned changes for the June 2021 update aren't quite available yet, so we're focusing on the portions that are, and the remainder will be added in the July 2021 release. As is customary with any core change, most sites will not notice any of these updates.”

The advice from Google on recovering from a broad core algorithm upgrade hasn't changed.

That said, if the June upgrade has a negative impact on your site, don't panic.

If you notice good changes, don't get too excited just yet, because the effects of this month's upgrade could be reversed next month.

Sullivan continues:

Of course, any core change can result in content reductions or gains. Because this is a two-part release, it's possible that a tiny portion of the information will alter in June and then reverse in July....

Nothing in a core update is site-specific, as a reminder. Those who want to do well with search in general, including core changes, should follow our advice.”

In an article on Google's blog, Sullivan expands on these statements, outlining the whys and hows of key algorithm updates.

He reminds site owners that thousands of modifications aimed at improving the quality of search results are made each year.

However, not all updates are created equal, and the impact of a core update is likely to be greater than that of other updates.

What’s the difference between a core update and other updates?

Many Google Search improvements are aimed at boosting specific types of results. The recent modification to product review search results is an example.

What distinguishes core updates from the myriad of additional updates is that they include significant improvements to Google Search.

When Google releases a core update, which happens only a few times a year, it makes significant modifications to its ranking algorithms. Rather than focusing on specific types of websites, fundamental improvements focus on search as a whole.

Sullivan tells site owners who are affected by a core change that it isn't because of anything they've done.

It's due to adjustments in Google's content evaluation algorithm to keep up with changing consumer expectations.

"The goal of core upgrades is to improve the overall relevancy of our search results. It's mostly a net exchange when it comes to the traffic we send. Some content may do poorly, while other content thrives. In the long run, this is how we've been able to improve Search and send more traffic to sites all around the web every year.”

A site's performance being harmed by a core algorithm upgrade isn't always an indicator that it's done anything wrong or is providing poor content. It's more of a sign that what was formerly thought relevant may no longer be for today's searches.

Refreshing current material to improve its relevancy can often enhance a site's rankings. The modifications will most likely not be noticeable until the next core update, though there is a chance of recovery.

Google Algorithm Update for 2021

Google is continuously making improvements to its algorithm and how websites are ranked on its organic search results page. This means companies have to keep up with these changes to increase their ranking or continue to rank highly. The latest Google algorithm update for 2021 has just been announced, so this is what it means for you and your company.

Google Algorithm Update for 2021 Overview

SEO includes several variables, and you can see improvements in the search engine rankings based on any of them. This involves simple strategies like using keywords, ensuring the content is appropriate to the page’s keywords and titles. This will help in providing a quick load time. These all play a part in ensuring that the person who uses Google finds relevant information. This information is for that specific search and enters it in a search term. This could be for local services, some topic information, or even for shopping purposes.

The emphasis on those parameters often shifts as the algorithm changes. Google launched ‘Panda’ in 2016, for example, an update to the algorithm that prioritized websites with content of high quality. The days of keyword stuffing, redundant content, or very little content to place highly on the search results are gone.

Page Experience Update

The new Google algorithm update for 2021 shifts the focus on the web visitor’s page experience. That means your rating now depends heavily on how well users can access and connect with your website. With a few recent features, the focus on user experience builds on those pre-existing requirements. Criteria for updating this algorithm include:

• Loading 
• Interactivity Visual stability 
• Mobile-friendliness 
• Safe browsing 
• Https 
• Intrusive interstitial guidelines
• Google algorithm update for 2021 is called Page Experience Update 

Why is Google starting this new algorithm?

Both internal studies and broader industry research show that users prefer sites that provide user-friendly experiences. In recent years, Google has added several ranking results factors that determine the user experience. It includes as to how fast the page loads the content (page speed) and mobile-friendliness.

Earlier in May 2020, the Chrome team revealed Core Web Vitals better to quantify the web user experience of site owners. It is a collection of metrics related to speed, responsiveness, and visual stability. Core Web Vitals are a series of real-world, user-centered metrics and measure critical aspects of user experience. They calculate web usability dimensions such as loading time, interactivity, and the quality of content as it loads. The Google algorithm update for 2021 aims to provide a holistic image of the user experience. This means that the better it is for your rankings, the more you follow all of the criteria. It will provide a better experience for your website visitors.

If your overall website experience is positive, Google will drive you higher-a few bad pages among several good sites. It will not see your ranking fall. Keeping an eye on user experience will be crucial to pushing the ranks up, though. Some things to look at while making these changes are the popups on your website. Also, consider whether a mobile device uses some features on your website. Because mobile traffic now accounts for more than half of all web traffic.

Why is user experience necessary?

User experience is indeed a significant part of SEO. This is because good experience with the user allows the web visitor to stay longer on the website and eventually click around more than if they were bad. This then indicates to Google that the search query was good at showing you on the results page. A user who sticks around on page tells Google that your website is a significant outcome and a match for him. Thus, your website may be the best place for other people looking for that specific word or similar searches.

The promotion on their website of businesses with good user experience pushes more websites to be enhanced. This also increases the probability that site users will turn to pay customers (or some other conversion). And this will lead to improved business success afterward.

So not only optimizing your site for user experience would improve conversion rate, but it will also raise Google rankings!