In the most recent Google Webmaster Office Hours Hangout, the question came up about mobile only websites and whether it is possible for Google to successfully index websites that are designed for mobile only, and without an equivalent desktop version. The answer is yes… however, just because Google says it can do it, doesn’t mean […]
Google Disabling Scripted Download of CSV Files in Search Console
If you are still using a scripted download for CSV files in Google Search Console, be aware that Google will be turning off support for it on October 20, 2015. Google closed the old Google Webmaster Tools API back in April and launched the new Search Analytics API earlier this month, so the move to […]
Local 7-Packs Still Showing in Search Results for Tablet Users
It seems that Google hasn’t completely abandoned the 7-pack after all. Google is still using the 7-pack to display search results on tablet users. It also shows the old style with complete info, including full address, phone number and link to Google reviews. This uses the A/B/C style of pins we have seen most recently […]
Going HTTPS: Negative Impact No Longer than 1-2 Weeks
Twitter has been full of comments the last couple of weeks about the issue related to switching a site from HTTP to HTTPS and the resulting traffic loss from Google. Gary Illyes from Google made a comment on Twitter today saying that SEOs who recommend against going HTTPS are wrong. If you're an SEO and […]
Google Testing New Line Breaks in Search Results
Google is testing additional line breaks in the Google search results for mobile users. The change adds an additional line in between where Google displays the title/URL/breadcrumbs and the description snippet in the of each individual search result. Here is how the additional breaks are appearing in the search results. And another example: Google is […]
Google Adds Phone Numbers to AutoSuggest
Google has added a new feature to autosuggest on mobile devices – large phone numbers. When searching on your mobile, when you do a search for “Call <name>”, Google will display the phone number for the business in autosuggest in extra large numbers. Here is one example: It also works for businesses outside of the […]
Using Google App-Indexing? Upcoming Google Office Hours
John Mueller posted today about an upcoming app-indexing Google Hangout he is hosting next week. You can also submit any questions prior to the event, or you can attend the event and hope to grab one of the ten spots open to the webmaster community. If you’re using Google App-Indexing, or if you have an […]
Yes, Google Panda 4.2 is Still Rolling Out
It has been nearly a month since the Google Panda 4.2 refresh began rolling out. While we were told it would take several months to roll out, someone asked Gary Illyes from Google whether it had finished or not yet. Nor surprisingly, he said no. @RubanKtSEO No, but it would be more productive if you […]
Does Wikipedia Really Have a Google Penalty Problem?
SimilarWeb published a blog post that has been getting a lot of attention, questioning whether Wikipedia has a Google penalty. However, there are a few problems with the data from their blog posts, as well as some other significant factors that are also in play here, which SimilarWeb fails to mention. Switching to HTTPS First, […]
How Google Chooses Content for Knowledge Panel in Sidebar
Ever wonder how Google chooses which companies show a knowledge panel on the right hand side of the search results while others don’t? This question came up in the last Google Webmaster Hangout from someone who has done all the “right steps” in order to have a knowledge panel show up, but hasn’t had any […]