Ep. 210 - Nov. 18, 2021 - Light Version
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In this episode, we discuss the latest on algorithm fluctuations, Google announces the November 2021 core update, DNS issues with Googlebot, a great robot.txt reminder, how to make your content skimmable and more!
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The following topics are covered in the premium version of this episode:
- Full algorithm update news
- Don’t need to worry about legal interstitials/popups, even with the page experience update rolling out on desktop
- DNS issues and Googlebot crawling: a thread from John
- Learn how to embed key moments for your videos
- Can GSC’s crawl rate setting increase Googlebot’s crawl rate?
- Reminder: A robots.txt block on a URL prevents Googlebot from detecting its noindex directive
- How Google measures quality
- Do bolded words help with SEO?
- Google has joined the others and is now going to test this out
- Realtor local SEO tips
- Use this tool to get rid of spelling and grammar mistakes
- Our tl;dr summary of some awesome recent SEO articles
News about Google’s Algorithms
On November 17th, Google treated us all with the announcement of a broad core algorithm update called the November 2021 Core Update. It will be launched by the end of day. Coincidentally, Marie will be releasing a great new piece of content to help you navigate the fallout of broad core updates. Keep an eye on newsletter for our reporting on this update as well as her guidance on recovery.
Later today, we are releasing a broad core update, as we do several times per year. It is called the November 2021 Core Update. Our guidance about such updates is here:https://t.co/0LAL28ueDq
— Google Search Central (@googlesearchc) November 17, 2021
MHC Announcements
MHC’s this week to watch
Going forward, we’re going to start highlighting some great people in the SEO industry who provide us with amazing content and insights. This week, we want to spotlight Olga Zarzeczna! An awesome SEO and content creator, Olga’s tips regularly benefit our newsletter. We definitely recommend adding her to your SEO Twitter lists.
Google Announcements
Google launched their updated PageSpeed Insights tool
November 15th Google officially launched the updated version of the Pagespeed Insights tool. We covered this in a past newsletter, but most of the changes involve UI design changes, and it now has a new home over at pagespeed.web.dev. Additionally, PSI is now using Lighthouse 9.0.0 and will better communicate how the CWV assessment is incorporated into the UI. Here is a super helpful blog post on all of the changes you can expect with this update.
If you work in SEO or web development, I have some great news for you.
Google has just launched an updated version of their PageSpeed Insights tool (and it's awesome).
Featuring a more intuitive UI, better communication of CWV, a Material Design + more: https://t.co/qQ2W8tQlpN pic.twitter.com/fGlzXRHSOb
— Brodie Clark (@brodieseo) November 16, 2021
SEO Tips
Google published the full list of IP addresses the Googlebot user agents use for crawling and accessing your website
Websites can often be slowed down or taken offline due to unwanted bots crawling through the site structure, but it’s important that webmasters be very careful not to block search engines like Google. To help us avoid a critical mistake, Google has now released a full list of their Googlebot IP addresses. This list is probably subject to change, which will likely be reflected regularly in this JSON file. Several days later, Microsoft’s Fabrice Canel released a full list of Bingbot’s IP ranges.
Great reminders for building trust
In case you missed it, Marie pulled some great tips from the Stanford Guidelines for Web Credibility that could help with trust. As Marie points out, you should read them all, but here are that we particularly liked:
- A physical address can speak to your legitimacy. Posting photos of your office can’t hurt, either!
- Show that there are real people behind your organization by including photos or personable employee bios.
There is so much in this document that you can use to improve users' perception of credibility for your site–likely related to the T in EAT! (ty for sharing @bill_slawski)
1) References!
"Even if people don't follow these links, you've shown confidence in your material." https://t.co/RdnY14yi3B pic.twitter.com/jkoLyxLWYN
— Marie Haynes (@Marie_Haynes) November 11, 2021
Local SEO
There is finally something to report on in the local algorithm flux. Notable changes are seen from Thursday November 11th straight through until this week. We haven’t heard much from the local experts on what might be causing this uptick, but it’s worth noting that we cover any industry algorithm related changes each week in our algorithm section. You may find more information there.
Recommended Reading
The Link Authority Gap – How To Compare The Most Authoritative Links Between Websites Using Majestic Solo Links, Semrush Backlink Gap, and ahrefs Link Intersect – Glenn Gabe
https://www.gsqi.com/marketing-blog/link-authority-gap/
November 11, 2021
Authority is a relevant topic for all websites, particularly among those focused on YMYL subjects. Glenn Gabe has created a process — one he’s called a link authority gap analysis — to measure the difference between a site’s authority and that of its competitors. This is a lengthy but super valuable read!
How To Analyze The Performance Of Your Multi-Domain SEO Program – Andrew Shotland
https://www.searchenginejournal.com/multi-domain-seo-performance/426427/
November 10, 2021
Do you have multiple domains? Do you think it helps you from an SEO perspective, or does it do more harm than good? While there are many good reasons a business would have multiple domains, it often requires a bigger investment, more effort, and can ultimately lead to you eating into your own rankings. In this article on Search Engine Journal, Andrew Shotland walks us through a few strategies to consider if you are currently using, or are considering using, multiple domains.
Jobs
https://twitter.com/heydomenica/status/1459219957733076993?s=20
Guess what? @SterlingSkyInc is hiring yet again. If you want a fully-remote job working with a group of extremely talented invididuals who are very passionate about their jobs, feel free to apply here: https://t.co/2rttJM2z98 (1/2)
— Joy Hawkins (@JoyanneHawkins) November 12, 2021
Want More?
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It’s well worth the $18 per month!
The following topics are covered in the premium version of this episode:
- Full algorithm update news
- Don’t need to worry about legal interstitials/popups, even with the page experience update rolling out on desktop
- DNS issues and Googlebot crawling: a thread from John
- Learn how to embed key moments for your videos
- Can GSC’s crawl rate setting increase Googlebot’s crawl rate?
- Reminder: A robots.txt block on a URL prevents Googlebot from detecting its noindex directive
- How Google measures quality
- Do bolded words help with SEO?
- Google has joined the others and is now going to test this out
- Realtor local SEO tips
- Use this tool to get rid of spelling and grammar mistakes
- Our tl;dr summary of some awesome recent SEO articles
Note: If you are seeing the light version and you are a premium member, be sure to log in (in the sidebar on desktop or below the post on mobile) and read the full article here.
https://twitter.com/goinflow/status/1368997931253108741?s=20