Search News You Can Use Episode 266 -Is the death of websites near? Plus turbulence as two Google updates continue to roll out
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You need to be paying close attention to AI chat. There is a good chance that we are on the cusp of a change in the internet that has massive implications for civilization. This may sound like I am overreacting. Perhaps I am. In this episode I will share how AI based chat, whether it comes from OpenAI, Google or someone else is going to cause the loss of millions of jobs. We need to prepare ourselves.
In SEO news, we are still in the midst of two Google updates:
The December Helpful Content Update was supposed to be finished rolling out but Google told us it will take longer.
The December Link Spam Update is rolling out and it is impactful. I will report in future episodes on what I am seeing. Many sites are affected.
In many cases people have no clue what hit them.
Do you think you've been hit by a Google update in the last two weeks?
— Marie Haynes (@Marie_Haynes) December 22, 2022
Important Google update news
Both the December Helpful Content Update and December Link Spam Update are still rolling out. To recap:
December helpful content update (HCU)
- Started rolling out December 5.
- Google said it would take two weeks to completely roll out and then told us that “this one is going to take longer.”
- I have not analyzed sites hit yet. There are many. This is not just an update that hit sites using large amounts of automation.
We are not. While normally this update takes up to two weeks to complete, this one is going to take longer. We will post to our page when it is done.
— Google SearchLiaison (@searchliaison) December 20, 2022
December link spam update (LSU)
- Started rolling out December 14. Still running.
- I have not analyzed this yet, but can see that many sites are hit. I see several clients with decreases that may be related to link building methods, many of which would be considered whitehat. I will share more when I analyze this update once it is complete.
- Google says this update nullifies links that go against their guidelines.
There is significant turbulence but this could be due to holiday shopping and many other things as discussed in last week’s podcast.
— Marie Haynes (@Marie_Haynes) December 22, 2022
Some more examples of sites dropping based on the December Link Spam Update. These include porn, website design, and finance/loans. And check my tweets from yesterday for other examples. Some sites lost a ton of visibility. And many of the links are super-unnatural. Penguin-like: pic.twitter.com/QNRS3KjAQS
— Glenn Gabe (@glenngabe) December 19, 2022
"It appears" that I'm finally seeing some drops from the December link spam update.. In Sistrix.. On 12/17ish.. This affiliate site only has a few decent links.. I recognize most of the sites linking to them such as TheFrisky, etc. pic.twitter.com/BBVPGYaKfy
— Len (@lenraleigh) December 18, 2022
I think there likely are some cases where the degree of link spam Google finds is high enough for them to algorithmically suppress a site. If true, then disavowing would be a part of your recovery plan.
You'd also likely need to get some good links too.
— Marie Haynes (@Marie_Haynes) December 16, 2022
The paid version of newsletter this week is the most important I’ve ever written. I share extensive thoughts on:
- How to determine what has caused traffic losses in December.
- How I believe AI will radically change the world. And quickly. GPTChat is not just a glorified chatbot. It’s damn good. And there’s a good chance that it will drastically change your job in the very near future. There will be great need for people who understand what is happening and can advise businesses. But I feel that there will be great devastation as well. I know that sounds dramatic. I hope I am wrong.
- Search in video (related to MUM?)
- A couple of excellent new resources to help you better understand and implement schema.
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Podcast / YouTube
The point of last week’s episode was to help you cut through the confusion and understand the different things that could be impacting your traffic right now. You can listen to the audio version here:
I also had fun doing two livestreams this week where I opened up the QRG and reviewed the new changes. There are a lot!
In this one I shared a bit about how I use ChatGPT as an assistant, while dissecting the new QRG changes.
Important for local businesses
Helpful for local businesses
Does the text of your review impact where you rank? Joy says no!
I know people that sell Google reviews often say the text of a review impacts where you rank. Based on this test, we didn't see an impact. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ pic.twitter.com/YNcvjKzi3N
— Joy Hawkins (@JoyanneHawkins) December 22, 2022
Google Business profiles are appearing in Discover
Seeing Google Business Profiles in Google Discover. Is that new @lilyraynyc ? pic.twitter.com/SBq2eZIADu
— Colan Nielsen (@ColanNielsen) December 22, 2022
12 local search developments you need to know about.
Big local Q4 at @Moz today, featuring @brightlocal @streetfightmag @GuideTwit @b4k_khushal @mblumenthal @carriehill @davidmihm @joyannehawkins @bubblesup @colannielsen @rustybrick @stefansomborac @technacity @darrenshaw_ @gsterling @cbrodzky & @MeetSOCi https://t.co/qKufNkYE6J
— Miriam Ellis (@Miriam_Ellis_) December 19, 2022
Who keeps editing your listing?
💭 Who Keeps Editing My GBP?
Unauthorized changes or google listing updates on GBP can lead to major issues -find out who may be editing your listing, and what you can do about it.https://t.co/7cLe1SsJ25 pic.twitter.com/Ivconb4Eq1
— Sterling Sky Inc (@SterlingSkyInc) December 16, 2022
SEO Jobs
Looking for a new SEO job? SEOjobs.com is a job board curated by real SEOs for SEOs. Take a look at five of the hottest SEO job listing this week (below) and sign up for the weekly job listing email only available at SEOjobs.com.
- Head of SEO ~ Policygenius ~ $160K-$240K ~ Remote
- E-Commerce SEO & Marketing Lead ~ John Deere ~ Remote
- Content & SEO Strategist ~ ReviewTrackers ~ Remote
- Organic SEO Director ~ Rise at Seven ~ $120-170K ~ Remote option
- SEO Content Strategist ~ Wix ~ $80k-$110k ~ Remote Hybrid, NYC
I hope I have not been too gloomy in this episode! I really can’t see how the world will not soon be changing dramatically with the help of AI. I do have to say that I am more excited than terrified, but both of those emotions have been living in me this week.
I wish you the best for the holidays! We will be snowed in this Christmas – rumors of power outages too with a big storm. So it should be fun! David bought a generator and we are all set.
I am not sure whether I will be producing a newsletter next week. There will be no podcast episode (most likely…we’ll see!)
Merry Christmas!
Marie