How I used ChatGPT this week, ChatGPT API is live, good SEO tips - Episode 276- Light version (March 3, 2023)

Looking for the premium members version? Log in here or become a member. 

Last week’s episode (275)   See all episodes

In this episode

• The Product Reviews update is ongoing and impactful
• Some saw featured snippets totally disappear this week
• GSC Bulk data exports available to everyone
• Important for Local

In the full version:

• More of Marie’s thoughts on the Helpful Content System
• The latest News on Bard, Bing AI chat and Chat GPT
• Gary Illyes from Pubcon on the Helpful Content System, Authorship, Links not being as important as SEO’s think and more (along with Marie’s thoughts).
• Case study: Why did this site have increasing rankings but decreasing traffic
• The best SEO Tips and interesting news I’ve curated from Twitter
• How I’m using ChatGPT to better help my customers
• Full video recording of community office hours discussing the latest in search

Become a paid member

Weekly email with a link to the full newsletter, plus also I email you as soon as I hear of a Google update happening. And you get a LOT more of my teachings and musings.

Become a paid member for $18 per month

Join the free version

Same email, just a lot less!

Looks like there is something happening in the Google SERPS.

The Semrush Sensor is very high. pic.twitter.com/Y4ugpFzPV2

— Dr. Marie Haynes🐧 (@Marie_Haynes) March 1, 2023

One of my sites (thankfully just one of my sites) is currently being ripped a new one by Google. How's your day going? pic.twitter.com/mL6V1QFKQS

— Keith (Minted Empire) (@MintedEmpire) February 28, 2023

Seeing more "sharper" ranking dips with this PRU than the last one (or 2)

1 thing that sticks out is it seems Google finally had enough of product reviews that offer 0 context (context, as in things like a buyer's guide section, etc.) – at least in the few examples I've seen. pic.twitter.com/5WJLRCw1oA

— Mordy Oberstein 🇺🇦 (@MordyOberstein) February 27, 2023

As @glenngabe also pointed out recently, here are 3 more examples of big brands (health/wellness) that appear to be affected by the recent PRU even though most of their content is non-reviews. Data confirmed by multiple tools but using ahrefs for screenshots. pic.twitter.com/PCQuxw4o4E

— Vlad Rappoport (@vladrpt) March 1, 2023

The update started rolling out on February 21 and is still continuing. I have not yet analyzed this update, but just took a quick look and can see several sites in my GA profiles with changes that start before that date. Here is one nice one:

I’ll dig more deeply into sites affected once the update is completed.

If impacted, play close attention to both Google’s advice on Product Reviews and creating helpful content. Know that each question asked in these documents is not likely weighted equally. If you can figure out what Google started rewarding for your queries, you can see which of these questions perhaps they are doing a better job at than you are.

Some thoughts on the helpful content system

If your traffic is down lately, there is a good chance it is related to Google’s helpful content system.

I expect we will see PageRank being less and less important as Google's deep learning improves their understanding of user intent, the concepts on a page, and the relationships between them.

It's already starting in content that reviews products or regurgitates facts.

The HCU: pic.twitter.com/OhZYnsCojp

— Dr. Marie Haynes🐧 (@Marie_Haynes) March 2, 2023

According to Lily Ray, the impact of the Helpful Content system update and what she calls the (un)helpful content classifier has been significant, resulting in sitewide ranking demotions for some websites that offer low value and unhelpful content. She suggests that businesses need to plan and strategize around helpful content, prioritize content quality and E-A-T, and invest in authors’ online reputation and build out their knowledge graphs to prepare for upcoming Google updates to ranking systems.

Anyone noticing a decrease in Featured Snippet results? @Marie_Haynes @dr_pete I think you track this?

— Colan Nielsen (@ColanNielsen) February 28, 2023

Can't make them appear

— 🔎 Derek Flint ↗️ (@I___DEREKflint) February 28, 2023

They did come back though.

There was also a drop in People Also Ask boxes:

Whoop looks like PAA boxes are down from showing on 65% of SERPs to just over 55% (desktop but same story on mobile).

Kinda correlates to the rank volatility over the past few days (but who knows).

Anyone seeing this in the wild?

cc: @rustybrick pic.twitter.com/olRNyqXPj0

— Mordy Oberstein 🇺🇦 (@MordyOberstein) February 28, 2023

Is Google perhaps preparing the SERPs for Bard?

We're happy to let you know that Bulk data exports are now available to everyone. Enjoy! 📊📈 https://t.co/AdSVgSekQz

— Google Search Central (@googlesearchc) February 28, 2023

It's back: @danielwaisberg leads a brand new Search Console Training on exporting data to spreadsheets.

Watch now → https://t.co/DjtyC0BI1X

Learn how to:
✅Add context to your reports
✅Enrich your data with sources
✅Deepen your analysis using stats or data tools pic.twitter.com/GGlgqJkhgp

— Google Search Central (@googlesearchc) February 28, 2023

It’s here! First announced last week, bulk data export in GSC has now arrived.

The new feature allows you to export data to BigQuery on an ongoing basis. Awesome news for large sites.

Spotted by @sitebee on LinkedIn. pic.twitter.com/HyTru8TuFC

— Brodie Clark (@brodieseo) February 26, 2023

New SERP feature showing Explore?

↗️ Google explore with business in different way , it's with overlay feature.

↗️ Notice first time.

↗️ Before covered as – Google Explore" Testing As The Dynamic SERP Feature via @rustybrick @glenngabe – https://t.co/pDTJHdwRy9

↗️ now with business profile with overlay pic.twitter.com/hNZ3vFSIM7

— Khushal Bherwani (@b4k_khushal) March 1, 2023

Google has updated their definition of “personal information”

Interesting update from Google. This should help many who've had questions about review content. Thanks, @StefanSomborac for sharing! https://t.co/iz6fZaog9u

— Amy Toman ❄️🎄❄️ (@BubblesUp) March 2, 2023

Google is now parsing this down to "consent." If an image or full name was posted without a person’s consent, they may request it to be removed.

— Amy Toman ❄️🎄❄️ (@BubblesUp) March 2, 2023

As @StefanSomborac pointed out though, actions on reviews and responses must be initiated by the subject of the complaint; Google does not filter for it. Hope this helps.

— Amy Toman ❄️🎄❄️ (@BubblesUp) March 2, 2023

Tip: Encourage your clients to add photos to their reviews

Boost your local SEO by requesting clients to add a photo to their reviews.

Photos in reviews build trust with potential customers. @AaronWeiche

Additionally, reviews with photos stay in the top 10 spots 1.5-6x longer than reviews those without. @JoyanneHawkins#localseo #seo pic.twitter.com/iHjiS8H0gH

— Darren Shaw (@DarrenShaw_) March 1, 2023

More tips for local business photo use

❓ Is Google not approving your images even though they follow the guidelines?

Here are 6 reasons why Google might reject your photos and how to fix the problem. 🧵

These tips are from @mblumenthal's helpful comments in the Google Business Profile help forum.#localseo #seo pic.twitter.com/BOOWe9LlwU

— Darren Shaw (@DarrenShaw_) March 1, 2023

Can you post similar Google posts across multiple locations?

💭 Google Posts: Unique Content or No?

Can you post similar Google posts across multiple locations?

Good news! You can! Joy explains.

More, on the blog ➡️ https://t.co/kkx3TM4fd1#Google #SEO #LocalSEO #GooglePosts #Content #MultiLocation #SEOTips#LocalBusiness #GMB #GBP pic.twitter.com/KlPhMIoMpE

— Sterling Sky Inc (@SterlingSkyInc) March 1, 2023

Other interesting local news

Lawyer query: 6 ads, no organic content above the fold on desktop. pic.twitter.com/yexzf9nze8

— Greg Sterling 🇺🇦 (@gsterling) March 1, 2023

Some #localSEO tasks are easy! Head to @Moz today to see examples of shelfies: https://t.co/ii0q2Mlpi4

— Miriam Ellis (@Miriam_Ellis_) March 1, 2023

Course 

Next week my goal is to get the traffic drop assessment section of my course online. We’ll see how far I get. It all depends on how interesting Google is.

Community

This is coming! There are several ways this may play out. I will share more soon.

Office Hours 

I thoroughly enjoyed our discussion (in a video above) this week. I will do another within the next few weeks.

Consulting

I have closed my consulting calendar for now.

If you need SEO consulting, here are a few options:

• Sign up for my waiting list when I start doing site reviews again.
• Contact me for a recommendation to a professional. (Please know I’m only in email 1-2 times per week now so there may be a bit of a delay in my response.)

Become a paid member

In the full version:

• More of Marie’s thoughts on the Helpful Content System
• The latest News on Bard, Bing AI chat and Chat GPT
• Gary Illyes from Pubcon on the Helpful Content System, Authorship, Links not being as important as SEO’s think and more (along with Marie’s thoughts).
• Case study: Why did this site have increasing rankings but decreasing traffic
• The best SEO Tips and interesting news I’ve curated from Twitter
• How I’m using ChatGPT to better help my customers
• Full video recording of community office hours discussing the latest in search – it’s so good.

Become a paid member for $18 per month

Join the free version

You’ll get an email from me once a week with a link to this newsletter.