Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today, through the eyes of the Search Engine Roundtable and other search forums on the web.
Feeds
5540 items (5015 unread) in 3 feeds
Google
(325 unread)
-
Official Google Webmaster Central Blog (325 unread)
SEO
(4690 unread)
-
Emily Chang (347 unread)
-
Search Engine Roundtable
(4343 unread)
Search Engine Roundtable (6 unread)
-
Daily Search Forum Recap: April 2, 2009
Posted: April 2nd, 2009, 11:00pm CEST by rustybrick
Tags: Search Forum Recap
-
See Google "Classic" Sitelinks In Action (One Line Sitelinks)
Posted: April 2nd, 2009, 3:15pm CEST by rustybrick
Tags: Google Optimization
About a month ago, we reported Google was testing classic Sitelinks, i.e. one line Sitelinks. Well, now it seems like we can reproduce the single line Sitelinks.
A Google Webmasters Help thread shows how two different queries return different types of Sitelinks for the same site.
A search for cashforgold returns the standard Sitelinks:
A search for cash4gold returns the classic Sitelinks:
Both are the same site, but showing only half the number of Sitelinks shown on the current Sitelinks format. Plus, the Sitelinks are shown on a single line, as opposed to four lines in two columns.
I wonder if Google will be going back to the classic user interface for Sitelinks?
Forum discussion at Google Webmasters Help.
Update: Dennis Dornon commented pointing to a blog post that shows for a search on internet marketing blog on Google returns classic Sitelinks with numbers. Here is a screen capture:
The thing is, Sitelinks are normally made up anchor text of the links and the numbers might just reflect that and nothing more.
-
Google Local Business Center Not Functioning For Many
Posted: April 2nd, 2009, 3:11pm CEST by rustybrick
Tags: Other Google Topics
It appears that the Google Local Business Center is not working for many businesses interested in updating their Google Maps/Local business listing. A Google Maps Help thread (well, there are a few) reports the issues from several users.
In short, it seems like when some try to access their local business listing they are presented with the following error:
System Error
We're sorry, but we are unable to serve your request at this time. Please try back in a few minutes.
This has been plaguing some business owners for over three days. There is no word from Google on the issue yet.
Forum discussion at Google Maps Help.
-
April Fools Google PageRank Update
Posted: April 2nd, 2009, 3:06pm CEST by rustybrick
Tags: Google PageRankSERP Updates
Yesterday, as well as today, I spotted dozens of threads on Google updating their site's toolbar PageRank scores. I didn't want to post the details until today, simply because it was April Fools. But the PageRank update seems to be here and like always, too many people care.
We have threads at Google Webmasters Help, WebmasterWorld, DigitalPoint Forums (dozens there), and HighRankings Forum.
Yes, it seems like Google did push out a toolbar update. I will quote one post from all of these threads. The post is from Googler, JohnMu in the Google Webmasters Help thread:
I'm pretty sure we'll have another Toolbar PR update this year. However, as touched upon by the others, this is generally not something you need to worry about.
Enough said.
Forum discussion at Google Webmasters Help, WebmasterWorld, DigitalPoint Forums, and HighRankings Forum.
-
Google Analytics Not Tracking AdWords Data Properly? Link Accounts
Posted: April 2nd, 2009, 3:01pm CEST by rustybrick
Tags: Google AdWords
There is a thread at WebmasterWorld and several in the Google Analytics Help forum with complaints that Google Analytics is no longer tracking Google AdWords data properly.
The WebmasterWorld thread has this complaint:
In two of my analytics accounts for sites which I use adwords to drive traffic all of the data is being recorded as direct and not google(cpc)...and it not reporting any traffic from adwords (which my wallet tells my otherwise!)It is only for the past two days including today. Is anyone else seeing this? Is it a glitch?
The simple answer is that in February, Google notified us that we need to link our analytics account to our AdWords accounts to pass this information. So if you have not done so, and your Analytics data is looking a bit empty, go ahead and link up those accounts. Brad has a good post explaining how to link up your accounts.
Forum discussion at WebmasterWorld and Google Analytics Help.
-
Make Sure to Beta Test New Google AdWords Interface
Posted: April 2nd, 2009, 2:55pm CEST by rustybrick
Tags: Google AdWords
Google began beta testing a new AdWords interface about 6 months ago. Recently Google expanded that beta test and is going as far to encourage AdWords advertisers to sign up for the beta, in order to get accustomed to it before it becomes the default.
AdWordsPro Sarah said in a Google AdWords Help thread, "everyone's account will migrate to the new interface, so, to make sure you are ready, I highly recommend signing up for the beta test." She also gave us a teaser of what new stuff we can expect:
- Performance graphs: Spot trends over time with custom graphs on every campaign management page.
- Insight across ad groups: Focus on the high-impact areas of your account with new roll-up tabs on every page. You can see and edit keywords, placements or ads from all ad groups on a single tab.
- In-line editing: Want to change a keyword or bid? Click on it and make changes in-line instead of loading a separate page.
- Easier content network management: Improve content network performance through a new Networks tab. Look at statistics for the placements where your ads have appeared, and then take action by setting unique bids or excluding placements directly from the report.
Sarah asked that if you are participating in the beta, you should provide feedback, of all kinds, in this Google AdWords Help thread.
Ready or not, here it comes.
Forum discussion at Google AdWords Help.