Podcast Summary: SEO 101 Episode 484 – October SEO Volatility, Penalty for Fortune Recommends, & Content Length Insights

Podcast Information:

• Title: SEO 101
• Host/Author: WMR.FM
• Description: SEO 101 is Search Engine Optimization from the very beginning. SEO 101 teaches SEO from square one, with Hosts Ross Dunn and Scott Vanack providing helpful information for beginners without overwhelming you with technical details.
• Episode: SEO 101 Episode 484 - October SEO Volatility, Penalty for Fortune Recommends, & Content Length Insights
• Release Date: November 4, 2024

Introduction

In Episode 484 of SEO 101, hosts Ross Dunn and Scott Vanack delve into the latest developments in the SEO landscape. This episode covers a range of topics, including search ranking volatility, penalties imposed on reputable sites like Fortune Recommends, changes in Google's search features, and insights into optimal content length for SEO success.

1. Google Search Ranking Volatility

Timestamp: [02:02] – [05:11]

Discussion: Ross and Scott open the episode by addressing recent fluctuations in Google search rankings. According to Barry from Webmaster World, significant volatility was observed on October 2nd, 10th, 15th, 19th, and 20th. These fluctuations are notable since the last major core update concluded on September 3rd.

Notable Quotes:

• Scott Vanack: “There are a few interesting comments that Barry actually posted from Webmaster World users that I wanted to share...”

Key Points:

• No official statement from Google regarding these fluctuations.
• Some users reported a resurgence of spam sites and outdated news results.
• Scott suggests maintaining vigilance and encouraging listeners to report any unusual SEO changes they encounter.

2. Penalty for Fortune Recommends

Timestamp: [05:11] – [17:03]

Discussion: The hosts delve into a significant SEO issue where Fortune Recommends, a reputed site, appears to have been manually penalized by Google for site reputation abuse. This follows similar actions against other prominent sites like Forbes Advisor and AP News Byline EUYLINE, which experienced drastic drops in rankings around October 11th.

Notable Quotes:

• Scott Vanack: “Site reputation abuse is when third-party pages are published with little or no first-party oversight or involvement where the purpose is to manipulate search rankings by taking advantage of the first party site's ranking signals.”
• Ross Dunn: “It is a precipitous drop in visibility.”

Key Points:

• Chris Nelson from Google’s Search Quality Team defines site reputation abuse.
• Danny Sullivan mentioned that penalties are currently being applied manually and not via algorithm updates.
• The impact highlights the risks associated with manipulating site reputation through third-party mentions.

3. Removal of Site Links Search Box

Timestamp: [09:03] – [11:06]

Discussion: Scott discusses Google's decision to remove the Site Links Search Box from search results, effective November 21st. This feature allowed users to perform site-specific searches directly from the search results page.

Notable Quotes:

• Scott Vanack: “Google has made a little bit of a change and they are dropping the site links search box from search results.”
• Ross Dunn: “It would be silly if they did because it's genuinely a benefit of using Google to do research.”

Key Points:

• The search box was primarily used for brand-related searches but could be applied universally.
• Ross expresses concern about the potential loss of the site: operator functionality.
• Both hosts acknowledge the convenience the feature provided for in-depth site-specific searches.

4. Google's People Insights and Reddit Content

Timestamp: [11:06] – [17:03]

Discussion: Google is testing a new feature called People's Insights, which aggregates online conversations from platforms like Reddit and Quora. This feature includes disclaimers, especially for sensitive topics like medical advice, emphasizing that users should consult professionals.

Notable Quotes:

• Ross Dunn: “This is for informational purposes only, for medical advice or diagnosis, consult a professional.”
• Scott Vanack: “Reddit is definitely not a site I think of as a lead gen tool, but it certainly can be.”

Key Points:

• People’s Insights aims to present diverse viewpoints while ensuring users are aware of the reliability of sources.
• Ross shares a personal anecdote about receiving leads from Reddit, highlighting the platform's potential when used authentically.
• The hosts discuss the dual nature of Reddit content—valuable yet requiring careful navigation and verification.

5. Changes to Google's Knowledge Panels

Timestamp: [17:03] – [20:21]

Discussion: Scott introduces changes to Google’s Knowledge Panels, where expandable sections are being tested. For example, searching for Elon Musk now shows an expandable list of his children, allowing users to delve deeper without leaving the search interface.

Notable Quotes:

• Scott Vanack: “It just kind of makes it a bit easier... one more way to keep you at Google and not send you somewhere else.”
• Ross Dunn: “It's just kind of cool... interesting changes at Knowledge Panel.”

Key Points:

• The feature enhances user experience by providing more information directly within the search panel.
• Potential SEO implications include keeping users engaged on Google rather than redirecting them to external sites.
• The hosts speculate whether this feature will become permanent based on its test status.

6. Google Translate Feature Showing Images

Timestamp: [19:33] – [20:21]

Discussion: Google has updated its Translate feature to include images alongside translations. For instance, translating the word “dog” now displays multiple images of dogs to enhance visual understanding.

Notable Quotes:

• Scott Vanack: “They use the example of a baby. So this was an example where I wasn't lazy and I used a different example. It was an easy one.”

Key Points:

• The visual aid aims to improve comprehension, especially for more visual learners.
• Ross appreciates the added functionality, though Scott notes there could be better examples for such integrations.

Break and Advertisements

Timestamp: [20:39] – [20:56] The podcast includes a brief break with advertisements, which the hosts promptly skip to return to the content.

7. Core Web Vitals and John Mueller’s Statements

Timestamp: [20:45] – [28:28]

Discussion: Upon resuming, Ross discusses the Core Web Vitals debate sparked by research from Andrew McLeod. McLeod’s study indicated significant traffic drops on a high-traffic site after adding advertisements. Contrary to this, John Mueller from Google stated that Core Web Vitals are not major ranking factors.

Notable Quotes:

• John Mueller: “We've been pretty clear that core Web vitals are not giant factors in ranking, and I doubt you'd see a big drop just because of that.”
• Scott Vanack: “If you make a phone that has the same dimensions as a popular smartphone, will you sell as many as they do?”

Key Points:

• Core Web Vitals should be viewed as enhancing user experience rather than direct SEO tools.
• Poorly implemented advertisements can detrimentally affect user engagement and indirectly impact SEO.
• The hosts emphasize focusing on quality user experience over solely optimizing for Core Web Vitals.

8. Googlebot Crawling Removed AMP URLs

Timestamp: [23:26] – [26:33]

Discussion: Scott highlights an issue where Googlebot continued to crawl approximately 500,000 AMP URLs even after they were removed and redirected. This persistent crawling poses challenges for site owners attempting to clean up their URLs.

Notable Quotes:

• Scott Vanack: “John offered two small solutions. One is maintain the current redirects...”
• Ross Dunn: “Maybe it's just completely can the subdomain. That's the only thing it would do because as far as I know that's what it would do.”

Key Points:

• Maintaining redirects indefinitely is recommended to prevent Google from attempting to crawl nonexistent AMP pages.
• Complete removal of the subdomain from DNS is another suggested, albeit more drastic, solution.
• The hosts share personal experiences reflecting the frustration and complexity of managing large-scale URL changes.

9. Ideal Content Length for SEO

Timestamp: [26:39] – [29:18]

Discussion: The conversation shifts to content length and its impact on SEO. John Mueller addresses queries on whether longer content performs better than shorter, concise articles.

Notable Quotes:

• Scott Vanack: “But the thing is, I think in those situations it's because maybe that topic requires that much content, not because it has to be long.”
• Ross Dunn: “Just add your own expertise to it. Keep it high quality, make sure it's something you would want to share.”

Key Points:

• John Mueller asserts there is no universally ideal content length; instead, focus on providing unique and valuable content.
• Longer content isn't inherently better; it depends on the topic's depth and the value it offers to readers.
• The hosts agree that quality and relevance are paramount, advocating for content that meets user needs rather than adhering to arbitrary word counts.

Conclusion

Ross and Scott wrap up the episode by reiterating the importance of authentic engagement and quality content in SEO. They encourage listeners to join their Facebook group for further discussions and to stay tuned for future episodes airing weekly on WMR.FM.

Notable Quotes:

• Ross Dunn: “Have a great week and remember to tune into future episodes which air every week on WMR.FM.”
• Scott Vanack: “Thank you for listening everyone.”

Final Thoughts

Episode 484 of SEO 101 provides a comprehensive look into current SEO challenges and updates. From algorithmic volatility and manual penalties to feature enhancements and content strategies, Ross and Scott offer insightful analysis and practical advice for both novice and seasoned SEO practitioners. Their emphasis on quality, user experience, and authentic engagement underscores the evolving nature of search engine optimization.

Connect with SEO 101:

• Facebook Group: Search for SEO101podcast on Facebook to join the community and engage with the hosts.