Google Shows Zero Search Results for Some Direct Answer Queries
Google has begun hiding full search results for certain types of queries and providing only direct answers instead.
About
Matt G. Southern, Senior News Writer, has been with Search Engine Journal since 2013. With a bachelor’s degree in communications, Matt specializes in gathering details, checking facts, and making complex subjects easy to understand. In addition to writing articles, Matt oversees strategy development for SEJ’s news department.
Articles
Google Assistant on iPhone is Now Easier Than Ever to Activate
Google Assistant on iOS has received an update which makes it easier than ever to activate.
Google Lets Users Add Hashtags to Business Reviews
Google reviews in Maps and Google My Business can now include hashtags, making them even more searchable.
Uncommon Blogging Tactics Are Highly Effective, New Study Shows
A recent study on blogging in 2018 shows that the least common blogging tactics are most likely to be successful.
Google Local Search Study: Businesses on First Page Have an Avg. 4.4 Star Rating
Businesses ranking on the first page of Google local search results have an average review rating of 4.42 stars.
YouTube to Test Showing Two Ads Before Videos
YouTube will soon begin testing two ads shown back-to-back before a video starts.
Instagram to Roll Out Redesigned User Profiles
Instagram announced it will be introducing redesigned user profiles, which are set to roll out over the next few weeks.
2018 Local Search Ranking Factors: Google My Business Signals Up 32%
The impact of Google My Business on local search rankings has seen significant growth in 2018.
Popular AMP for WP Plugin Patches Critical Security Flaw
A top AMP plugin for WordPress, AMP for WP, has released a patch for a critical security vulnerability. AMP for WP, which currently has 100,000+...
Google Ads Brings Merchant Promotions to Shopping Actions
Google Ads is bringing its Merchant Promotions program to Shopping Actions for retailers.
Google Slashes Incentives for Retailers to Create Comparison Shopping Services
Google has drastically reduced incentives for retailers to create what some allege are “fake” comparison shopping sites.
Instagram to Remove Fake Followers, Comments, and Likes Generated by Third-Party Apps
Instagram is taking steps to limit inauthentic activity on its network by removing fake followers, likes, and comments.
Bing Updates Expanded Text Ads With Ability to Add Even More Text
Bing updated its expanded text ads, which now allow for even more text in both the headline and description areas.
Google Explains What to Do if You’ve Acquired a Domain With Bad History
Google’s John Mueller provides guidance on what to do if you’ve acquired a domain with bad history attached to it.
Facebook is Changing Chatbot Permissions for Subscription Messaging, Effective December 31st
Facebook is making changes to subscription messaging permissions that will affect chatbots.
Google’s New ‘Target Impression Share’ Helps Ads Show Up More Often
Google Ads has rolled outTarget Impression Share, which automatically sets bids according to where the ad will show up.
Instagram Rolls Out More Ways for Businesses to Sell Products
Instagram has expanded its shopping features with the ability to tag video posts with links to products.
Google to Let Users Leave Comments on Search Results
Google is preparing to roll out a new feature that will allow users to leave comments on search results.
Bing Introduces Phone Comparisons and Product Insights in Search Results
Bing has introduced a series of new features designed to assist users with shopping searches.
Google Search Console Adds Event Listings to Performance Reports
Site owners can now track the performance of their event listings in Google Search Console reports.
Facebook Adjusts Algorithm to Reduce the Reach of Clickbait Content
Facebook is taking steps to reduce the reach of sensationalist and provocative content.
Google Maps Now Lets Users Send Messages to Businesses
Google has extended users’ ability to message business profiles to Google Maps.
Google Ads Introduces Special Black Friday Ad Format
Google Ads is letting advertisers run an experimental ad format specifically for promoting Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals.
Google My Business App Updated With Ability to Create Posts, View Analytics, More
Google has launched an improved version of the Google My Business app which lets business owners do more on-the-go.
Google’s New Website Analysis Tool, Web.dev, Has Several Reported Bugs
Bugs have been reported in Google’s new website and SEO analysis tool, Web.dev, which are confirmed as known issues.
LinkedIn Now Suggests the Best Content for Company Pages to Share
LinkedIn has rebuilt company pages from the ground up, which comes with a powerful new content suggestions feature. The rebuilding of LinkedIn company pages comes...
Google Launches New Tool That Grades A Site’s SEO Implementation
Google launched a new tool that measures many aspects of a website, including how well it follows SEO best practices.
Pinterest’s Redesigned Feed May Drive More Referral Traffic
Pinterest has updated its chronological feed with a redesign and an easier way to visit publishers’ web pages.
Google PageSpeed Insights Offers New Performance Metrics Analyzed by Lighthouse
Google PageSpeed Insights offers new performance metrics and now uses Lighthouse as its analysis engine.
Google is Testing a Way to Add All of a Site’s Subdomains to Search Console
Google Search Console is testing a way for users to add all data for a site’s subdomains, protocols, and subpaths.