Search News You Can Use Podcast: Search Engine Optimization | Search Engine Marketing | Link Building

In this episode Marie shares information on how Google’s Hummingbird algorithm dramatically changed search to rely less on PageRank as their algorithms learned how to make use of entities. Understanding Google’s use of entities in their algorithms can help us improve E-A-T. More importantly, understanding how Google uses AI to extract entities from content can help us write and optimize content. Marie also discusses the third release of the product reviews update, sharing which types of sites saw changes and how Google could be algorithmically evaluating product review sites. Links mentioned in this episode: Product reviews update https://blog.google/products/search/more-helpful-product-reviews/ Interview with Jason Barnard re entity use and John Lennon’s confidence score in the knowledge graph   https://fajela.com/seobox/orm/ https://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-adv.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&d=PG01&p=1&S1=20050055341&OS=20050055341&RS=20050055341 FAQ

In this episode we talk about the latest news on Google’s MUM technology. The “Things to Know” SERP feature has been seen live. It is not yet MUM powered, but soon will be. Marie also does a website review for a small business website offering pressure washing. She shares how small business owners who want to work on SEO can do keyword research, use automated site audit tools, and work on things like building links and mentions and improving E-A-T to improve their Google presence. Links mentioned in this episode The Local Search Forum: https://localsearchforum.com/ Past episodes https://Mariehaynes.com/seo-newsletter/seo-podcast Contact MHC https://Mariehaynes.com/contact Book on Unnatural Links and Manual Action Removal https://Mariehaynes.com/product/unnatural-links-book Quality Raters Book https://Mariehaynes.com/product/quality-raters-guidelines Submit a question for the next Q&A https://Mariehaynes.com/qa-with-mhc Subscribe to the newsletter: https://Mariehaynes.com/newsletter Twitter: @Marie

In this episode, Marie discusses the idea of “toxic links” and whether they have the ability to hurt your site’s organic traffic. Discussed in this episode: What are toxic links? Semrush’s toxic links report: “Your risk of penalty is increasing” Google’s documentation on link schemes Unnatural links created by using automated tools to do spam comments, create forum profiles, etc. Link auditing in the early days of the Penguin algorithm Why I created a disavow blacklist Why we closed down MHC’s disavow blacklist tool Who needs to disavow in 2022? Also discussed as SEO news this week: Algorithmic turbulence Feb 24, but not likely a Google update “Things to Know” powered by MUM, seen live in the search results Links referenced in this episode: https://www.mariehaynes.com/disavow-blacklist-tool/ https://searchengineland.com/googles-project-owl-attack-fake-news-273700 https://developers.google.com/search/docs/advanced/guidelines/link-schemes https://www.mariehaynes.com/disavow-advice-2021/ Past episodes https:/

In this special episode of Search News You Can Use, Dr. Marie Haynes speaks with Dawn Anderson about Google’s use of AI in search including BERT, RankBrain, Neural Matching and MUM. A lot has changed in Google’s algorithms. PageRank is still important when it comes to ranking, but as Google advances in language understanding, there is much more to performing well in search than getting good links. Links mentioned in this episode: Dawn’s slideshares on Passage Based Indexing and Zipf's law https://de2.slideshare.net/DawnFitton/passage-indexing-is-likely-more-important-than-you-think https://de2.slideshare.net/DawnFitton/zipfs-law-zipfian-distribution-in-seo-pubcon-virtual-fall-2020-dawn-anderson Reach Dawn at Bertey.com or on Twitter https://bertey.com/ https://twitter.com/dawnieando This episode corresponds with newsletter episode 222:
 https://mariehaynes.com/newsletter/episode-222-light-version/ Past episodes https://Mariehaynes.com/seo-newsletter/seo-podcast Contact MHC https://Mariehaynes.com/contac

In this special episode of Search News You Can Use, Marie interviews Lily Ray of Amsive Digital over Zoom. Topics discussed include: - Lily’s articles on the winning and losing sites in Google’s 2021 updates - Some sites affected by Product Reviews update don’t review products - Manual actions for Discover and News sites and what they can tell us about the direction search is heading - Title tag rewrites - Cyrus Shephard’s study Links mentioned in this episode: Lily’s article on SEO winners of 2021: https://www.sistrix.com/blog/indexwatch-2021-the-seo-winners-in-googles-us-search-results/ Lily’s article on SEO losers of 2021: https://www.sistrix.com/blog/indexwatch-2021-the-seo-winners-in-googles-us-search-results/ Cyrus Shephard’s study on Google rewriting title tags: https://zyppy.com/blog/google-title-rewrite-study/ Information on having the MHC team review your site in the eyes of Google’s blog post on core updates https://Mariehaynes.com/services/site-quality-assessments This episode corresponds

What is YMYL, and does it matter to SEOS? In this episode, Dr. Marie Haynes discusses how Google’s Quality Rater Guidelines and other documentation describe the term YMYL. She shares example websites discussed in the QRG and why they should or should not be considered YMYL. While the QRG do not replicate Google’s algorithms, they show us what Google is trying to accomplish. We believe there is a lot to be learned that can be used to our advantage in understanding how Google’s algorithms treat sites differently depending on whether or not their content contains YMYL information. And even if you are a non-YMYL site like a recipe site, there is much to discover here about how Google could be valuing EAT in your niche. Also in this episode: - SERP turbulence Jan 11-12 and 14-16, 2022 - Could it be related to knowledge graph changes? - The page experience update is coming to desktop in February - Several sites are seeing large spikes in Google crawling This episode corresponds with newsletter episode 218:
 https

In this episode Marie discusses what SEO’s should focus on in the new year including - better serving user intent, EAT, getting content indexed, core web vitals, technical SEO changes that can move the needle, web 3.0, link building, MUM and other Google advancements. This episode corresponds with newsletter episode 216:
 https://www.mariehaynes.com/newsletter/episode-216-light-version/ Links mentioned in this episode: MHC’s blog post on EAT https://www.mariehaynes.com/eat  Perficient Digitals report on link building: https://www.perficient.com/insights/research-hub/links-as-a-ranking-factor Mike Ginley’s post on internal linking https://www.mikeginley.com/blog/internal-linking-best-practices-for-seo/ Google’s blog post on core updates https://webmasters.googleblog.com/2019/08/core-updates.html Andrei Prakharevich on MUM https://www.link-assistant.com/news/google-mum-update.html  Brave Search’s post on Web 3.0 https://brave.com/learn/what-is-web3/  Past podcast episodes https://www.mariehaynes.com/

In this episode Marie recaps a year of algorithm updates giving her thoughts on how Google's algorithms have changed. She discusses how Google may be using machine learning, MUM and other methods to improve their results. Also discussed are Google's most recent algorithm updates - the local "vicinity" update and the newest product reviews update. This episode corresponds with newsletter episode 215:
 https://www.mariehaynes.com/newsletter/episode-215-light-version/ Links mentioned in this episode: Glenn Gabe's product reviews article: https://www.gsqi.com/marketing-blog/google-2021-december-product-reviews-update/ Google’s blog post on the Product Reviews Update: https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2021/12/product-reviews-update-and-your-site Google’s blog post on what webmasters need to know about core updates https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2019/08/core-updates Smashing Magazine’s Article on improving core web vitals: https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2021/12/core-web-vitals-case-stu

The podcast is back! In this episode Marie digs into what she is seeing in the wake up the November core and the December product reviews updates. She shares specific examples of the types of content that is performing well from her own website as well as discusses what others in the industry are seeing. This episode corresponds with newsletter episode 213:
 https://www.mariehaynes.com/newsletter/episode-213-light-version/ Links mentioned in this episode: Google’s November core update announcement https://twitter.com/googlesearchc/status/1460970568128385031 Google’s blog post on what webmasters need to know about core updates https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2019/08/core-updates Google’s December product reviews announcement https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2021/12/product-reviews-update-and-your-site Marie’s article on Needs Met and Understanding User Intent https://www.mariehaynes.com/understanding-user-intent/ MHC’s book and checklist on analyzing your site in the eyes of the

In this episode Marie discusses what SEO experts are saying about the June 2021 core update and a little about the page experience update as well. She shares specific examples of the types of content that performed well with this update and quotes from the Quality Raters Guidelines that help explain those changes. Links mentioned in this episode: Google’s blog post on what webmasters need to know about core updates https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2019/08/core-updates MHC’s advice on E-A-T https://www.mariehaynes.com/resources/eat/ Marie’s article on Needs Met and Understanding User Intent https://www.mariehaynes.com/understanding-user-intent/ Mordy Oberstein’s Twitter thread analysing needs met https://twitter.com/mordyoberstein/status/1396807728467697666?s=21 Lily Ray’s article on the update https://www.amsivedigital.com/insights/seo/winners-and-losers-of-googles-june-2021-core-update/ MHC’s book and checklist on analyzing your site in the eyes of the QRG https://www.mariehaynes.com/product/qu

Google has just announced a core update is live! In this episode Marie shares what we know so far about the June 2021 core update, and also the pre-announced July core update. She discusses how Needs Met is described in the Quality Raters Guidelines and how we can advise clients on creating content that fully meets the needs of searchers. Google’s blog post on what webmasters need to know about core updates https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2019/08/core-updates MHC’s advice on E-A-T https://www.mariehaynes.com/resources/eat/ Marie’s article on Needs Met and Understanding User Intent https://www.mariehaynes.com/understanding-user-intent/ Register for SMX Advanced (June 15-16, 2021) https://attend.marketinglandevents.com/smx-advanced-2021/ - Marie’s talk is: Understanding E-A-T and Quality Raters Guidelines to produce content Google wants to rank, followed by a 30 minute live Q&A  Past episodes https://www.mariehaynes.com/seo-newsletter/seo-podcast/ Information on having the MHC team review you

Links mentioned in this episode: What the Quality Raters’ Guidelines say about scientific consensus https://www.mariehaynes.com/resources/scientific-consensus/ MHC’s White-paper with practical advice to help sites better align with scientific consensus in Google’s eyes https://www.mariehaynes.com/product/scientific-consensus-whitepaper/ MHC’s advice on E-A-T https://www.mariehaynes.com/resources/eat/ Marie’s article on Needs Met and Understanding User Intent https://www.mariehaynes.com/understanding-user-intent/ Register for SMX Advanced (June 15-16, 2021) - Marie’s talk is: Understanding E-A-T and Quality Raters Guidelines to produce content Google wants to rank, followed by a 30 minute live Q&A  Past episodes SNYCU Past episodes https://www.mariehaynes.com/seo-newsletter/seo-podcast/ Contact MHC https://www.mariehaynes.com/contact/ Book on Unnatural Links and Manual Action Removal https://www.mariehaynes.com/product/unnatural-links-book/ Quality Raters Book https://www.mariehaynes.com/product/qualit

In this episode, Marie shares her thoughts on Google’s most recent improvements to their algorithms, including the recent news out of Google I/O on MUM, an advancement that will make Google’s algorithms even better at understanding queries and content. In this episode: SERP turbulence seen May 13-15  More on Google’s blog post on core updates Info on improving E-A-T based on this blog post.  Links mentioned in this episode: Google’s blog post on core updates https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2019/08/core-updates Google’s announcement on MUM https://blog.google/products/search/introducing-mum/ MHC’s recent article with disavowing advice for 2021 https://www.mariehaynes.com/disavow-advice-2021/ Register for SMX Advanced - Marie will be speaking virtually on the QRG, E-A-T and Google algorithm updates along with a 30 minute live Q&A  https://attend.marketinglandevents.com/smx-advanced-2021/ SNYCU Past episodes https://www.mariehaynes.com/seo-newsletter/seo-podcast/ Contact MHC https://www.marieh

Starting at the 11 minute mark, Marie dives deep into how MHC views the disavow tool, manual actions and backlink quality in 2021. Links mentioned in this episode: Unnatural Links – A guide to recovery (2020 version) https://www.mariehaynes.com/product/unnatural-links-book/  Hire an MHC link auditor to review your backlink profile:  https://www.mariehaynes.com/services/link-audits/ This episode corresponds with newsletter episode 183:
 https://www.mariehaynes.com/newsletter/episode-183-light-version/ Submit a question for the next Q&A: https://Mariehaynes.com/qa-with-mhc/
 Subscribe to the newsletter: https://Mariehaynes.com/newsletter
 Twitter: @Marie_Haynes - https://Twitter.com/Marie_Haynes

Links mentioned in this episode: Known and suspected Google algorithm updates: https://www.mariehaynes.com/resources/algo-changes-and-more/ Google’s blog post on the Product Reviews Update: https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2021/04/product-reviews-update Google’s blog post on what site owners should know about core updates: https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2019/08/core-updates  MHC’s Quality Raters’ Guidelines Book: https://www.mariehaynes.com/product/quality-raters-guidelines/ This episode corresponds with newsletter episode 182:
 https://www.mariehaynes.com/newsletter/episode-182-light-version/ Submit a question for the next Q&A: https://Mariehaynes.com/qa-with-mhc/
 Subscribe to the newsletter: https://Mariehaynes.com/newsletter
 Twitter: @Marie_Haynes - https://Twitter.com/Marie_Haynes

Links mentioned in this episode: Known and suspected Google algorithm updates: https://www.mariehaynes.com/resources/algo-changes-and-more/ Google’s blog post on the Product Reviews Update: https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2021/04/product-reviews-update MHC’s thoughts on scientific consensus and alternative health sites: https://www.mariehaynes.com/resources/scientific-consensus/ Glenn Gabe’s article on the Product Review Update: https://www.gsqi.com/marketing-blog/google-product-reviews-algorithm-update/ Mordy Oberstein’s article on the Product Review Update: https://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-product-reviews-winners-losers/403301/ MHC’s Quality Raters’ Guidelines Book: https://www.mariehaynes.com/product/quality-raters-guidelines/ This episode corresponds with newsletter episode 181:
 https://www.mariehaynes.com/newsletter/episode-181-light-version/ Submit a question for the next Q&A: https://Mariehaynes.com/qa-with-mhc/
 Subscribe to the newsletter: https://Mariehaynes.com/newsletter


In this episode Marie discusses: What creators should know about Google’s product reviews update https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2021/04/product-reviews-update This episode corresponds with newsletter episode 180:
 https://www.mariehaynes.com/newsletter/episode-180-light-version/ Submit a question for the next Q&A: https://Mariehaynes.com/qa-with-mhc/
 Subscribe to the newsletter: https://Mariehaynes.com/newsletter
 Twitter: @Marie_Haynes - https://Twitter.com/Marie_Haynes

In this episode Marie discusses: What creators should know about Google’s product reviews update https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2021/04/product-reviews-update Google Has Changed Cumulative Layout Shift Metric https://www.seroundtable.com/google-cumulative-layout-shift-metric-update-31233.html Improved data filtering and comparison on Performance reports https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2021/04/performance-report-data-filtering John Mueller on disavowing old spam links https://twitter.com/Marie_Haynes/status/1380168516557537282?s=20 This episode corresponds with newsletter episode 179:
 https://www.mariehaynes.com/newsletter/episode-179-light-version/ Submit a question for the next Q&A: Mariehaynes.com/qa-with-mhc/
 Subscribe to the newsletter: Mariehaynes.com/newsletter

Twitter: @Marie_Haynes - Twitter.com/Marie_Haynes

In this episode Marie discusses: Paul Haahr and Daphne Keller’s twitter thread https://twitter.com/daphnehk/status/1377665960622977027 What Is a Google Knowledge Panel and How To Get One by Jason Barnard https://www.semrush.com/blog/google-knowledge-panel/  This episode corresponds with newsletter episode 178:
 https://www.mariehaynes.com/newsletter/episode-178-light-version/ Submit a question for the next Q&A: Mariehaynes.com/qa-with-mhc/
 Subscribe to the newsletter: Mariehaynes.com/newsletter

Twitter: @Marie_Haynes - Twitter.com/Marie_Haynes

In this episode Marie discusses: Semrush to Publicly Sell Shares on New York Stock Exchange https://www.searchenginejournal.com/semrush-to-publicly-sell-shares-on-new-york-stock-exchange/397628/ Can an FTC warning letter lead to poor rankings for medical sites? And a warning for Amazon affiliates! https://www.mariehaynes.com/ftc-warnings-for-medical-sites/ Inside a viral website https://notfunatparties.substack.com/p/inside-a-viral-website?r=2lo2i&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&utm_source=copy This episode corresponds with newsletter episode 177:
 https://www.mariehaynes.com/newsletter/episode-177-light-version/ Submit a question for the next Q&A: Mariehaynes.com/qa-with-mhc/
 Subscribe to the newsletter: Mariehaynes.com/newsletter

Twitter: @Marie_Haynes - Twitter.com/Marie_Haynes