SEO Wash-up Monday 7th June

Google Updates

Google search console FAQ and Q&A reports have been upgraded – They have upgraded the Search Console reports specifically for the Q&A and FAQ structured data. So now Google will check the validity of FAQ and Q&A structured data that is below the root entity level. They have mentioned previously that the report only flagged entities at the root level, not below the root entity level.

Google prepares for new search console functionality – The search giant will keep releasing new features and functionality for search console over the years. A spokesman from the Google search console team has confirmed on social media that they are preparing for “future functionality that’s not yet released.”

So what is that functionality? Although it isn’t clear, the search console team’s response was in regards to an email that went out to some website owners via Search Console. The email asked them to link Search Console and Google Analytics and the subject of the email that users have received said “Updates to the Search Console and Google Analytics linked properties terms of service.” So when users clicked on it, they were taken to the new property associations feature.

Google local results has a new arrow directions icon – Google seems to have updated the directions icon it uses for its local search results. So before the icon had a shape with an arrow in white within it, but now it has a simple arrow upwards. This is present both in the local pack and in the Google Maps listings on mobile.

Google has now officially added full coverage news links from search results – They rolled out full coverage news in their search results on mobile devices. Users thought that it rolled out back in 2019 but the search giant has official announced they are now rolling out officially.

They then go on to mention that when users are searching for information on a timely topic, they can see a carousel of articles at the top of their search results highlighting relevant news. So for big and developing news stories, you can tap into a full coverage page after scrolling to the end of the top stories carousel or by selecting “More news on…” right below the carousel.”

Google has a new label for local business reviews that is now live – Last year December Google had been testing a “new” label in the local business reviews for reviews that is more than a month old. Now it seems they have the new label live now in the local reviews for all to see so other users can see it on your own business profile on both desktop and mobile.