Google Updates and SERP Changes - December 2017

[seoskunk]

---

System: The following 4 messages were cut out of thread at: https://www.webmasterworld.com/google/4874973.htm [webmasterworld.com] by robert_charlton - 10:29 pm on Dec 1, 2017 (PDT -8)

---

Now I am seeing some light at the end of the tunnel I have a ton things that need doing, writing content, social media, more backlinks but can't seem to get focussed... I end up on some wikipedia journey or writing cr@p in forums, I saw a video on youtube called "How to stop Procrastinating", I clicked Watch it Later

[MayankParmar]

I'm confused whether or not WordPress tag pages can be considered as 'doorway pages'?

[Maximum44]

Extreme upswing in traffic today. Lost some last week, but are more than making up for it today. Our whole website is custom and not based on any cms. All code is written from scratch.

[KaseyM]

Pretty crazy that everyone has seen an upswing at the same time.

In regards to doorway pages. At the end of the day, every page needs to add value so in the case of my site, I think there are ways we can improve the content alongside the links to other pages.

[KaseyM]

Worth noting although I've seen an upswing, we're away off pre-Dec 12.

[MayankParmar]

What if I remove the tag pages from sitemap or block using robots.txt. It should be enough?

[samwest]

@browndog - "touching wood" - don't do that in public - lol

I see everyone is noticing and upwards schwing....I am seeing the same across a diverse range of sites...maybe it's because Eric "Lex Luthor" Schmidt has left the building.

[londrum]

just been reading on GSQI about all the celebrity websites taking a hit after the latest update, then read a comment on seroundtable that made me laugh... do a search for andy mcnab and see who's picture google puts up.
i don't think we have to worry about google's AI taking over the world any time soon

[Maximum44]

Lol

[Samsam1978]

I have seen partial upswing yesterday, will see if it will hold.

[EditorialGuy]

We've had a huge increase in traffic over last week during the past few days (sessions up 48 percent today, pageviews up 53 percent).

But: This is a normal seasonal pattern for our information site--and has been for many, many years.

"The more things change, the more they stay the same."

[Shepherd]

But: This is a normal seasonal pattern for our information site--and has been for many, many years.

Same here, normal post holiday run up to first of year. 20 years and counting.

I've been wondering, regarding the reports of upticks in traffic, how many have significant YOY data to compare. Not making any assumptions, just something I have been wondering.

[seoskunk]

Ermm seeing lotts of improvement like articles with no content at all except the title hitting top ten results. Getting tired of this now. OK Google go......... yourself

[lostshootingstar]

Yes, I want to reiterate what Shepherd said. I've run the same website in the same industry for a decade and every year the first day "back to work" after Christmas is a bit slow, and then the rest of the week is a little bit better than average. With that said, I'm sure this is very highly dependent on what type of website you run.

[HereWeGo123]

There has been some chatter (and I've received some inquiries) about many sites, affiliates, in particular, being hit with unnatural link manual actions. Has anybody here heard anything of this yet?

[MayankParmar]

@HereWeGo123 Can confirm. A site ranking on first position for high competitive keywords got punished, the articles were indexed though. He was using PBNs, Edu links.

I got to know about this on 27th, the update hit his site on 25/26th December. Today, some of his articles are back to first position. He has recovered from penalty to some extent. The site is making above $50K a month from affiliate, all articles have above 2000 words.

[samwest]

do a search for andy mcnab and see who's picture google puts up.i don't think we have to worry about google's AI taking over the world any time soon

On the contrary, the AI found a secondary relationship with Spacey and Mcnab : [telegraph.co.uk...]
It's vast knowledge produces results you may not expect. Be afraid....especially if you are associated with a known pervmeister. ;)

[MayankParmar]

Oh, look everything is down again :(

Gotta blame New Year for this.

[MayankParmar]

WordPress adds 'noopener' instead of 'nofollow' when we set external links to 'open in a new tab'. noopener is nofollow for Google? And if the links are set as noopener, am I safe from 'manual links penalty'?

Or Shall I manually edit the links in HTML editor to:

<a href="www.example.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Example</a

[mirrornl]

noopener is NOT the same as nofollow
to be sure use indeed

<a href="www.example.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Example</a>

[System]

The following message was cut out to new thread by robert_charlton. New thread at: google/4880306.htm [webmasterworld.com]
2:37 pm on Jan 1, 2018 (PDT -8)