October 2023 Google Search Observations

[Cyril TechWebsites]

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System: The following 3 messages were cut out of thread at: https://www.webmasterworld.com/google/5093320.htm [webmasterworld.com] by not2easy - 11:10 am on Oct 1, 2023 (atl -4)

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Seeing further drastical drop on Saturday. I stopped producing new content and updating the old content. There is no sense anymore for me, feeling awful to say that, but my website was fully destroyed with the "helpful" update.

[RubicCubed]

Many of the VPN networks are nothing but hideaways for low life trying to do things on your website that no normal user does.

Fraudsters often use a VPN to purchase products and rip us off. While we don't block VPNs, all orders are assigned a risk score that also calculates the use of a proxy or VPN. Those customers using a proxy or VPN can expect to pay more to cover our added risk and also for the signature delivery fee. Should Google move forward with this nonsense, so they alone can collect data on their users, then all Chrome users will pay more for freight then those using different browsers.

[EditorialGuy]

'm not tryiing to convince you of anything just simply presenting some data available. Whether it's accurate or not I have no idea but I do know personally of many, many people using VPNs

A lot of content creators with YouTube channels are getting sponsorships from VPNs these days, which means their audiences are being exposed to the message that VPNs are necessary to keep bad guys out of their computers (or just to see their favorite Netflix shows wherever they are).

Its like the old days when newbies thought cookies were a plot by hackers.

[Micha]

I don't understand it anymore. Both Sitrix and Xovi show that the visibility of my website continues to drop. However, the number of visitors has increased significantly.

And what really irritates me: My site is a news site on a specific topic and I have direct competitors, but they tend to publish in-depth articles and not news.

Usually it was always the case that my site was affected by an update and the other site benefited, or vice versa. But now both sites are crashing (I'm referring to Sitrxis and Xovi data here). With news I can still understand it, small site, not very helpful, big publishers are favored, but why crash a site that has really helpful content? All this makes no sense at all.

[tom_010101]

@Micha: That's how I feel too. I have a German online magazine on the topic of cars. There is direct competition, but not like with an online store. In terms of content, my magazine is almost unique, and there are over 30,000 articles from the past 11 years. Thousands of these articles have been researched over days and are always helpful to the reader. Moreover, my site has "NEVER" been particularly affected by an update. But now, all of a sudden, there are 70% fewer visitors, and according to Sistrix, visibility is diminishing daily, and the keywords are also decreasing. All the other sites I monitor are experiencing the same, except for the major publishers.

[Micha]

@tom_010101 So like me, my page actually unique in the news area, but it is apparently enough when Spiegel Tagesschau etc. publish one superficial article per week, so that we no longer have a chance. This has nothing to do with quality or helpful content anymore.

What really annoys me is the fact that through the chaos you have absolutely no idea what you actually have to do to increase your visibility, because the crashes are so illogical and what Google's "experts" are saying is not even close to reality.

[tom_010101]

I'm currently updating some older posts and have also fixed a few technical issues on my website. Along with that, I'm altering the META information for many articles. However, I'm not making any other changes, as I still firmly believe that my site hasn't suddenly become subpar. The issue lies with Google, and I'm certainly not going to revise 30,000 blog posts for Google, especially when I have no idea what I should change. I believe (and hope) things will return to normal in the next 1-2 months. I think Google realizes something isn't right. When I look at my BING data, although it's at a low level (as always), it's almost 80% higher than in previous years. This suggests that many users are currently switching to other search engines.

[Micha]

I'm definitely not going to revise my 50,000+ articles, I don't have the money or time for that. I hope you are right and they wake up. But when I look at Google's comments on X, for example, I doubt it. So far it's just the usual "Helbful Content" drivel.

[RubicCubed]

when I look at Google's comments on X, for example, I doubt it. So far it's just the usual "Helbful Content" drivel.

That's because if Google says it enough, there will be some who believe it's real. I for one would not update anything. A high quality page can remain that way for decades if the information on that page remains accurate. As a user, seeing some of the search results Google is returning, it's clear Google is not chasing quality or helpful content. Instead, Google is chasing money because they are petering out and growing less than the competition (Bing). And what growth Google has achieved was the result of extreme ad spam. Google is running out of gas and they know it just as many of us see it.

[christianz]

The October 27 update seems as big as the official "October core update" but changes are in disagreement with the prior update. Must be chaos at Google.

In their desperation they are plastering irrelevant legacy media sites in top positions for every search term, turning Google into even more confusing, ad-laden, dysfunctional eye sore for boomers.

[ichthyous]

Big jump in traffic yesterday until 3pm, then it dropped off...+14% on search for a Saturday, which is usually a low traffic day. Today (Sunday) the traffic dropped off a cliff at 9am sharp and is now at sitting at zero at 11am, which is what happens on weekdays usually....around 9am it all vanishes.

[haramamba]

The search console went crazy.
The Core Web Vitals are telling me that multiple pages have bad CLS. Their "examples" show pages that cannot have any CLS! Of course, I tested these "examples" with Page Speed Insights and they show zero layout shift.

[Razorllama]

Here we go again, further -12% since Saturday morning compared to the previous period. Fun times...

[saladtosser]

Anyone else see the new people also ask feature? The Audio button on the left of the question? So you can listen to the answer rather than read it? Seems to expand on the text in the answer box so no need to visit the site!

[christianz]

For certain searches like "GCV160 carb clean" I am seeing 23 results from 1 single website/domain which is owned and operated by Google themselves.

All top 15 positions are Google themselves with this one single website. After that there are 4-5 other websites (including Reddit and Amazon) and at the bottom there is another block of 8 results from this same Google's website and a message that everything else is "omitted".

Truly criminal.

[oldog]

@christianz
Try every travel keyword Creepadvisor on #1

[superclown2]

For certain searches like "GCV160 carb clean" I am seeing 23 results from 1 single website/domain which is owned and operated by Google themselves.

Yes. I see a long line of Youtube videos, all of course with ads. Plus a PAA and a 'Related searches'. I have to scroll forever to find a proper description of how to do it.

Personally I avoid Youtube like the plague; I don't have time to watch a video of indeterminate quality created by someone who may or may not have a real clue about the subject (and of course the inevitable ads) when I want real information. On the rare occasion I did want to watch one there was a video link I could click but that was in the past.

Yet another example of ruining the search usefulness in favour of squeezing out more profit. I find this highly distasteful but others may have a different view.

[mysitegothithard]

What should I do? Uptade all my posts with more content? Its about 1.000 blog posts well-written but seems it isnt good enough...

[Micha]

@myitegothithard You simply can't do anything. The rating of articles/websites by Google runs automatically and that such a thing does not work should be clear. For one thing, websites are always automatically preferred, and for another, users are not all the same. It just doesn't itch anyone at Google.

Your articles can be as good as they are, if Big G says they are not, they are not. You are completely powerless.

[Fluff_Nutz]

''That's because if Google says it enough, there will be some who believe it's real'' - RubicCubed

Oh yes, I remember spending an entire day trying to add as much SEO to my newer site. Links, Headings you name it. Spent so long on trying to improve it and then it dawned on me. Nothing I do will improve rankings or please Google. Not unless my site brings in so much revenue and becomes one of the big sites. You know, the reputable sites that do nothing more than copy paste from others. They also cannot keep to their own chosen niche. After spending a day ''fixing'' the site I stopped, now I just don't care any more. I try to make sure my writers keep to SEO practises but overall if G don't care, why should I? Not the right mentality but a perfect site won't exactly score big points neither as the SERPs already show. Overall its more effort than its worth.

How do you explain to the mass amount of 'idiots' who don't do proper research on Google and their actions. You tell them and its like a load more new rookies appear, who also need telling. Its tiring. As too is Google's vicious web. Been anywhere between -5% to -12% these past few days. Whilst not a huge fall, if this keeps up it will all add up eventually

Do you think if we talk about the death of Google's monopoly enough, it too will happen. Heh...

[christianz]

What should I do? Uptade all my posts with more content? Its about 1.000 blog posts well-written but seems it isnt good enough...

With these latest updates articles and content has not been a factor. You have to become a Priority Publisher. When you are PP you can let your cat walk on the keyboard and generate random keystrokes and that stuff will rank instantly and rank very well.

[EditorialGuy]

Try every travel keyword Creepadvisor on #1

I'm not seeing that for the queries that I follow. What I do see (certainly more often then in the past) is promotional or outright sales content being served up in the top search results for informational queries.I keep waiting for the day when a search on "St. Catherine of Siena" brings up a St. Catherine merchandise page on a "Sweatshirts of the Saints" commerce site.

[superclown2]

I keep waiting for the day when a search on "St. Catherine of Siena" brings up a St. Catherine merchandise page on a "Sweatshirts of the Saints" commerce site.

That's a great idea for a niche product to promote. Thanks!

Mind you, my site would probably be drowned by YouTube videos, and there is already an ad for books that I saw here in the UK this morning plus PAA and Related Searches boxes to keep the visitor within the Google loop.

[Martin Ice Web]

google is back to FZM (full zombie mode)

[Ingall]

You hit it exactly right. I think it's cheeky of Google that they want to sell us the helpful update as an update that targets the content. The fact is that the content no longer plays any role for Google. All that matters is authority. A small site no longer has a chance despite excellent content. I have great expertise in the nutrition sector and evaluate and analyze products based on scientific facts and studies. It sometimes takes me several weeks just to research an article because I attach great importance to everything being fact-based. My session duration is above average and I constantly receive positive feedback from users. Now there are sites ahead of me that simply spam an affiliate link to the product into a forum. The forums don't even have anything to do with nutritional supplements, so a forum from Adobe and even a grief forum with an affiliate link (without text) rank in front of me. Plus paid articles on sites like <snip>

[edited by: not2easy at 12:32 pm (utc) on Oct 31, 2023]
[edit reason] Please see Charter [webmasterworld.com] [/edit]

[KaseyM]

When do the drops stop?

Two months of this!

[Ingall]

Christianz hit it exactly right. I think it's cheeky of Google that they want to sell us the helpful update as an update that targets the content. The fact is that the content no longer plays any role for Google. All that matters is authority. A small site no longer has a chance despite excellent content.

I have great expertise in the nutrition sector and evaluate and analyze products based on scientific facts and studies. It sometimes takes me several weeks just to research an article because I attach great importance to everything being fact-based. My session duration is above average and I constantly receive positive feedback from users.

Now there are sites ahead of me that simply spam an affiliate link of the product into a forum. The forums don't even have anything to do with nutritional supplements, so a forum from Adobe and even a grief forum with an affiliate link (without content) rank in front of me. Plus paid articles on sites like <snip>

[edited by: not2easy at 12:29 pm (utc) on Oct 31, 2023]
[edit reason] Please see Charter [webmasterworld.com] [/edit]

[Micha]

Well, what are we going to do? Establishing authority is not so easy and for many probably impossible. We can only hope that the U.S. or the EU will wake up and take aim at this competitive disadvantage, but I think we can wait a very long time for that.

Until then, we can only watch how Google kills many small, very good websites.

[morpheus83]

Domain authority is the bane here and its nothing but a joke. I have seen numerous websites openly sell links to things as obscure as Rolex replica watches. Irony is they outrank other websites that write opinionated and original content on luxury watches.

[edited by: engine at 12:26 pm (utc) on Oct 31, 2023]
[edit reason] Examples not needed [/edit]

[not2easy]

Mod's Note - there seems to be an increase in posting about actual sites and we do not discuss actual sites as outlined in the Charter: [webmasterworld.com...]

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GETTING INFORMATION TO GOOGLE
Webmaster World is NOT here as a way to communicate with Google. If you want to give input about specific details on how your site or any other site appears in the search results, please use the channels that Google provides.

1. Use the reporting feature or the Reconsideration Request in your Webmaster Tools account. Because your account authenticates you, Google gives this communication higher priority and credibility.
   
   
2. Use this form for giving more anonymous input: Google: Search Quality and Your Feedback [google.com].
   
   
3. Here's how to report spam, paid links, or malware Report spam, paid links, or malware [support.google.com]
   
   
4. At the bottom of every search results page, use the link that says "Give us feedback"
   
   
5. Google also offers a Webmaster Help Forum [google.com]. Your questions - with specific identifying details about your site - are welcome there.

Be precise but brief in your message to Google. Report both the actual search keywords and explain the problem you see.

[System]

daniel1213's WP question was cut out to new thread by not2easy. New thread: WordPress Forum [webmasterworld.com] on Oct 31, 2023

[edited by: not2easy at 4:47 pm (utc) on Oct 31, 2023]
[edit reason] Moved thread cleanup [/edit]

[Ingall]

The funny thing is that I rank number 1 on Bing for many of my posts with the main keyword. Even in front of very large sites with high domain authority and I can no longer be found on Google since these updates.

[christianz]

I think this is relevant to the October updates. Radical push of EAT over everything else.

[reddit.com...]

It is the same policy rolled out in both YT and Google.com search. Good luck growing the young audience with all this drop dead boring legacy media stuff.

Boosting forums and (some) UGC was supposed to mitigate this but those two are counter to each other. You can't boost Priority Publishers and UGC at the same time. You have to choose whether you want to be cable news 2.0 or the organic Web.

[System]

November thread at: google/5096460.htm [webmasterworld.com]

[edited by: not2easy at 12:43 pm (utc) on Nov 1, 2023]
[edit reason] New month, new thread [/edit]