The SEOs Diners Club - Issue #11 - Weekly SEO Tips & News

May 08, 2022

Here are the weekly SEO insights for the SEOs Diners Club members. In addition, you can also join our free SEO Diners Club network to ask questions and share your thoughts on these topics and more.

AI-Powered Content Creation Recommendations Compliant with Google Algorithms

This week I was a special guest of Serpstat's #serpstat_chat on Twitter every Thursday night. I answered participant questions about AI-powered content production compatible with Google algorithms.

In the discussion on content production with artificial intelligence and Google's approach to it, I answered questions from the participants and Serpstat.

Google spokespersons state that content production with artificial intelligence is against their guidelines. However, many websites generate severe organic traffic by producing AI-powered content in practice.

I shared my suggestions about artificial intelligence-supported content production in line with Google algorithms in this discussion. Below you can find the presentation I shared after answering these questions. I will regularly update this presentation with new suggestions.

AI-Powered Content Creation Recommendations Compliant with Google Algorithms by Mert Erkal, International SEO Expert, Founder of Stradiji SEO and Conversion Optimization Agency

Google Responds to Whether Meta Descriptions Matter for Rankings

John Mueller from Google answered whether the Meta Description tag is vital for Google rankings.

Google's snippet documentation states that meta descriptions are used to create search results snippets.

Learn how to write a quality meta description tag that may be displayed for your page in Google Search results by following these best practices.

If a meta description is used correctly, the meta description displayed in the search results will tell the potential website visitor what the page is about and give them an idea of ​​what to expect if they click the link and visit the website.

There is no limit to how long a meta description can be.

However, there is naturally a limit to how much meta description search engines will choose to display. The limit is defined by how much can be displayed on the user's browser device.

So, do these statements have an impact on Google rankings? John Mueller answers this question as follows:

The meta description is primarily used as a snippet on the search results page. And that's not something we're going to use for sorting. But frankly, having a sound snippet on a search results page can make it more attractive for people to visit your page when they see your page rank in search results.

Google spokespersons make this statement every time. Although meta descriptions are not directly considered as a ranking factor in the Google algorithm, they may well impact rankings indirectly, i.e., by increasing clicks. So, good meta descriptions may well contribute to rankings by increasing the click-through rate a page receives in Google results, which we call CTR.

Google's John Mueller answers if the Meta Description tag matters for ranking purposes

Why Do Core Web Vitals Scores Keep Changing?

John Mueller answered why scores of core web vitals constantly change, even when web pages stay the same.

First of all, it is necessary to know very well that there are two types of essential web metric scoring;

1. Field Data

These are scores of the core web vitals recorded from actual visitors to a website in the real world. This data aims to reflect the experience of real visitors to a particular site.

2. Laboratory Data

These are scores of core web vitals generated by a simulated visit. Using a user agent identified as Chrome/94.0.4590.2, a bot from Google Lighthouse will visit the page under test. An algorithm will simulate the visit on a mobile phone and a restricted internet connection.

Page load information is collected, and an artificial score of key web metrics is created. The purpose of laboratory data is to diagnose problems. Lab data helps a site publisher or an SEO troubleshoot web page performance. It provides information to help a publisher or an SEO understand what is slowing down a web page and offers tips for solving problems.

Lab Data is generated using Google's Lighthouse tool.

If you've been following these scores from the page experience section of any site's Search Console account, you've seen that they vary constantly. John Mueller, when asked why this was the case, answered:

“I think this is probably a side effect of how important web metrics and page experience updates are handled.

It takes a look at these details to understand a little more about how the data users see plays a role in this.

It's natural to see some fluctuations over time if users from various backgrounds, locations, and device types access your pages.”

It is helpful to underline the following once again; these scores may not directly relate to your Google rankings. Instead, these are indicators of the on-page experience your site offers. Rather than obsess over red-colored errors turning green, it's good to regularly view these scores as an occasion to improve your page's user experience.

You can find John Mueller's explanations below:

Google's John Mueller answers why core web vitals scores seem to always change even when web pages remain the same

What Structured Data To Use And Where To Use It?

John Mueller offered advice on how to select structured data for your website.

John Mueller answered two questions about structured data at a recent Google Search Center SEO office hours hangout.

While the first question is specifically about the medical niche, the answer is helpful and applies to websites in any niche.

Mueller also explained how to use the Google Developer Help Pages to figure out what structured data is best to use.

How to Choose Structured Data for a Website?

The question asked was how to select structured data and what effect this would have.

Mueller says it doesn't have much to do with structured data matching a page. Instead, the selection is about what kind of rich results are available for that page.

Structured data is highly extensible. As a result, the site Scehma.org offers an ever-growing list of different types of structured data that can fit on almost any web page.

But Google doesn't like review stars, images in search results, etc. It uses only a portion of the available structured data to generate search results such as (For now, I have to make a note!)

You can read the explanations on the relevant page of Google:

Google uses structured data to understand content. Explore this guide to discover how structured data works, review formats, and learn where to place it on your site.

“How does a schema affect a medical niche website? What kind of structured data should be used there?” John Mueller answered his question as follows:

First off… when it comes to structured data, I would focus primarily on what we document in the developer documentation and the specific features attached to it. So, instead of saying what type of structured data should I use for this type of website, I would reverse the question and would like to find what kind of visible attributes in the search results? I would say. And from there, I look at what the requirements are for these visual attributes, and can I apply the appropriate structured data to meet those requirements? I would say.

You can find John Mueller's explanations below:

Google's John Mueller offers advice on how to choose structured data.

7 Ways to Use Ahrefs Webmaster Tools — SEOSLY

Ahrefs Webmaster Tools is a free tool that allows you to use some functionality of Ahrefs without being an active Ahrefs subscriber.

If you can't afford to buy Ahrefs or if you want to discover how you can use Ahrefs to improve your website SEO, you should give Ahrefs Webmaster Tools a try.

This guide by SEOSLY shows you seven helpful ways to use Ahrefs Webmaster Tools to learn more about your website and get actionable tips for improving your website. I highly recommend you read the article and use this tool in your routine SEO work.

Ahrefs Webmaster Tools is a free tool that allows you to use some of the functionalities of Ahrefs without being an active Ahrefs subscriber.

Google Deprecates Some Image and Video Sitemap Extensions

Google announced that it is deprecating several image and video sitemap tags and features.

Google has announced that it is discontinuing the use of various image and video sitemap extensions. Google stated that after evaluating the value of tags, they decided to remove the use of these sitemap extensions. Deprecated tags and features will have no effect after August 6, 2022.

Google announced that the documentation for the removed tags and features has already been removed.

Image and video sitemaps will continue to be part of the sitemap features. Deprecation is limited to a certain image and video tags and attributes.

Deprecated Sitemap Image Tags and Attributes:

Deprecated Sitemap Video Tags and Attributes:

  • autoplay and allow_embed of the tag

  • tag and its attributes

  • tag and its attributes

You can find the details in the following blog post:

Google announced that it is deprecating several image and video sitemap tags and attributes

DMCA Request Removes Moz from Google Index!

Moz.com's homepage was removed from the Google index following a request from the DMCA. Then Google corrected this mistake.

With the DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act), you can request Google remove a page from the Google index. Below you can find Google's dedicated page.

Requesting content removals from Google products for Legal reasons We take inappropriate content seriously If you see content on a Google produc

Oddly enough, the Moz.com homepage was removed from the Google index for a while, following a request from the DMCA. Then it came back with the intervention of Google.

For detailed information on the subject, you can check the following blog post:

This shouldn't happen, but it did - and that is scary.

SEO Experiments — 28 Ideas for Ranking Boost from Seosteting.com

These exciting ideas, some of which you will see for the first time, can give you a ranking boost.

Are you stuck on page 2 of Google Search Results for your targeted keyword? Are you scratching your head, wondering what to try next?

Seotetesting.com has compiled a list of on-page SEO experiments and things to try that can make a difference and get your page in the top 10 results.

SEOTesting.com allows you to set up and run SEO experiments and track results with time-based SEO tests and SEO split tests.

I recommend that you review the methods suggested in the article below.

We've put together 28 SEO experiments for you to try to help boost your rankings from off page 2 and into the top 10 search results of Google. Check out our list of 28 ideas of things to try to get your rankings for a page moving in the right direction.

LinkedIn Is Changing The Way It Sorts Content

The changes to LinkedIn's streaming algorithm aim to provide users with better, more relevant content and spark discussion.

LinkedIn updates its algorithm and changes how content is ordered in users' streams.

In addition, with the ability to block specific categories of content from appearing, users will have more control over their posts.

You'll also be able to choose to see more content from thought leaders, industry experts, and creators who aren't in your network.

This update aims to create a more personalized and relevant experience while creating meaningful conversations and interactions among users.

I think it's a good update. Because when using LinkedIn, I often find myself in irrelevant discussions that I am not interested in.

Changes to LinkedIn's feed algorithm aim to provide users with better, more relevant content and spark discussion.

Book Of The Week: “Blindsight: The (Mostly) Hidden Ways Marketing Reshapes Our Brains” - Matt Johnson

Based on science and compelling real-world stories, neuroscientist Matt Johnson and marketing guru Prince Ghuman dive deep into the surprising relationship between the brain and brands and show how marketing touches every aspect of our mental lives.

You may not be aware of these details, yet they've influenced you all along.

Every time you purchase, swipe, or click, marketers can predict your behavior more accurately. Unfortunately, brands know more about you than you know about yourself these days. Blindsight is here to change that.

With eye-opening science, engaging stories, and fascinating real-world examples, neuroscientist Matt Johnson and marketer Prince Ghuman dive deep into the surprising relationship between brains and brands. In Blindsight, they showcase how marketing taps every aspect of our mental lives, covering the neuroscience of pain and pleasure, emotion and logic, fear and safety, attention and addiction, etc.

We like to think of ourselves as independent actors in control of our decisions, but the truth is far more complicated. Blindsight will allow you to see the unseeable when it comes to marketing to consume on your terms. You will learn how the brain works and how brands design for it on the surface. But peel back a layer, and you'll find a sharper image of your psychology reflected in your consumer behavior.

Blindsight: The (Mostly) Hidden Ways Marketing Reshapes Our Brains [Johnson, Matt, Ghuman, Prince] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Blindsight: The (Mostly) Hidden Ways Marketing Reshapes Our Brains

I hope you enjoyed my weekly SEO insights. Hope to see you next Sunday in the new episode. I wish you all a great week.

Best,

Mert Erkal