Google Algorithm Fluctuations, FLoC FLoPs, New Google Robots Tag & More

This week, we had another unconfirmed Google search ranking update on January 22nd. Google has admitted defeat with its FLoC cookieless proposal and is now going with Topics API. Google launched a new robots tag named indexifembedded that controls indexing of embedded content. Google Search Console had an image search reporting bug it is working to fix, it is just a reporting issue. Google Ads has new tools to help you transfer from smart shopping and local campaigns to performance max. Google probably won’t go live with a label in the search results that meet the page experience update criteria. Newzdash data shows that 67% of Google search results have duplicated top stories and web search results. An SEO poll shows that most SEOs agree that if Google gave 100% transparency in the search results it would lead to poorer quality results. A dental office is named Dentist Near Me but is that a good local SEO strategy? We also have an SEO poll on near me queries. Google’s John Mueller said there is no schema for product images in search. Google launched a new search refinement named People Search Next. Google Maps now shows “updates from customers” which might be a concern for review management. Google is deprecating the Google My Business API on April 20th, it will be replaced. Google is once against testing search results without snippet descriptions. Google confirms it is testing showing favicons in the search ads. Google image search related colored theme design. Google is discontinuing Cameos on Google. Google AdSense is separating out YouTube earnings with other earnings. Google Assistant now lets us say “stop” without saying “hey Google” first.And if you want to help sponsor those vlogs, go to patreon.com/barryschwartz. That was the search news this week at the Search Engine Roundtable. Sponsored by Sponsored by Duda, the website building platform ranked #1 in Google's recent CWV report, is offering 15% OFF their annual plans with a special promo code for you at agency.duda.co/barry. Search Topics of Discussion: January 22nd Unconfirmed Google Search Ranking Update Google Drops FLoC For Topics API With 300+ Topics New Google Robots Tag indexifembedded: Control Indexing With Embedded Content Google Search Console Logging Bug May Result In Drop In Image Search Performance Data New Tools For Smart Shopping & Local Campaigns Being Replaced By Performance Max Google Page Experience & Core Web Vitals Label Probably Won't Go Live 67% Of Google Searches Have Duplicate Top Stories & Web Results URLs; Newzdash Most SEOs Think 100% Google Algorithm Transparency Would Lead To Worse Search Results Business Name "Keyword Near Me" Might Not Be A Great Idea SEO Poll On Near Me Optimization Is Mixed Google: There Is No Schema For Product Images In Web Search Google "People Search Next" Search Refinements Google Maps "Updates From Customers" A Nightmare For Business Listings? Google Deprecating The Google My Business API On April 20, 2022 Google Tests Search Results Without Descriptions Again Google Confirms Testing Emojis In Some Search Ads (Update: They Are Favicons) Google Images Tests Color Themed Related Images Design Cameos on Google Is Going Away Google AdSense To Separate YouTube Earnings With Own Payment Threshold You Can Tell Google To "Stop" Without Saying "Hey Google" First