Google Removing the Disavow Tool, SGE & AI Announcements & Google I/O 2024
SEO TL;DR #23 - 13/05/2024
Technical SEO
Google to remove the Disavow tool
Google's John Mueller indicated that the disavow link tool might eventually be phased out from Google Search Console.
At some point, I'm sure we'll remove it.
Mueller suggested that, like Bing, Google could also decide to remove it. He noted that the necessity of using the disavow tool has diminished as Google's algorithms have become better at ignoring spammy, paid, or manipulative links.
Mueller stressed that the tool should only be used in specific scenarios, such as recovering from manual penalties related to link spam.
💡 Takeaway
We’ve been warned against frequent use of the tool based on "toxic links" reports from Semrush, labelling such practices as outdated and misleading.
Our approach at Venture Stream is to assess the state of a backlink profile in the very early stages. If we deem the number of backlinks to be higher than what’s typical for that niche or irregular (hockey stick growth pattern), then we’ll conduct a thorough audit.
I also like to use the tool if we believe a site’s been hit by a negative SEO attack. It’s not something I believe strictly necessary; it's more of an insurance policy - some action is better than none! I imagine that if Google does go ahead and remove it, the Semrush audit will follow shortly.
AI
Google Search results without SGE jump to 65%, up from 25%
Last month saw a significant shift in Google Search, with the share of queries displaying Search Generative Experience (SGE) plummeting from 25% to 65%.
The reduction in SGE can be attributed to the implementation of Google’s opt-in results type, which requires users to actively choose AI-generated responses.
The concern among SEO professionals is that if SGE becomes the norm, it could dramatically reduce organic traffic to websites.
Additionally, the physical footprint of SGE in search results is decreasing - recent observations show a reduction in the vertical space it occupies, from about 1,200 pixels to under 1,050 pixels.
AI
OpenAI Expected to Integrate Real-Time Data In ChatGPT
OpenAI is set to make a significant announcement on Monday the 13th, potentially introducing the ability to access real-time data within ChatGPT.
This new feature is expected to support English, French, and Spanish, offering links to original content sources, which is good news for content creators.
Altman has previously expressed that competing directly with Google through a conventional search engine is not a viable strategy. He dispelled rumours about a new search engine, tweeting:
Not gpt-5, not a search engine, but we’ve been hard at work on some new stuff we think people will love! feels like magic to me.
Ecommerce SEO
Google Product Review Summary Labels Snippet
Google has introduced a new feature in its search results, showcasing concise summary labels on product reviews.
These labels provide quick insights such as "low quality," "compact," "lightweight," or "performs well," helping users gauge product attributes at a glance.
This update was first noticed by Khushal Bherwani and subsequently confirmed by Barry Schwartz, who shared the example above.
💡 Takeaway
The labels aim to enhance the shopping experience by directly summarising critical aspects of user reviews in the search results.
I couldn’t replicate this in the UK, but it could likely be on the horizon. The feature showcases the importance of gathering favourable reviews outside your site that align with your product’s USPs.
General
Google I/O 2024
Tune in on May 14 2024, to watch live keynotes and hear the latest announcements.
Timetable:
Google keynote - 10 am PT, 5 pm GMT
How Google is discovering their mission to organize the world's informationDeveloper keynote - 1:30 pm PT, 8:30 pm GMT
Learn about Google’s newest developer tools
What to expect:
Android 15 Release: Expected post-July with features like satellite messaging, battery improvements, and a Private Space feature; probable October launch.
Pixel Fold 2: Rumored as Pixel 9 Pro Fold with a sleek design, updated camera, and Tensor G4 processor; likely October debut.
Generative AI: Gemini: Set to showcase upgrades and a new AI assistant, Pixie, exclusive to Pixel 9, enhancing smart home capabilities.
Wear OS Updates: Anticipated improvements to the watch face format, aligning Wear OS closer to recent Android versions.
Smart TV and Chromecast: Updates expected for Google TV and Android TV OS platforms, with a new 4K Chromecast potentially featuring Gemini technology for improved performance.
Register: https://io.google/2024/