Google Search News (May ‘20) - COVID-19 Search Updates, Web Vitals, and more

TL;DR

Google Search adapts to COVID-19 with new features and updates.

Transcript

[MUSIC PLAYING] JOHN MUELLER: Hi, everyone, and welcome back to the "Google Search News" series. I hope life is treating you reasonably well, wherever you are. I'm your host today, John Mueller, here from home in Switzerland. With this show, we want to give you a regular summary of what's been happening around Google Search specifically for webmast... Read More

Key Insights

• Google Search has introduced new features to accommodate changes brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, including support for virtual and postponed events through structured data.
• Core Web Vitals have been launched to provide foundational metrics for improving web page load speed and user experience, focusing on Largest Contentful Paint, First Input Delay, and Cumulative Layout Shift.
• Mobile-first indexing continues to expand, with 70% of search results now using this method, and full implementation anticipated by September 2020, though this may be subject to change due to the pandemic.
• Google Search Console has been updated with new features, including a revamped removals report and enhanced export capabilities, to aid webmasters in managing their sites more effectively.
• The Webmaster Conference series has been paused, but highlights from sessions are available online in the Lightning Talks playlist, providing valuable insights for webmasters and SEOs.
• Google has created a special technical support group for health organizations to make their information more accessible during the pandemic, reflecting the company's commitment to public health.
• New documentation pages have been added, covering topics such as licensable images and the interaction between JavaScript and structured data, to support developers in optimizing their sites.
• Google emphasizes the importance of staying informed through its blog, Twitter, and YouTube channel, offering various resources to help users navigate the evolving search landscape.

Questions & Answers

Q: What changes has Google Search implemented due to COVID-19?

Google Search has introduced several changes due to COVID-19, including support for virtual and postponed events using structured data, and a special Search Console tool for government and health websites to display COVID-19 announcements. These updates aim to help webmasters manage closures and server loads more effectively.

Q: What are Core Web Vitals?

Core Web Vitals are a set of metrics launched by Google to help developers improve web page load speed and user experience. They focus on three key areas: Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) for load speed, First Input Delay (FID) for responsiveness, and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) for visual stability. These metrics will be integrated into various development tools.

Q: How is mobile-first indexing progressing?

Mobile-first indexing is advancing, with approximately 70% of search results now using this method. Google plans to switch all sites to mobile-first indexing by September 2020, although this timeline may be adjusted due to the pandemic. The company has updated its documentation to help webmasters prepare for this transition.

Q: What new features are available in Google Search Console?

Google Search Console has been updated with several new features, including a revamped removals report, a new review snippets report, and improved export capabilities. These updates are designed to help webmasters manage their sites more effectively and stay informed about changes in search performance.

Q: What is the Webmaster Conference Lightning Talks series?

The Webmaster Conference Lightning Talks series is an online video series featuring highlights from individual sessions of the paused Webmaster Conference. These talks provide valuable insights and updates for webmasters and SEOs, covering various topics related to Google Search and site optimization.

Q: How is Google supporting health organizations during the pandemic?

Google has established a special technical support group for health organizations to help them make their information more accessible during the pandemic. This initiative reflects Google's commitment to public health and aims to ensure that critical information reaches users quickly and efficiently.

Q: What new documentation has Google released?

Google has released new documentation covering topics such as licensable images and the interaction between JavaScript and structured data. These resources are designed to help developers optimize their sites and stay informed about the latest updates and best practices in web development.

Q: How can users stay informed about Google Search updates?

Users can stay informed about Google Search updates by subscribing to the Google Search Central YouTube channel, following the Google Search blog, and engaging with Google's Twitter account. These platforms provide timely updates, resources, and insights to help users navigate the evolving search landscape.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• In response to COVID-19, Google Search has implemented several changes to support webmasters and SEOs. These include new structured data properties for virtual events and a special support group for health organizations. The company is committed to providing timely updates and resources through various channels.

• Core Web Vitals, a new set of metrics introduced by Google, aims to enhance web page performance by focusing on load speed and user interaction. These metrics will be integrated into tools like Lighthouse and Chrome DevTools, helping developers improve online experiences.

• Mobile-first indexing is progressing, with a significant portion of search results now indexed using this method. Google continues to update its documentation and Search Console features to assist webmasters in adapting to these changes, ensuring sites are optimized for mobile users.