Hamsterdam Part 21: SEO News Recap from 8/27 to 9/3, 2023
By Ethan Lazuk
Last updated:
A weekly look-back at SEO news, tips, and other content shared on social media & beyond.
Quote source:Ā Google Search Liaison
Opening notes:
*Feel free to jump down to the recap, or keep reading for an introduction and summary of the week’s news!
Introduction to week 21: Tooms
Happy Labor Day Weekend! Since this is the 21st edition of Hamsterdam (formerly The X Files), the introduction will be tied to episode 21 of the X-Files series, which was in season 1.
In the 21st X-Files episode, called Tooms, Mulder keeps tabs on a mutant serial killer named Eugene Tooms after he is released from prison. Tooms eventually breaks into Mulderās apartment, injures himself, and frames Mulder for the assault. Later, Mulder finds Tooms trying to enter a hibernation state, when Tooms emerges and pursues Mulder, who then traps Tooms in an escalator, never to be seen again.
Ok, so thatās admittedly a tough plot to turn into an SEO analogy lol. However, there were larger factors at play as well.
In the Tooms episode, Scully is called before FBI Assistant Director Walter Skinner and The Smoking Man. Skinner criticizes Mulder and Scullyās X-Files investigations for being unconventional and wants them to start doing work by the book. Later, after Scully turns in her report on the Tooms events, she finds Mulder, who predicts a change is coming to the X-Files.
In a way, the Tooms storyline is a bit like the ongoing August 2023 Core Update, where itās certainly a focal event that can have big implications for site traffic. That said, itās one of several core updates likely to happen this year, combined with thousands of other search ranking system updates Google will push. In the meantime, we saw the return of links to Googleās Search Generative Experience (SGE), along with the introduction of SGE to new countries. Generative AI in search is the change that is coming (and in many ways is already here).
A good example of this was a poll in a tweet below asking which ecommerce page types an SEO should optimize first. Many answered category pages and gave solid explanations for why. Then it was pointed out how the usefulness of category pages may change in light of SGE, and whether thatāll shift the focus toward product pages (PDPs). This is just one example of how SEO strategies could evolve in the generative AI era.
Buckle up for a full weekās recap.
Summary of the weekās SEO news and content
- The big news last week was Googleās August 2023 Core Update, which is still ongoing (lasting about two weeks total), so this week it felt like there was less news (aside from links returning to SGE (!) and a cool āMentioned inā SERP test).
- Instead, we saw a lot of tips around audits (both for technical issues and content), as well as cool information around generative AI and entities.
But donāt just take my word for it! All of this info and more is contained below in the weekly recap.
Notes:
- If the article times out on mobile, my apologies. Please try viewing on a desktop or WiFi.
- Iāve cut back on the amount of info I include; if youād like to see more, scrolling through my likes on X or following the people in this recap is probably the best place to start. š
Missed last weekās recap? Donāt worry, I got you!Ā Read Part 20Ā to catch up.
Okay, time for (home)work.
Jump to a section of this weekās recap
- Top posts
- News, Google updates, & SERP tests
- SEO tips & tidbits
- Fundamentals & resources
- Articles, videos & case studies
- Local SEO
- Technical SEO
- Content marketing
- SEO tools, AI & reporting
- Humor section
- Miscellaneous & general posts
Enjoy the recap below! And please support content you find valuable with a like or follow. š
Top posts
These are key news items, tips, or other content I felt were relevant to highlight for the week, particularly if you just want a quick glance.
SEO news, Google updates, & SERP tests
These are newsworthy events in the SEO world from the last week or SERP tests to be aware of.
SEO tips & tidbits
This section has actionable tips, cool tidbits, or other findings and observations that can be teaching moments.
SEO fundamentals & resources
If youāre new to SEO, this section includes essential information, concepts, or resources to learn more about.
Articles, videos, case studies & more
These are longer-form content shared on social.
Local SEO
If youāre into local Search, this section is for you!
Technical SEO
Yep, it still matters. š
Content marketing
Whatād SEO be without content?
Tools, AI & reporting
Hereās a recap of updates to tools, and new tools, along with tips for reporting on data.
Great job making it to the end. You rock!
Show your support for creators: If you liked any of the content shared above, please support that person by liking their post or following them. š
Hungry for more? Check out the past weeks of Hamsterdam.
Or sign up for the newsletter! (Until I get the form back up and running, feel free to shoot me an email to get added to the list.)
Want to work together on your brandās SEO?
Iām currently taking clients for SEO and content audits and strategy consulting, and soon training. You can learn more about me on my about page.
Get in touch: hit me up on social at @EthanLazuk, by text or call at 813-557-9745, or via email at ethan.lazuk@gmail.com.
Cheers!
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