🔍 Links are important, but...

Plus, Google Performance Max search themes, new Google Maps search results, search result serving issue, Microsoft pubCenter and more. [View in browser]() | [Share]() Oct 27, 2023 [Search Engine Land]() Good morning, Search Marketer, not as much as they used to be. That’s what Google has said. For a long time, in fact. In 2014, Google’s Matt Cutts said that links would become less important for ranking. You can dig deeper in my article, [Links are not a top 3 Google Search ranking factor, says Gary Illyes](). So how essential are links today? In [Reassessing the role of links in SEO: What data tells us](), Search Engine Land contributor Jason Tabeling “analyzed 100 random keywords spanning various categories, collecting data on the top 100 ranking websites, including referring domains and backlinks. This comprehensive dataset consisted of over 10,000 rows of URL ranking data.” As always, correlation is not causation. If you’re ready to rethink ranking, join us at [SMX Next]() Nov. 14-15. You’ll want to attend Mike Grehan’s session neural information retrieval, and how RankBrain, BERT and MUM have changed the SEO game. [Register for SMX Next, for free, here](). Danny Goodwin,Managing Editor, Search Engine Land & SMX [Adobe-SEL-300x250-1]() SEO [Reassessing the role of links in SEO: What data tells us]() [Reassessing-the-role-of-links-in-SEO-What-the-data-tells-us] Is your SEO strategy too focused on backlinks? Here's what the data reveals about the relationship between links and search rankings today. SEO [Google adds search themes to Performance Max]() [google-performance-max] Search themes are a new, optional signal that let you add information about customers or your business in Performance Max. SEO [Google Maps new search results makes photos significantly more important]() [woman-photographer-street-google-logo] This is a new "photo-first" search result layout where business owners need to pay more attention to the photos that show up for their business listings. Analytics & conversion [Unlocking business success with the power of data management]() [MarTech-Podcast-Cover] Dun & Bradstreet's SVP, commercial operations, explains why simplification is vital to attaining winning business outcomes. MarTech special reports [It's time to connect the dots of the customer journey]() [CJOMIR_cover-1920x1080-1] Discover how to increase loyalty, revenue, and agility with a customer journey orchestration solution. SEO [Google fixes issue with serving Search results]() [google-server-fire-1920] Google said you may see an error page when doing a search. Platforms [Microsoft relaunches pubCenter, its Google AdSense alternative]() [Marketers-confused] The all new pubCenter pilot program, which is actually a 15-year-old Microsoft product, is now open but only to U.S. businesses. [Optimizely-Opticon23_Opticon_Online_Display_300x250]() PPC [How to improve PPC campaign performance: A checklist]() [How-to-improve-PPC-campaign-performance-A-checklist] Make 2024 your best year in PPC advertising. Use these 13 PPC features and elements to optimize your campaigns for peak performance. SEO [Ahrefs again calls out Semrush for ‘unethical practices’]() [delete] Ahrefs seems to believe an article endorsing Semrush over Ahrefs on the Backlinko website may violate FTC's endorsement guidelines. MarTech webinar [Revive dead content with AI and digital asset management]() [live-webinar-woman-laptop-red-text] Are your assets feeling a bit lifeless lately? Join us for this live webinar on October 31st to learn how to breathe new life into your content with AI and digital asset management. Content [How to use DIY content to boost your visibility and leads]() [How-to-use-DIY-content-to-boost-your-visibility-and-leads] Sharing expert knowledge through do-it-yourself tutorials can establish trust, engage your audience, and grow your business. Here’s how. PPC [Meta ad revenue fuels blowout Q3, $11.6 billion in profits]() [Shutterstock_2066815178-1] Higher ad revenue and laying off thousands of employees helped Meta's third-quarter revenue increase 23% year on year. Free training for search marketers [Actionable SEO and PPC tactics are a click away]() [Do-your-SEO-and-PPC-teams-need-upskilling-or-reskilling] More than 70 sessions, keynotes, Q&As, meetups, demos, and more tackling cutting-edge topics from generative AI to GA4, PMax to SGE… it’s all yours for free, online November 14-15. See what’s in store and grab your free pass today! 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