# January 2024 SEO Update

- Link: https://www.boostability.com/digital-marketing/january-2024-seo-update/
- Published: 2024-02-08T00:00:42-07:00
- Author: boodev2026

Welcome to the first SEO update of 2024! As we enter the new year, the ever-evolving
landscape of SEO presents exciting challenges and opportunities. In this update,
we will explore the latest developments in SEO. From algorithm updates to emerging
trends, join us on this journey to navigate the evolving SEO landscape in 2024.

## Google Starts Phasing Out Third-Party Cookies

Google has officially started to phase out third-party cookies. A new feature called
Tracking Protection, which restricts third-party cookies by default, began rolling
out to 1% of Chrome users globally on January 4, 2024.

The best way to know if you’ve been exposed to this is you will receive a notification
when you open Chrome letting you know you’ve been affected.

If your marketing heavily depends on targeted advertising with third-party cookies,
it’s time to reconsider your tactics. Begin preparing your websites now before Google
completely retires third-party cookies in the latter half of 2024.

## Google is Closing Websites Made with Google Business Profile

Google has made it known that websites made with Google Business Profiles will be
turned off in March. Customers attempting to visit your website will be automatically
redirected to your Business Profile until June 10. Beyond this date, visitors will
encounter a “page not found” error.

Businesses wanting to maintain their own website must create a new site using alternative
tools then update their Business Profile with the new site address before the deadline
to ensure a smooth transition. If you’re in this position and are looking for an
alternative website builder, consider the following:

 * Wix
 * Sqarespace
 * GoDaddy
 * Shopify
 * WordPress

## Google Tests New Local Search Feature: Nearby Events and Deals

Google is testing a new local search box called Nearby Events and Deals. The new
SERP feature, which is only visible for local searches on mobile devices, displays
Google Business Profile (GBP) posts promoting deals and events from nearby businesses.

The new feature displays four tiles that display the company name, a promotional
photo, and a review rating.

![google-nearby-events-and-deals](https://www.boostability.com/wp-content/uploads/
2024/01/google-nearby-events-and-deals.png)

If you click on one of the tiles, Google will take you to a full-screen view of 
the offer that includes more detail. There, you’ll find the name of the business,
where it is located on a map, an image of the promotion, and some text. However,
the feature has not yet been spotted on Google Maps.

## What’s the Future of SGE?

The use of Google’s SGE has been a topic of conversation the past few months. Near
the end of January, more talk accumulated about SGE and whether or not it’s going
to stay or happen. The buzz started when Elizabeth Reid, Google VP, Search, wrote
in a [blog post](https://blog.google/products/search/google-search-ai-january-2024-update/):

_“This week’s launch of AI-powered insights for multisearch is the result of testing
we began last year to see how gen AI can make Search radically more helpful, with
SGE in Search Labs. We’ve gotten lots of useful feedback from people who’ve chosen
to join this experiment, and we’ll continue to offer SGE in Labs as a testbed for
bold new ideas.”_

People are speculating based off this paragraph that SGE wont launch and that it
will never be more than just an “experiment” in Labs.

However, Google is known to not announce things one way or another. With this in
mind, nothing has officially been announced that SGE may not launch. It is up to
waiting and seeing what will happen with SGE.