In 2023, we hit the ground running, optimizing our platform to deliver the best performance metrics for SEO,
Core Web Vitals, and streamlined CMS functionality.
To ensure RebelMouse’s CMS remains the best publishing platform on the market, we’ve compiled a list of the latest updates to keep your content optimized and make it even easier to build your online presence.
Q1 2023 Platform Updates and Optimizations
Below is a categorized list of upgrades we’ve added to increase performance and allow users to customize their sites through an easy-to-use and adaptable interface.
SEO and Web Management Improvements
The following is a list of our 2023 SEO and web management improvements:
Display When a URL Changes in Entry Editor
Entry Editor is our content creation and publishing hub for users to create articles, add images, embed media, manage content, and more. For URL changes, we initiated the practice of displaying when a URL has been modified. This is good for troubleshooting and monitoring which URL optimizations offer better search performance.
Disable OpenAI Headline in Entry Editor Based on User Permissions
To prevent 403 errors, we've implemented a feature to disable OpenAI headlines when a user lacks the necessary permissions to use it.
Load Default Entry Editor When an Entry Editor A/B Test Is Removed
To avoid errors when removing an A/B test in Entry Editor, we've ensured that it loads the default Entry Editor instead.
Stable Diffusion in Entry Editor
We’ve added Stable Diffusion as a new search engine in Entry Editor as another source for images. Contact your account manager or
support@rebelmouse.com to enable this feature for your account.
API Tag Identification
We’ve added a new endpoint to check if specific tags are associated with posts, aiding tag identification and suggested tag classification.
Pinging XML Sitemaps
In line with Google's
best sitemap building practices, and to expedite Google's content indexing processes, we’ve introduced a feature that sends a notification to Google whenever there is a modification to your sitemaps, including regular sitemaps, videos, and news.
We've implemented a feature that pings Google whenever an article is updated or published. This aligns with Google's best practices, expediting the indexing process for faster page recognition.
Sitemaps to Support Multiple Paths in the Post.page_list Field
We’ve updated posts to have multiple page_list, and now we’ve made the page_list existing on posts to be available in your sitemaps.
Implemented Meta Description Rules for Public Pages
To improve SEO, we’ve updated the following meta description rules below:
Home Page: If there is a site description added to your account page (/core/dashboard/sites#account), we will utilize that. If there is no description added, we won’t display a meta description.
Section Page: If there is a section description in the "Description" field of a section in the Sections Dashboard (/dashboard/sections), we will utilize that. If there is no description added, we won’t display a meta description.
Author Page: If there is an author bio added to an author’s page or in your Users Dashboard (/dashboard/users), we will utilize that. If there is no author bio added, we won’t display a meta description.
Tag Page: The meta description should be removed from the tag page. Previously, we were erroneously outputting the same meta description (site title) on all tag pages, resulting in duplicate meta descriptions.
AI-Powered Improvements
The following is a list of our 2023 AI-powered improvements:
Improved Payload Delivered in Webhooks
We’ve incorporated additional fields into the payload sent via webhooks, with the aim of bolstering support across our AI-related endeavors.
OpenAI Recommendations in Entry Editor
We've integrated
OpenAI to provide editors with alternative headline, tag, and summary suggestions to consider.
Alternative Headline Recommendations
We’ve added a new button that enables you to show five alternative headline suggestions using AI.
Tag Recommendations in the Channels Tab
Originally, AI-suggested tags required a user to click a button to trigger them. By adding them to the Channels tab, we've eliminated the need for the manual trigger.
User Function Improvements
The following is a list of our 2023 user function improvements:
Disabled the "Delete User Role" Button During a Role Removal
Previously, when a user tried to delete a role, it still appeared as though the deletion process wasn't complete. If the user attempted to delete the role again, they would encounter an error since only one deletion operation per site can run at a time. Now, we store the state in local storage to keep the delete button disabled while an operation is still in progress.
Disabled the “Delete Section” Button While a Section Is Being Removed
Previously, when a user attempted to delete a section, it would still be visible until the deletion process was complete. If the user tried to delete it again, they received an “SectionsRemovalLockedException([])” error since only one deletion operation is allowed at a time. Now, we store the state in local storage to keep the delete button disabled while an operation is still in progress.
Clicking “Quick Add” in the Popular Keywords Dashboard Opens a New Tab
The “Quick Add” button in the Popular Keywords Dashboard used to redirect users to the SmartLinks Dashboard, taking them away from Popular Keywords. Now, it opens up in a new tab, so you can stay on the Popular Keywords Dashboard.
SmartLinks improvement: Limit Insertion to Once per Post
A SmartLink in a post should only link to the first mention of a phrase, not any subsequent ones.
Exposed Posts Tied to Smart Links
We enhanced our SmartLinks feature by displaying the number of posts that are using a specific phrase for smart linking. You can now click on a SmartLink phrase to see a list of all of the posts that are tied together.
Made Popular Keywords Available as SmartLink Suggestions
To assist users with creating SmartLinks, we now display top-performing phrases based on popular Google Search results that you are currently ranking for. We obtain this data from Google Search Analytics.
Eliminated the X (Twitter) API call in Entry Editor and Removed the Discovery Link
From the Posts Dashboard
To reduce costs due to increased X (Twitter) API fees, we've made several changes:
1. Removed @mentions search when social scheduling tweets.
2. Stopped liking tweets included in the post body/listicle.
3. Eliminated the Discovery Twitter tab.
4. Removed the Discovery link in the Posts Dashboard.
Layout & Design Tool Improvements
The following is a list of our 2023 Layout & Design Tool upgrades:
Implemented a New Design for the Shortcodes Dashboard
We have a new design for shortcodes. We decided to change the experience because we have a new field for AMP code and the table needed to be modified to accommodate it better.
Adjusted the Warning Error in a Custom HTML Element
When "" is missing in an element, we used to only make the “=” red, which was easily missed by editors as a warning error. We’ve improved the warning system as follows:
We’ve exposed robots.txt in Layout & Design Tool with validators that will prevent a user from saving it in the wrong format.
Functionality Improvements
The following is a list of our 2023 CMS functionality improvements:
Added Progress Reporting to Async Tasks
We used to have long-running tasks like posts and users indexing. However, we lacked a way to track their progress which could lead to issues. To fix this, we’ve added a progress tracking system for custom search indexing.
Kubernetes Deployment for the RebelMouse Application
We've set up a Kubernetes deployment process for our web frontend application to help transition our sites to Kubernetes. With Kubernetes Deployments, we can efficiently manage pod instances, easily scale replicas, control code updates, and perform smooth rollbacks when needed.
Google introduced a new “name” parameter for ”website type,” and we have included this as a default setting for all sites.
Support for the Creation of Server-Side First-Party Cookies
After a user logs in through a third-party service, we'll use their API to check their login status. If they are logged in, we'll create a first-party cookie if it doesn't already exist. During subsequent visits, the third-party login will check for the presence of this first-party cookie, and if it exists, the user will be automatically logged in. You can configure the cookie's name and expiration, as well as override settings as needed.
Prevent Image Optimization Feature
We added the option to skip image optimization in Entry Editor. Use the “Save origin image” checkbox after heeding the warning about how the setting can affect page performance. This will be applied to both the main post image and the teaser image.
Able to Close Notifications In Dashboard
We added the option to close our notifications bar in all dashboards.
Integration With Simplestream
You can now utilize Simplestream’s search API to list videos in Entry Editor, Simplestream’s video API to scrape videos in Entry Editor, and Simplestream’s embed code to create shortcodes. Talk to your account manager or contact support@rebelmouse.com to learn more.
Our platform is a complete digital publishing toolbox that's built for modern-day content creators, and includes game-changing features such as our:
Why RebelMouse?
Unprecedented Scale
RebelMouse sites reach more than 120M people a month, with an always-modern solution that combines cutting-edge technology with decades of media savvy. And due to our massive scale, 1 in 3 Americans have visited a website powered by RebelMouse.
120M+ Users
550M+ Pageviews
17+ Avg. Minutes per User
6+ Avg. Pages per User
Today's Top Websites Use RebelMouse
Thanks to the tremendous scale of our network, we are able to analyze a wealth of traffic data that informs our strategies and allows us to be a true strategic partner instead of just a vendor.
What Clients Say
We’re here to help you weigh and understand every tech and strategic decision that affects
your digital presence. Spend less time managing everything yourself, and more time focused on
creating the quality content your users deserve.
From start to finish,
RebelMouse blasted away our expectations!
Kelley Beaucar Vlahos
Editorial Director
Responsible Statecraft
RebelMouse
brings the strengths of a large publisher (large datasets, expertise, lessons learned from trial and error, close
relationships with search and ad platforms) to smaller publishers. During the build and launch, the team went above
and beyond to ensure we were happy with the new site, and
they flawlessly migrated over 20,000 articles. I can't recommend them highly enough.
Ryan Koo
CEO
No Film School
I love the control panel. Awesome work. I have to say, what an amazing creative team RebelMouse is. I am so grateful!
Terrence O'Hanlon
Founder and Chairman
Reliabilityweb
It’s like we’ve been riding horses to commute all our lives and someone just showed us a Tesla.
Brendan Farley
Vice President, Product Management
Strada Education Network
Thanks to RebelMouse, United doesn’t have to sacrifice great content for speed. You can have both!
Ryan Bujeker
Director, Social Media Strategy & Digital Engagement
United Airlines
We're in a much better position to make it through the current crisis in part due to RebelMouse and their platform.
We've not only saved on overhead costs, we've more easily optimized our traffic with their smart measuring and SEO
tools, as well as their social integrations.
Jill Braff
President/Chief Operating Officer
Brit + Co
THANK YOU for all the good, fast work you put into making our public rollout such a big success. I know we threw a lot
at you very quickly, but you were calm under pressure and pulled it all off perfectly. Very glad to be working with
you all.
Tim Grieve
Executive Editor
Protocol
So inspired and impressed by these results from RebelMouse. Check them out and ask Andrea Breanna how they got there!
Just goes to show that spending millions doesn't necessarily get you to the right destination. It's spending no more
than you need on the right technology with the right platform that does! 🌐💙🏎️
Andrey Lipattsev
Partner Development Manager
Google
It is not often I jump out of my chair and scream in a positive way, but I just did! This is the happiest I have seen
my Managing Editor in 2021! Thank you.
Nick Smith
CEO
Investing News Network
Working with RebelMouse is an actual treat. From the CEO down, every single member of the team has partnered with us
to meet our needs. Everyone willingly (and with endless patience!) shares their expertise and insights to ensure we
optimize search and create a great audience experience. As we have implemented the various search tactics, positive
results are almost instantaneous. Training our content creators has been simple. The system is incredibly user
friendly. As a co-worker commented, "RebelMouse doesn't just sell you something, they partner with you to deliver
exactly what you want." I couldn't agree more!
Emma Schofield
Director of Change Management
Investing News Network
We continue to be huge fans of RebelMouse and envision a very long-term relationship with the platform. The service
has been impeccable.
Douglas Fischer
Executive Director
Environmental Health News
I am a HUGE RebelMouse fan, and basically tell everyone I meet who's looking to overhaul their website to get in touch
right away.
Susan Hassler
Editor Emeritus
IEEE Spectrum
Every member of the RebelMouse team, but especially our project team, are superstars! Our site launch on the platform
met all our expectations and we love the technology. We are positive about the future of our site and look forward to
improving our approaches and processes with RebelMouse's guidance!
Terrence O'Hanlon
Founder and Chairman
Reliabilityweb
RebelMouse's Layout & Design Tool is one of the most comprehensive and flexible tools I have ever used of any CMS.
Their product team is also extremely helpful and constantly supports to make sure your properties are up to date and
use the best industry standards, especially in terms of page speed.
Chuck Lapointe
CEO
Narcity Media
The best thing about RebelMouse is how much they care about their customers. When working with them, I always get a
sense that they go above and beyond for their customers. When working with the RebelMouse team, I very much consider
them to be a partner, rather than just a vendor. Upon migrating to their technology, we have seen tremendous
improvements in many key areas, particularly technical SEO. They have out-of-the-box functionality that is
tremendously helpful to customers. At the same time, their system is flexible enough to allow us to adapt it to any
new business needs that we have.
David Nguyen
Senior Director of Digital Marketing
Investing News Network
RebelMouse has shepherded us through the modernization phase, and has been keen, practical, and nimble throughout the
entire journey. They have helped modernize our website through an infinite scroll setup that allows us more
advertising real estate while creating more time on site to capture reader engagement. Plus, the RebelMouse team has
helped educate our own team on the various aspects of programmatic advertising and worked to best implement them.
Premier Guitar joining forces with RebelMouse in 2020 was one of the best choices we could have made!
Luke Viertel
Digital Strategist
Premier Guitar
RebelMouse has stepped up our content management process by providing a user-friendly interface, robust customization
options, and seamless collaboration tools. The platform's analytics and reporting capabilities have empowered us to
make data-driven decisions, while their exceptional customer support ensures any issues are promptly addressed in a
professional, respectful, and friendly way!
RebelMouse employs a unique, diverse, and decentralized team that consists of 70+ digital traffic experts across more than 25 different countries. We have no central office, and we cover every time zone to ensure that we’re able to deliver amazing results and enterprise-grade support around the clock.
Our team is well-versed in all things product, content, traffic, and revenue, and we strategically deploy ourselves to help with each element across all of our clients. We thrive on solving the complex.
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