Search Engine Roundtable Podcast

This week, Google announced yet another spam update, the fourth of the year, the September 2026 Google spam update. Prior to that, we reported on more Google Search ranking volatility. Google Search Console released multimodal search filters in the performance reports. Google’s page experience document added CrUX ad metrics, but it’s not a ranking factor. Google will be forced by UK’s CMA to make...

Today we covered the new multimodal filter within the Google Search Console performance report. Google may be pushing out another unconfirmed Google Search ranking update. Google Ads is showing some advertisers not just a recommendation with the ability to make a change on that recommendation based on forecasts. Google is testing a redesigned Local Service Ads format. 0:00 - Introduction 1:20 - Go...

Today we covered Google adding the CrUX ad metrics to page experience help documentation. A report says there are more links in AI Overviews.  UK’s CMA wants Google to make it easier to pick a competing search engine in Android and Chrome.  Google Merchant Center is opting retailers into native checkout, UCP.  Google AI Max reporting is updated and AI Briefs expanded to more countries. Google Busi...

Today we covered how AI Overview links are now pushing you to AI Mode and not websites. Google is testing a Dive deeper feature in Discover that pushes you away from publishers. Google may be more successfully blocking scrapers and tracking tools. Google sponsored results tests adding advertiser names and favicons to sitelinks.  Google Merchant Center updated its requirements for store ratings.  G...

This week we covered the first week or so of Google’s unusual ranking volatility only to see things spike up in a big way this week as well - something is up. Google’s remedies are out for its ad tech monopoly ruling.  Google has an AI contribution pilot for paying publishers for using its content in Gemini, AI Mode and AI Overviews.  Google Search Live is powered by the new Gemini 3.8 Live.  Goog...

Today we covered the Google ad tech monopoly remedies after being told it won’t be broken up. Google Search profiles get a new article design, fewer followers are required, easier login management and new badges.  OpenAI is testing new ChatGPT ads named Sponsored Agents. 0:00 - Introduction 0:28 - Google ad tech monopoly remedies 4:05 - Google Search Profiles get updates 6:13 - OpenAI Testing Spon...

Today we covered Google Ads updated its benchmark report to compare you to your competitors. Google Ad has a new multi-source conversion document. Google Chrome user experience report has added new ad metrics. Gemini 3.8 Live now powers Google Search Live.  Google Search Console’s position reporting will evolve over time. 0:00 - Introduction 1:11 - Google Ads Spend Benchmarks Report Compares Your...

Today we covered the heated Google ranking volatility we saw this morning, it might be big. Google is testing text link ads in AI Mode.  Google Ads August 17th bidding update finished on August 27th. We have data from Mike Ryan on the August 17th bidding update. Microsoft Advertising publishes its AI content transparency rules. Google’s EU ecosystem carousel is now live. 0:00 - Introduction 0:55 -...

Today we covered how Google’s AI contribution report in Search Console is actually Google paying publishers for using its content in AI Overviews, AI Mode and Gemini.  Google Search had an unconfirmed update around September 4th that reversed on September 13th. Google page indexing report in Search Console is missing a chunk of data. Google Ads has Product value optimization beta. There are new da...

This week we covered how Google said it launched its biggest reduction in search quality in Europe over the DMA laws. Google also posted a document on the regional differences with the Google Search experiences. Google confirmed there was a temporary indexing reporting bug in Search Console. Google can lose faith in your website when you use programmatic SEO. Google said there is no absolute right...

Today we covered a new survey on the most important ranking factors for Google Search. Google has new advertising measurement updates.  ChatGPT Ads seems to be disallowing AI service on its platform. Google may be scamming advertisers into spending more through ad credits.  Google Maps contributor scams are coming up via photos posted with fraud phone numbers. 0:00 - Introduction 1:14 - Google ran...

Today we covered how Google posted a new help document on the regional differences in Google Search.  The people also ask feature is now almost 100% answered by Google AI Overviews.  Google’s John Mueller said there is no absolute right answer for SEO. Google had an index reporting bug yesterday. Google Ads rolls out local customer optimization and store sales in Data Manager. osoft Advertising re...

Today we covered how Google said the EU DMA changes resulted in its largest quality reduction in Google Search ever.  Google AI Overviews is testing thinner citation cards. Google AI Mode is testing paginated results with a skip button. Google Ads is rolling out the AI dashboard.  Google Ads is testing the quantity sold of an item as an ad extension.  0:00 - Introduction 0:35 - Google: Largest sea...

Today we covered Google has confirmed it has recently begun running a "small experiment" where it is serving regular pure Search campaigns with restrictive match types in AI Mode. Google Shopping Ads data shows it might have a reverse crocodile effect with AI Overviews. Google may have a bug with its job search feature because it is barely showing any new jobs within its search results....

This week, we covered how Google for the second time dodged being broken up, this time over its ad tech monopoly. Google AI Overviews are expanding by default, making them more like AI Mode. Gemini 3.8 Flash is now powering AI Mode but it seems it is not linking or citing much at all. Content is disappearing from the Google News tab for some reason. Google said it does not penalize for old crusty...

Today we covered that a judge ruled Google won’t be broken up over its ad tech monopoly ruling. Google AI Mode now uses Gemini 3.8 Flash but it doesn’t seem too link or citation friendly. Content seems to be disappearing from the Google News tab. 0:00 - Introduction 1:28 - Google won’t be broken up over ad tech 5:33 - Google AI Mode with Gemini 3.8 Flash and it is not link friendly 8:06 - Content...

Today we covered the current Google Analytics data bug that is freaking everyone out.  Google’s John Mueller said the disavow link tool does have an effect. Google AdSense will change its impression measurements to Begin-to-Render. Google Local Service Ads bug is being worked on.  Google Ads new pre-fill asset groups with generated assets. Bing is testing removing the site name from snippets. 0:00...

Today we covered the global rollout of the Google Search Console generative AI reports.  Google said crusty old links that now go to shady sites won’t hurt you.  Google added more human verification methods to Google Search. Google Ads is testing AI-generated what customers love from store rating reviews. 0:00 - Introduction 0:41 - Google Generative Search AI report globally available 2:36 - Googl...

Today we covered how Google said its search team is still at it with fighting spam, does the data show that.  Google AI Overviews are now more like AI Mode results, which is not a great thing for us.  Google’s site reputation abuse policy won’t be enforced in several European regions.  Microsoft Advertising is previewing a new design. Google changes coming to Display & Video 360 API. 0:00 - In...

Another week, more volatility within the Google Search results. Google is also swapping out direct links to go-to URL redirect links in its search results to protect from abuse. Google seems to be showing fewer PDFs within Google Search but why. Google fixed the favicon bug and the crawl stats missing data. Google released updated help docs on the favicon to list out the supported formats includin...

Today we covered more Google search ranking volatility. Google seems to not be showing PDFs as often in the search results. Google added goto parameter redirects to the search result listings. Google AI Mode is rolling out link carousels.  Bing may be renaming Copilot Search answers to AI Overviews.  Google Ads has a new channel setting prioritization slider.  0:00 - Introduction 0:55 - Google add...

Google has released its third spam update of the 2026 year, the August 2026 spam update this week and finished rolling out Friday morning at 4:50am. Google Search’s AI Mode is now being powered sometimes by the new Gemini 3.7 Flash. Google’s John Mueller says it does not roll out updates prior to the announcement. He also explained why Google announces some search updates and not others. The Googl...

Today we covered  Microsoft Advertising is rolling out AI Max globally. Google Ads is testing enhanced matching in customer match settings. John Mueller of Google explaining which Google updates they decide to announce and not announce. Favicons seem to be disappearing from Google Search. 0:00 - Introduction 1:42 - Microsoft Advertising is rolling out AI Max to all 3:56 - Google Ads Enhanced Match...

Today we covered that Google unleashed the August 2026 spam update and no, the volatility we saw prior was not this spam update. Google updates Branded searches conversion measurements. OpenAI is expanding ChatGPT Ads to 31 European regions.  0:00 - Introduction 1:26 - Google August 2026 spam update 2:26 - Google does not wait to announce updates 4:42 - Google updates Branded searches conversion m...

Today we covered a new bug with the Google Search Console Performance reports Generative AI feature data logging. Google paused the AI-generated images from showing up in AI Overviews. Google Ads will use generative-AI to resize your video ads for Performance Max campaigns.  0:00 - Introduction 1:13 - Google Performance Report Data Bug 2:17 - Google pauses AI-generated images test in AI Overviews...