Search Engine Roundtable Podcast

Today we covered Google testing the AI Mode sidebar on the Google search results page. Google’s latest Gemini model, Argon 4, is in AI Mode. Bing Webmaster Tools AI reports has a new topics portfolio report. Google Ads API twice-monthly releases. ChatGPT Ads new conversion menu and ad managers, but removing UTM links. 0:00 - Introduction 1:00 - Google AI Mode sidebar on Google Search results page...

Today we covered a job posting that hints Google Discover will “transform” into a personal concierge. Google site migrations going wrong. Google performance report custom date range picker broken.  Google may show drug ads in AI Mode and AI Overviews. Google Ads is testing automated bidding for Video Reach campaigns.  And Nick Wilsdon has sadly passed away.  0:00 - Introduction 1:07 - Google Disco...

Today we covered how it seems third-party tracking tools are struggling with scraping Google search results.  Google announced its UGC fresh data program. Google Search will always show an answer with AI Overviews.  Google Ads is testing using AI for goal and asset creation.  Google will show poor quality images products in search and sponsored results. Google Ads is introducing a new “Overlay on...

This was a super busy week, so there is a lot more content in this recap compared to most. We start off with the Google September 2026 spam update completing, it had its third and final phase earlier in the week. Google may be issuing more manual action search penalties. Google says you should factcheck AI content before publishing. Google wrote about main content and how quality raters review it....

Today we covered the completion of the Google September spam update. We are also hearing that there are more Google manual action spam penalties.  Google Ads has opened Conversion Lift to Search and Performance Max. Google Ads adds new AI Max columns for deeper campaign analysis. Google Merchant Center may disapprove products that change more than once per day. WhatsApp buttons now on some Google...

Today we covered how Google preferred sources is sharing follower numbers. Google review rich results are flatlining for healthcare organizations. Google updated its crawl rate reduction with retry-after HTTP header information.  Google Merchant Center gets UCP integration hub. Apple is planning to drop programmatic data companies from iOS. And hitting 50,000 stories (or typos). 0:00 - Introductio...

Today we covered what we think is the final phase of the Google September spam update. Google warned not to use deceptive author information. Google Search Console added a multi-select country filter for the performance report. Google Search Console adds top level domain notice for generative AI controls. Google changes view-through conversion reporting for Demand Gen Display ads. OpenAI tests pro...

Today we covered Google updated its helpful content document to add EOT/SA, Google also spoke about that and spam at its conference. Google also updated its guidance on AI-generated content. Google spoke about timelines for crawling, indexing and serving. Google is going to soon release dark mode for Search Console. Google AI Overviews lawsuits were dismissed. ChatGPT Ads has a new ad format for A...

This week, we covered the first impact felt by the Google September 2026 spam update. And then on Wednesday and Thursday we had the second impact of this spam update. Remember the AI contribution report, well, a report says Google is paying about a 100 publishers and it comes out to about 0.1% of their ad revenue. Google is now returning AI Overviews for brand queries and also team rosters. Google...

Today we covered how AI Overviews are now showing up for brand queries, oh and also team rosters. Microsoft Advertising optimization experiments generally available.  OpenAI expands ChatGPT Ads with bulk product campaigns and deeper reporting. 0:00 - Introduction 2:17 - Google AI Overviews for brand names explodes 6:44 - Google AI Overviews triggering for team rosters 8:38 - Microsoft Advertising...

Today we covered how much Google is paying publishers in the AI contribution pilot. Google Maps is blocking reading all reviews unless you sign in. Google is testing sponsored products that look organic.  0:00 - Introduction 0:44 - Google pays publishers 0.1% of ad revenue 4:16 - Google Maps reviews require signing in  7:10 - Google tests sponsored products that look organic  11:10 - Conclusion A...

Today we covered how Nick Fox said he feels sad and terrible about the DMA mandate in the EU, he then goes off on other topics. Google appealed the DMA mandate today, by the way. Google AI Overviews are spotted at the bottom.  Google rolls out monitoring within AI Mode.  Florida wants Google to stop its casino ads. 0:00 - Introduction 3:04 - Google’s Nick Fox feels sad and terrible 7:00 - Google a...

Today we covered the early impact of the Google September 2026 spam update.  Google is testing replacing the show more button with a loading button for AI Overviews. Google Search Profiles dropped the follow button on desktop. Google is testing a new sitelinks design. Google celebrated its 28th birthday on Sunday. 0:00 - Introduction 0:51 - Early impact of the Google September 2026 spam update 2:0...

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...