Search Engine Roundtable Podcast

Today we discussed how the Google March 2025 core updates tail end is heating up.  Google expanded AI Overviews in more EU regions.  Google Ads new double serving test does impact CTR and impression reporting.  Google Ads is testing new call and support options.  0:00 - Introduction 1:06 - Google March core update tail end volatility 1:54 - Google AI Overviews now in EU regions 2:28 - Google Ads d...

Today we discussed how Bing is stuffing ads into their featured snippets/answers. Google also tests dropping green checkmarks from LSAs. Google Merchant Center updated its click reporting to match Google Ads. Google is placing banner ads for AI Mode in Search.  Google AI Mode had a buggy expansion last night. Google Business Profiles has a creation bug. Google Search has a bug with pagination or m...

Today we discussed how Google spoke about who may recover and when from previous core updates, but can you believe it.  On Friday I reported on some core update volatility but said it might be confusion. Google Business Profiles appeal requests are delayed with no end in sight.  Google Ads search term report gains PMax terms. Google Merchant Center lost conversion data in February.  Google said it...

Google confirmed that the volatility we saw prior to the core update was unrelated to this latest core update. I also posted status updates on the Google March 2025 core update. Google is testing AI Search features beyond the new AI Mode. Google is also testing linking its AI Overviews to its own search results. Google improves health AI Overviews, expands health knowledge panels and launches a ne...

Today we covered Google De indexing pages that are deemed not useful. The Reverification Bug for Google Business Profiles is fixed according to Google's Rick Saxe a BrightEdge Report shows that 82% of Google AI Overviews citations come from deep pages and Microsoft is enforce consent compliance for advertisers.0:00 - Introduction0:44 - Barry in a car1:00 - Reverification bug fixed2:00 - Barry...

Today we discussed a Google leaking AI Search options beyond AI Mode.  Google confirmed the volatility before the core update was not related.  Google expanding health results for AI Overviews, knowledge panels and a new What People Suggest.  Google also testing AI Overviews in the middle of the page. Bing Webmaster Tools rolls out Copilot and also a comparison feature in the performance reports. ...

Today we discussed a new test where Google’s AI Overviews link heavily back to its own search results - common Google. Google is testing triple stacked ads.  Google Ads has a first order discount label. Reddit  0:00 - Introduction 0:50 - Google AI Overviews linking to Google Search results 2:39 - Google triple stacked ads 3:31 - Google Ads first order discount 4:56 - Reddit offers hide ads option...

Today we discussed Google March 2025 core update status.  Google Assistant will be replaced by Gemini. Google Assistant can hijack your restaurants reversion system. Google makes a statement on links within AI Overviews.  Bing says SEOs should focus on conversions. Google Ads now will ask you to confirm your phone number for account verification.   Greg and Mordy go wild with Trump impersonations....

This week we covered Google's March 2025 core update being released. Google responded to some complaints or concerns about Google’s new AI Mode. A study showed Google grew 22% over the past year, in terms of search volume. Another study said that AI search engines are confidently wrong way too often. Google’s John Mueller said image hotlinking protection is fine. Google Ads will be coming to A...

Today we discussed the Search Max beta feature in Google Ads, Google Ads experiment to test PMax with assets.  Google Merchant Center bulk review disputes.  And SEO with hotlinking protection.  0:00 - Introduction 0:50 - Google Ads Search Max 2:58 - Google Ads experiment to test PMax with assets 4:28 - Google Merchant Center bulk review disputes 5:35 - SEO for hotlinking protection 7:30 - Conclusi...

Today we discussed how Google uses AI and human evaluators for policy enforcement. Google expanded its negative keywords for PMax from 100 to 10,000 keywords.  Google Ads Editor version 2.9 is out.  Google is using paperclip icons to let you share search results. 0:00 - Introduction 0:31 - Google Ads AI policy enforcement 2:37 - Google expanded negative keywords caps for PMax 4:00 - Google Ads Edi...

Today we discussed a study on how AI search engines are often super wrong, even if they act confident. New data shows Google has grown 22%.  Google Marketing Live is May 21st. Google brings message assets to PMax. Google is testing new dynamic shopping ads.  Google is also testing price at checkout labels for shopping ads. 0:00 - Introduction 0:49 - AI search engines are wrong too often 4:15 - Goo...

Today we discussed the ads coming to Google’s AI Mode and how Google responded to publisher concerns over AI mode.  Google has dropped page annotations, good riddance.  Bing is showing “Why this ad” on some of its ads.  Plus, Google has a number of UI tests. 0:00 - Introduction 0:53 - Google responds to publisher concerns over AI mode 5:13 - Google AI Mode Ads 6:24 - Google page annotations is gon...

Google released its much anticipated AI Mode, which is in beta now, but it super cool. Google AI Overviews are now powered by Gemini 2.0. Google had more search ranking volatility this week. Google said they answered over 5 trillion searches per year. Google said 10% of younger searchers start with Circle to Search. Sparktoro report shows a lot of searchers don’t search all that much. I posted the...

Today we discussed the new Google AI Mode, it is a big deal and we go into it.  Google AI Overviews are now powered by Gemini 2.0.  Bing is testing auto expanding sitelinks for its ads.  Microsoft Copilot adds showroom ads and dynamic filters. And the Google Search Liaison gets an assist.  0:00 - Introduction 1:10 - Google AI Mode 4:55 - Google AI Overviews Gemini 2.0 6:23 - Microsoft Copilot show...

Today we discussed how Google launched new Shopping AI features including vision match, try out new looks and try on expanded.  YouTube has new mid-roll ads options.  Google Search has AI Overviews for movies.  Google product results top insights uses generative AI. Google reviews now have expressive reactions.  We are seeing more Google search ranking volatility this week.   0:00 - Introduction 0...

Today we discussed how Google posted they are now seeing over 5 trillion searches per day. Rand Fishkin shared new data showing how people search and 1/3rd don’t search Google that much.  10% of searches from younger people start with Circle to Search. Google Merchant Center Next has new product analytics and renamed conversion settings to key events. We also spoke about the creator partnership in...

Today we discussed how Google Ads stopped serving ads for a lot of advertisers over the weekend. Google Ads was caught triple serving ads.  Google Ads has this weird mystery shopper rating.  Google now accepts RVs and campers in Vehicle Ads.  Google is testing expanding AI Overviews in Germany, Switzerland and Italy. Happy birthday Mordy! Plus more… 0:00 - Introduction 2:33 - Google Ads serving bu...

Another week and more Google search ranking volatility hit mid-week, did you notice? Google’s crawler might be causing issues on your site this week. Google still is making its crawling more efficient and better. Google Search Console’s API had delayed this week. Google was sued over AI Overviews hurting traffic and revenue. Google AI Overviews continues to show dozens of links, that no one will c...

Today we discussed how Google updated its how the ad auction works page to say it runs different auctions for each ad location. Google Ads API version 19 is out.  Google Search has more ranking volatility going on.  Bing’s AI based sources from the web box shows where those sources come from.  And more… 0:00 - Introduction 0:37 - Google Ads auction by ad location change 4:35 - Google Ads API versi...

Today we discussed that Google Local Service Ads will take your booking links (even if they don’t really work) and charge you for bookings.  Google Ads has a bug over sitelink creations.  Google is making crawling more efficient, the work is not done.  Bing is testing new links UI for Copilot answers and Bing Ads colors. Then we ranted on AI search results… 0:00 - Introduction 0:55 - Google LSA to...

Today we discussed Google being sued by Chegg over its AI Overviews hurting its traffic and revenue.  Microsoft Bing is testing Copilot Search.  Google has some weird crawling issues with some CDNs. Google  Search Console has API delays but the web interface is fine.  And Google is testing opening AI answers by default.  0:00 - Introduction 1:28 - Google sued over AI Overviews 4:59 - Microsoft Bin...

Today we discussed how Google’s AI Overviews can be infested with links, so much so you won’t click on any of them.  Bing is being deceptive with some branded searches with Google, Grok and Perplexity. Apple Intelligence may add an option for Gemini.  Google Ads may use your second headlines in the sitelinks section. Google Ads will removed ads from parked domains.  0:00 - Introduction 1:50 - Goog...

We had more ranking volatility with the Google Search results, this time we reported on it on Thursday. There are some rumors of a local update where Google would remove an organic listing when it shows in the local pack as well. Jeff Dean from Google spoke about combining Google Search with LLM in-context learning. Google Lens is showing more AI Overviews and Google Lens also is in the Google App...

Today we discussed a new Google Ads AI image enhancements that can create human images. Google Business Profiles also added AI-enhanced images for Google Posts. Google Lens adds more AI Overviews and new iOS capabilities.  Google Top Quality Store pages have AI generated reviews summaries. Audio does not help your content pages rank better. Google search ranking volatility heated up again today. 0...