Search Engine Roundtable Podcast

In part one Riley Hope and I spoke about her SEO career, how she did her thesis on ethics in SEO and we spoke about the automotive SEO space. In part two we talk about women in SEO and more on the automotive space and search results. In part three, we talk about how COVID has changed searcher behavior. COVID & Searcher Behavior Riley said we all saw an uptick in internet usage and led to searches around mental health, depression, anxiety, sleep issues, dealing with kids being home and people buying online, curbside pickup and more general business being done online. She said some of the dealers would drop cars off at your home, which was big. But small businesses, some, weren’t able to adapt as quickly as some bigger businesses. This led to larger companies profiting more, like Walmart, Target and Amazon - leaving smaller businesses in the dust. Riley’s masters was in “social enterprise” and it involved studying the impact on COVID’s impact on small businesses and using SEO to help these small businesses recover. I gave some examples of my personal experiences and Riley explained how things changed right after COVID compared to months after. Many companies were offering digital based services, like selling cars online, and not doing everything face to face. We then moved into discussing how marketing had to change to be more sensitive towards COVID’s mental health changes. Companies had to change their commercials to adapt to the new world. We didn’t only speak about commercials but how online reviews are taking a beating with disgruntled customers who don’t want to wear masks or other issues. Strategies For Small Businesses During COVID: A lot of small businesses did not know about Google Search Console, Google My Business (now Google Business Profiles), Google Analytics and so forth. Plus, a lot of these businesses do not have websites, they might be on Instagram but no where to funnel these customers. Most these small businesses don’t know about SEO, they don’t have CRM set up, plus they have a really unprofessional website. Google did try to release features to help businesses perform and generate revenue during the pandemic. Small businesses should utilize what you can, like social media. Small businesses don’t have a big staff to do everything. So just do what you can with what resources you have, and you will learn as you go and keep growing from there. Make sure to be consistent with whatever you do. You can learn more about Riley Hope at RileyHope.com or follow Riley on Twitter @reillyhope13.

In part one, we spoke about how Colt Sliva became an SEO engineer and some topics around visualizing search graphs. In part two we spoke more about entities, python for SEO and winning over developers. Now in part three we get into frequency statistics, improving on those models and doing proper A/B testing in SEO. Frequency statistics In the frequency of an event i is the number n_{i} of times the observation occurred/recorded in an experiment or study. Frequency statistics was cheap, fast and easy to compute and that is why we used it in the old days. But we have faster computers, we are smarter, we should be using more advanced methods to predict changes and their benefit through machine learning and AI based methods. So he is hopeful for SEOs using more sophisticated methods. It is harder for smaller SEO consultants or even smaller websites, sites with very limited traffic. The big question does the new more advanced models work better than the cheaper method of frequency statistics? It is unclear right now. I did bring up at the end that the keyword planner tool added trending data, with details, it is worth checking out if you didn’t see it. iPullRank is hiring, so if you are looking for a job, hit them up. More next week but you can learn more about Colt Sliva @SignorColt.

Today we covered the new Google Ads updates, including AI Max rolling out to all advertisers. Google Ads tests promotion mode, campaign total budget and more. The Google August spam update heating up again.  Bing is testing sitelinks with link icons. Google tests removing the review stars from the hotel knowledge panel.0:00 - Introduction0:48 - Google Ads AI Max now available to all plus more2:20 - Google Ads promotion mode, campaign total budget and more.5:36 - Google spam update heats up again7:19 - Bing Ads test sitelinks with link icon8:04 - Google tests removing star reviews on hotel panels9:16 - ConclusionA daily recap video summarizing a few of the top search marketing headlines covered at the Search Engine Roundtable.This recap is called It's New - A quick, daily dose of the latest in SEO with Anu Adegbola of Search Engine Land and Greg Finn of Cypress North (and Marketing O’Clock) and Barry Schwartz.

Today we covered a new report from Similarweb showing the overlap of ChatGPT and Google users.  Google said the web is now not declining, just the web-ad market.  Google Ads has new reporting for AI Max campaigns. Google can now connect your ads better across web and apps. 0:00 - Introduction0:38 - Google and ChatGPT user overlap2:23 - Google says now the open web is not declining4:52 - Google Ads had new AI Max reporting5:52 - Google Advertising connecting web and apps8:00 - ConclusionA daily recap video summarizing a few of the top search marketing headlines covered at the Search Engine Roundtable.This recap is called It's New - A quick, daily dose of the latest in SEO with Anu Adegbola of Search Engine Land and Greg Finn of Cypress North (and Marketing O’Clock) and Barry Schwartz.

Today we covered how Google’s lawyers said the open web is declining, going against what Google’s executives have said. Google was fined $3.5 billion in the EU over anti-competitive ad practices and then told to divest.  Google AI Mode may be the default, but maybe not too soon.  A report says Apple will launch Apple World Knowledge Answers in 2026.   0:00 - Introduction1:01 - Google says open web is declining3:19 - Google fined $3.5 billion in EU over anti-competitive ad tech5:04 - Google AI Mode to be the default, maybe not6:43 - Apple World Knowledge Answers coming8:51 - ConclusionA daily recap video summarizing a few of the top search marketing headlines covered at the Search Engine Roundtable.This recap is called It's New - A quick, daily dose of the latest in SEO with Anu Adegbola of Search Engine Land and Greg Finn of Cypress North (and Marketing O’Clock) and Barry Schwartz.

This week, we covered the big Google Monopoly remedy ruling that will not end up breaking up the company and was more like a slap on the wrist. Google also has FastSearch, a faster search technology used for grounding. Google court docs also note search use of user interactions, user data, Chrome data, and also discuss the search index, spam scores, PageRank, Glue, and more. Google said crawling changes are independent of big Google updates. Google’s Danny Sullivan spoke at WordCamp. I posted the Google webmaster report for September. Apple may be releasing a massive upgrade to Apple Search, Siri, and Apple Intelligence, code-named World Knowledge Answers. Google’s AI Mode model was updated for school. Google tests AI Overviews that look like knowledge panels. Google AI Mode has this compare mode, which is cool. Google Business Profiles updated its link policies and guidelines. Google Hotel Center will crack down on inaccurate hotel pricing. Google Ads adds checkboxes to filter your campaigns. Google Ads AI Max is not designed to push the Search Partner Network, said Google. Google Ads now lets you search Google Maps for location assets. Bing is testing a floating Copilot search bar with keyword suggestions. Bing is testing an expandable related searches section. And industry vet and legend, Alan Bleiweiss, has passed away. That was the search news this week at the Search Engine Roundtable.Sponsor: BruceClay one of the founding fathers of the SEO space, doing search marketing optimization since 1996. Bruce Clay is big into SEO training, check out seotraining.com to learn more and check them out at bruceclay.com. Also, check out their new product, Prewriter.ai - this tool empowers writers to write better and more efficiently, so check it out.0:00 - Introduction0:48 - Google Won't Be Broken Up In Monopoly Case But Required To Share Search Data2:13 - Google FastSearch Is Faster Than Google Search2:59 - New Court Docs: Google Search User Interactions, User Data & Chrome Data3:18 - New Court Docs: Google Search Index, Spam Score, PageRank & Glue3:32 - Google: Crawl Changes Are Independent Of Big Google Updates3:56 - Danny Sullivan At WordCamp On How Google Search Keeps Evolving4:43 - September 2025 Google Webmaster Report5:03 - Apple Intelligence & Siri Revamp In 2026: World Knowledge Answers5:36 - Google AI Mode Model Updated - Improvements For STEM Queries6:00 - Google Tests AI Overview With Knowledge Panel6:21 - Google AI Mode Compare Checkboxes For Products & Local Business Listings6:37 - Google Business Profiles Links Policies & Guidelines Updated7:12 - Google Hotel Center To Crack Down On Pricing Accuracy7:56 - New Google Ads Checkboxes To Filter Campaigns8:17 - Google Ads AI Max Not Designed To Go More Aggressively After SPN Inventory8:58 - Google Ads Search Google Maps For Location Assets9:26 - Google Ads API Releases Monthly In 20269:54 - Bing Search Floating Copilot Search Box With Keyword Suggestions10:08 - Bing Tests Related Searches That Expand To More10:23 - The Industry Mourns The Loss Of Alan Bleiweiss - Caring & Giving SEO10:54 - Conclusion 

Today we covered several tidbits from the Google court documents on Google Search. Bing Search tests new Copilot keyword suggestions and expandable related searches. Google Hotel Center will crack down on pricing accuracy. Google Ads new customization for graphs. Sad to report Alan Bleiweiss passed. 0:00 - Introduction1:05 - Google court docs reveal more on Google Search3:27 - Bing tests Copilot keyword suggestions and expandable related searches4:15 - Google will crack down on inaccurate hotel pricing5:50 - Google Ads new customization graphs 6:59 - Losing a legend in the industry8:05 - ConclusionA daily recap video summarizing a few of the top search marketing headlines covered at the Search Engine Roundtable.This recap is called It's New - A quick, daily dose of the latest in SEO with Anu Adegbola of Search Engine Land and Greg Finn of Cypress North (and Marketing O’Clock) and Barry Schwartz.

Today we covered the remedy ruling on Google’s monopoly case, in short, they won’t be broken up.  Google FastSearch is used by Gemini for grounding.  Google is testing new search headers and direction buttons.  Google Ads has this survey on the YouTube Network.0:00 - Introduction0:31 - Google won’t be broken up in its monopoly ruling10:40 - Google FastSearch is used for Gemini grounding11:58 - Google tests new search header and directions buttons12:48 - Google Ads survey on YouTube Network13:31 - ConclusionA daily recap video summarizing a few of the top search marketing headlines covered at the Search Engine Roundtable.This recap is called It's New - A quick, daily dose of the latest in SEO with Anu Adegbola of Search Engine Land and Greg Finn of Cypress North (and Marketing O’Clock) and Barry Schwartz.

Today we covered the new checkboxes in Google Ads to help you filter your campaigns. Google said AI Max does not go after the Search Partner Network more aggressively. Google Ads lets you search using Google Maps for location assets. The Google webmaster report for September is live. And Google has a new mini-game to encourage you to search more.0:00 - Introduction1:30 - Google Ads checkbox filters for campaigns2:30 - Google AI Max and the Search Partner Network3:44 - Google Ads location assets with Google Maps search4:34 - Google Webmaster Report for September 20254:50 - Google Search mini-game6:38  - ConclusionA daily recap video summarizing a few of the top search marketing headlines covered at the Search Engine Roundtable.This recap is called It's New - A quick, daily dose of the latest in SEO with Anu Adegbola of Search Engine Land and Greg Finn of Cypress North (and Marketing O’Clock) and Barry Schwartz.

Today we covered how Google updated the AI Mode models last week. Google AI Mode now lets you compare local businesses and products.  Google AI Overviews tests a new look, more like knowledge panels.  Danny Sullivan speaks on Google at WordCamp and Ginny Marvin becomes a YouTuber.0:00 - Introduction1:09 - Google AI Mode model was updated2:09 - Google AI Mode lets you compare products and local businesses4:05 - Google AI Overviews tests more knowledge panel look5:50 - Danny Sullivan of Google at WordCamp7:34 - Ginny Marvin the new Ads YouTuber8:44 - ConclusionA daily recap video summarizing a few of the top search marketing headlines covered at the Search Engine Roundtable.This recap is called It's New - A quick, daily dose of the latest in SEO with Anu Adegbola of Search Engine Land and Greg Finn of Cypress North (and Marketing O’Clock) and Barry Schwartz.

This week we had our first Google spam update in 8 months, the August 2025 spam update. This update touched down very quickly, likely within 24 hours. I also posted a Google search ranking volatility status report. Google is testing changes to AI Mode to encourage clicks. A new report says traditional search is not dying. A new survey says only 4% of searchers don’t click on links in AI Overviews. Some sites saw a huge decline in crawl rates in Google Search Console, this was a confirmed bug fixed by Google. Google Search Console’s performance report search appearance filter for Android Apps seems broken too. Google Ads PMax channel reporting is now on the account level. Google Ads get audience exclusions for Shopping campaigns. Google Ads has new loyalty goals. Microsoft responds to complaints over its Bing search ads being hard to see. Microsoft is also testing larger title fonts for its search ads over organic listings. Microsoft Advertising shared the dos and don’ts of suspensions and appeals. And I doubt Google is hiring a new Search Liaison. That was the search news this week at the Search Engine Roundtable.SPONSOR: This week's video is sponsored by Semrush. Discover Semrush's new AI-powered keyword research tools, offering personalized keyword difficulty, potential traffic estimates, and topical authority to help you plan smarter SEO campaigns.0:00 - Introduction 0:47 - Google August 2025 Spam Update Unleashed1:29 - Google August 2025 Spam Update Impact Felt Quickly2:35 - Google Search Ranking Volatility Status Report2:46 - Google: We're Testing Changes To AI Mode To Encourage Clicks4:10 - Sparktoro Research: Traditional Search Is Not Declining4:33 - Survey: Only 4% Of Searchers Don't Click From Google AI Overviews5:15 - Report: ChatGPT Using SerpApi To Scrape Google Search Results5:59 - Some Sites Have Huge Crawl Rate Declines In Google Search Console7:03 - Bug: Google Search Console Performance Report Search Appearance Android App7:31 - Google Ads PMax Channel Reporting On Account Level7:45 - Google Ads Gets Audience Exclusions For Shopping Campaigns8:10 - Loyalty Goal In Google Ads & More Merchant Center Loyalty Offerings8:44 - Microsoft Responds To Hard To See Search Ad Labels9:13 - Microsoft Testing Tests Larger Titles For Ads In Bing Search9:43 - Dos and Don'ts Of Microsoft Advertising Suspensions & Appeals10:05 - Is Google Hiring Another Search Liaison? Seems Unlikely.10:42 - Conclusion

Today we covered a weird potential bug with crawling where many sites, not all, saw huge declines in Google crawl rates. Microsoft now tests larger Bing Ads titles, larger than organic results. Google Ads audience exclusions work for Shopping campaigns. Bing is testing bolding on hover. 0:00 - Introduction0:45 - Google massive crawl rate drop3:22 - Microsoft Bing Ads titles get big4:38 - Google Ads audience exclusions for Shopping campaigns6:10 - Bing gets bold on hover6:52 - ConclusionA daily recap video summarizing a few of the top search marketing headlines covered at the Search Engine Roundtable.This recap is called It's New - A quick, daily dose of the latest in SEO with Anu Adegbola of Search Engine Land and Greg Finn of Cypress North (and Marketing O’Clock) and Barry Schwartz.

Today we covered the release of the Google August 2025 spam update.  A new survey is out that looks at how searchers are clicking on AI Overviews. Google Ads has new loyalty goals. 0:00 - Introduction0:54 - Google August 2025 spam update released3:32 - Google AI Overviews click survey6:41 - Google Ads loyalty goals9:57 - ConclusionA daily recap video summarizing a few of the top search marketing headlines covered at the Search Engine Roundtable.This recap is called It's New - A quick, daily dose of the latest in SEO with Anu Adegbola of Search Engine Land and Greg Finn of Cypress North (and Marketing O’Clock) and Barry Schwartz.

Today we covered Google’s Robby Stein saying AI Mode will test encouraging more clicks from the answers.  A new report says traditional search is not declining. Microsoft Advertising responds to it testing almost invisible sponsored labels. And Microsoft spoke about suspensions and appeals dos and don’ts.  0:00 - Introduction1:04 - Google AI Mode to now encourage clicks3:48 - Traditional search is not declining 5:12 - Microsoft Advertising on its invisible sponsored labels8:08 - Dos and Don’ts of Microsoft Advertising appeals and suspensions9:57 - ConclusionA daily recap video summarizing a few of the top search marketing headlines covered at the Search Engine Roundtable.This recap is called It's New - A quick, daily dose of the latest in SEO with Anu Adegbola of Search Engine Land and Greg Finn of Cypress North (and Marketing O’Clock) and Barry Schwartz.

Today we had a checkin with the Google search ranking volatility.  The Information uncovered that OpenAI’s ChatGPT uses SerpApi to scrape some of Google’s search results.  Is Google hiring another Search Liaison? Amazon is back advertising with Google Ads. Google Ads channel reporting for PMax is on the account level.  0:00 - Introduction1:42 - Google search ranking volatility checkin2:23 - OpenAI uses SerpApi to take some of Google’s results for ChatGPT4:07 - Is Google hiring another Search Liaison6:37 - Amazing back on with Google Ads9:44 - Google Ads PMax channel reporting on the account level11:00 - ConclusionA daily recap video summarizing a few of the top search marketing headlines covered at the Search Engine Roundtable.This recap is called It's New - A quick, daily dose of the latest in SEO with Anu Adegbola of Search Engine Land and Greg Finn of Cypress North (and Marketing O’Clock) and Barry Schwartz.

This week, we did a check in on the ongoing Google Search ranking volatility. Google AI Mode expanded to 180 countries, added agentic experiences, got more personalized and gained sharable links. ChatGPT may be sending less traffic to sites, according to one report. A new tool is tracking referral traffic from ChatGPT vs Google. Google explained the difference between the Chrome UX report and the Core Web Vitals report in Search Console. Google AI Overviews is testing an overlay bottom tray section. Google is testing new share icons in the search results. Google Discover has this publisher entity follow page, which is neat. Google Ads Search Partner Network finally has full placement reporting. Google Ads is dropping language targeting settings to do it via AI. Google Ads is rolling out the Asset Studio as beta. Google Ads tests X visits per month label on sponsored ads. Google Merchant API will replace the Content API for Shopping. Google updated the Google Ads API documentation. Google will replace the Local Service Ads badge with one verified badge. SEOs should not expect access to the Google Trends API anytime soon, Google is just starting to accept applications. That was the search news this week at the Search Engine Roundtable.SPONSOR: This week's video recap is sponsored by Duda, the Professional Website Builder You Can Call Your Own.0:00 - Introduction0:34 - Google Search Ranking Volatility Cooled & Calmed This Weekend1:20 - Google AI Mode Now In 180 Countries & Gains Agentic Features2:28 - Report: OpenAI ChatGPT Sending 52% Less Referral Traffic (Do You See That?)3:32 - Tool Tracks Referral Traffic From ChatGPT vs Google: Can AI Catch Up?4:05 - Why Google Chrome UX Report & Search Console Don't Match5:01 - Google AI Overviews Explain Overlay Tests Bottom Tray5:32 - Google Tests Share Icon For For Search Results & AI Mode Again5:49 - Google Discover Publisher Entity Pages With Follow, Social & Latest Posts6:18 - Google Ads Search Partner Network Full Placement Reporting7:19 - Google Ads Language Targeting For Search Campaigns Going Away7:21 - Google Ads Rolls Out Asset Studio (Beta)7:40 - Google Ads Continues Testing X Visits In Past Month Label7:59 - Google Merchant API Is Replacing The Content API For Shopping8:29 - Google Updates Google Ads API Documentation8:39 - Google To Replace Local Service Ads Badges With One Verified Badge9:06 - SEOs, Don't Expect Access To The Google Trends API Soon9:32 - Google To Begin Approving The First Google Trends API Applications9:53 - Conclusion 

Today we covered that Google expanded AI Mode to 180 countries and added agentic and personalization features. ChatGPT may be sending 52% less referral traffic, according to one report.  Google Local Service Ads verified badges will be the single badge. Google Ads has a richer conversion import.  Google Search is testing share icons in the search results.0:00 - Introduction0:36 - Google AI Mode expands and adds agentic experiences3:52 - ChatGPT referral traffic drops 52%7:07 - Google LSA verified badge change9:18 - Google Ads richer conversion imports10:37 - Google Search share icons11:22 - ConclusionA daily recap video summarizing a few of the top search marketing headlines covered at the Search Engine Roundtable.This recap is called It's New - A quick, daily dose of the latest in SEO with Anu Adegbola of Search Engine Land and Greg Finn of Cypress North (and Marketing O’Clock) and Barry Schwartz.

Today we covered a new Google Ads report for its Search Partner Network, where it actually shows where your impressions are coming from.  We also covered a new tool that tracks ChatGPT versus Google traffic referrals.  Bing updated its Copilot AI answers in search and more. Also, did you see the Google AI Overviews bottom tray? 0:00 - Introduction1:14 - Google Ads SPN reporting update4:22 - ChatGPT versus Google referral traffic6:52 - Bing Copilot AI answers updated8:08 - Google AI Overviews bottom tray9:00 - ConclusionA daily recap video summarizing a few of the top search marketing headlines covered at the Search Engine Roundtable.This recap is called It's New - A quick, daily dose of the latest in SEO with Anu Adegbola of Search Engine Land and Greg Finn of Cypress North (and Marketing O’Clock) and Barry Schwartz.

Today we covered that the new Google Merchant API will replace the Content API for Shopping. And we covered the unexpected image of Amazon stopping its Google Ads. Google explained the differences between the Chrome UX report and Search Console’s core web vitals report.  0:00 - Introduction0:49 - Google Merchant API to replace Content API for Shopping2:09 - Unexpected Impact Of Amazon Stopping Google Ads6:46 - Google Chrome UX report vs Search Console8:01 - ConclusionA daily recap video summarizing a few of the top search marketing headlines covered at the Search Engine Roundtable.This recap is called It's New - A quick, daily dose of the latest in SEO with Anu Adegbola of Search Engine Land and Greg Finn of Cypress North (and Marketing O’Clock) and Barry Schwartz.

Today we covered Google search results volatility cools. Chartbeat said Google Search clicks to publishers are stable, and backs up Google’s statement.  Google’s John Mueller goes off on GEO acronyms. Google Ads language targeting is going away for search campaigns. Google Ads has a new preview ad link in the asset details section.0:00 - Introduction1:20 - Google Search volatility cools2:00 - Google’s John Mueller on GEO acronyms 4:49 - Google search clicks actually stable says Chartbeat7:14 - Google Ads language targeting going away9:58 - Google Ads new preview ad link in asset details 11:10 - ConclusionA daily recap video summarizing a few of the top search marketing headlines covered at the Search Engine Roundtable.This recap is called It's New - A quick, daily dose of the latest in SEO with Anu Adegbola of Search Engine Land and Greg Finn of Cypress North (and Marketing O’Clock) and Barry Schwartz.