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.

This week, we had a pretty big update touch down early on and it really continued throughout the whole week, I named it the Movember update. Google Opal tool encourages you to create optimized AI content at scale. Google said it is working on fixing the Google Discover fake AI news spam. Google launched a bunch of AI shopping features before the holidays. Microsoft launched search within Copilot. Google lets you add shipping and return policies without a Merchant Account in Search Console and/or structured data markup. Google is not killing off schema, John Mueller said. Google Image results is now testing text ads, not just shopping ads. Google is rolling out the Ads Advisor and Analytics Advisor Gemini AI help chat. Google Ads AI Max seems to underperform compared to other match types. Google Local Service Ads message leads has new value-based pricing. Google Ads is testing importing campaigns from X and other social network platforms. Google Ads brings brand inclusions to standard shopping campaigns. Google Ads can summarize your budget optimization settings. Google Ads updated its unacceptable phone number policy. Google Business Profiles negative review extortion scam reporting form does seem to work. Google also proposed, by force, changes to Ad Manager in its ad tech EU case. That was the search news this week at the Search Engine Roundtable.Sponsored by Similarweb, the all-in-one- strategic SEO software. Get clarity of the SEO landscape through competitor analysis, keyword research, rank tracking, SERP insights and more. With industry-leading traffic and keyword data, based on real user journeys, Similarweb gives SEO professionals the whole picture so they can strategize smartly and drive sustainable business growth.0:00 - Introduction0:57 - Google Search Ranking Volatility Heats Up - Movember Update1:25 - Google Search Ranking Volatility Heats Up November 12th1:41 - Google Opal Tool Creates Optimized Content In Scalable Way - Seriously?3:20 - Google Working On Fixing Google Discover AI Spam Problem3:46 - Google Shopping With AI Mode Comparisons, Call Store, Track Price & Agentic Checkout4:40 - Microsoft Copilot Gets AI Search With Better Links & Citations5:21 - Google Search Console Lets You Add Shipping/Return Details Without Merchant Center Account6:08 - Google Is Not Killing Schema - Markups May Come & Go6:28 - Google Image Results Tests Search Ads (Not Just Shopping Ads)6:58 - Google Rolling Out Ads Advisor & Analytics Advisor7:40 - Google Ads AI Max Underperforming Other Match Types8:20 - Value-Based Pricing For Google Local Service Ads Message Leads9:07 - Google Ads Tests Importing X Ads & Other Social Campaigns9:47 - Google Ads Brings Brand Inclusions To Standard Shopping Campaigns9:58  - Google Ads Summaries In Budget Optimization Settings10:12 - Google Ads Unacceptable Phone Number Policy Update Worries Advertisers10:42 - Google Ads Advertiser Suspension Improvements: Faster & More Accurate11:07 - Google Negative Review Extortion Scams Reporting Form Seems To Work11:31 - Google Proposes Changes In EU Ad Tech Case For Ad Manager & More11:56 - Conclusion 

Today we covered Google search results get heated again, with more volatility.  Google updated its review structured data documents.  Google is rolling out Ads Advisor and Analytics Advisor.  Google Ads tests importing from X and social campaigns. Google rolls out brand inclusions for standard shopping campaigns.0:00 - Introduction1:00 - Google ranking volatility1:29 - Google review schema clarification1:56 - Google Ads Advisor & Analytics Advisor 4:47 - Google Ads import test for X and social campaigns7:07 - Google brand inclusions for standard shopping campaigns8:38 - 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 Google saying they are going to fix the problem where Google Discover is showing fake AI spam in the feed. Google added more ways to communicate shipping and return policies outside of Merchant Center. Google Local Service Ads message leads has new value-based pricing.  Microsoft Clarity is now required for publishers to make money with Microsoft Advertising.0:00 - Introduction0:42 - Google Discover fake AI spam problem1:58 - Google adds new shipping/return policy methods3:16 - Google LSAs message leads value based pricing6:45 - Microsoft Clarity mandatory for publishers8:21 - 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 is testing carousel ads on image results, which is a big deal. Google launched new Waze ads powered by PMax.  Google adds asset-level reporting to Google Ads display campaigns  Google is not killing off schema. Google’s new extortion review scam form does seem to do the job.  Also, check out the presentation from Lily Ray - it is gold.0:00 - Introduction1:27 - Google testing carousel ads on image results5:30 - Google PMax Waze ads6:42 - Google asset-level reporting for display campaigns7:40 - Google not killing off schema8:27 - Google’s new review extortion form seems to work9:03 - Lily Ray’s GEO/SEO golden alligator presentation9:24 - 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 ranking volatility heating up for Movember. Google’s AI Opal tool touts creating optimized content in a scalable way. Many advertisers are saying Google’s new AI Max is underperforming. Google updated Google Finance with a lot of AI features. Plus, ChatGPT ads will be coming but they won’t look like Google Ads.0:00 - Introduction1:33 - Google Search ranking movement for Movember2:27 - Google Opal touts creating optimized content in a scalable way4:41 - Google AI Max ads are underperforming7:46 - Google Finance big AI updates9:06 - ChatGPT Ads are coming11:06 - 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.

Google dropped a number of search features and structured data types. Google is testing a new version of AI Mode. Google AI Mode gained three new agentic capabilities. Google AI Overviews continue to result in a drop in click-through rates, a report says. Google is testing replacing the definitions box with AI Overviews. Google’s John Mueller issued a PSA on verifying your cloud URLs with Search Console. Google and Bing are eating up Grokipedia. Google is testing a yellow-tinted parchment-like background for Google Search. I posted the monthly Google Webmaster Report. The new Google ads label is causing accidental clicks. Google ads Waze ads inventory to PMax campaigns and campaign reporting for PMax is fully available. Google Ads Editor version 2.11 is now out. Google Merchant Center added top performing products and audience targets for promotions. Google Merchant Center also added creative content section. Google Merchant Center has smart cropping, which you can opt out of. Google Maps added Gemini support to make it smarter. Google reviews is testing a new summary box. Reddit said its search traffic is flat, AI is not yet a traffic driver and Google makes up 50% of its search traffic. Raptive sued Google over using its data to cheat publishers. Google Discover is testing endless scrolling and I posted a number of ongoing Google Discover tests. 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 - Introduction0:57 - Google Drops Support For More Structured Data Types & Search Features2:19 - Google Tests A New Version Of AI Mode2:59 - Google AI Mode Gains 3 New Agentic Capabilities3:28 - Report: Google AI Overviews Continue To Drive CTR Downwards4:45 - Google Definitions Box Tests Swapping In AI Overviews5:10 - Google PSA: Verify Your Hosted Cloud Provider Host In Search Console5:46 - Google & Bing Are Indexing Grokipedia - AI Generated Wikipedia / Encyclopedia6:28 - Google Search Tests Tinted Colored Background6:54 - November 2025 Google Webmaster Report7:09 - The New Google Search Ad Layout Is Causing Accidental Clicks8:47 - Google Performance Max Gains Waze Ads & Channel Performance Reporting9:23 - Google Ads Editor Version 2.11 Is Now Available9:46 - Google Merchant Center Adds Promotions For Top Performing Products10:08 - New Google Merchant Center Preferred Audience Targeting For Promotions10:22 - Google Merchant Center Adds Creative Content Section10:33 - Google Merchant Center Smart Cropping - You Can Opt Out11:02 - Gemini Coming To Google Maps For Directions, Traffic & Places11:49 - Google Reviews Updates Services Summary Box12:08 - Reddit: Search Traffic Flat, AI Not Traffic Driver & 50% Of Traffic Is From Google12:41 - Publishers Say Google Used Their Data to Cheat Them, Raptive Lawsuit13:15 - Google Discover Tests Infinite Endless Scroll13:30 - Google Discover Numerous Experiments Documented13:50 - Conclusion 

Today we covered Google removing support for a number of search features, and some structured data. Google tints the search results page. Google swapping definitions box with AI Overviews.  Google Maps gets Gemini update. Google Merchant Center added creative content section.  Oh, Google Ads Editor version 2.11 is out.0:00 - Introduction1:47 - Google removes a number of search features5:13 - Google tints the search results page6:00 - Google swapping definitions box with AI Overviews 6:30 - Google Maps gets Gemini update7:40 - Google Merchant Center creative content section9:33 - Google Ads Editor version 2.11 is out11:22 - 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 Google testing new AI Mode version and launching three new agentic capabilities. Google AI Overviews results in a drop in CTR, a report says. Google Merchant Center promotions top performing products. Google locked the side bar on YouTube’s mobile ads.0:00 - Introduction0:50 - Google testing AI Mode versions2:52 - Google AI Mode new agentic capabilities. 4:11 - Google AI Overviews leads to drop in CTR7:15 - Google Merchant Center top performing products promotions8:41 - YouTube locks sidebar on mobile ads9:33 - 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 Merchant Center smart cropping and how to opt out.  Grokipedia and how Google and Bing are indexing it. Endless Google Discover scroll is being tested.0:00 - Introduction2:38 - Google Merchant Center smart cropping4:45 - Grokipedia in Google and Bing6:00 - Endless Google Discover scroll8:59 - 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 Ads not going away according to Google executive.  Google’s new ad layout tricks savvy searchers into clicking on ads. Google spoke about doing SEO for AI Mode and AI Overviews. Reddit announced earnings and they said search traffic is flat, AI is not driving traffic and 50% of the traffic they get is from Google.0:00 - Introduction0:57 - Google Ads not going away2:10 - Google Ads tricks savvy searchers to click4:11 - Google on how to do SEO for AI Mode6:03 - Reddit said search traffic is flat and more10:05 - 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.

This week, we covered more Google Search ranking volatility mid-week. Google Search Console launched query groups reports. Disney’s sitelinks in Google Search seemed to have been hacked. Google reminded us about case sensitivity with URLs in Google Search. John Mueller spoke about the best content management system for SEO. Robby Stein from Google spoke about doing SEO for AI Mode. Google rolled out early access to Gemini for your home voice assistant. Google reviews started to go missing and we don’t know why. Google Business Profiles is testing a way to schedule Google Posts. Google Business Profiles expanded the What’s Happening feature. Google Ads has campaign-level audience exclusions for PMax. Google Ads has a new investment strategy recommendation page. Google is launching Merchant Center for agencies. Google Merchant Center Next added new promotion analytics and a new preferred audience for promotion restrictions. A judge did not rule in favor of Google in the ad tech monopoly case. Google made over $100 billion in revenue according to its earnings report and Microsoft had a great quarter too. That was the search news this week at the Search Engine Roundtable.SPONSOR: This week's video is sponsored by Semrush. Did you know Semrush launched Semrush One. This new solution unites traditional SEO and AI Search into a single offering to help brands measure and grow performance across virtually every search – from Google to AI discovery engines, including ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and other major large language models (LLMs).0:00 - Introduction0:54 - Google Search Ranking Volatility Around October 28th1:19 - Query Groups Report Comes To Google Search Console Insights2:09 - Disney Google Sitelinks Blackhat SEO Hack Still Live2:42 - Reminder: Google On Case Sensitivity For URLs3:35 - Google's John Mueller On Best CMSs For SEO3:56 - Google's Robby Stein On SEO For AI Mode & AI Overviews4:31 - Google Rolls Out Early Access To Gemini For Home Voice Assistant4:50 - Reviews Disappearing Within Google - Google Fixing5:22 - Schedule Google Posts In Google Business Profiles Tests5:51 - Google Business Profiles What's Happening Feature Expands6:12 - Google Ads Campaign Level Audience Exclusions To Performance Max6:36 - Google Ads New Investment Strategy Recommendation Page7:03 - Google: Google Ads Not Going Away With AI Mode As The Future7:30 - Google Launching Merchant Center For Agencies7:48 - Google Merchant Center Next Adds Promotion Analytics8:12 - Google Merchant Center Preferred Audience For Promotions Restrictions8:34 - Ad Tech Monopoly: Judge Rules Google Can't Relitigate Core Antitrust Facts9:10 - Google Ad Revenue Up 13% & Bing Ads Revenue Up 16%9:56 - Conclusion 

Today we covered the Google and Microsoft earnings report, and how well they did with ad revenues.  Disney’s Google sitelink seems like it was hacked with black hat SEO.  Google Merchant Center added new promotion analytics. 0:00 - Introduction1:10 - Google and Microsoft earnings and ad revenues4:53 - Disney Google black hat sitelinks hack6:40 - Google Merchant Center promotions analytics8:19 - 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 ongoing Google search ranking volatility. A judge ruled in favor of publishers over Google in the ad tech monopoly case.  Google Merchant Center now lets some merchants and advertisers define an audience for a promotion.0:00 - Introduction1:09 - Google Search rankings volatility heated1:52 - Google ad tech monopoly ruling doesn’t go Google’s way4:51 - Google Merchant Center preferred audiences for promotions6:55 - 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 reviews seem to be disappearing from Google local listings. Google Search Console has a new queries group reporting. Google Posts is testing a scheduler option.  Google Ads is testing campaign level audience exclusions for PMax campaigns.  Google Ads added a new recommendations option named investment strategy. Google Ads added phone call lead metrics to the main reporting.0:00 - Introduction0:48 - Google Search Console new queries groups report3:18 - Google reviews disappearing 3:53 - Google Posts tests scheduling option4:53 - Google Ads phone call leads metrics6:40 - Google Ads campaign level audience exclusions for PMax7:21 - Google Ads new investment strategy recommendation tab8:38 - 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.

This week, surprise - surprise, we covered more Google Search ranking volatility. OpenAI launched its web browser, ChatGPT Atlas - it uses Google. Google Search Console performance reports are stuck again. Google said links, site moves and technical SEO do not help with quality issues. Google did not give more core updates more often, despite what they said a year ago. Google Ads celebrated its 25th birthday. Google AI Mode updated for fantasy sports. ChatGPT updated GPT-5 Instant for signed-out users. Google Search added price tracking graph for each trailer. Google Business Profiles performance report is missing call data. Google Ads for AI Max added a sources column in the search terms report. Google Ads will delete accounts without campaigns after 6 months. Google Local Search Ads in Google Maps supports sitelinks. Google AdSense has a new confirmed click status breakdown in reports. 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 - Introduction0:33 - Google Search Ranking Volatility Heats Up From October 15th To 17th0:58 - OpenAI Launches Browser - ChatGPT Atlas With Search Powered By Google2:11 - Google Search Console Performance Report Stuck At Sunday October 192:48 - Google: Links, Site Moves & Technical SEO Don't Fix Quality Issues3:37 - Google's More Core Updates, More Often, Seems Unlikely4:40 - Google Ads (Formerly AdWords) Launched 25 Years Ago5:37 - Google AI Mode Fantasy Sports Updated & ChatGPT GPT-5 Instant Improved6:08 - Google Search Adds Price Tracking Graph For Each Retailer6:31 - Google Business Profile Performance Report Missing Oct 14 - 16 Call Data6:57 - Google Ads AI Max Adds Sources Column in Search Term Report7:17 - Google Ads To Delete Accounts Without Campaigns After 6 Months7:31 - Google Local Search Ads In Google Maps Now Supports Sitelinks8:06 - Google AdSense Adds Confirmed Click Status Breakdown To Reports8:33 - Conclusion

Today we covered that Google Ads turned 25 years old today. Google Search Console performance reports are stuck at Sunday. Google Business Profiles call data is missing a few days of data. Google AI Mode should be better at fantasy sports queries.  ChatGPT updated GPT-5 Instant for singed out users.  Reddit sues Perplexity, SerpApi and others over stealing data.0:00 - Introduction1:10 - Google Ads turns 25 3:26 - Google Search Console performance reports missing data4:06 - Google Business Profiles call data missing 4:37 - Google AI Mode updated for fantasy sports 6:23 - ChatGPT updated GPT-5 Instant for signed-out users6:44 - Reddit sues Perplexity, SerpApi and others over stealing data8:47 - 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 just spoke about OpenAI’s new announcement, its AI web browser named ChatGPT Atlas.  It uses Google a lot not just for search but also as its user agent.  We dive into this news.0:00 - Introduction0:15 - ChatGPT Atlas 6:36 - 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 not giving us more core update, more often. Google Ads is experimenting with setting the new customer value amount without advertiser input.  Google Ads will delete accounts without campaigns after 6 months.  And Google is testing AI powered product summary sections in AI Mode.0:00 - Introduction0:50 - Google didn’t come through with more core updates, more often2:39 - Google Ads experimenting with setting the new customer value amount3:55 - Google Ads to delete accounts without campaigns after 6 months4:49 - Google AI Mode product summary section6:27 - 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.