Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today, through the eyes of the Search Engine Roundtable and other search forums on the web.
Google issues a new search spam penalty for back button hijacking. Google can handle multiple URLs to the same page. Google Business Profiles updated its identity change policy. Google warns against trying to manipulate LLMs. Google Ads updates its analytics controls.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
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Google Search Goes After Back Button Hijacking With New Spam Penalty
It's been a while since Google has come out with a new search spam policy and penalty to accompany it with and now we have a new one, "back button hijacking." Back button hijacking is something many of us were surprised Google didn't specifically disallow but now, Google said it is on the rise and it is adding it to the list - officially. -
Google Is Aware Of And Warns Against Self-Serving Listicles
As part of an article from The Verge taking aim at SEOs, Google says that they are aware of self-serving listicles and work to prevent this abuse from impacting results. -
Google Ads & Google Analytics Data Controls Update
Google posted an update for the Google Ads and Google Analytics data controls yesterday where changes will be coming to the sources of the data. Google said this is to "simplify data controls and remove redundant settings between Google Analytics and Ads, we are planning to consolidate controls based on where the data is used." -
Google Business Profile Updates Identity Change Policy Language
Google has made some changes to the Google Business Profile policy document, specifically the identity change section. It is now much more descriptive than before. -
Google Can Handle Multiple URLs To A Page But Why Make It Harder
Google's John Mueller said on Reddit that Google can handle and deal with having multiple URLs for a single web page, but it is not a good practice. He said it makes it harder for Google and Google will just pick one URL anyway.
Other Great Search Threads:
- It works until it doesn't... but it's still working for now. This one will be interesting to watch. Massive scaled content abuse. Nearly 1M pages indexed now. Surging like crazy in the SERPs. Including news surfaces. I don't think th, Glenn Gabe on X
- ChatGPT in March 2026: → 5.73 billion visits → Up 7.08% from February → The fifth-highest monthly traffic in its history, Similarweb on X
- New post from @addyosmani (a Google engineer working on Gemini and Cloud). And yep, he has a new version of the acronym AEO -> Agentic Engine Optimization (AEO) I think at some point, Google needs to come out with an official stance, Glenn Gabe on X
- OK, @rustybrick's Wikipedia page was just deleted. If you read the conversation between Wikipedia contributors, you will be shaking your head the entire time. Hard to believe Barry doesn't meet the threshold for a Wikipedia page... N, Glenn Gabe on X
Search Engine Land Stories:
- How Google’s removal tools work for SEO and reputation management
- Google simplifies Analytics and Ads consent rules
- Google is bringing back a familiar name: Data Studio
- Google Search to penalize back button hijacking schemes
- AI buttons: Smart UX play, risky GEO tactic, or both?
- AI search adoption isn’t equal and income is driving the divide
- Why no amount of SEO can fix a broken brand
Other Great Search Stories:
AI & LLMs
- Microsoft Plots New Copilot Features Inspired by OpenClaw, The Information
Analytics
- GA4 Enhanced Measurement, KRM Digital Marketing
Industry & Business
- Google Faces Billions in Mass Arbitration Over Illegal Monopoly Rulings, Bloomberg
- Meta is Quietly Becoming a Bigger Ad Business Than Google, AdWeek
- OpenAI touts Amazon alliance in memo, Microsoft 'limited our ability', CNBC
- Exclusive: Google launches AI jobs push, Axios
- Google Plans its First Data Center in France, Inside Towers
Links & Content Marketing
- “We Fake It”: Google's Illusion of Understanding Content, Hobo
- Trouble Brews: Fewer Entry-Level Marketing Hires, Content Marketing Institute
Local & Maps
- Android Auto picks up Google Meet support just days after CarPlay, Android Authority
- Apple Maps ads inch closer to release with iOS 26.5 beta 2, AppleInsider
SEO
- Brand Bias in Prompts: An Experiment, Moz
- Out of Site, Out of Mind: Best Practices for Creating Valuable On-Site Campaign Content, Screaming Frog
- Does The Google March 2026 Core Update Mean Specialist Sites Win?, Nikki Pilkington
PPC
- Fake Google Ads Email Invites Used in New Scam Wave, PPC News Feed
- Google Ad Grants Ads Disappeared From Google Maps, PPC News Feed
- Publisher release roundup: Q1 2026 edition, Microsoft Advertising
- The invisible Google Ads problem: zero-second calls, PPC Live
Search Features
- Google News Now Prominently Featuring Polymarket Bets Instead of Actual Journalism, Futurism
- Google Home rolls out more Gemini voice updates for music, more, 9to5Google
- Google Patent Signals New Search Layer, Practical Ecommerce
Feedback:
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