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.
A new study backs Google by saying traffic to publishers has been stable over the past few years. Google's John Mueller suggests AI SEO acronyms lead to scammy and spammy practices. Google Search age verification is now out in the wild. Google may add analytics for the new preferred sources feature. Google is testing a loyalty benefits section in the merchant knowledge panel. Microsoft Copilot local results link the reviews to Google Maps. I also posted my weekly SEO video recap.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
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Chartbeat: Traffic From Google To Publishers Stable Over Years
The studies we have thus seen from third parties have all said traffic from Google Search to websites has declined a lot since AI Overviews came out. But we have a new study from Chartbeat that says traffic to news publishers from Google (including Discover) has been stable over the past few years. -
Google's John Mueller Suggests AI SEO Acronyms May Lead To Scams & Spam
Google's John Mueller replied to a lot of the hype around all GEO, AIO, AEO, etc topics floating around the SEO space. John said on Bluesky, "The higher the urgency, and the stronger the push of new acronyms, the more likely they're just making spam and scamming." -
Google Looking Into Adding Analytics For Preferred Sources
Google recently launched the preferred sources for top stories within Google Search. But there is no way for publishers to know how many of their readers selected their website as a preferred source. But Google said they are "looking into this" and may provide such data to publishers. -
Microsoft Copilot Links Local Reviews To Bing Competitor Google Maps
It looks like Microsoft Copilot, formerly Bing Chat, is using Google Maps reviews for its local AI results. It also links directly to the Google Maps business profile listing when you click on the review stars and ratings from Copilot. -
Google Tests Loyalty Benefits Section In Merchant Knowledge Panels
Google is testing adding a "loyalty benefits" section to the merchant/retailer knowledge panels. This would show on the right side of the page, under the description of the retailer. -
Google Search Age Verification: Asking To Confirm You're An Adult
Google Search started to roll out the age verification that it said it would begin doing a couple of weeks ago. Yes, it is not just YouTube, it goes across Google Search ads too, as we reported back a couple of weeks ago. -
Cute: Nik's PPC Toy Box Book
Here is a photo from Dii Pooler of a book she put together named Nik's PPC Toy Box: The Adventures of a Future PPC Strategist. She shared this photo of her holding it on X and wrote, "I just released the first #childrensbook solely dedicated to #PPC advertising. Why? Because why not give future generations a head start! This isn't just a kids' book. It's how you build legacy." -
Video: Google Volatility Continues, Preferred Sources, Site Hack Demolishes Traffic & Google On AI
The Google search ranking volatility has not calmed down since the June core update and we are in mid-August and expecting another core update soon. Google launched the preferred sources feature for Top Stories in the US and India. Chartbeat says traffic from Google...
Other Great Search Threads:
- @pmarca explains why hyperlinks are blue. And how early web design was shaped by personal taste and an early attempt at dark mode., a16z on X
- CTA for trying Web Guide spotted by me right now in Google, and not using a VPN to fake I am searching within the US. AKA, I am searching normally, as being in Spain, even if using the parameters &gl=us&hl=en URL of my search, Gianluca Fiorelli on X
- Googlebot Crawl Dropped 90% Overnight After Broken hreflang in HTTP Headers — Need Advice, Reddit
- This is why Google will lose to chat search. 99% of the pre-scroll SERP isn't dedicated to my task. I wanted to login., Wil Reynolds on X
Search Engine Land Stories:
- Google boosts iOS App campaigns with new formats, AI tools
- Google Ads adds ‘Share of Cost’ toggle to PMax reporting
- When to restructure your Google Ads account – and how to do it right
- How to build a paid media team in the AI age
- How to protect your brand reputation in AI search
Other Great Search Stories:
Industry & Business
- Big Tech’s A.I. Boom Is Reordering the U.S. Power Grid, New York Times
- Twitter Ex-CEO Parag Agrawal Is Moving Past His Elon Musk Drama, Bloomberg
- Google And Pollster Scott Rasmussen Will Use AI To Survey Americans’ Political Views, Forbes
- Google Gets $35 Billion Offer for Chrome as AI Browser Fight Escalates, Decrypt
- Search.com outbids Perplexity for Google Chrome, Android Police
Links & Content Marketing
- How To Shift Your Video Strategy From Just Fun To Functional, Content Marketing Institute
- Why PR matters more than ever in the age of AI overviews, Browser Media
Local & Maps
- Android Auto bugs break Spotify, caused 'washed out' look, 9to5Google
- Google Maps partners with Benson Boone on American Heart tour, Google Blog
- Google Street View comes to Nepal, Google Blog
- The 7 local SEO mistakes you can't afford to make, BrightLocal
Mobile & Voice
- Apple returns blood oxygen monitoring to the latest Apple Watches, The Verge
- iOS 18.6.1, watchOS 11.6.1 restore Blood Oxygen feature, AppleInsider
SEO
- Agentic SEO: How To Optimize Your Site For The Future Of AI Agents, Nectiv
- Branded GEO: How to Control What AI Says About Your Brand, Backlinko
- Case Study - Ai SEO Content Strategy with Northampton Ecommerce SEO Jamie Irwin, Hobo
- Google Discover! Sudden drops are nothing new?, Gagan Ghotra
- Interview About AI Overviews and Helpful Content Guidelines (translated), Alice Rowan Content Marketing
- Reddit for SEO: Using Reddit As Your SEO Friend, Not Foe, seoClarity
- Understanding Programmatic SEO: A Comprehensive Guide, seoClarity
- What Entity SEO Insights Can You Get From Entity Hub?, Schema App Solutions
- Maximize Your Social Strategy With Video SEO, Sprout Social
PPC
- Aleph offers Microsoft Advertising in Finland, Microsoft Advertising
- How to maximize your iOS App campaign performance, Google Blog
- The Pros & Cons of Every Automated Bidding Strategy in Google, WordStream
Search Features
- Google launches new AI-powered flight deals tool, Google Blog
- Google AI Overviews linked to 25% drop in publisher referral traffic, Digiday
Other Search
Feedback:
Have feedback on this daily recap; let me know on Twitter @rustybrick or @seroundtable, on Threads, Mastodon and Bluesky and you can follow us on Facebook and on Google News, add as a preferred source on Google and make sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or just contact us the old fashion way.
