Google spam reports can now be used for manual actions
Plus, the text you use in your report may be shared with the reported site.
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Barry Schwartz's latest articles
Google Search to penalize back button hijacking schemes
You have until June 15, 2026 to remove the back button code before Google begins to take action.
Google explains how crawling works in 2026
Google went through crawling, fetching, and the bytes it processes.
ChatGPT enables location sharing for more precise local responses
This should result in better local responses from OpenAI's ChatGPT.
Google March 2026 core update rolling out now
This is the first Google core update of 2026 and follows the March 2026 spam update and the February 2026 Discover update.
Google Search Live expands globally where AI Mode is available
Google credits its new audio and voice models in Gemini 3.1 Flash Live for the expansion.
Google March 2026 spam update done rolling out
The March 2026 spam update rolled out in less than a day. Google called it a normal spam update that impacted all languages and locations.
Google releases March 2026 spam update
Google says this is a standard spam update. It’s rolling out across all languages and locations and may take only a few days.
Google’s undocumented method to disavow a whole TLD
Google does not document it because it is not something the company recommends.
Google AI Mode updates recipe results to better connect people with recipe creators
These changes are based on feedback from recipe bloggers - but will it be enough?
Google removes accessibility section from JavaScript SEO section
This change was made because the advice was "out of date" and Google handles JavaScript fine.
New Google help document says frequent crawling is a good sign
Google has a new help document on how Google's crawlers work.
Google uses both schema.org markup and og:image meta tag for thumbnails in Google Search and Discover
Google clarified this within its Google image best practices and Google Discover documentation.
Google patent hints it could replace your landing pages with AI versions
This is only a patent, not something implemented in Google Search. Here’s how SEOs are reacting to the AI-generated landing pages patent.
Google February 2026 Discover core update is now complete
After a 21-day rollout, the Discover-only shift favors U.S. publishers, boosts local expertise, and reduces clickbait.
Google fixed a serving issue with search results
This seems like it was a brief outage over night.
Google Search Console page indexing report missing data prior to December 15
This seems to be impacting everyone - so it is likely a Google reporting bug.
Google launches more visible links in AI Overviews and AI Mode
These links appear as pop ups as you hover your mouse over them.
Google Search Console AI-powered configuration rolling out
This is now live for all users, so check it out.
Google previews WebMCP, a new protocol for AI agent interactions
Google's WebMCP protocol lets AI agents execute structured actions on websites via browser APIs. Is this the next frontier of technical SEO?
Google & Bing don’t recommend separate markdown pages for LLMs
This is a heated debate now, but it seems that the major search engines are not recommending this "strategy."
Google releases February 2026 Discover core update
Google’s Discover core update prioritizes locally relevant content based on a user’s country while reducing sensational and clickbait content.
Google lists Googlebot file limits for crawling
Google updated two of its help documents to clarify how much Googlebot can crawl.
Google: 75% of crawling issues come from two common URL mistakes
Gary Illyes says faceted navigation and action parameters dominate Google’s crawl waste, trapping bots in infinite URLs and straining servers.
Microsoft rolls out multi-turn search in Bing
Bing's new multi-turn search is now global. As you scroll, a Copilot box appears at the bottom so follow-ups build on the last query.
1/3rd of publishers say they will block Google Search AI-generative features like AI Overviews
42% said they would not block Google and 25% are still unsure.
Google may give sites a way to opt out of AI search generative features
You may soon be able to tell Google to not use your content for AI Overviews, AI Mode and other search AI features.
Bing Webmaster Tools testing new AI Performance report
Sadly, it does not show you clicks, so you still have no idea what your click-through rate is from AI search results.
Google AI Overviews follow up questions jump you directly to AI Mode
This will result in less traffic to your site and more traffic to Google's AI Mode. Plus, Gemini 3 is now powering all AI Overviews globally by default.
Yahoo debuts Scout, an AI search and companion experience
Yahoo Scout is Yahoo's come back to search, using AI, its massive network and data to give you a more fun AI search experience.
Google brings Personal Intelligence to AI Mode in Google Search
This is opt in via a Labs experiment and is rolling out over the next few days to AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the U.S.
Some Google AI Overviews now use Gemini 3 Pro
Complex queries now trigger Google’s most advanced model. It's now live in English globally.
Google Trends adds Gemini to Explore page
Google Trends now uses "Gemini capabilities to automatically identify and compare relevant trends for your area of interest," Google wrote.
Personal Intelligence with Gemini connect your searches, email, photos, and YouTube history
This is also coming to Google Search in AI Mode soon, Google added.
Google doesn’t want you to create bite-sized chunks of your content
Despite what you think works well for LLM and AI Search mentions, Google said this is not a long-term strategy.
Microsoft launches Copilot Checkout and Brand Agents
These new agentic experiences were showcased at the NRF 2026 conference.
Google tests blue Send button that replaces AI Mode in the search box
As you type your query, the AI Mode may disappear and show you a blue Send button in the Google Search box.
Google December 2025 core update rollout is now complete
This is the third core update of 2025 and it took over 18 days to complete.
Google algorithm updates 2025 in review: 3 core updates and 1 spam update
Google is confirming fewer and fewer search algorithm updates, but that doesn't mean there is less ranking volatility.
Microsoft Bing explains how duplicate content hurts AI search visibility
Duplicate or similar content on your site makes it hard for AI search engines to interpret your intent signals.