Positive SurferSEO review: 7,000 words later, here’s what it does best

Here we are on the verge of my 3rd review! I’ve already reviewed SerpStat and SE Ranking, and have decided to review SurferSEO (or is it Positive Surfer?) next. After being acquired by the French company Positive Group they are now referring to themselves as ” AI visibility platform for maximum organic growth”. And yes, […]

The post Positive SurferSEO review: 7,000 words later, here’s what it does best appeared first on Search Engine Watch – SEO, AI Search, PPC News & Analysis.

15 best Linkedin alternatives in 2026

Linkedin is an amazing professional networks if you’re looking to expand your reach, find a new job or just learn stuff. I’ve been using it more and more in the last few months, trying to expand my networking reach. But I do understand the shortcomings that it might have, and why many people might be […]

The post 15 best Linkedin alternatives in 2026 appeared first on Search Engine Watch – SEO, AI Search, PPC News & Analysis.

SE Ranking review (2026): Powerful, polished and no longer cheap

It’s time for my second review here at SEW, and I couldn’t be more excited. Today, I’m diving into SERanking and analyzing its features, just as I did in my SerpStat review, which I hope you enjoyed. First off, it’s important to mention that this isn’t a paid review nor have we been compensated to […]

The post SE Ranking review (2026): Powerful, polished and no longer cheap appeared first on Search Engine Watch – SEO, AI Search, PPC News & Analysis.

Serpstat review: what we learned after using it for a year

In my career spanning over 20 years in SEO, publishing, and content, I’ve used, as you might guess, quite a lot of SEO tools. Even when I had stepped away from the day-to-day activity and handed my duties over to an SEO manager, I was still interested in the advances in SEO tools Now, after […]

The post Serpstat review: what we learned after using it for a year appeared first on Search Engine Watch – SEO, AI Search, PPC News & Analysis.

11 best alternative search engines to Google in 2026

In recent years, Google has made significant changes that have particularly impacted publishers and other content creators. At the same time, we’ve witnessed the rise of alternative search engines. Although Google continues to dominate the market, there are many reasons you might consider exploring other options. We’ve compiled and tested a list of alternatives in […]

The post 11 best alternative search engines to Google in 2026 appeared first on Search Engine Watch – SEO, AI Search, PPC News & Analysis.

Best Search Engine for Privacy in 2026 [7 Ranked]

DuckDuckGo is the best private search engine for most people, but it is not the right answer for every threat model. We examined what seven active services collect, where their results come from, how they make money, and whether their AI can really be turned off. Read below for the full list and analysis. Privacy […]

The post Best Search Engine for Privacy in 2026 [7 Ranked] appeared first on Search Engine Watch – SEO, AI Search, PPC News & Analysis.

How to make online reviews one of your most powerful SEO weapons

The importance of online reviews is undeniable. Let’s talk about a few big ones in making online reviews one of the strongest weapons in your SEO arsenal.

The post How to make online reviews one of your most powerful SEO weapons appeared first on Search Engine Watch.

Thoughts on the Recent Rollout of Aggregate Reviews, Snippets & Critic Reviews in Google SERPS

Since early August with the roll out of Critic Reviews and Top 10 Lists and with the recent rollout of Reviews from the web and a significant review snippet display upgrade, Google has been on a rich snippet tear. Here are some my thoughts, big and small, about these changes. Do you see these changes … Continue reading Thoughts on the Recent Rollout of Aggregate Reviews, Snippets & Critic Reviews in Google SERPS

Google Updates Mobile Rich Snippet Display with Pricing Information

In addition to the release of Reviews from the web and new review rich snippet guidelines (again), Google has simultaneously updated the display of mobile organic review rich snippets with more space and additional pricing details. H/T to Aaron Weiche, the CMO at GetFivestars.

Yelp Review Summaries Back in the Google Knowledge Panel

I am not sure whether this message has been approved by Jeremy Stoppleman but at least for now, with the new reviews from the web announced yesterday summaries now showing in the Knowledge Panel, Yelp is back. For those of you that don’t go back to the “early” days of Google Local, it would seem … Continue reading Yelp Review Summaries Back in the Google Knowledge Panel

Updated Google Schema Review Guidelines for Local Businesses

Review rich snippets are a powerful local markup type but they have been open to abuse and misuse. Google with release of their critic review snippet extension has also significantly updated their rules for Local Business‘s use of review rich snippets on their website. IN typical Google fashion, the new rules while adding additional use … Continue reading Updated Google Schema Review Guidelines for Local Businesses

Shame on Elizabeth Warren (and Yelp)

Google is a monopoly in local search. Whether they leverage their monopoly power and intentionally disadvantage smaller competitors is probable. But that disadvantaging is what would need to be proved to make the case for any antitrust remedy to be proposed. But when I hear Elizabeth Warren say in a speech that in 2012 the FTC … Continue reading Shame on Elizabeth Warren (and Yelp)

Making a Business More Complaint Receptive

I have just published the last (at least for now) article on complaints:  13 Ideas to Make Your Business More Complaint Friendly. In the article I came up with a number of ways to set your business up for success from both an operational point of view as well as a process one. But I … Continue reading Making a Business More Complaint Receptive

8 Steps for Dealing with Customer Complaints

I have just added another post in the Complaint Series at GetFiveStars:  8 Steps for Dealing with Customer Complaints. I put together a concise guide to help you create a plan for complaint resolution. And that is something I really think you should do, put together your own plan. When the s%^t hits the fan, it will … Continue reading 8 Steps for Dealing with Customer Complaints