Prompt: Rate My Page Quality using the Hobo SEO Method
This is my contribution to democratising high-level SEO analysis. By giving the global AIs a structured, expert-level framework, we move beyond generic advice and get a truly helpful, actionable audit. I hope you find it useful.
Read the full article h…
Google’s Wild August 2025 Spam Update Finished Rolling Out
Google has completed the rollout of the August 2025 spam update, following a 27-day rollout cycle. This update started on August 26, 2025 and 12 pm ET, and was completed on September 22, 2025. This was a broad spam update, not a link spam update and wa…
Google Darksteel AI Search Option Test
Google is testing a new AI Search based option codenamed Darksteel. This reminds me of when we caught Google testing 47 different AI Search options back in March but Darksteel was not one of them.
Google Search Console Impressions Drop Impact With Google Blocking Bots
As you know, Google dropped the num parameter to see more search results on a page, then the third-party tools scraping became severely impacted and many saw impression declines in Search Console. Google confirmed the num parameter is not officially su…
Google AI Mode Product Listings Tests AI-Generated Product Summaries
Google is testing AI-generated product summaries in the AI Mode results, after you click on a specific product. I was able to generate this in one out of every four browser attempts, and here is how it works.
Google Search Translate A Conversation Button
Google is testing a button that takes you from Google Search short translations answers, to the ability to translate a full conversation in another interface.
Annotated Page Content (APC)
1. Introduction What is APC? Annotated Page Content (APC) is a structured and actionable representation of a webpage’s content and layout. Its primary function is to enable a deep understanding of page structure, content, and interactive elements by downstream clients, who can receive the information as a protobuf tree. Core Principles APC is designed with […]
The ContentEffort Attribute, the Helpful Content System and E-E-A-T. Is Gemini behind the HCU?
Author’s Note: The following analysis is based on information revealed in the May 2024 leak of Google’s internal documentation. All conclusions about the function, connection, and impact of these attributes (such as contentEffort) are the author&…
E-E-A-T is the Goal, Q-Star is the System, Site_Quality is the Score
In short, E-E-A-T is Quality Score. Or thereabouts.
Read the full article here E-E-A-T is the Goal, Q-Star is the System, Site_Quality is the Score © Copyright 2006-2025 Shaun Anderson
Google August 2025 Spam Update To Probably Finish Tomorrow – 9/22
The Google August 2025 spam update will probably be marked as completed tomorrow, September 22, 2025. That is what John Mueller from Google said deep inside a comment on a LinkedIn post. He wrote today, “Just between us, we’ll probably mark it complet…
Deconstructing DomDistiller: How Chrome’s Reader Mode Algorithm Impacts Technical SEO
Chrome’s “Reader Mode” and its underlying engine, DomDistiller, provide a transparent look into the principles of machine readability. It’s a valuable, real-world model of how a sophisticated Google technology parses, evaluates, and isolates main content from boilerplate. Understanding its mechanics is not about optimizing for a browser feature; it’s about reverse-engineering a proxy for how […]
Everything you need to know about AI citations vs backlinks
For years, backlinks have been the gold standard for building authority, driving link juice, and climbing up the SERPs. But with the rise of Generative AI, the search landscape is shifting. Instead of chasing endless links, visibility now also depends on something more intelligent: AI citations. This evolution means your brand can show up in […]
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Search News Buzz Video Recap: Google Killed Tracking Tools, Impressions Dive, Ads Bug Overwhelms & AI Summaries Over Links
For the original iTunes version…
Google AI Mode Coming To Chrome Address Bar
Google announced that AI Mode will be coming to the Chrome address bar, Omnibox, soon. This means you can type in long queries and then select AI Mode to enter the AI Mode experience directly. Plus, you will be able to search the page you are on, using…
Google Tests AI Overviews With Citation Cards At Bottom
Google is testing placing the citation cards/boxes at the bottom of the AI Overviews, instead of on the right-hand side, on the desktop search interface. This requires you to scroll to click on the sources and links for those AI Overviews.
Google AI Shopping – New Shopping Search Tab Test
Google seems to be testing renaming the Shopping tab in Google Search from Shopping to “AI Shopping.” Maybe the results in the new AI Shopping tab are more AI-driven?
Google Search: Red Live Label On What People Are Saying Carousel
We’ve covered the What people are saying carousel and section within the Google Search results. We’ve covered the red live label for news stories. We are now seeing the two combined.
Bing Testing Local Pack & Maps Interfaces
Microsoft is testing various interfaces for the Bing Search local pack results and map. I spotted four different interfaces, some with the map on the page, some without. Some in a list view, some in a card view.
The Future of AI in Search | Whiteboard Friday Revisited With Britney Muller
What’s changed in AI and Search since 2020? Well, just about everything. Join Jo and Britney as they talk about AI hype, accessibility, picking the right models, and more in this Whiteboard Friday Revisited.
Daily Search Forum Recap: September 18, 2025
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 called the new Search Console impressions dip…