Google August Core Update, Big Ranking Bug, DOJ Google Breakup, AI Overview Links, Gemini Research & More

Search Engine Roundtable Podcast

It finally happened: Google released the August 2024 core update; this one should reward small and independent publishers more, should it? Google had another search ranking bug, today, this was a big one. There has been tremendous Google ranking volatility this week, maybe the core update, but it was the day before and the weekend before the official announcement. The Department of Justice may decide to break up Google. Google launched new links in AI Overviews, expanded it to more countries and launched new Search Labs features, oh and Google is showing them in incognito mode. Google Gemini Research shows links as well. Google may be sending some publishers a lot more Discover traffic and a lot less Web Search traffic, a report says. Google Search Console only shows 35% of your data, maybe. Google does not technically follow links. Google may get better at URL parameter handling. Google confirms it shows 10+ shopping ads as you scroll. Google Search lists merchant center tracking parameters, causing a mess for some. Google deactivated Russian AdSense publishers. Google top stories may be showing fewer stories for political figures. Google is testing mini knowledge panel cards. Google knowledge panels have these “connections.” Google Home listings are hidden with fake WhatsApp numbers, and some hotels are closed. Google highlights reviews in the search result listings. The FTC officially banned fake reviews. And Apple Business Connect expanded its showcase feature. That was the search news this week at the Search Engine Roundtable.

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0:00 - Introduction

1:14 - Google March 2024 Core Update Rolling Out - Will Small Sites Rank Again?

3:52 - Confirmed: Google Search Ranking Bug Impacting Large Number Of Results

4:32 - Google Search Ranking Volatility Combusting Around August 14th & 15th

5:06 - Google Search Ranking Volatility August 9th and 10th (No HCU Progress)

5:21 - DOJ May Break Up Google: Separating Android & Chrome; Maybe Ads

5:59 - Google AI Overview New Links UI, Save, Simpler Mode & More Countries

6:29 - Google AI Overviews In Incognito Mode (Not Signed In)

6:55 - Google Gemini Research: Web Search & Adds Link Citations

7:22 - Report: Google Sending More Discover Traffic But Less Search Traffic To Publishers

8:08 - Google Search Console Only Shows 35% Of Your Data? It Depends, Says Google.

8:47 - Google Doesn't Technically Follow Links, It Extracts, Collects & Checks Later

9:16 - Google Search To Get Better At URL Parameter Handling?

9:39 - Google Confirms Tests Over 10 Shopping Ads In Mobile Search Interface

10:06 - Google Search Listing srsltid URL Parameters From Merchant Center

10:33 - Google Deactivates Russia-Based AdSense Accounts, Final Payouts To Follow

10:55 - Google Top Stories Showing Fewer Top Stories For Political Figures?

11:19 - Google Search Tests Mini Knowledge Panel Cards

11:27 - Google Connections For Knowledge Panels

11:45 - Google Hotel Listings Under Siege: Fake WhatsApp Numbers & Marking As Closed

12:16 - Google Highlighting Review Content In Search Result Snippets

12:29 - FTC Banned Fake Reviews

12:45 - Apple Business Connect Adds Showcase Enhancements & Updates

13:01 - Conclusion