LATEST SEO & AI NEWS

Google shopping gets AI-powered revamp

​Google Shopping has been transformed with AI to offer personalized product suggestions, virtual try-ons, and tools for finding the best prices.

The update, which includes a personalized homepage and new deal-finding features, started rolling out in the U.S. on October 15, 2024.

Google search ranking volatility spikes again

Google Search rankings experienced increased volatility around October 15, 2024, with some SEOs reporting notable shifts in rankings, both positive and negative.

Barry Schwartz notes this is part of ongoing fluctuations since the August 2024 core update.

SearchGPT outpacing Perplexity, Claude in driving referrals for brands

​Danny Goodwin reports that SearchGPT, despite its limited beta status, is outperforming Perplexity and Claude in terms of referral traffic.

BrightEdge data shows SearchGPT is sending 4x more referrals to brands while growing 150% month-over-month.

Google reshuffles leadership, focusing on AI and technical direction

Google announces major leadership changes, with Prabhakar Raghavan becoming Chief Technologist and Nick Fox taking over search.

YouTube citations in Google AI Overviews see 300% increase

​YouTube citations in Google AI Overviews have surged by 310% since August, while overlap between organic search rankings and AIO citations increased overall but decreased for shopping queries.

SEO Audit Mastery Course Update

Since its launch in August 2024, the most comprehensive SEO auditing course has been steadily expanding. With over 50 videos, lessons, and detailed notes available and new content added weekly, this course is constantly growing.

The SEO Audit Mastery course will soon be split into multiple courses as it expands beyond SEO auditing to make you not only the top SEO auditor but also the top SEO professional.

100+ students have already signed up and are growing their skills with me.

MORE STUFF FOR YOU FROM OLGA ZARR

How to Analyze and Diagnose Website Traffic and Ranking Drops

The video where I discuss traffic/ranking drops and share as many tips as possible.

It's all based on my years of experience doing SEO audits and traffic/rankings drop analyses.

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MORE UPDATES & SEO TIPS

Why Google search is broken video goes viral

A famous YouTuber posted a video criticizing Google Search for issues with its results page, SEO, and AI changes.

I wanted to express my personal, honest opinion in his video, but he won't allow any comments that are not aggressive towards Google and complaining. You need to agree with him to get approved.

Fortunately, my comment wasn't deleted on Search Engine Roudtable. Thank you, Barry.

Google’s Martin Splitt shares 3 SEO tips for multilingual sites

Martin Splitt from Google shared three key SEO tips for multilingual websites:

• Website Structure. Use local top-level domains, subdomains, or subdirectories, based on what suits your needs.
• Hreflang Attributes. Ensure valid language-country code combinations, link all language versions to each other, and include self-referential links.
• Language Selection. Offer links to different language versions instead of automatically redirecting users.
• Bonus: Focus on locations that matter to your business, with properly translated content.

A weird Semrush brand rewrite in SERPs

This seems to have been fixed, but it was a very interesting discovery anyway.

Search results from Semrush had "Quezon City Website" in the name brand while this phrase was nowhere used on the Semrush website.

If you are curious, check my LinkedIn post about it.

Google AI Overviews appear to exclude sites affected by Helpful Content Update

The article reports that Google's AI Overviews are not citing or linking to websites impacted by the Helpful Content Update, even when these sites rank well in traditional search results.

New episode of the Search Off the Record

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SUPER INTERESTING SEO ARTICLES

SEO professionals can boost brand and lead generation through YouTube

"About 30% of the leads we get at Norzer come from people who find us through YouTube," states Ryan McCain.

The article advocates for SEO professionals to leverage YouTube as a powerful tool for brand building, lead generation, and revenue creation.

CNN's SEO strategy for dominating 2024 election searches

"CNN knows that they won't appear in Google's Top Stories without publishing a completely new URL," states Chris Long.

CNN dominates 2024 election searches by publishing daily URLs with dates, using LiveBlogPosting schema, making frequent content updates, and ensuring high-quality images and homepage links.

Building topical authority remains crucial for SEO success

​Shaun Anderson emphasizes the continued importance of establishing topical authority in SEO, particularly with the rise of Google AI Overviews.

He suggests focusing on related content, demonstrating expertise, and repurposing content across social media platforms to optimize for AI and maintain visibility in search results.

EU's Digital Markets Act challenges Google's search monopoly.

The Digital Markets Act (DMA), implemented in 2024, aims to promote fair competition in digital markets by preventing tech giants like Google from favoring their own services in search results.

The article highlights noticeable changes in European search results, particularly in the travel sector, and advises SEOs to adapt their strategies by experimenting with new SERP features and monitoring compliance with the DMA.

SEO adapts to 'Zero-Click World' as Google traffic declines

​Chantal Smink reports that Google is sending less traffic to websites, forcing a shift in SEO strategies. She proposes a new content approach focusing on helpful, expert-driven, and audiovisual content that can be repurposed across platforms.

Optimizing Google Merchant Knowledge Panel boosts e-commerce visibility

​Doreid Haddad and Andrea Volpini explain how businesses can enhance their online visibility using the Google Merchant Knowledge Panel.

Key strategies include accurate schema.org markup, consistent business information, highlighting unique attributes, leveraging reviews, and adapting to Google's updates

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SEO FOLLOWS OF THIS WEEK

If you aren't following these folks, then stop whatever you are doing and follow them because you are missing out a lot!

• ​Begum Kaya (SEO Consultant)
• ​Marco Giordano​ (Data/Web Analyst)
• Subscribe to the Norzer YouTube channel immediately!

Do you have any recommendations on folks I should give a shoutout to? Please add them to my LinkedIn post.

Niche Site Project Doug Cunnington Want to learn about side hustles, affiliate marketing, & SEO? Join the Niche Site Project list, by the creator of the Keyword Golden Ratio. Subscribe​