Search Engine Algorithm Updates

I've been watching SEO evolve for 8 years now. And now it's about NEW vs OLD content in AI search. For years, Google rewarded age and authority. ⤷ Older domains ranked higher ⤷ Historical backlinks carried weight ⤷ Content aged like fine wine ⤷ Time built algorithmic trust LLMs operate on completely different selection criteria. Ryan Law's analysis of 16.975 million citations reveals what I'm calling temporal relevance scoring. ⤷ AI assistants cite content averaging 1064 days old ⤷ Google organic results average 1432 days old ⤷ That's 25.7% fresher content in AI citations ⤷ ChatGPT shows the strongest bias - citing content 458 days newer than Google What's happening algorithmically is fascinating. ⤷ Perplexity and ChatGPT list newest content first ⤷ Traditional Google prefers fresher content in top results ⤷ AI assistants prefer newer content over older content ⤷ Google's AI Overviews actually cite slightly older content than traditional Google This isn't preference - it's systematic ordering. The correlation data proves intentional age-based ranking in AI citations. The technical implications run deep. ⤷ Temporal signals influence retrieval probability ⤷ Content decay accelerates in AI search ⤷ Freshness becomes a ranking factor across platforms ⤷ Update velocity creates competitive advantages Most practitioners miss the nuance here. Google AI Overviews mirror traditional search patterns. But ChatGPT and Perplexity operate fundamentally differently. This creates platform-specific optimization strategies. ⤷ Google: Authority and age still matter ⤷ ChatGPT: Maximize update frequency ⤷ Perplexity: Fresh content gets priority citation order ⤷ Cross-platform: Freshness systems become infrastructure This fundamentally changes the content game. We're moving from "publish and pray" to "publish and maintain." Temporal relevance scoring is now a reality across AI platforms. The strategic advantage lies in systematic maintenance, not just creation. Your existing high-performers need ongoing optimization to stay visible .

Is your GTM strategy still stuck in 2024's search playbook? 😬 The game just changed, and it's moving at AI speed. We're past the point where traditional SEO alone guarantees visibility. Google's June 2025 Core Update, which completed its rollout on July 17, has fundamentally reshaped how users find information. We're now seeing AI Overviews on up to 20% of search results, and Google is even testing a 'Search in AI Mode' directly in Chrome's address bar, allowing users to bypass traditional SERPs entirely. Beyond Google, Meta is making public, professional posts crawlable by search engines, effectively turning your social content into powerful SEO assets. And emerging players like Perplexity are launching AI-native browsers, further disrupting the very foundation of search and, consequently, SEO and paid advertising. This isn't just a tweak; it's a seismic shift that demands a new approach to getting found. This changes everything:  👉 Your content must now be optimized for AI consumption, not just human readers, focusing on clarity and authority (E-E-A-T).  👉 Appearing in AI Overviews is crucial; traditional ranking signals are shifting towards AI's identification of helpful content.  👉 Social content, particularly from public professional accounts, can now directly influence organic search rankings, requiring tighter collaboration between social and SEO teams.  👉 AI agents will soon make purchasing decisions, requiring a proactive strategy for winning in AI search. The takeaway? Stop playing by yesterday's rules. Embrace Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) – focus on clear, authoritative, and easily parsable content for AI models. Your brand's visibility and future growth depend on adapting to this new AI search frontier. How are you adapting your content and GTM to win in this new AI search frontier? Share your strategies! 👇 #AISearch #GTMStrategy #SEO #GenerativeAI #MarketingTrends #SaaSGrowth #DigitalTransformation #AIforGrowth

I've analyzed 100+ Google updates. December's core update hits different ☠️ — THE FACTS → The update launched December 12th at 10:45am EST, just 7 days after November's update finished rolling out. Definitely quicker than normal. Early data shows three key groups seeing major changes (good and bad): • Sites previously hit by core updates were showing movement • Some sites that recovered in the November update saw those gains reversed • Sites hit by the "helpful content update" showed significant movement — WHY IT LOOKS DIFFERENT → Most core updates follow predictable patterns. They're spaced out, target similar systems, and show familiar volatility patterns. This one breaks all three norms: 1. Unprecedented timing: Google rarely release core updates this close together 2. Different systems: This update targets entirely different core systems than November's 3. Massive volatility: Tracking tools showing some of the biggest fluctuations we've seen in years Many sites that recovered in November are seeing those gains reverse. — WHAT WE'RE SEEING → Early data from tracking tools and SEO communities is painting a clear picture of widespread impact. Here's what the numbers tell us: • Rank tracking tools showing historic volatility levels • Changes affecting sites across all markets and languages • Previously stable sites experiencing significant shifts • Recovery patterns breaking from historical trends This suggests a fundamental shift in how Google evaluates content. — THE FUTURE → Google rarely telegraphs their future plans. But at their Zurich event last week, they were unusually transparent about where things are heading: • Core updates will become more frequent • Moving toward real-time ranking adjustments • Shorter wait times between changes and results The quarterly update cycle is ending. Welcome to continuous optimization. — WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU → The reactive approach a lot of us are used to is probably becoming obsolete: The old approach won't work anymore: • Waiting for updates • Reacting to changes • Quick tactical fixes What’s probably better: • Build consistently high-quality content • Focus on genuine user value • Think long-term, not quick wins — BOTTOM LINE: The gap between "optimizing for Google" and "optimizing for users" is disappearing. Focus on building something genuinely valuable. Then build good links. The rankings will follow. // Anyone in my network impacted?

Google recently removed the num=100 parameter, changing how SEOs see data. Many sites saw fewer impressions and keywords in Google Search Console. This isn't a bad thing, it means our data is now more accurate, showing real rankings without old distortions. What to do now: 1. Check GSC Data Differently: Don't panic if numbers look lower. Focus on trends and real changes, not just raw counts. 2. Aim for Top Ranks: GSC now shows more accurate top rankings. Concentrate on getting into the top 3 and page 1. 3. Vary Keyword Efforts: Short and mid-tail keywords were hit most. Keep exploring all types of keywords and use different tools to track them. 4. Boost User Experience & Content: Google loves good content and happy users. Make sure your site offers both. 5. Stay Updated with Tools: SEO tools are adapting. Keep an eye on latest updates and learn from the SEO community. This update helps us focus on what truly matters with real performance and user value. It aligns with Google's mission to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful, ultimately improving search for everyone.

Google just wrapped up its latest core update. It ran for 16 days and, like usual, shuffled the deck. Some sites that got hit back in 2023 saw a bit of a bounce back. But the real story isn’t rankings. It’s what’s replacing them. AI Overviews are showing up more often, especially on news and informational queries. In some verticals, they appear nearly 70 percent of the time. And most of those searches end without a single click. If your content isn’t being cited or quoted in those overviews, it doesn’t matter where you rank. You're not getting seen. This is the shift that’s catching a lot of marketers off guard. SEO isn’t dead, but it’s not the only visibility channel anymore. AI is rewriting the rules. I’ve been teaching founders and other marketers how to adjust for this in my AI Visibility (GEO) System course at the CMO Growth Guide. It’s not about chasing keywords, it’s about being the source AI tools pull from. Time to start thinking that way.

🔁 How Google’s Algorithm Updates Impact Your Rankings You’re ranking on page one. Traffic is flowing. Leads are coming in. Then suddenly… 💥 Your position drops. Traffic slows. You're no longer visible. No changes from your side but everything feels different. This is the quiet power of a Google algorithm update. Google makes thousands of small updates every year. But a few major ones , like Core Updates , can shift the search landscape overnight. And they don’t warn you. They don’t tell you what changed. They just roll it out… and wait. What Do These Updates Actually Target? 🔍 Thin, low-value content 📄 Duplicate or keyword-stuffed pages 📉 Slow-loading or poor mobile experiences ❌ Misleading titles and clickbait 🔗 Spammy backlinks or poor domain trust And sometimes, even great websites get hit. Because it’s not always about what’s broken — It’s about what Google now prioritizes more. What Should You Do When an Update Hits? 1️⃣ Don’t panic. Drops might be temporary. 2️⃣ Audit your content. Is it helpful? Accurate? Original? 3️⃣ Improve UX. Focus on mobile, speed, clarity. 4️⃣ Strengthen E-E-A-T. (Experience, Expertise, Authority, Trust) 5️⃣ Stay consistent. Keep publishing value, not just keywords. SEO isn’t a one-time task. It’s a long-term relationship , with searchers and with Google. When the algorithm shifts, it’s not out to punish you. It’s trying to serve the user better. Your job is simple: Keep serving the user too.

🚨 Google June 2025 Core Update: What You Need to Know 🔍 Google officially rolled out its second broad Core Update of 2025 on June 30 — and if you’ve noticed ranking shifts, you're not alone. 🌍 Global Impact: All regions and industries 📊 Key Focus: Quality content per page, not site-wide. 💡 Key Insights: ✅ Pages with strong E‑E‑A‑T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) are gaining. ⚠️ Thin or low-value AI content? It’s taking a hit. 🔄 Volatility is high — even well-established sites are seeing fluctuations. 🧠 What To Do: 1️⃣ Stay calm – don’t make drastic changes until rollout ends 2️⃣ Focus on long-term content value, not SEO hacks 3️⃣ Monitor GSC + GA data closely (impressions, CTRs, rankings) 4️⃣ Audit individual page quality — every page counts now! This update rewards real value. Human-first, expert-driven content is king. If your rankings dipped, it’s not a penalty — it’s a signal to refocus on relevance, originality, and helpfulness. 📥 Need help assessing your site’s E‑E‑A‑T or figuring out what changed? Happy to help! Let’s connect. #googleupdate #seo #coreupdate #digitalmarketing #contentstrategy #eat #searchrankings #june2025 #googlesearch #seotips #linkedinseo #searchengineoptimization

Last week, Google rolled out a massive update & it was a bloodbath for some AI-generated content. Here’s what we know and how you should respond: 👉 **40% reduction in “unhelpful” content** Google updated the core algorithm to try to target low-quality, “unhelpful” content. This means that pages that Google deems as unhelpful should be less likely to rank in the SERPs. What makes content “unhelpful”? Past Helpful Content Updates (HCU) have indicated that Google assesses helpfulness based on: - Original information, reporting, research, or analysis - Comprehensive overview of the topic - Goes “beyond the obvious” - Descriptive and helpful titles and headings - (Mostly) free of spelling and stylistic errors - Well produced and presented 👉 **Manual actions for “PURE SPAM”** In addition to algorithmic updates targeting “unhelpful” content, Google also handed out hundreds or thousands of manual actions. This means that they felt the algorithm changes alone did not sufficiently punish the worst offenders. The sites are now marked as “PURE SPAM” and mostly/totally de-indexed. 😬 👉 **Scaled content abuse** Google also targeted, “scaled content abuse.” In other words: Thin pages with programatically- and AI-generated content could be considered scaled content abuse and punished. Make sure that procedurally-generated content provides enough value to meet the “helpful content” guidelines above. 👉 **Parasite SEO** Google took a swipe at so-called “parasite SEO.” Basically, content that piggybacks off of an existing site’s authority to rank for all kinds of unrelated keywords. E.g.: A major local newspaper publishing an article or sponsored content about the “best appetite suppressants.” We can surmise that this indicates more focus on topical authority as a signal. In other words, if you’re publishing content on a wide array of different topics, it could send up red flags. 𝘚𝘰 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘶𝘱𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦? First: DON’T PANIC. Most of the sites severely impacted were egregious offenders—the “SEO goblins” flooding the internet with content to make a quick buck. *Your site was likely not impacted.* (But, feel free to DM me if it was or you’re worried about it.) Some takeaways: ✅ Use AI primarily as a drafting, outlining, or editing tool. Avoid publishing AI-generated content without human review and editing. ✅ Double down on creating “helpful content”—think, content that could not possibly be created by current AI technology. ✅ Focus your strategy. Rather than slinging topics at random, try to build a focused moat of the topics most important to your business. ✅ Assess the value of any programmatic or AI-generated content on your site. If it’s, “purely for search,” then look for ways to add value for humans. Happy to answer questions (to the best of my abilities). Good luck in the SERPs! ✌️ — If this was "helpful content": 1. Follow or connect on LinkedIn 👋 2. Share!

Google's March 2026 Core Update is one of the most significant algorithm changes of the year, and early tracking data from multiple industry sources paints a clear picture of what Google is now prioritizing. Pages that reword existing top results without adding fresh data, proprietary insights, or unique perspectives are losing ground fast. This helps explain why SEO Stuff customers who invested in original frameworks, proprietary data, and expert-led content are maintaining and gaining visibility while competitors relying on templated content are falling. https://seo-stuff.com Here is what the early data shows about who got hit: According to ALM Corp, Affiliate sites were the hardest hit category. 71% of affiliate sites tracked across multiple industry analyses experienced negative ranking impact. The common pattern: thin comparison pages, templated review content, and pages that add no original evaluation or first-hand testing. These sites built traffic on repackaging other people's information, and Google has now made it clear that repackaging alone is not enough. AI content farms took heavy losses. Sites that scaled production using AI to generate large volumes of generic content without human editorial oversight, original data, or genuine expertise saw traffic drops that early reports place between 50% and 80%. The content got indexed, and some of it ranked briefly, but the March 2026 update aggressively devalued content that contributes nothing new. Sites with original research gained ground. Early tracking data shows that sites investing in proprietary data, original studies, first-hand experience, and expert-driven content saw an average visibility gain of roughly 22%. (If you want to see where your site stands across Google and AI search, start here: https://lnkd.in/g7taa2VA) This update also landed alongside the March 2026 Spam Update (March 24-25), which hit just days before the core update rolled out on March 27. The combination made March 2026 one of the most disruptive months for SEO in years, with over 55% of tracked sites reporting noticeable ranking changes within the first few days. Here is why information gain matters more now than ever: Google has always said it rewards helpful content. But historically, "helpful" was loosely defined enough that a well-structured page covering a topic comprehensively could rank even if it did not add anything new. The March 2026 update tightened that definition. Google is now evaluating whether a page contributes something the existing top results do not. If your page covers the same ground as the pages already ranking, with no additional data, no original analysis, no first-hand experience, and no unique framework, it is structurally disadvantaged in the new ranking environment. Here is what to do with this data: == BREAK TIME: Due to character limits I'll finish this in the comments.

Google’s July 2025 Update: What’s Changing in Search Link In Bio. Google completed its June 2025 Core Update rollout on July 17, but the ranking shifts are still unfolding — and July brought additional refinements that many are seeing across their traffic and visibility metrics. Here’s what stands out: Core Focus Areas: • Better alignment with user intent • More weight on E-E-A-T (expertise, experience, authority, trust) • Stricter penalties for manipulative link-building and keyword stuffing • Increased visibility for structured, well-organized content (especially for snippets and AI Overviews) • UX and mobile-first design now directly impacting rankings Under the hood: Google is applying newer systems like MUVERA and its Graph Foundation Model to improve how it understands relationships between content, context, and authority — not just keywords. What this means for site owners and marketers: • Sites with thin or outdated content saw drops • Sites focused on depth, clarity, and trustworthiness gained • UX, mobile performance, and semantic clarity are now critical 📌 If you saw volatility in early to mid-July, this is likely why. Now’s a good time to review your content, technical SEO, and user experience with fresh eyes. #SEO #GoogleUpdate #SearchEngineOptimization #ContentStrategy #EAT #July2025 #DigitalMarketing #SERP #TechnicalSEO #UX