Latest from Search Engine Journal

Why The New York Times Puts Free Content First

The New York Times gives prime homepage space to free articles and tells readers they’re free. Here’s why that works.

It’s Possible Your Migration Issues May Be Due To Site Quality

If your new domain won’t index and there’s no technical fix, the problem may be originality. Read Marie Haynes’ theory and what to do next.

Content & Quality Site Architecture

Google Takes Applications For A UGC Pipeline Separate From Crawling

Google is accepting applications from forums and social platforms for a UGC pipeline separate from crawling.

Crawling & Indexing Links

ChatGPT Traffic Drop Appears To Be A Tracking Problem

ChatGPT-attributed traffic fell sharply in several analytics datasets this month, and analysts tie the drop to ChatGPT links that open without tracking tags.

Ranking & Algorithms Measurement

Google’s Universal Cart Is Live: How Carts Get To Your Store

Universal Cart is rolling out across Search and the Gemini app, with checkout inside the cart or a one-way handoff to the store's own site.

E-commerce

How Do I Measure And Attribute When Clicks Only Tell Part Of The Story? – Ask A PPC

Measure PPC value beyond clicks with conversion tracking, impression signals, and business records that help validate attribution as buying journeys move into AI.

Paid Search Measurement

Google Puts Inline Links Higher In More AI Search Responses

Google is changing how links appear in AI Mode and AI Overviews, moving inline links higher and expanding the carousels that highlight Preferred Sources.

SERP Features AI Search & Visibility

SERPs Stop Being The Default Between 2028 & 2030

Google flips its default from ranked results to AI answers when answer-layer ad yield matches the SERP. That crossover lands between 2028 and 2030.

Ranking & Algorithms

96.8% Chance Of A Panda-Style Update Within A Month According To Prediction Model Signals

Prepare for a potential Panda-style Google update by addressing scaled AI content and fake authors that could threaten rankings across your site.

Ranking & Algorithms Content & Quality

Coywolf Pack EmDash SEO Plugin Makes Sites Absurdly Fast

Coywolf Pack makes EmDash-based websites absurdly fast, adds more SEO functionality, and improves WordPress to EmDash migrations.

Google Launches A Video Series For Odd Technical SEO Questions

Google's new Search Central video series tackles unusual technical SEO questions, starting with emoji, non-English characters, and keywords in your URLs.

Google Ads Introduces Channel Prioritization And Budget Allocation

Google Ads introduces channel prioritization and budget allocation controls, giving advertisers more flexibility over spending across Search, Performance Max, and other campaigns.

Paid Search