Podcast
Search Engine Roundtable Podcast
Hosted by Barry Schwartz · EN
This podcast includes weekly search news recaps and vlogs that Barry Schwartz of the Search Engine Roundtable produces. It covers SEO, SEM, organic and paid search topics, mostly around Google but also on Microsoft Bing and other search engines.
It is a quick way to catch up on the most important SEO and SEM topics of the week.
57episodes
Episodes
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It's New 6/3: Google AI Performance Reports & Blocking Controls, Google AI Mode Healthcare Ads, Microsoft Web IQ & ChatGPT Ads
Yesterday00:14:23Tap to summarizeToday we covered Google Search Console rolling out new AI performance reports and forced to give UK publishers the ability to block its content from AI Mode and AI Overviews. Google is testing healthcare ads in AI Mode. Microsoft announced Web IQ, plus Microsoft Scout (but what about Yahoo Scout). And ChatGPT is testing multi-advertiser placements and new ChatGPT Ad Manager updates. We also spoke about my new aggregator tool for Google search ranking volatility. 0:00 - Introduction1:36 - Google Search Console AI performance reports and AI blocking controls6:00 - Google Ads is testing healthcare ads in AI Mode7:40 - Search Engine Roundtable Google Search volatility tool8:58 - Microsoft Scout vs Yahoo Scout, with Web IQ12:24 - ChatGPT with multi-advertiser placement and Ad Manager updates 14:11 - ConclusionA daily recap video summarizing a few of the top search marketing headlines covered at the Search Engine Roundtable.This recap is called It's New - A quick, daily dose of the latest in SEO with Anu Adegbola of Search Engine Land, Mordy Oberstein of SE Ranking and Greg Finn of Cypress North (and Marketing O’Clock) and Barry Schwartz.
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It's New 6/2: Google core update heated and finished, Microsoft on AI search reducing clicks and Google Ads TOS updated
2d ago00:06:39Tap to summarizeToday we covered even more Google May 2026 core update volatility touching down today, June 2nd and in the show, that core update was completed and is done. Microsoft said in a presentation that AI search reduces clicks and website visits. Google updated its Google Ads terms of service.0:00 - Introduction0:50 - Google May 2026 core update heated and done2:09 - Microsoft said AI search reduces clicks and website visits4:17 - Google Ads terms of service updated6:20 - ConclusionA daily recap video summarizing a few of the top search marketing headlines covered at the Search Engine Roundtable.This recap is called It's New - A quick, daily dose of the latest in SEO with Anu Adegbola of Search Engine Land, Mordy Oberstein of SE Ranking and Greg Finn of Cypress North (and Marketing O’Clock) and Barry Schwartz.
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It's New 6/1: Google May core update heated, AI Mode sliding link cards, Google Ads brand search controls and lead management
3d ago00:11:04Tap to summarizeToday we covered how the Google May 2026 core update heated up this weekend again. Google AI Mode and AI Overviews are testing sliding link cards. Google Ads brand search controls are available for AI Max. And Google Ads has this new lead management screen.0:00 - Introduction2:45 - Google May 2026 core update heated again3:47 - Google AI Mode sliding link cards6:09 - Google Ads brand search controls in AI Max7:11 - Google Ads Lead management screen 10:13 - ConclusionA daily recap video summarizing a few of the top search marketing headlines covered at the Search Engine Roundtable.This recap is called It's New - A quick, daily dose of the latest in SEO with Anu Adegbola of Search Engine Land, Mordy Oberstein of SE Ranking and Greg Finn of Cypress North (and Marketing O’Clock) and Barry Schwartz.
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Google May Core Update Status, Buying AI Brand Mentions, Preferred Sources In AI Responses, Google Ads, Local, Legal & More
6d ago00:12:46Tap to summarizeThis week in search, we gave a status update on the Google May 2026 core update. Google strongly warned against buying mentions for AI or manipulating mentions for AI. Google removed the indexing lag between search and AI responses. Google Discover report bug caused a drop in clicks and impressions on May 21. There are video interviews with Google’s Sundar Pichai and Nick Fox. Google is testing a new favicon and sitename layout in search. John Mueller said Google’s search quality raters guidelines are not a guide for search rankings. Google Ads has new real-time policy reviews during the ad creation process. Google Ads will delete shorter-term data starting June 1st. Google Ads has this new prospect mode, for cold leads. Google is testing growing shopping ads. Google AI Mode tests new styles for shopping ads. Google Merchant Center has a new AI performance insights report. Google Merchant Center has conversational attributes for AI responses. Google Local is testing real-time stock buttons. Google Business Profiles adds view counts to images and videos. Bing has really released the AI-curated image interface. Similarweb says ChatGPT is showing more links, which is leading to a 150% increase in referrals. Google officially appealed the monopoly ruling. And the EU may fine Google in the triple-digit millions over favoring its own services in its search results. That was the search news this week at the Search Engine Roundtable.SPONSOR: This episode is sponsored by ADSQUIRE, known recently for being the first ad agency to get a lawyer advertisement to show on ChatGPT.0:00 - Introduction1:48 - Google May 2026 Core Update Landed Over The Weekend2:38 - Google Strongly Warns Against Manipulating Mentions For AI3:45 - Google Removes Lag For AI Overviews & AI Mode Showing Penalized Content4:16 - Google AI Mode & AI Overviews Add Preferred Sources & New Carousel5:06 - Google Discover Report Bug Cause Decrease In Clicks/Impressions May 215:34 - Interviews Of Google's Sundar Pichai & Nick Fox6:07 - Google Tests New Sitename & Favicon Layout In Search6:24 - Google: Search Quality Raters Guidelines Not A Guide For Search Rankings7:13 - Google Ads Real-Time Policy Reviews During Ad Creation7:29 - Google Ads To Delete Short Term Performance Data June 1st8:18 - New: Google Ads Prospects Mode8:41 - Google Tests Growing Expanding Shopping Ads8:56 - Google Shopping Ads In AI Mode Tries New Styles?9:19 - New Google Merchant Center AI Performance Insights9:47 - Google Merchant Center Conversational Attributes For AI-Driven Surfaces10:11 - Google Local Results Tests Check Real-Time Stock10:34 - Google Business Profiles Photos / Videos Add View Counts10:50 - Bing Officially Releases AI Guided Image Search Experience11:11 - Similarweb: ChatGPT Shows More Links Leading To 150% Increase In Referrals11:27 - Google Officially Appeals Search Monopoly Ruling11:54 - EU May Fine Google Triple Million Euros Over Favoring Itself In Search Results12:23 - Conclusion
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It's New 5/28: Google on buying mentions, preferred sources bone, Google Ads data going away and ChatGPT Ads CPAs
1w ago00:13:00Tap to summarizeToday we covered that Google says you should not buy or manipulate your brand mentions to get ahead on Google AI responses. Google AI Mode and AI Overviews gain preferred sources, a new carousel but is it enough - oh, also the highly cited label expanded. Google Ads to delete shorter-term data starting this Monday, June 1st. ChatGPT Ads conversion optimized campaigns are coming for advertisers.0:00 - Introduction2:21 - Google says don’t buy mentions4:39 - Google preferred sources expands to AI responses8:49 - Google to delete shorter-term data June 1st10:06 - ChatGPT Ads conversion optimized campaigns are coming 11:46 - ConclusionA daily recap video summarizing a few of the top search marketing headlines covered at the Search Engine Roundtable.This recap is called It's New - A quick, daily dose of the latest in SEO with Anu Adegbola of Search Engine Land, Mordy Oberstein of SE Ranking and Greg Finn of Cypress North (and Marketing O’Clock) and Barry Schwartz.
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It's New 5/27: Google Ads real time policy review, display ads fold, Discover reporting broke and local inventory check
1w ago00:12:36Tap to summarizeToday we covered the new Google Ads real time policy review process for faster ad approvals. Google Display ads is being folded into Demand Gen campaigns. Google Search Console Discover performance report broke again on May 21. Google local pack tests a check real time stock button.0:00 - Introduction2:40 - Google Ads Real Time Policy Review4:44 - Google Display Ads now in Demand Gen Campaigns7:45 - Google Search Console Discover Report broke again9:04 - Google local packs test real time stock checker10:43 - ConclusionA daily recap video summarizing a few of the top search marketing headlines covered at the Search Engine Roundtable.This recap is called It's New - A quick, daily dose of the latest in SEO with Anu Adegbola of Search Engine Land, Mordy Oberstein of SE Ranking and Greg Finn of Cypress North (and Marketing O’Clock) and Barry Schwartz.
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It's New 5/26: EU to fine Google a lot, Bing Images AI results, ChatGPT ads new features and ratty Google Ads
1w ago00:11:20Tap to summarizeToday we covered that the EU may fine Google triple-digit million euros for showing its services in the search results. Bing image search officially launched its AI-curated image search results. ChatGPT ad manager added geo-targeting, budgeting and more, and is testing ad experiences. Google does some testing with Shopping Ads, which are renamed ratty ads.0:00 - Introduction1:50 - EU may fine Google in the triple-digit million euros4:00 - Bing Image search AI-grouped images goes live5:16 - ChatGPT ads gain geo-targeting, budgeting and more7:24 - Google Shopping Ads tests11:04 - ConclusionA daily recap video summarizing a few of the top search marketing headlines covered at the Search Engine Roundtable.This recap is called It's New - A quick, daily dose of the latest in SEO with Anu Adegbola of Search Engine Land, Mordy Oberstein of SE Ranking and Greg Finn of Cypress North (and Marketing O’Clock) and Barry Schwartz.
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It's New 5/25: Google Core Update Felt, Lag In AI Index & Appeals Monopoly Ruling
1w ago00:07:19Tap to summarizeToday we covered the Google core update being announced on Thursday but being felt in a bit way this weekend. Google also appealed its search monopoly ruling on Friday. Google Search Console’s link report is broken. Google seems to have removed the index lag between AI Overviews/AI Mode and core search. And Google is promoting its AI features and I/O news on its home page but it was replaced by the Memorial Day Doodle.0:00 - Introduction0:40 - Google May 2026 core update touched down this weekend2:04 - Google appealed its search monopoly ruling3:32 - Google Search Console links report is broken4:15 - Google removed the index lag between its AI results and core search5:37 - Google’s home page promotes AI features and I/O news6:51 - Google Memorial Day Doodle7:04 - ConclusionA daily recap video summarizing a few of the top search marketing headlines covered at the Search Engine Roundtable.This recap is called It's New - A quick, daily dose of the latest in SEO with Anu Adegbola of Search Engine Land, Mordy Oberstein of SE Ranking and Greg Finn of Cypress North (and Marketing O’Clock) and Barry Schwartz.
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Google's New Search Box, Gemini 3.5 Flash Powers AI Mode, New Google Ads, Ranking Volatility & More I/O GML News
2w ago00:11:16Tap to summarizeThis week, we had both Google I/O and Google Marketing Live, so we have a lot of news. Google launched a new search box it is calling the intelligent search box. Google also launched Gemini 3.5 Flash, which is now powering AI Mode. Google showed off information agents in search, expanded agentic booking capabilities, showed agentic coding directly in Google Search, expanded personal intelligence and the seamless AI Overviews to AI Mode experience went fully live. Also, Google showed off its new Universal Cart, which is neat. What would be a week without Google ranking volatility, we had that the morning of I/O and throughout. Google posted a new help document on how to optimize for generative AI. Google added markdown files to its help docs but says it is not for Search. Google is testing a preferred label in the AI Mode results. Google has two new ad formats, conversational discovery ads and highlighted answers, within AI Mode. Google AI Mode is gaining shopping ads, business agents for leads and direct offer for leads. Google is merging Ads Advisor and Analytics Advisor with Ask Advisor. Google Ads primary conversion actions may be used for enhanced conversions. Microsoft Advertising has an import center, cross-account portfolio bidding, and bidding strategy report. Microsoft Clarity added a new AI report, a citations report. OpenAI’s ChatGPT does have a web cache. OpenAI also released updates to ChatGPT Ad Manager such as daily budgets and geo-targeting and new CTA experiments to ChatGPT ads. That was the search news this week at the Search Engine Roundtable.SPONSOR: This week's video recap is sponsored by Duda, the Professional Website Builder You Can Call Your Own.Note, I recorded this on Thursday and I am offline on Friday for a holiday.0:00 - Introduction0:38 - Google May 2026 Core Update Is Rolling Out - You Felt It1:03 - Google I/O 2026 Search Ranking Volatility & Update1:45 - Google's New Search Bar, The Intelligent Search Box3:13 - Google Search Now Powered By Gemini 3.5 Flash With New Agentic Features5:41 - Google Search On How To Optimize For Generative AI With Myth-Busting6:36 - Google Adds Markdown Files To Help Docs But Not Used For Search7:06 - Google Tests Preferred Sources Label In AI Mode Citations7:30 - Google Tests Conversational Discovery Ads & Highlighted Answers In AI Mode8:10 - Google AI Mode Shopping Ads, Business Agent For Leads & Direct Offers Coming8:26 - Google Ask Advisor Brings Together Ads Advisor & Analytics Advisor8:56 - Google Ads Primary Conversion Actions May Be Used For Enhance Predictions9:38 - Microsoft Advertising Updates Import Center, Cross-Account Portfolio Bidding & Bidding Strategy Report9:39 - Microsoft Clarity New AI Citations Report10:08 - OpenAI / ChatGPT Has A Web Cache10:38 - OpenAI Releases ChatGPT Ads Manager Updates & Ads Tests10:57 - Conclusion
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It's New 5/21: Big Google Ads News From Google Marketing Live and more
2w ago00:15:46Tap to summarizeToday we covered much of the Google Marketing Live news about changes with Google Ads. This includes new ad formats for AI Mode, conversational discovery ads and highlighted answers. Google Shopping ads coming to AI Mode, Business Agents for Leads also coming and expanding Direct Offers. Google also combined Ads Advisor and Analytics Advisor into Ask Advisor. 0:00 - Introduction0:24 - Google Marketing Live Ad News15:28 - ConclusionA daily recap video summarizing a few of the top search marketing headlines covered at the Search Engine Roundtable.This recap is called It's New - A quick, daily dose of the latest in SEO with Anu Adegbola of Search Engine Land, Mordy Oberstein of SE Ranking and Greg Finn of Cypress North (and Marketing O’Clock) and Barry Schwartz.
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