Author Archives: SocialSignalCounter

Why Google reviews will power up your local SEO in 2025

Why Google reviews will power up your local SEO in 2025

A strong Google review strategy is one of the most effective – and accessible – ways to boost your local SEO. Unlike other ranking signals that may feel out of reach, reviews are something business owners can actively influence. And their impact is only growing. Google reviews play a major role in map pack rankings, […]

AI Overview Links Share Single Position In Search Console

AI Overview Links Share Single Position In Search Console

Google’s John Mueller has clarified that all links within AI Overviews (AIOs) share a single position in Google Search Console. SEO consultant Gianluca Fiorelli asked Mueller how Search Console tracks position data for URLs in Google’s AI-generated answer boxes. Mueller referenced Google’s official help docs, explaining: “Basically an AIO counts as a block, so it’s […]

Google Ads Audience Builder: What the heck is that?

Google Ads Audience Builder: What the heck is that?

If you’ve played around with audience targeting in a Demand Gen or Video campaign lately, you may have thought to yourself, “Um… does something look different here?!” It’s not just you. Audience Builder is the new workflow for audience targeting in Demand Gen and Video campaigns, and audience signals in Performance Max campaigns. This isn’t […]

Shocking 56% CTR drop: AI Overviews gut MailOnline’s search traffic

Shocking 56% CTR drop: AI Overviews gut MailOnline’s search traffic

Even when it ranks in Position 1, MailOnline loses over half its clicks when AI Overviews appear in Google’s search results. Calling the click-through rate (CTR) “pretty shocking” Carly Steven, SEO and editorial ecommerce director for the UK newspaper, told the WAN-IFRA World News Media Congress (as reported by PressGazette): “On desktop, when we are […]

Google Ads adds device targeting to Performance Max campaigns

Google Ads adds device targeting to Performance Max campaigns

Google Ads rolled out device targeting options for Performance Max (PMax) campaigns, which gives you granular control that was previously unavailable at the campaign level. The new targeting options appear in PMax campaign settings. You can now include or exclude specific device types You can now gain critical control over which devices see your Performance […]

Google Launches Generative AI Certification With Free Training

Google Launches Generative AI Certification With Free Training

Google launches a generative AI certification with free training, focusing on Google’s tools. Is this credential worth adding to your resume? Google has launched a generative AI certification program. The certification is focused exclusively on Google’s own AI tools. The certification exam costs $99, but all training materials are free. #Google #Launches #Generative #Certification […]

Email leak: Google’s ‘Power Pair’ push in 2024 met with advertiser skepticism

Email leak: Google’s ‘Power Pair’ push in 2024 met with advertiser skepticism

Leaked internal emails from Google executives show that the company’s heavily promoted “Power Pair” campaign (using broad matched kywords and PMax) push at Google Marketing Live 2024 failed to resonate with advertisers who were frustrated about being forced into automated solutions. Key points: Internal emails show Google executives acknowledged advertiser frustration with the company’s aggressive […]

There is a growing spam problem in Google AI Overviews

There is a growing spam problem in Google AI Overviews

Is there a spam problem in AI Overviews? Yes – and apparently it’s growing. Don’t believe me? Just ask Google and you’ll get the following response: Yes, there is a growing spam problem in Google AI Overviews. A recent LinkedIn post highlighted that AI Overviews are easily manipulated, regurgitating content verbatim or hallucinating incorrect information, and […]

The rise of ‘like hat’ SEO: When attention replaces outcomes

The rise of ‘like hat’ SEO: When attention replaces outcomes

For decades, the SEO world has been divided into two camps: black hat and white hat practitioners. These opposing forces have waged countless battles across digital forums and social media. But now, a new breed of SEO has emerged. One that’s mastered the art of attention-grabbing and self-promotion. Enter the “like hat.” SEO practitioners who […]

The Rise Of Privacy-First Search Engines

The Rise Of Privacy-First Search Engines

Google has long held a firm grip on the search engine landscape, but that dominant veneer is starting to show cracks. In recent months, regulatory scrutiny, public mistrust, and rising anxiety around AI have pushed digital privacy into the spotlight. Millions of users are now evaluating their relationship with “big tech” and actively seeking alternatives, […]