Here is the big monthly Google webmaster report, where I catch you up on what changes with Google Search related to Google updates, ranking volatility, SEO, Search Console, UI changes, local and much more. This month we had intense ranking volatility all month, we had autocomplete updates, deepfakes algorithm changes and a big search indexing bug.

On top of all of that, Google Search Console had extended delays but that is no sign of a core update. You can now add shipping and return info to Google Search Console. Reddit did not block Google despite what many thought, but they did block Bing.

We saw a lot of changes with AI Overviews, Google Search Notes is gone now, Gooogle is testing country labels for search snippets, Google is degrading X in Search maybe and more. Google also posted its earnings report and more.

Here are a lot of additional top headlines for the past month:

Google Algorithm Updates:

Google SEO:
Google Search Console:
Google AI Overviews:
Google User Interface:
Google Business Profiles & Local:
Other Google:

Forum discussion at WebmasterWorld.

This week we covered how Google said the core update isn’t extremely far away. We also reported on super intense Google Search ranking volatility change later this week and then the ongoing volatility with Google Search over the past few weeks. Google updated its algorithms to demote deepfake content. Google also improved its Autocomplete predictions in the wake of the Trump controversy. There was this excellent deep dive on how Google indexes JavaScript. Google may be showing fewer X posts in Search and is testing changing the X carousel to “latest posts from.” Google is also testing “hidden gem stores,” which is weird. Google is testing knowledge panels with videos. Google Discover is promoting AI Overviews for the Olympics. There is new data on how Google mixes ads into organic results. Google Ads launched new PMax reporting and AI tools. There was another Google Ads reporting outage yesterday. Google Merchant Center has a section for “more found by Google.” Google Ads now integrates with Merchant Center AI image tool. Google Ads click-to WhatsApp messaging seems to be rolling out. Google Ads as a new “for your consideration” ad format. Google Business Profiles now lets you take a photo of your menu. Microsoft earnings showed Bing Ads revenue up 19%. I also posted the big Google Webmaster Report for August 2024. That was the search news this week at the Search Engine Roundtable.

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Search Topics of Discussion:

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Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today, through the eyes of the Search Engine Roundtable and other search forums on the web.

There is a Google Ads reporting outage that has been going on for a while now. I posted the monthly Google Webmaster report – worth checking out, I think. Google Local Service Ads automated lead dispute system is up, we got screenshots. Google Ads is now charging Canadians a 2.5% surcharge fee. Google Ads separate ad groups can remove AI-theming. Google is testing an explore more search box. Google Ads soon will allow pubic hair grooming serving ads. Plus, I posted the SEO video recap video.

Search Engine Roundtable Stories:

• 
  Google Ads Reporting & Some Interfaces Are Down For Advertisers
  
  
  Google Ads is currently having an outage for many of its reporting interfaces across Report Editor, Dashboards, and Saved Reports in the Google Ads web interface. Plus, The Products, Product Groups and Listing Groups pages are down across the web interface, API, and Google Ads Editor.
• 
  August 2024 Google Webmaster Report
  
  
  Here is the big monthly Google webmaster report, where I catch you up on what changes with Google Search related to Google updates, ranking volatility, SEO, Search Console, UI changes, local and much more. This month we had intense ranking volatility all month, we had autocomplete updates, deepfakes algorithm changes and a big search indexing bug.
• 
  Search News Buzz Video Recap: Intense Google Ranking Volatility, Deepfake Search Updates & Trump Autocomplete Tweaks
  
  
  
  
  This week we covered how Google said the core update isn’t extremely far away. We also reported on super intense Google Search ranking volatility change later this week and then the ongoing volatility with Google Search over the past few weeks…
• 
  Google Tests Explore More With Search Section
  
  
  Google seems to be encouraging searchers to search more for more types of queries with a new “Explore more with Search” carousel. It shows the searcher other topics, with photos, on what they can search on.
• 
  Google Local Service Ads Automated Lead Dispute System
  
  
  A few weeks ago, Google announced it is doing away with how it does credits and disputes for Local Service Ads and is switching to an automated system. It seems like that system is now live, up and running.




• 
  Separate Ad Group In Google Ads Can Remove AI-Theming
  
  
  Ginny Marvin, Google’s Ads Liaison, said if you put similar keywords in separate ad groups that can essentially make both eligible to be considered for auction selection. It would essentially remove AI-theming (if that is a word) because they are in different ad groups.
• 
  Google To Allow Pubic Hair Grooming Ads In September 2024
  
  
  Google will update its Google Ads policy on September 3, 2024, to allow public hair grooming services to be advertised on the Google Ads network, including Display, YouTube, and Search.
  




• 
  Google Ads Tacks On Canadian Advertisers A 2.5% Surcharge
  
  
  Google notified advertisers in Canada they are charging a 2.5% surcharge on top of everything for buying ads on Google. This is on top of many of these advertisers losing the credit card payment option, which was as good as cash for many of them.




• 
  Google Product Expert Diamond Certificate of Achievement
  
  
  Here is a photo of a certificate of achievement that Ben Fisher received from Google for his work as a Google Product Expert in the Google Business Profiles forums. This is a Diamond Status version from the Google Product Experts team.

Other Great Search Threads:

Search Engine Land Stories:

Other Great Search Stories:

Analytics

Industry & Business

Links & Content Marketing

Local & Maps

Mobile & Voice

SEO

PPC

Search Features

Other Search

Feedback:

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