For the original iTunes version, click here.

Google confirmed the last reviews update finished rolling out yesterday after 29 days. Google Search ranking volatility continues throughout the whole week, I called it the Google Winter Blast update but it might be the reviews update that is ongoing. Google Groups has seen a massive ranking and visibility boost in Google Search but why and it is concerning. Google announced Gemini, its next-level AI, and it is already in Bard and being tested in SGE. Bing announced Deep Search, it is like hidden gems, but slow and powerful; they also announced a bunch of Copilot features. I noticed that John Mueller deleted some helpful content tweets and that Danny Sullivan auto-deletes tweets. Google updated its local ranking to look at business operating hours, it seems. Google has a Local Service Ads has a reviews hijacking problem. Google expands its video policy to video mode, it must be the main content. Google Search Console dropped the mobile usability report and the mobile-friendly test. Google added new vacation rental rich results and structured data. Google Search Console will drop the product results search appearance filter. Google seems to be showing how-to rich results again. Google has a lot of complaints about invalid sitemap errors. Google’s “you visit often” label is live now for some. Google is treating a knowledge panel snippet. Google Site names have an issue for some internal pages. Glenn Gabe wrote a piece on the tracking challenges with all these new alternative fees and secondary SERPs. Google allows some advertisers to opt out of the Search Partner Network for PMAX. Google Merchant Center next will support rules and supplemental feeds. Google SGE is testing search by image and the ability to export to Gmail or Docs. Google launched the full-width image pack. I posted the big December Google webmaster report. And the Chanukah decorations are live on Google Search – Happy Hanukkah! And if you want to help sponsor those vlogs, go to patreon.com/barryschwartz. That was the search news this week at the Search Engine Roundtable.

Sponsored by Rank Ranger (SimilarWeb), the all-in-one- professional SEO software. Rank Ranger is a comprehensive SEO platform that allows you to grow your business with data and analytics. It offers valuable insights through advanced rank tracking, including above-the-fold tracking, Organic Share of Voice reporting, actionable SERP feature data, and SERP analysis tools.

Make sure to subscribe to our video feed or subscribe directly on iTunes, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or your favorite podcast player to be notified of these updates and download the video in the background. Here is the YouTube version of the feed:

Search Topics of Discussion:

Please do subscribe on YouTube or subscribe via iTunes or on your favorite RSS reader. Don’t forget to comment below with the right answer and good luck!

McDonald’s and Google have announced a multi-year global partnership to utilise Google Cloud technology in its restaurants – with a particular focus on generative AI and edge use cases.

The agreement will see updates to various aspects of the McDonald’s restaurant and customer platforms, from the company’s mobile app to self-service kiosks. Edge computing capabilities will be used to gain new insights into how equipment is performing, while on the generative AI side, a dedicated Google Cloud team will work with the McDonald’s global innovation centre to ‘power exciting new experiences for crew and customers.’

The primary product cited on the Google side is Google Distributed Cloud, which enables organisations to extend Google Cloud’s infrastructure and services to the edge and data centres through a portfolio of fully managed hardware and software solutions. Google Distributed Cloud is expected to be deployed to thousands of McDonald’s restaurants so they can leverage both cloud-based software applications as well as on-site local software and AI solutions.

McDonald’s will be the largest global foodservice retailer to use Google Distributed Cloud, with restaurants being upgraded beginning next year. The partnership, according to Google Cloud, will be a ‘significant step for McDonald’s in advancing its restaurant technology platform to become the most sophisticated and productive in the industry.’

“Through this wide-ranging partnership, Google Cloud will help McDonald’s seize on new opportunities to transform its business and customer experiences, empowering restaurants worldwide with the latest technologies for near-term impact,” said Thomas Kurian, Google Cloud CEO in a statement.

The move comes as something of a departure for McDonald’s, with the company previously being associated with Amazon Web Services (AWS) for its global data platform.

Photo by Robi Pastores

Want to learn more about cybersecurity and the cloud from industry leaders? Check out Cyber Security & Cloud Expo taking place in Amsterdam, California, and London. Explore other upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars powered by TechForge here.

Tags: AI, edge, google cloud

1 day ago

Elon Musk calls for Disney CEO Bob Iger to be fired