Another round-up of stories from recent days…
Google: Links, Site Moves & Technical SEO Don’t Fix Quality Issues
https://www.seroundtable.com/google-links-site-moves-technical-seo-quality-40309.html
When websites undergo domain changes, URL restructuring or other major migrations, the strength of their inbound links and technical SEO becomes critical. Even with accurate redirects, sites with many low-quality or irrelevant links are more likely to lose search visibility. Links from trusted, contextually relevant sites with strong crawl and index signals are key to maintaining performance.
Successful site moves depend on more than redirect accuracy. They require a solid link profile, clean technical setup, and careful monitoring before, during and after the transition to preserve rankings and ensure smooth reindexing.
OpenAI launches a web browser – ChatGPT Atlas
https://searchengineland.com/openai-launches-a-web-browser-chatgpt-atlas-463623
Open AI has launched ChatGPT Atlas, a new browser built with ChatGPT at its core. It is initially available globally on macOS for Free, Plus, Pro and Go users, with Windows, iOS and Android versions coming later. ChatGPT Atlas supports features such as a sidebar chat panel that understands the webpage you’re on, a “browser memories” option that remembers key details to inform future interactions, and an “agent mode” where the browser can complete tasks on your behalf such as researching or shopping.
This browser shifts more browsing behaviour into a conversational-AI environment rather than traditional searching via links. That means visibility may increasingly depend on being recognised as a valid source rather than just ranking in traditional search engines. If users switch to non-traditional paths via an AI-centred browser, then content strategy, brand visibility and structured data become even more vital. The monitoring of traffic, engagement and brand-mention metrics should also adapt accordingly.
Why Google Search Console impressions fell (and why that’s good)
https://searchengineland.com/why-google-search-console-impressions-dropped-interpret-data-463677
The article examines why many site owners are seeing sharp drops in impressions reported by Google Search Console. One major factor is that Google’s removal of the “&num=100” parameter meant that fewer results beyond the first pages are now counted as impressions. Another contributor is the rise of AI-driven search features and zero-click behaviours, where users get answers without visiting a site. These changes mean impression and average-position data are now less reliable indicators of true visibility.
Focus should move away from simply chasing impression volumes. Instead, it’s more valuable to monitor meaningful outcomes such as clicks, conversions, branded search growth and content engagement. Additionally, tracking performance by specific queries, pages, and devices helps identify whether visibility changes are driven by genuine ranking shifts, reporting changes or evolving user behaviour.
Engineering the AI resume: SEO’s new path to the C-suite
https://searchengineland.com/ai-resume-seo-path-c-suite-463670
As brand SERPs evolve into AI-generated profiles, SEOs must rethink visibility, trust and reputation for the new era of search and strategy. More than a decade ago the term “brand SERP” emerged as the “digital business card” of a company or individual. This concept has now been overtaken by what the author calls the AI resume – a dynamically generated profile reflecting not just what search engines display but how AI systems understand your brand.
The AI resume is positioned as a critical asset at the bottom of the funnel. It becomes the point of reference for major decisions by clients, investors, partners and journalists. It is interactive and deep – not just a static snapshot but the start of an ongoing conversational journey.
Brand visibility, once treated as a secondary navigational query, must now be central. The article argues that building a strong AI resume is about long-term authenticity and consistent brand presence across all digital touchpoints – the foundation of what the author defines as “Generative Engine Optimisation” (GEO) or “AI Assistive Engine Optimisation”
Black hat GEO is real – Here’s why you should pay attention
https://searchengineland.com/black-hat-geo-pay-attention-463684
Artificial-intelligence driven search is enabling a new wave of manipulative tactics, often called “black hat GEO” (Generative Engine Optimisation). These methods include bulk-generated low-quality articles, fake author profiles and reviews, and cloaked content versions served to AI crawlers to gain undue visibility.
Even though such tactics may appear to gain short-term traction, the article argues that they carry significant risk as platforms like Gemini and ChatGPT become more sophisticated at recognising manipulation and prioritising legitimate signals of experience, expertise, authority and trustworthiness.
Also been reading…
Cached pages in SEO: What they are and how to use them
https://searchengineland.com/guides/cached-pages
Emily Blunt and Sag-Aftra join film industry condemnation of ‘AI actor’ Tilly Norwood
Google Ads (Formerly AdWords) Launched 25 Years Ago
https://www.seroundtable.com/google-ads-celebrates-25th-birthday-40303.html
Is Honey a Scam? How Does It Make Money?
https://allaboutcookies.org/does-honey-sell-your-information