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Tag: News

Google Review Glitch: Missing Reviews Under Investigation

I’m tracking a growing Google Business Profile issue after several days of complaints from businesses that say reviews have disappeared from their local listings. Google has now confirmed that it is investigating the reports, and in some cases, review submissions on affected profiles appear to be paused.

What Google said. Google told us that when its systems detect suspicious review activity, it may take several actions, including removing reviews and temporarily pausing reviews on a profile to prevent further abuse. Google also said it is investigating the issue and will restore any reviews that were incorrectly removed.

What I’m seeing. As I documented on the Search Engine Roundtable, there are dozens of complaints in the Google Business Profile Forums from business owners and local SEOs who say their reviews have mysteriously vanished. In some cases, businesses are also unable to receive new reviews on their local listings.

From what I can tell, Google’s review spam detection systems may be identifying certain patterns and aggressively removing or blocking reviews on suspected Google Business Profiles. What remains unclear is whether this is tied to spammers abusing some profiles, a recent algorithmic adjustment, or Google’s systems becoming overly sensitive.

More details. Amy Toman, a volunteer Google Product Expert for Google Business Profiles, shared on LinkedIn that businesses or clients affected by this issue can post in the forum if they want to, but Google is already aware of the problem and working on it. She also noted that no timeline for a resolution has been provided yet.

She said she is seeing a new pattern where, after fake or spam reviews are reported, some Google listings receive a review block and all reviews are hidden. In at least one case, she said the rating was reduced to 0.

Why I care. If I noticed a sudden drop in reviews or stopped receiving new reviews this week, I would consider this issue a likely explanation. For local businesses, reviews can directly affect trust, visibility, and customer decisions, so even a temporary review disruption can be frustrating.

Google is investigating, and I’m watching to see whether missing reviews are restored and whether affected Google Business Profiles can begin receiving new reviews again.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

July 3, 2026
Google Ads API Ending Smart Campaign Creation: My Take

I see Google’s latest Google Ads API change as another clear move away from legacy automation and toward newer AI-driven campaign types, especially Performance Max.

Beginning August 3, 2026, Google says developers will no longer be able to create new Smart Campaigns through the Google Ads API. For me, the key detail is that this change is about new campaign creation only.

Existing Smart Campaigns are not being shut down. They can keep serving ads, and advertisers and developers will still be able to update and manage those campaigns through the API.

What changes is the ability to create brand-new Smart Campaigns through API workflows. If I depend on automated campaign setup, that is the part I would review now.

I care about this because it signals where Google wants advertisers to go next. Smart Campaigns may continue running, but the path for new API-based campaign creation is moving toward newer products such as Performance Max, Search campaigns, and Demand Gen campaigns.

Google is specifically pointing advertisers toward Performance Max as the primary alternative. Since Performance Max runs across Google’s advertising inventory and uses AI to automate more of the campaign process, it fits the broader direction Google has been taking for years.

I also see this as part of a wider consolidation around automated campaign formats. Google has increasingly emphasized systems that handle bidding, targeting, and creative optimization across channels, and limiting new Smart Campaign creation reinforces that shift.

For developers, the practical next step is to audit any application that creates Smart Campaigns before the August 3, 2026 deadline. The affected requests are campaign creation operations where advertising_channel_type is set to SMART and advertising_channel_sub_type is set to SMART_CAMPAIGN.

After August 3, attempts to create new Smart Campaigns through the API will fail. In version 24 of the Google Ads API, developers will receive a SmartCampaignError.CREATION_FAILED error.

In version 23 and earlier, the same type of request will return an OperationAccessDeniedError.CREATE_OPERATION_NOT_PERMITTED error.

My main takeaway is that advertisers, agencies, and software providers should not treat this as a last-minute technical cleanup. If campaign creation is built into an internal tool, onboarding flow, or platform integration, I would start mapping the replacement path now.

Google is not ending existing Smart Campaigns, but it is removing a key creation path for new ones. To me, that is a strong signal that future campaign planning should center on Performance Max and other AI-driven Google Ads campaign types.

Dig deeper: Changes to Support for Smart Campaigns in the Google Ads API

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

July 3, 2026
Google Held Accountable for False AI Claims in Germany

Recently, a German court ruling caught my attention because it asserts that Google can be directly liable for false claims made in their AI Overviews. The Regional Court of Munich’s decision highlights a significant shift, considering AI-generated summaries as Google’s own content rather than just protected search results.

This ruling emerged from a case where AI Overviews mistakenly linked two Munich publishers to scams and dubious practices, despite the linked pages containing no such evidence, as reported by The Decoder.

AI Overviews are not just search tools. According to the court, these Overviews go beyond merely assisting users in finding third-party content. They actually process and present information in their own distinctive manner.

What struck me was the court’s findings that the AI Overview allegedly made standalone accusations regarding questionable business practices, which were not substantiated by the linked sources. Because Google crafts and controls these features and their algorithms, the court ruled these statements to be Google’s own content.

Traditional search protections didn’t apply here. Google argued that they should be protected by German case law, which generally shields search engines as indirect infringers. However, the court disagreed, emphasizing that AI Overviews are distinct as they generate new statements from multiple sources.

The court also dismissed Google’s argument that users could verify claims by reviewing linked content. They highlighted that AI Overviews offer claims that stand as complete answers without needing verification.

Why does this matter to me? The court’s stance implies that AI Overviews aren’t neutral links. If they issue incorrect claims about a company, Google may bear direct responsibility for these words.

Mismatched connections and misinformation. The court determined that misinformation resulted from AI conflating data about other entities with that concerning the publishers.

Given that the contested claims weren’t present on the linked sites, the publishers lacked a clear third party to target legally, should Google be considered only as an intermediary.

Interestingly, the court insisted that Google could compare AI-generated content against primary sources, at least in analogous situations.

Action required from Google. The injunction demands that Google refrains from repeating the disputed claims, which include allegations of scams and nonexistent business practices.

Furthermore, Google is instructed to bear 80% of the legal costs, while each publisher covers 10%. Despite Google’s lack of a cease-and-desist declaration with a penalty clause, the potential for repeat violations was noted, emphasizing the importance of this ruling for future similar claims.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

June 10, 2026
Discover How Many Websites Use Each Schema Type with Schema.org
Have you ever been curious about how many sites use a specific type of structured data? Now, you have the chance to find out.

I recently discovered that Schema.org is now sharing aggregated usage statistics for its terms across the public web. This means you can see exactly how many domains are using a particular schema or structured data element.

According to a Schema.org announcement, they are excited to offer a new dataset providing these statistics. Updated monthly, the data is aggregated at the domain level and categorized into popularity range buckets, which helps to filter daily noise while emphasizing meaningful adoption trends for researchers and tool developers.

What’s the appearance like? Take a look at a snapshot of two Schema.org pages, featuring author schema and event schema, displaying the usage statistics prominently at the top:

Delving deeper into the data. Schema.org has further detailed the usage statistics. Here’s a brief overview:
- Schema.org term frequencies are evaluated within Google’s public web crawling infrastructure. The aggregation occurs at the domain level (e.g., example.com), not page by page. If you use the same term on 100 pages, it still only counts as one domain using it.
- Rather than displaying exact numbers, which can fluctuate daily, websites are categorized into range buckets (e.g., “10K – 100K” domains). This approach stabilizes the data and respects website privacy.
- The raw data files can be accessed on GitHub under the Google Public Stats dataset. Both JSON and CSV formats are available, alongside a JSON summary format offering aggregated bucket distributions, all updated monthly.
- Term Type: Specifies whether the term is a Type (e.g., “Person” or “Event”) or a Property (e.g., “price” or “telephone”).
- URI: Shows the official URI of the term, such as http://schema.org/Person.
- Domain Count Bucket: The range of unique domains utilizing the term, for instance, 100K - 1M domains.
$```json { "alt": "GitHub repository page showing a CSV file preview in schemaorg project.", "caption": "A glimpse into the schema.org GitHub repository, showcasing a CSV file preview detailing Schema.org statistics.", "description": "This image captures a GitHub repository page titled 'schemaorg/schemaorg'. It features a preview of a CSV file named '2026_05.csv' located within the 'data/public_stats/google' directory. The file contains several schema types such as EventVenue and TVClip, along with their domain usage statistics. The header section shows navigation tabs including Code, Issues, Pull requests, and more. The page is part of a public repository highlighted by the Schema.org Stats Bot update." } ```$

If you’re interested, here’s a peek at GitHub:

Why is this important? Well, besides my love for data, understanding the popularity of a specific schema element might just convince your development team to incorporate that schema code on your site.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.
June 10, 2026
Unveiling Google’s May 2026 Core Update: A New Era for SEO

Today, I’m excited to discuss the latest development in the world of search engines: Google has just rolled out the May 2026 core update. This follows the previous update we saw in March.

I learned that the announcement was made by Google through their official status page. It’s a significant moment as it marks the second core update of the year after March’s update and the earlier Discover update in February.

What Google is sharing. According to Google’s updated Search Status Dashboard, the rollout might take up to two weeks to complete. They also made a LinkedIn post explaining the aim is to enhance the visibility of relevant content.

Core updates like these occur several times yearly. They bring broad, impactful changes to Google’s algorithms, and though they often aren’t announced, this one is attracted due attention.

If you’ve noticed changes. Experiencing shifts in your site’s rankings? Google typically suggests focusing on producing quality content. Even if hit, it may not indicate problems with your pages.

For further guidance, consider reviewing the questions Google advises if affected.

The main takeaway? Prioritize creating authentic and helpful content; let these guiding principles lead your SEO endeavors.

For deeper insights, explore Google’s comprehensive documentation on core updates.

Reflection on past updates. Looking back, we’ve seen similar significant updates like the March 2026 and December 2025 rollouts, each influencing search result dynamics differently. Will this update continue that trend? Only time will tell.

Why this matters for us. Core updates can shake up the search engine landscape, causing noticeable volatility. It’s an opportunity for improved site visibility or a call to action to tweak your strategies if rankings dip. May this update bolster your SEO efforts, rewarding your dedication with increased organic traffic.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

May 21, 2026
Google’s Preferred Sources Now Available in Every Language

When I learned that Google’s Preferred Sources feature now supports all languages, not just English, I was thrilled. This exciting update means more people can tailor their news experience, regardless of the language they speak.

According to a recent post on Google’s blog, ‘Preferred Sources is now rolling out globally in all supported languages.’ This gives me, and everyone else, more control over the news we see on Search, allowing us to choose our preferred outlets to appear more frequently in Top Stories.

It’s fascinating to reflect on how this feature initially rolled out in December, but was limited to English. Now, it’s a comprehensive tool available globally, no matter the language.

Interesting Stats: Google shared some compelling data with this launch. For instance, readers are reportedly twice as likely to click on a site after marking it as a Preferred Source. Also, over 200,000 unique sites have already been selected by users—from local niche blogs to major global news platforms.

Preferred Sources: This feature lets me star my favorite publications in the Top Stories section of Google Search. By doing so, Google uses that interest to show more stories from those sources. I learned it started in beta back in June and was initially available in the U.S. and India by August, but now it’s part of a worldwide expansion.

How it Works: It’s simple! I just click the star icon next to the Top Stories header in my search results. This allows me to pick preferred sources, provided these sites are constantly updating their content.

Once selected, Google promises to showcase more updates from my favorite sites in Top Stories, provided they have fresh content relevant to my search.

For more detailed information, I can visit this page.

Why it Matters: In the competitive area of Google Search traffic, marking my site as a preferred source can make a significant impact. Google indicated these users are twice as likely to engage, which could help in driving more traffic to my site.

So, I’m adding the preferred source icon to encourage my audience to sign up. If you’re interested, you can make Search Engine Land a preferred source by clicking here.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

April 30, 2026
Google AI Mode: Ad-Free Personal Intelligence Experience

Recently, I’ve learned that Google’s AI Mode will continue to be ad-free for those of us who connect apps to enable Personal Intelligence. This remains true even as Google expands ad testing in its U.S. rollout of more personalized features.
Although Google is experimenting with ads in AI Mode, those of us who have linked our apps for Personal Intelligence won’t see any ads — a feature confirmed by Google. This decision means our user experience remains focused and personal.
What’s happening.
Google has been testing ad placements within AI Mode in the U.S., and I’ve noticed how they describe these connections as “helpful” to users, which, according to Google, opens new opportunities to discover products and services.
There is, however, an exception — no ads for those of us who opt into app-connected, highly personalized experiences.
The details.
Google has recently expanded Personal Intelligence in AI Mode as a beta for anyone in the U.S., allowing Gemini to create truly tailored responses. By linking data across Google services like Search, Gmail, and YouTube, our experiences become exponentially more personalized.
By opting into Personal Intelligence, I’ve experienced that AI Mode remains ad-free.
Why we care.
With ads potentially moving into AI Mode, Google approaches carefully, especially where personal data is most sensitive. As it stands, Personal Intelligence experiences remain ad-free as Google finds the right balance.
What Google is saying.
A Google spokesperson shared:
“There are no ads for us who connect our apps with AI Mode. That isn’t changing at this moment.”
“Test results over the past months indicate that people find business connections helpful and uncover new opportunities for products and services.”
“Future ads will operate similarly for us connecting apps. They will maintain relevance related to queries, response context, and user interests.”
Bottom line.
In embracing Personal Intelligence, I see Google’s Gemini app positioning itself as a more personalized assistant. This groundwork sets the stage for future ad experiences built on richer, cross-platform user context.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

March 17, 2026
Google Ads Reporting Glitch: What It Means for Your Campaigns

Many advertisers might be experiencing discrepancies in reporting on Google Ad Manager, which could impact their ability to effectively track performance and optimize their campaigns.

Google has acknowledged a disruption in the Google Ad Manager service, as noted on the Google Ads Status Dashboard, and they are actively investigating the matter.

The incident surfaced at 13:49 UTC on March 4. By 13:54 UTC, Google identified the issue where users could log into Ad Manager but not access the most current data.

What’s happening: The issue primarily affects reporting consistency. There’s a mismatch between Ad Exchange match rate and request values in Ad Manager’s reports when compared to the legacy reporting tool, which complicates data interpretation.

Why this matters to me: This discrepancy in reporting can hinder my ability to accurately evaluate performance and make informed decisions on campaign pacing, forecasting, and revenue adjustments.

What it means: While I’m still able to log into Ad Manager, the issues may lead to inaccuracies in my data, affecting campaign insights temporarily. Although there’s no complete outage reported, the mismatch in metrics can pose challenges for real-time performance analysis.

Next steps: Google is actively investigating the situation and will issue updates as more information becomes available. Meanwhile, I’m advised to monitor the status dashboard for further updates and reach out to support if I encounter any unlisted issues.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

March 4, 2026
Google’s February 2026 Discover Update: What You Need to Know
I’m excited to share that the Google February 2026 Discover core update has officially completed its rollout. Starting on February 5 and wrapping up on February 27, this update exclusively affects Google Discover content within the U.S. and in English.

This marks the first confirmed Search update of the year and notably, the first Discover-only update announced by Google. Unlike previous core updates that impacted both Search and Discover, this one is focused solely on Discover content.

U.S. and English Focus. For now, this update only targets English content for users in the United States. However, Google plans to expand it across other countries and languages in the months ahead.

Key improvements. Google stated that this update aims to enhance the user experience by:
- Providing more locally relevant content from domestic websites.
- Minimizing sensational content and clickbait.
- Featuring more in-depth, original, and timely content from sites recognized for their expertise in specific fields.
Since the update emphasizes locally pertinent content, it might lead to decreased Discover traffic for non-U.S. websites targeting a U.S. audience. This impact may subside as the update is adopted globally.

Google has also updated the Get on Discover help page, so I recommend reviewing it for additional insights.

Expanded insights. Google clarified that its systems are designed to identify expertise on a topic-by-topic basis, allowing sites with specialized knowledge to appear on Discover. For instance:
- A local news site with a specialized gardening section could be recognized for its gardening expertise, even if it covers various other subjects. In contrast, a movie review site with a single gardening article would likely not receive the same acknowledgment.
Google intends to continue using systems that personalize content based on users’ favorite creators and sources.

During their tests, Google discovered that “this update makes the Discover experience more valuable and fulfilling.”

Why this matters to us. If your site’s traffic relies on Google Discover, you might have noticed shifts in your traffic patterns. Keep in mind, this update currently affects only U.S. English audiences and pertains solely to Discover. While there’s been significant discussion about Google Search fluctuations, Google hasn’t confirmed those reports.

If you seek further guidance, Google advises referring to their documentation on core updates and the Get on Discover help page.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.
February 27, 2026
Google Resolves Brief Search Result Glitch Overnight

I woke up to some interesting news this morning — Google experienced a minor hiccup in serving search results around 1:30 am ET on Wednesday, February 25th. From what I gather, the issue was resolved swiftly, which is why there weren’t too many complaints flooding in.
Google kindly informed us that, “We fixed the issue with serving search results. There will be no more updates.” It’s always reassuring when they keep us in the loop, isn’t it?
Why I care. If you noticed a sudden drop in your website’s traffic close to midnight, don’t panic. It might very well be linked to this brief serving issue.

Although Google posted about the issue and its resolution almost instantly, it doesn’t necessarily mean the problem lasted just a minute. This was the timeframe they chose to update us.
And here’s the screenshot from the status dashboard notice that caught my eye:

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

February 25, 2026

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