This week we covered a new Google Search spam penalty for back button hijacking. Google also updated its spam report, it may now be used for manual actions. Google is aware of self-serving listicles and warns not to manipulate LLMs. Google Search Console seems to be testing an AI contribution report. Google Ads is retiring Dynamic Search Ads in place of AI Max. Google Ads removed 8.3 billion ads according to its safety report. Google Ads is simplifying by consolidating enhanced conversions with an off/off switch. A new study shows there are issues with accuracy for AI Overviews. Google Maps blocked 292 million reviews and removed 13 million back Google Business Profiles. Google Posts repeat option is now live. Google updated its reviews policy to restrict staff mentions and solicitations. Google Business Profiles also updated the identity change policy. Google updated the Merchant Center product specs for 2026. And Google Ads and Google Analytics updated its data controls. That was the search news this week at the Search Engine Roundtable.

This episode is brought to you by Yahoo Scout. Yahoo’s take on AI search is pretty interesting—it’s an answer engine that doesn’t hide the sources. You get clear, AI-powered answers with context, but also strong citations and links so you can dig deeper and verify for yourself. It’s built around trusted sources and the idea that the open web still matters. Check out Yahoo Scout at scout.com.

0:00 - Introduction

1:00 - Google Search Goes After Back Button Hijacking With New Spam Penalty

1:49 - Google: We May Use Spam Report Submissions For Manual Actions

2:26 - Google Is Aware Of And Warns Against Self-Serving Listicles

3:00 - Google Search Console Testing AI Contribution Report

3:30 - Google Ads Retiring Dynamic Search Ads For AI Max

3:53 - Google Ads Removed 8.3 Billion Ads - Up Over 60% (Most Before Serving)

4:18 - Google Ads Consolidating Enhanced Conversions With On/Off Switch

4:30 - New Study Points to Holes In AI Overviews

4:58 - Google Maps Blocked 292 Million Reviews & Removed 13 Million Fake Profiles

5:16 - Google Posts Repeat Posts Feature Now Live

5:38 - Google Updates Reviews Policy To Restrict Staff Mentions & Solicitations

6:08 - Google Business Profile Updates Identity Change Policy Language

6:43 - Google Updates Some Merchant Center Product Specs For 2026

6:51 - Google Ads & Google Analytics Data Controls Update

7:17 - Conclusion

Today we covered that Google Ads Dynamic Search Ads are being replaced by AI Max. Google spam reports may now be used for manual actions. Google Search Console had an unfortunate email bug. Google Ads is simplifying enhanced conversions with a new on and off toggle.

0:00 - Introduction

0:38 - Google Ads DSAs deprecating to AI Max

2:58 - Google spam reports used for manual actions

5:01 - Google Search Console email bug

6:25 - Google Ads enhanced conversions toggle.

7:50 - Conclusion

A daily recap video summarizing a few of the top search marketing headlines covered at the Search Engine Roundtable.

This recap is called It's New - A quick, daily dose of the latest in SEO with Anu Adegbola of Search Engine Land, Mordy Oberstein of SE Ranking and Greg Finn of Cypress North (and Marketing O’Clock) and Barry Schwartz.

Today we covered the new Google search spam penalty for back button hijacking. Google said don’t try to manipulate LLM results. Google Ads updated its analytics sources and more. Plus, did you see the PMax channel reporting insights page.

0:00 - Introduction

0:47 - Google back button hijack spam

4:18 - Listicles and other LLM manipulation

7:56 - Google Ads updates analytics usage

9:01 - PMax reporting update view

10:14 - Wikipedia deleted me

12:56 - Conclusion

A daily recap video summarizing a few of the top search marketing headlines covered at the Search Engine Roundtable.

This recap is called It's New - A quick, daily dose of the latest in SEO with Anu Adegbola of Search Engine Land, Mordy Oberstein of SE Ranking and Greg Finn of Cypress North (and Marketing O’Clock) and Barry Schwartz.