June was a quietish month for algorithm updates after all the noise and bluster of the recent core updates. That’s not to say there hasn’t been some volatility, with. AI, structured data and ‘API leaks’ all causing quite a stir.

Google AI Overviews: New research offers insights

Brightedge provided insights into what is likely to trigger new kinds of search queries for AI overviews across multiple verticals.​

Their research shows dramatic differences in the amount of AI Overviews (AIO) shown across different industries in a way that reflects the kinds of queries that are common. This effect works in reverse as well, where some verticals experience less AIO search features.​

The report suggests that featured snippets and questions were more likely to trigger the AIO feature.

Featured snippets are answers to questions that are created with direct quotes from websites.

BrightEdge found that AI Overviews were more likely to appear when there was also a featured snippet.

Local search queries appeared to be less likely to trigger an AIO result as this is more aligned to a user looking for information that can’t be summarised in a useful and concise manner.

Local results also often use structured data such as business name, address etc. which already offers useful data.

Industry veteran Rand Fishkin speaks about the Google API ‘leak’

At the MozCon industry conference at the beginning of June, Former Moz CEO and founder of SparkToro, Rand Fishkin, shared his opinion on how SEOs and marketers should potentially adjust strategies based on his interpretation of the recent Google API leaks.​

In conversation with Dr. Pete Meyers, Rand gave his view on how the leaked information could impact best practices, although the ‘leak’ is not verified.​

Rand does believe that the leaks contradict Google’s public statements about its systems.

“Google has been unkind and unfair. They have been abusive about this,” Fishkin stated, though these are his opinions based on reviewing the leaks.

Search Engine Journal covered the interview in more detail.

Google case study shows importance of structured data

Google recently published a case study that shows how using structured data and best practices improved discoverability and brought more search traffic. ​

The case study was about the use of video structured data, but the insights shared are applicable across a range of content types.​

Summary of the points covered:

  • How CDNs Can Cause Indexing Problems
  • Implementing The Correct Structured Data
  • Indexing + Structured Data = More Visibility

Google search ranking algorithm volatility in June

Are we seeing volatility in Google amid further algorithm updates?​

Semrush sensor (the tool for measuring volatility in search results) shows overall UK volatility peaking at 9.3 on 5th June, with more category-specific highs three days later.

We will continue to monitor the SERPs and report back anything noteworthy next month.

SERP volatility for the last 30 days image
  • Business & Industrial​: 9.4 8th June
  • News:​ 9.4 8th June
  • Shopping​: 9.4 8th June
  • Sports:​ 9.4 8th June
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