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Barry Schwartz

@rustybrick.com
4.6K followers 686 following 7.6K posts

Search geek - like SEO, Google, Bing and dev

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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 1h
Google showing AI Overviews for many large brand names
seroundtable.com
Google AI Overviews Return For Many Large Brand Names
Google seems to be showing more and more AI Overviews these days and even for many large brand names. It don't have a ton of data but Google does seems to be showing more and AI Overviews for almost every large brand name except for Google's own name and news publications.
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 1h
ChatGPT Ads updates include bulk product creation, product review status, reporting conversions and much more
seroundtable.com
OpenAI ChatGPT Ads Gains Bulk Product Creation, Product Review Status & More
OpenAI just sent out an email to advertisers about new ChatGPT Ads product updates that include several new features. The new features include bulk creation for product feed campaigns, product review status, report conversions beyond your campaign goal through the API, separate account, brand, and legal names and ChatGPT Ads are live in Southeast Asia and Taiwan.
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 3h
It's New 9/30: How much Google pays publishers for AI, Google reviews blocked for logged out users & @gregfinn.bsky.social loves the sponsored products that look organic products & both @mordyoberstein.bsky.social @themarketinganu.bsky.social boycotted today #anugate www.youtube.com/watch?v=eB6z...
youtube.com
It's New 9/30: How much Google pays publishers for AI, Google reviews blocked & sponsored organic
YouTube video by RustyBrick Barry Schwartz Search Engine Roundtable
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 5h
To see all Google Maps reviews, you now need to sign in - I assume it is to block AI, bots, scrapers, etc - via Syed Amir, Michael B. Snow and Jean-Sébastien Girard
seroundtable.com
Google Maps Now Requires Sign In To Read All Reviews & More
Google Maps now requires you to sign in to a Google account to see all the reviews on a Google Business Profile listing. It is also required in order to sort the reviews, leave a review, and more. I assume this was done to help prevent AI, bots, and third parties from scraping the Google reviews.
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 5h
Google AI contribution pilot has about 100 publishers in it and they are being paid only 0.1% of their ad revenue
seroundtable.com
Google Paying ~100 Publishers 0.1% Of Ad Revenue In AI Contribution Pilot
As you know, Google has a small pilot named the AI contribution pilot, where they are paying some publishers for using their content in AI features like AI Overviews, AI Mode and Gemini. Well, according to The Information, it is about 100 publishers and those publishers are getting about "one-tenth of 1% of their advertising revenue."
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 5h
Google tests sponsored products grid that looks more like the organic products grid
seroundtable.com
Google Tests Sponsored Products Grid That Looks Like The Organic Product Grid
Google is testing making the sponsored products search results block or grid look more like the organic products/shopping grid. Instead of showing a long carousel of products across the top or on the right, this shows a product grid format we are more accustomed to for the free product listings.
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 5h
Bing is testing adding product feature labels to product listings
seroundtable.com
Bing Tests Product Features Labels On Product Listings
Microsoft Bing is testing adding product feature labels to product listings in the search results. This can add labels like "great for...," "effective," "performs well," "lightweight", and so on.
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 6h
Bing search ads with consumer review one-liner text on sponsored results
seroundtable.com
Bing Sponsored Ads With One-Line Consumer Review Extension
Microsoft Advertising now shows "consumer review" ad extensions in the Bing search results sponsored results section. These are one-line snippets of text, added under the sponsored result, that come a "from consumer review."
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 6h
Google custom keychain making
seroundtable.com
Google Keychain Making
Google has some sort of end of summer event and at that event they had a keychain making station. I assume Googlers and their kids were able to make custom keychains to bring home with them.
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 15h
Google Analytics not loading for some, Google is working on a fix
seroundtable.com
Google Working To Restore Google Analytics
Google has confirmed there are issues with Google Analytics loading the platform. Google updated its status report to say that it has "restored for some users" and Google expects "a resolution for all users in the near future."
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 21h
Google updated the Search Console Performance report help document on September 29th with a bit more clarity on the multimodal filter - story updated at www.seroundtable.com/google-searc...
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 29/09/2026
It's New 9/29: Google appeals mandate to share data, Google’s sad @mordyoberstein.bsky.social kids covered the AI Overviews at bottom @gregfinn.bsky.social on AI Mode monitoring @themarketinganu.bsky.social on Florida Google casino ads www.youtube.com/watch?v=10CH...
youtube.com
It's New 9/29: Google appeals mandate to share data, sad Google, AIOs at bottom, AI Mode monitoring
YouTube video by RustyBrick Barry Schwartz Search Engine Roundtable
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 29/09/2026
Nick Fox talks about the biggest reduction of Google's search quality in the EU, questions click studies on AI Overvies and more
seroundtable.com
Google's Nick Fox Feels Sad & Terrible For European Searchers After DMA
Pietro Valetto interviewed Nick Fox, Senior Vice President of Knowledge & Information at Google. Nick Fox shared a snippet from the full video about the DMA changes that led Google to say it had to make the biggest reduction in search quality in its 28-year history. Fox said doing so made him feel "terrible" and "sad."
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 29/09/2026
Google local business panel with two rows of buttons on mobile
seroundtable.com
Google Local Panel With Two Rows Of Buttons On Mobile
Google is testing showing two rows of action buttons of the local panels within mobile search. Google has been testing showing a more + sign to load more or a scrollable carousel of buttons and now here it is with two rows.
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 29/09/2026
Google tests showing citation cards at the bottom of AI Overview responses on desktop, instead of on the right side again - via @glenngabe
seroundtable.com
Google AI Overviews Testing Citations Cards At Bottom (Not Right Side) Again
Google is testing showing citation cards at the bottom of AI Overview responses on desktop, instead of on the right side. Google tested variations of this at least twice before, once in March of 2026 and before that in September 2025.
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 29/09/2026
Google dropping Business Profile maps pins in the middle of the ocean for some SABs. - via Dipa Gandhi
seroundtable.com
Google Maps Bug Places Map Pins In Middle Of Ocean
A new bug with Google Business Profiles and Google Maps is placing some businesses' Google Maps pins in the middle of the ocean. This is reportedly happening for some service area businesses that do not list their address publicly on their Google local listings.
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 29/09/2026
New Google Business Profile policy over misuse of support channels
seroundtable.com
Google Business Profiles Policies Adds Misuse Of Support Channels
Google has added a new policy to the Google Business Profiles policies document. The new policy is named "Misuse of support channels."
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 29/09/2026
Google said "we're appealing decisions that will force us to share people's private search history without sufficient anonymization"
seroundtable.com
Google Appeals Europe's DMA Mandate To Share Search History Data
Google has officially appealed to the European Union to stop the European Commission's Digital Markets Act (DMA) mandate requiring it to share search history data with competitors. Google said, "We're appealing decisions that will force us to share people's private search history without sufficient anonymization and weaken vital security protections on Android."
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 29/09/2026
Mariachi band on the rooftop of Google London
seroundtable.com
Mariachi Band On Rooftop At Google London
Here is another photo of a different Mariachi band, this time on the rooftop of the Google offices in London.
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 29/09/2026
Monitoring capabilities rolls out globally for all Google AI Mode users
seroundtable.com
Google Globally Rolls Out Monitoring Capabilities In AI Mode
Google is now rolling out monitoring capabilities in AI Mode in Google Search globally for everyone. When Google first announced this feature, it was only available for Ultra and Pro paid subscribers, but now it is available to all Google users.
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 28/09/2026
I was reviewing Bereshit/Genesis in the Torah. Creation - those were some pretty generic prompts (1) Let there be light (2) Let there be sky (3) Let there be land (4) Let there be luminaries (5) Let there be fish and birds (6) Let there be animals and man Pretty generic prompts.
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 28/09/2026
It's New 9/28: Google spam update early impact, @mordyoberstein.bsky.social loading more AI Overviews @gregfinn.bsky.social on follow buttons on Search profiles and new sitelinks design - and happy 28th birthday Google www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhDS...
youtube.com
It's New 9/28: Google spam update early impact, loading AI Overviews, follow Search profiles & more
YouTube video by RustyBrick Barry Schwartz Search Engine Roundtable
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 28/09/2026
The first wave of the Google September 2026 spam update was felt Friday, Saturday and Sunday - with some charts from @glenngabe.bsky.social www.seroundtable.com/google-septe...
seroundtable.com
Google September 2026 Spam Update Weekend Impact
The first stage of the Google September 2026 Spam update seems to have been felt in a big way starting Friday, September 25th, with even more movement on Saturday, September 26th and then ending on Su...
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 28/09/2026
Google Web Search Service API developer documentation has been removed from the Google website
seroundtable.com
Google Web Search Service API Documentation Has Been Removed
A couple of weeks ago, Google seemed to accidentally publish its Web Search Service API documentation, then pulled it down last week. Google doesn't offer a public Web Search Service API, so we really can't access it, but I assume it does have some partners with access, like Apple.
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 28/09/2026
Several Google Merchant Center policy documents were updated
seroundtable.com
Several Google Merchant Center Policy Documents Updated
Google has updated several Google Merchant Center policy documents late last week. The documents include Products that enable dishonest behavior, Dangerous products, Counterfeit products, Sexual content, Editorial & professional requirements, the overarching Shopping ads policies overview and probably more.
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 28/09/2026
Google testing a "Loading..." button for AI Overviews, instead of "Show more"
seroundtable.com
Google Tests Replacing Show More Button On AI Overviews With Loading...
Google is testing replacing the "Show more" button under the AI Overviews with a "Loading..." button. Also, earlier this year, Google tested "Enter AI Mode" for the button text but that obviously did not stick.
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 28/09/2026
Google revamped the Google Merchant Center API help document page
seroundtable.com
Google Merchant Center API Help Document Vastly Updated
Google has completely revamped the Google Merchant Center API help document page. It was previously named "API access to Merchant Center" and was renamed to "Google Merchant Center API." Plus, the content on the page has been completely rewritten and expanded.
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 28/09/2026
Google drops the follow button on desktop search for Search profiles
seroundtable.com
Google Search Profiles Follow Button Removed From Desktop Search Results
Google seems to have removed the Follow button from the desktop search results page, but it is still on the mobile search results page. The follow button lets you quickly follow a Search profile for the individual or brand you searched for.
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 28/09/2026
Google Jiu-Jitsu rolling shirts
seroundtable.com
Google Jiu-Jitsu Rolling Shirt
Here is a photo from the Google Jiu-Jitsu folks, which we covered a lot here in this Search Pics column. You can see they also have Jiu-jitsu rolling shirts.
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 28/09/2026
Google tests new sitelinks design again
seroundtable.com
Google Tests More Sitelinks Designs
Google continues to test variations of designs and user experiences for Sitelinks within its search results. The new design spotted has the Sitelinks listed line by line, with a horizontal line across the left side of the mobile search result snippet.
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 28/09/2026
It took 7+ weeks but Google updated the link report over the weekend - I log those updates now at www.seroundtable.com/google-searc...
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 28/09/2026
Google celebrates its 28th birthday with old Google logo and AI Mode quiz
seroundtable.com
Google's 28th Birthday Doodle Takes You To Google AI Mode Quiz
Today is Google's 28th birthday and Google has a special Google Doodle to celebrate. The Doodle takes you back in time to an early Google logo. Plus, when you click on the Doodle, you are taken into AI Mode where you can take "a fun trivia quiz about Google's company lore, historical quirks, and birthday traditions."
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 25/09/2026
Going offline tonight through Sunday night for Sukkos - will catch up late Sunday night
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 25/09/2026
Day after the Google Spam update was unleashed, it looks like the Google volatility is indeed spiking - original story at www.seroundtable.com/google-septe...
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 25/09/2026
SEO Video Recap covering the Google September spam update, Google Discover traffic being taken away, Multimodal search reporting in Search Console, CrUX ad metrics come to page experience and much more www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkeg... Sponsored by Duda
youtube.com
Google September 2026 Spam Update Is Here, Goodbye Discover Traffic, Multimodal Reports & CrUX Ads
YouTube video by RustyBrick Barry Schwartz Search Engine Roundtable
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 25/09/2026
OpenAI has AI trainers, like Google quality raters, but they cheated by using AI a report says
seroundtable.com
OpenAI Has Quality Raters, AI Trainers, & They Cheated With AI
As you know, Google has thousands of quality raters they use to help test and improve the search results and AI results. OpenAI does the same thing, with AI trainers according to a report by 404 Media.
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 25/09/2026
Google Local Service Ads are not respecting the phone number for tracking purposes, it uses the GBP number even though you tell it to use the Google Ads phone number
seroundtable.com
Google LSAs Showing Google Business Profile Number, Not Google Ads Number
Google seems to have made a change in which phone number they use for tracking calls, even when you tell Google to use the Google Ads number, it is still using the Google Business Profiles phone number. I am told this is a confirmed change and Google still has not changed it back, and it is unclear if Google will change it back.
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 25/09/2026
Bing image search results editable labels
seroundtable.com
Bing Testing Editable Labels On Images
Microsoft Bing is testing adding an editable icon in two formats on images within Bing Search that can be edited using Bing's AI image feature.
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 25/09/2026
Google Ads disables the ability to edit your target ROAS when promotion mode is active
seroundtable.com
Google Ads Disables Editing Target ROAS While Promotion Mode Is Active
Did you know that you cannot edit your Target ROAS while promotion mode is active in Google Ads? Google will display a notification that reads, "You can't edit your Target ROAS while promotion mode is active" and then gives you the option to edit the ROAS tolerance instead.
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 25/09/2026
Google Posts allows verified phone numbers, not unverified phone numbers
seroundtable.com
Google Posts Cracks Down On Unverified Contact Information
Google updated two of its Google Posts help documents to allow phone numbers in Google Posts only if they are verified contact information, but if it is unverified, it is not allowed.
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 25/09/2026
Bing testing using Google's AI Mode name in the search bar tabs, instead of Copilot
seroundtable.com
Bing Tests Replacing Copilot With AI Mode In Search Tabs
Microsoft is testing replacing or renaming the Copilot search tab in Bing Search with the name AI Mode. AI Mode is the name Google uses for its AI search engine, Bing uses Copilot Search, but Microsoft is testing using Google's name here.
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 25/09/2026
Google brick logo signage
seroundtable.com
Google Brick Wall Logo
I am a big fan of bricks, so when I saw the Google logo made up of a brick wall, you bet it caught my eye. I found this on the Google Students X account some time ago.
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 24/09/2026
Google's @johnmu.com confirmed this September Spam update will take longer than the previous spam updates and take two weeks or so to roll out - added to story at www.seroundtable.com/google-septe...
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 24/09/2026
Bit of an easter egg on this story
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 24/09/2026
Google September 2026 spam update 👾 is rolling out and it will take 2 weeks to roll out - we saw this coming, I think...
seroundtable.com
Google September 2026 Spam Update Has Been Unleashed
Google has just announced the release of the September 2026 spam update and said it should take a couple of weeks to roll out. This is a global update and is expected to impact all languages. This only impacts sites that spam, but with any update, there may be collateral damage. Google wrote: Released the September 2026 spam update...
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 24/09/2026
Google video structured data adds creator property and updates interactionStatistic
seroundtable.com
Google Video Schema Gets Creator Property & Updated interactionStatistic
Google has updated its video structured data documentation to support creator property and it has updated the interactionStatistic in VideoObject structured data. Google said these updates are to "to document support for the creator and author properties, and clarify supported interaction types for interactionStatistic in VideoObject structured data."
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 24/09/2026
The multimodal data in the Google Search Console performance report is new data - it was never previously reported by lumping it with the web results - story updated at www.seroundtable.com/google-searc...
seroundtable.com
Google Search Console Performance Report Gains Multimodal Search Type Filter
Google is rolling out a new Search Console performance report filter for the web results named Multimodal. Some may see it now, when you select the Search type filter in the performance report, under...
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 24/09/2026
It's New 9/24: Google Multimodal performance filter, Google ranking update @themarketinganu.bsky.social on Google Ads forecasting recommendations via @thomaseccel.bsky.social @gregfinn.bsky.social on the Local Service Ads redesign www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ncc...
youtube.com
It's New 9/24: Google Multimodal performance filter, Google ranking update, Google Ads spend & LSAs
YouTube video by RustyBrick Barry Schwartz Search Engine Roundtable
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Reposted by Barry Schwartz
Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 24/09/2026
New Multimodal filter option is in the Google Search Console performance report - you can filter for Google Lens, Circle to Search, image uploads and more - via @tauqueeraziz
seroundtable.com
Multimodal Search Type Filter In Google Search Console Performance Report
Google is rolling out a new Search Console performance report filter for the web results named Multimodal. Some may see it now, when you select the Search type filter in the performance report, under the "Web" option it now shows "Text-based" and "Multimodal."
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Barry Schwartz @rustybrick.com · 24/09/2026
Google Search ranking volatility heats up yesterday and into today 🔥
seroundtable.com
Google Search Ranking Volatility Hits September 23rd & 24th
We are seeing significant volatility again within the Google Search rankings again, this time starting around September 23rd (maybe the 22nd) and throughout today. As we have been seeing, the chatter is generally slowing down as Google has been sending less and less traffic to sites, but I believe there are enough signals to say there was some sort of unconfirmed Google Search ranking update.
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