Glenn Gabe
@glenngabe.bsky.social
SEO Consultant at G-Squared Interactive.
How much is Google Discover stuffing X posts and YouTube videos in the feed? This morning I had 34 X posts and about 12 YouTube videos in my feed. That's insane and Google needs to refine that... Also, there are hybrid X posts + links to articles, which is really weird. See final screenshot...
January 3, 2026 at 3:07 PM
How much is Google Discover stuffing X posts and YouTube videos in the feed? This morning I had 34 X posts and about 12 YouTube videos in my feed. That's insane and Google needs to refine that... Also, there are hybrid X posts + links to articles, which is really weird. See final screenshot...
As OpenAI works to challenge Apple (yes, Apple) here's a look at ChatGPT Apps & how they are falling short so far -> Comparing ChatGPT's mini-apps w/native iOS apps: some like Uber, OpenTable, & TripAdvisor fell short with frequent error messages, but Instacart did well www.wsj.com/tech/ai/open...
OpenAI Is Taking On Apple’s App Store. It’s Got a Long Way to Go.
ChatGPT apps are a key piece of OpenAI’s long-shot bid to replace Apple. Many aren’t yet useful.
www.wsj.com
January 3, 2026 at 2:14 PM
As OpenAI works to challenge Apple (yes, Apple) here's a look at ChatGPT Apps & how they are falling short so far -> Comparing ChatGPT's mini-apps w/native iOS apps: some like Uber, OpenTable, & TripAdvisor fell short with frequent error messages, but Instacart did well www.wsj.com/tech/ai/open...
Ecommerce alarms going off at OpenAI, Gemini, Perplexity, and others. Amazon's AI Assistant Rufus has been triggering by default for me when visiting Amazon.com. It's a shopping assistant that can answer questions via AI right in the ecommerce SERPs. Could keep people on Amazon and off AI tools...
January 2, 2026 at 3:21 PM
Ecommerce alarms going off at OpenAI, Gemini, Perplexity, and others. Amazon's AI Assistant Rufus has been triggering by default for me when visiting Amazon.com. It's a shopping assistant that can answer questions via AI right in the ecommerce SERPs. Could keep people on Amazon and off AI tools...
Jarvis approaching. Let's hope it's not a pen as previously covered :) -> OpenAI is taking steps to improve its audio AI models, in preparation for its AI-powered personal device, which is expected to be largely audio-based
OpenAI Ramps Up Audio AI Efforts Ahead of Device
OpenAI is taking steps to improve its audio AI models, in preparation for its eventual release of an AI-powered personal device, said a person with knowledge of the effort. The device is expected to b...
www.theinformation.com
January 2, 2026 at 2:53 PM
Jarvis approaching. Let's hope it's not a pen as previously covered :) -> OpenAI is taking steps to improve its audio AI models, in preparation for its AI-powered personal device, which is expected to be largely audio-based
Good set of bullets from @johnmu.com. Remember, 404s are NOT a sign of low quality. Also, John's comments about redirects & soft 404s are good for site owners to understand. I published a case study years ago about how redirects to non-relevant pages are handled by Google. Also, the UX can suffer.
Google On Why 404s Don't Matter For SEO
Google has been saying that 404 error codes are a normal part of the web, that 404s are not a low quality signal and that they don't use up your crawl budget. Now, John Mueller of Google explained wh...
www.seroundtable.com
January 2, 2026 at 2:06 PM
Good set of bullets from @johnmu.com. Remember, 404s are NOT a sign of low quality. Also, John's comments about redirects & soft 404s are good for site owners to understand. I published a case study years ago about how redirects to non-relevant pages are handled by Google. Also, the UX can suffer.
A pen? That better be one amazing pen :) -> OpenAI’s First Device Could Be An AI Pen... And Not A Wearable (but you can wear a pen I guess...)
"Earlier this year Altman had said that the AI device will be “the third core device a person would put on their desk after a MacBook Pro and an iPhone.”
"Earlier this year Altman had said that the AI device will be “the third core device a person would put on their desk after a MacBook Pro and an iPhone.”
a person 's hand is reaching out towards a metal pole
ALT: a person 's hand is reaching out towards a metal pole
media.tenor.com
December 31, 2025 at 2:06 PM
A pen? That better be one amazing pen :) -> OpenAI’s First Device Could Be An AI Pen... And Not A Wearable (but you can wear a pen I guess...)
"Earlier this year Altman had said that the AI device will be “the third core device a person would put on their desk after a MacBook Pro and an iPhone.”
"Earlier this year Altman had said that the AI device will be “the third core device a person would put on their desk after a MacBook Pro and an iPhone.”
Really cool that Barry puts this together. Great to be on the list again. Now let's see what 2026 brings us! :) -> The top contributors (most cited) SEOs and SEMs on Search Engine Roundtable in 2025
Based on the most cited X/Twitter and Bluesky handles in Barry's stories for 2025.
Based on the most cited X/Twitter and Bluesky handles in Barry's stories for 2025.
December 31, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Really cool that Barry puts this together. Great to be on the list again. Now let's see what 2026 brings us! :) -> The top contributors (most cited) SEOs and SEMs on Search Engine Roundtable in 2025
Based on the most cited X/Twitter and Bluesky handles in Barry's stories for 2025.
Based on the most cited X/Twitter and Bluesky handles in Barry's stories for 2025.
Focus on Local? Colan Nielsen says it's more about the "Service Area Overlap" Trap -> The Google Business Profile 2-Hour Rule is a Myth: Why Your Google Verification is Actually Failing
"Google’s algorithm does not strictly enforce a “minimum distance” between business locations..."
"Google’s algorithm does not strictly enforce a “minimum distance” between business locations..."
The Google Business Profile 2-Hour Rule is a Myth: Why Your Google Verification is Actually Failing - Sterling Sky Inc
The "2-hour driving guideline" is one of the most persistent sources of confusion for Service Area Businesses (SABs) on Google Maps. If you are struggling to
www.sterlingsky.ca
December 30, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Focus on Local? Colan Nielsen says it's more about the "Service Area Overlap" Trap -> The Google Business Profile 2-Hour Rule is a Myth: Why Your Google Verification is Actually Failing
"Google’s algorithm does not strictly enforce a “minimum distance” between business locations..."
"Google’s algorithm does not strictly enforce a “minimum distance” between business locations..."
Heads-up! Like I thought might happen early this week, the December 2025 core update has completed rolling out. It was a big update causing a lot of volatility across sites, verticals, and countries. I'll have more to share about the update soon.
Google December 2025 Core Update Done Rolling Out
Google's December 2025 core update is now done rolling out, it took 18 days and 2 hours to complete. The core update started on December 11, 2025 at around 12:25 pm ET and ended on December 29, 2025 ...
www.seroundtable.com
December 29, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Heads-up! Like I thought might happen early this week, the December 2025 core update has completed rolling out. It was a big update causing a lot of volatility across sites, verticals, and countries. I'll have more to share about the update soon.
I've helped a lot of companies over the years that expanded to a number of ccTLDs. It's important to understand that the other sites are still *different sites*. They need to build their own signals and power over time, so just setting up a bunch of ccTLDs does not mean you will be successful...
Google Questions Need For ccTLDs For Websites To Go International
Google's John Mueller questioned the need for all websites to use ccTLDs, different domain names, to take their websites international. He said on Reddit, "you both make things harder on yourself, but...
www.seroundtable.com
December 29, 2025 at 3:29 PM
I've helped a lot of companies over the years that expanded to a number of ccTLDs. It's important to understand that the other sites are still *different sites*. They need to build their own signals and power over time, so just setting up a bunch of ccTLDs does not mean you will be successful...
Good Morning Google Land! This is the 12/29 edition of "Core Update Notes". The update is nearing completion and it wouldn't shock me to see Google officially say it's done early this week. Other than the 12/20 tremor, most sites are still moving in the same direction impact-wise.
a neon sign that says attention on a black background
ALT: a neon sign that says attention on a black background
media.tenor.com
December 29, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Good Morning Google Land! This is the 12/29 edition of "Core Update Notes". The update is nearing completion and it wouldn't shock me to see Google officially say it's done early this week. Other than the 12/20 tremor, most sites are still moving in the same direction impact-wise.
It's like the industry's version of spotting Bigfoot :) -> I spotted another ad in AIOs the other day. You don't see them often... so I always try to screenshot them when I do. It's like having my own version of the Patterson-Gimlin film of Bigfoot.
December 28, 2025 at 2:45 PM
It's like the industry's version of spotting Bigfoot :) -> I spotted another ad in AIOs the other day. You don't see them often... so I always try to screenshot them when I do. It's like having my own version of the Patterson-Gimlin film of Bigfoot.
Good Morning Google Land! This is the 12/27 edition of "Core Update Notes". AI Overviews and AI Mode are both rooted in Google's core quality and ranking systems, so any type of quality reevaluation during a broad core update can impact visibility there. That also includes other Google surfaces...
a man wearing headphones and a beanie is smiling and says `` just a heads up '' .
ALT: a man wearing headphones and a beanie is smiling and says `` just a heads up '' .
media.tenor.com
December 27, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Good Morning Google Land! This is the 12/27 edition of "Core Update Notes". AI Overviews and AI Mode are both rooted in Google's core quality and ranking systems, so any type of quality reevaluation during a broad core update can impact visibility there. That also includes other Google surfaces...
Good Morning Google Land! This is the 12/26 edition of "Core Update Notes". We are now two weeks into the rollout and you can clearly see the massive swings across many sites, verticals, and countries. I have not seen another tremor yet like we saw on 12/20 but it's always possible we do see another
a man with a beard is holding a megaphone in his hand
ALT: a man with a beard is holding a megaphone in his hand
media.tenor.com
December 26, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Good Morning Google Land! This is the 12/26 edition of "Core Update Notes". We are now two weeks into the rollout and you can clearly see the massive swings across many sites, verticals, and countries. I have not seen another tremor yet like we saw on 12/20 but it's always possible we do see another
Yep, here come the ChatGPT ads and maybe *new* types of ads? Like giving "preferential treatment" to sponsored parts of the answer? Oof... -> OpenAI staff discussed prioritizing sponsored content in ChatGPT when users ask relevant queries and created mockups with ads in sidebars or as pop-ups
OpenAI’s Ads Push Starts Taking Shape
OpenAI executives have kept a tight lid on how the company could show advertisements to users of its popular ChatGPT chatbot, leaving the broader digital ad industry eager for clues. Behind the scenes...
www.theinformation.com
December 24, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Yep, here come the ChatGPT ads and maybe *new* types of ads? Like giving "preferential treatment" to sponsored parts of the answer? Oof... -> OpenAI staff discussed prioritizing sponsored content in ChatGPT when users ask relevant queries and created mockups with ads in sidebars or as pop-ups
Good Morning Google Land! This is a special Christmas Eve edition of "Core Update Notes". Ho ho ho... The December core update keeps rolling on. I have not seen another tremor yet like we did on 12/20 but that could always happen as we approach the third week of the rollout.
a picture of santa claus giving a thumbs up with the words ho ho ho on the bottom
ALT: a picture of santa claus giving a thumbs up with the words ho ho ho on the bottom
media.tenor.com
December 24, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Good Morning Google Land! This is a special Christmas Eve edition of "Core Update Notes". Ho ho ho... The December core update keeps rolling on. I have not seen another tremor yet like we did on 12/20 but that could always happen as we approach the third week of the rollout.
I've spoken w/several news publishers that got hit hard w/the Dec core update and lost a ton of Discover visibility. I know it's hard to hear, but relying on Discover is super risky. Google has explained that, I've seen that many times when publishers contact me after core updates roll out, etc.
Google Search Traffic Drops 25 Points To News Publishers In Two Years
Google Search has been sending 25 percentage points less traffic to news publishers over the past two years, according to the folks over at Newzdash. In 2023, Google Web Search made up over 51% of tra...
www.seroundtable.com
December 23, 2025 at 5:23 PM
I've spoken w/several news publishers that got hit hard w/the Dec core update and lost a ton of Discover visibility. I know it's hard to hear, but relying on Discover is super risky. Google has explained that, I've seen that many times when publishers contact me after core updates roll out, etc.
Interested in the Dec broad core update? I just published a video covering the "Core Update Notes" I've been sharing.
Including the heavy volatility we've seen, YMYL impact (esp. w/Finance and Health/Medical), impact to news publishers, previous spam update hits, the 12/20 tremor, and more.
Including the heavy volatility we've seen, YMYL impact (esp. w/Finance and Health/Medical), impact to news publishers, previous spam update hits, the 12/20 tremor, and more.
Google’s December 2025 Broad Core Update – "Core Update Notes" with Glenn Gabe of GSQi
YouTube video by Glenn Gabe
www.youtube.com
December 23, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Interested in the Dec broad core update? I just published a video covering the "Core Update Notes" I've been sharing.
Including the heavy volatility we've seen, YMYL impact (esp. w/Finance and Health/Medical), impact to news publishers, previous spam update hits, the 12/20 tremor, and more.
Including the heavy volatility we've seen, YMYL impact (esp. w/Finance and Health/Medical), impact to news publishers, previous spam update hits, the 12/20 tremor, and more.
Jarvis approaching. "Some are testing this internally and working through it..." -> Important point from Google's Nix Fox about the importance of personalization in AI conversations
Google has a HUGE advantage if people give it permission to connect the services.
Google has a HUGE advantage if people give it permission to connect the services.
Is AI Search Hurting The Open Web? With Google's Nick Fox // AI Inside #104
YouTube video by AI Inside
www.youtube.com
December 22, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Jarvis approaching. "Some are testing this internally and working through it..." -> Important point from Google's Nix Fox about the importance of personalization in AI conversations
Google has a HUGE advantage if people give it permission to connect the services.
Google has a HUGE advantage if people give it permission to connect the services.
The transformation continues. I noticed that Google had an animation of text running in the Google search bar in Chrome. This is based on the plus sign added recently which lets you upload docs, images, use Deep Research, etc. Yep, we are witnessing the transformation of Search to something greater.
December 22, 2025 at 4:55 PM
The transformation continues. I noticed that Google had an animation of text running in the Google search bar in Chrome. This is based on the plus sign added recently which lets you upload docs, images, use Deep Research, etc. Yep, we are witnessing the transformation of Search to something greater.
This is wild. I literally messaged the EIC of a publisher last week explaining that I love their content, but the user experience is unbearable. Well, they are getting hammered based on the update. DO NOT anger or frustrate users. It will absolutely come back to bite you. Navboost is important...
December 22, 2025 at 1:49 PM
This is wild. I literally messaged the EIC of a publisher last week explaining that I love their content, but the user experience is unbearable. Well, they are getting hammered based on the update. DO NOT anger or frustrate users. It will absolutely come back to bite you. Navboost is important...
Interesting, I saw an audio icon show up in an AI Overview. I don't think I've seen that before here in the US. I know it's been tested in India & other countries, but this is the first time I'm seeing it here. Also, I can't replicate now across devices so it was clearly a test. Just a heads-up.
December 21, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Interesting, I saw an audio icon show up in an AI Overview. I don't think I've seen that before here in the US. I know it's been tested in India & other countries, but this is the first time I'm seeing it here. Also, I can't replicate now across devices so it was clearly a test. Just a heads-up.
Good Morning Google Land! This is the 12/21 edition of "Core Update Notes". For today's edition, I'll cover an interesting site that I have covered heavily before -- Wirecutter. They are dropping again after surging back from another weird drop in August. Details below.
a close up of a red light that is lit up in the dark
ALT: a close up of a red light that is lit up in the dark
media.tenor.com
December 21, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Good Morning Google Land! This is the 12/21 edition of "Core Update Notes". For today's edition, I'll cover an interesting site that I have covered heavily before -- Wirecutter. They are dropping again after surging back from another weird drop in August. Details below.
More about the Google lawsuit against Serpapi. Google says they circumvented SearchGuard (a technology Google deployed earlier this year to block SerpApi from scraping its search results)
Google sues web scraper for sucking up search results ‘at an astonishing scale’
Scraper no scraping.
www.theverge.com
December 20, 2025 at 2:13 PM
More about the Google lawsuit against Serpapi. Google says they circumvented SearchGuard (a technology Google deployed earlier this year to block SerpApi from scraping its search results)
Good Morning Google Land! This is the 12/20 edition of "Core Update Notes". It looks like we might be seeing the first tremor with the December 2025 broad core update. The tools are spiking again and I'm seeing movement across a number of sites that have already been impacted by the update.
December 20, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Good Morning Google Land! This is the 12/20 edition of "Core Update Notes". It looks like we might be seeing the first tremor with the December 2025 broad core update. The tools are spiking again and I'm seeing movement across a number of sites that have already been impacted by the update.