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Reflections on Google’s Activities during 20204: O’Brien Media’s Take

Over the last twelve months, Google has continued to reshape the digital landscape with updates to its search algorithms, advertising platforms, and analytics tools. Here at O’Brien Media, we’ve been closely monitoring these changes to ensure we keep delivering the best possible results for our clients. Below, we’ve pulled together our key observations and advice from our discussions about...
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Google’s JavaScript Warning: What It Means for the Future of AI Search

In a recent update, Google has warned website owners about the importance of correct JavaScript (JS) implementation. Although similar cautions have appeared before, this carries renewed urgency in an age where artificial intelligence (AI) plays a growing role in search. AI-based search refers to search engine systems that use advanced machine learning algorithms to interpret user queries, analyse...
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Google’s December 2024 Updates: What You Need to Know

Google’s December 2024 Updates: What You Need to Know Google has been busy wrapping up the year with some major algorithm updates, and the search engine giant has officially released the results of its December 2024 changes. These updates include adjustments to the Helpful Content System and the December 2024 Spam Update, both of which aim to improve search result quality and combat low-value...
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How Google’s Latest Spam Update Impacts SEO in 2025

As we approach 2025, Google is once again tightening the reins on spammy practices with its latest Spam Update—the final one of 2024. Recently detailed in Search Engine Journal’s article, this update signals Google’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that its search results remain trustworthy and relevant. For businesses and website owners, understanding what this means for SEO is essential to...
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Google Rolls Out November 2024 Core Algorithm Update: What You Need to Know

On 12th November 2024, Google began rolling out its latest core algorithm update, aiming to improve the relevance and quality of search results. As with previous updates, this change brings significant implications for website owners, marketers, and content creators. In this post we break down what this update involves and how businesses, including those working with O'Brien Media, can adjust to...
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Google’s Revamped Shopping Experience: What It Means for Businesses

The way consumers shop online has undergone a massive shift over the past decade, driven by rapid advancements in technology and changing user preferences. In line with this, Google has announced a complete overhaul of its shopping experience, making it more immersive, intuitive, and helpful for both shoppers and businesses. At O’Brien Media, we keep a close eye on these changes because they...
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The Impact of Heading Tags on SEO: Clarification from Google

In the realm of search engine optimisation (SEO), heading tags (H1, H2, H3, etc.) have often been highlighted as essential elements for both user experience and boosting rankings. However, a recent clarification from Google has offered some valuable insight into their actual influence on search rankings. Google’s View on Heading Tags and Rankings Google’s Search Advocate, John Mueller,...
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Google Vertex AI Crawler: What It Means for Your Website

Google has recently introduced a new AI-powered web crawler named "Google-Extended," which is part of its Vertex AI platform. This development has significant implications for website owners and digital marketers, particularly those focused on SEO and content strategy. What is Google Vertex AI? Google Vertex AI is a comprehensive machine learning platform that provides tools for developing,...
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Google Expands AI-Powered Search Overviews Globally: A Game-Changer for Search Experience

Google has recently extended its AI-driven search overviews to six additional countries: the United Kingdom, India, Japan, Indonesia, Mexico, and Brazil. Initially launched in the United States, this feature uses advanced artificial intelligence to offer users concise summaries of search results, aiming to streamline the process of finding relevant information, particularly for complex queries....
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Google Universal Analytics Data Deletion in July 2024: Essential Steps for Small Businesses

Google has announced that all data from Universal Analytics (UA) will be deleted on 1st July 2024. This development is critical for small businesses that have relied on UA for insights and decision-making. As we approach this deadline, it is essential to act quickly to secure your data and transition to Google Analytics 4 (GA4). What This Means for Your Business Universal Analytics has long been...
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