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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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Understanding Google’s “New Reasons Prevent Pages in a Sitemap from Being Indexed” Email
If you've received an email from Google titled "New reasons prevent pages in a sitemap from being indexed," you may be wondering what it means and how to address the issue. This notification indicates that Google has encountered problems that prevent certain pages in your sitemap from being indexed. Let's explore the common reasons behind this and how you can resolve these issues to improve your...
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Unpacking Google’s March 2024 Algorithm Update
In March 2024, Google implemented a significant update to its Core Web Vitals, shifting from the First Input Delay (FID) metric to the new Interaction to Next Paint (INP). This move, aimed at refining how user interactions and website responsiveness are measured, marks a pivotal change in the landscape of search engine optimisation and website performance evaluation. Understanding the Shift The...
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