In this episode of SEO 101, we analyze the Department of Justice’s discussions on breaking up Google and what it could mean for SEO. We also examine a case study that highlights the severe negative impact of interstitials on organic traffic and keyword rankings, along with best practices for their use.
Show Notes:
SEO News Summary
DOJ May Breakup Google as Antitrust Remedy
- DOJ is considering breaking up Google as a response to its monopoly ruling from August.
- This is an early intent; the final ruling on remedies is expected in August 2025.
- Proposed remedies may include:
- Splitting off Chrome, Android, and other services.
- Requiring Google to share data with competitors.
- Making AI-assisted search features available.
- Sharing ad ranking data.
- Enforcing privacy regulations on data retention.
- Limiting partnership deals with companies like Apple.
- Community reactions varied from support for breakup to skepticism about its impact.
Impact of Interstitials on SEO
- Interstitials defined as pop-ups requiring user interaction.
- A case study revealed significant traffic losses due to interstitials:
- 82% loss in desktop organic traffic.
- 97% loss in organic keyword rankings (desktop).
- 97% loss in mobile traffic.
- Page load time increased from 3 seconds to 13 seconds.
- Acceptable interstitials include:
- Cookie policy notifications.
- Age verification prompts.
- Time or scroll-based popups.
- Caution advised for monitoring rankings and traffic post-launch.
Google Tests Quick View Button for Recipes
- Google is testing a “quick view” button for recipe searches that allows users to view details without leaving the search page.
- This change is beneficial for users but may harm food bloggers.
- Google is exploring partnerships with a few creators for these new recipe experiences.
AI News Summary
OpenAI to Integrate SearchGPT into ChatGPT
- SearchGPT will be integrated into ChatGPT by the end of 2024.
- Focus on creating an information-dense experience while attributing publishers.
- Aim to increase click-through rates and provide deeper understanding.
- Current usage of SearchGPT is limited; ChatGPT has over 180 million users compared to Google’s nearly 5 billion.
Sources:
Wayback Machine Down Amid Cyberattack, 31 Million Accounts Exposed – Hackers breached the Internet Archive, exposing data of 31 million users. Users are advised to change passwords once the site is secured. The breach raised concerns about the attackers’ motives, possibly targeting specific information or attempting to alter historical records.
Google Local Service Ads To Soon Require Google Business Profile – Starting November 21, 2024, local services ads will require a matching Google Business Profile. Ads will be paused if the GBP name or address does not match the local service ad.
DOJ May Breakup Google As Remedy To Monopoly Ruling – The DOJ is considering breaking up Google as an antitrust remedy, with a final ruling expected in August 2025. Proposed measures may include splitting off key services and sharing data with competitors.
The SEO Impact of Interstitials, Before and After – A case study reveals that interstitials can lead to severe drops in organic traffic and keyword rankings. The article discusses acceptable practices for interstitials and the importance of monitoring their effects on SEO.
Google Tests Quick View Button For Recipes That Keep You On Google – Google is testing a “quick view” feature for recipe searches, allowing users to view details without leaving the search results. While beneficial for users, this change raises concerns for content creators about content ownership.
OpenAI to Integrate SearchGPT into ChatGPT Before 2024 Ends – OpenAI plans to integrate SearchGPT into ChatGPT by the end of 2024, aiming to create a more informative user experience while ensuring publishers are attributed and compensated through increased traffic.
The post SEO 101 Episode 482 – Impact of Google’s Breakup Talks and Interstitials on SEO appeared first on StepForth Web Marketing Inc..