Hey hey!
It’s a lot, isn’t it? I mean all the “stuff” going on that we’re supposed to keep track of.
As a business owner or person in charge of marketing you have to know (deep breath!):
How to run the business, how to market the business, how LinkedIn works these days, how Tik Tok can help, how Instagram works, Is Threads worth trying, how to keep the clients happy, how to keep on top of accounts, do people still use Pinterest, how to report to shareholders or managers, how to keep up with industry changes, how to manage suppliers and contractors, how to handle the tech, what happened to Clubhouse, do I need to know about all of this new Google shit I’m reading about…
and breathe…
I can’t help with everything, but I can break down the recent Google shit and tell you if you need to worry, or know about it, or even give it a passing thought.
Let’s dig in shall we?
(This is the 09/064/2026 issue of my newsletter – subscribe here)
All the Google
There’s been a lot happening, so I’m going to advise you of one thing – don’t read everything here, you have better things to be doing with your time, skim/scan down it and read the bits that catch your eye.
Google Core Update Finished
In short: The May 2026 update from Google finished on 2nd July
Read more: Search Engine Round Table
Do you need to do anything? No, not unless your rankings and traffic have been affected – keep an eye on things over the next couple of weeks while things stabilise, but most small business websites aren’t affected.
AI impressions data now in Google Search Console
In short: The CMA made Google be more transparent about AI Overviews and now they show some publishers and website owners how many impressions they’ve had in AI Overviews. Everyone is shouting about it, but really it’s a bit shite. Vanity stats that are nice to look at but nothing of real value to anyone.
Read more: My LinkedIn posts here and here
Do you need to do anything? No. I mean, it’s cute to keep an eye out for it in your GSC, but the numbers mean nothing really, so there’s not much you can do with it – pat yourself on the back maybe? These are stats for one of my clients since May 18th – yay, I guess?
UK Businesses can opt out of AI Overviews
In short: The CMA made Google give UK websites a way to opt out of AI Overviews, without (allegedly) tanking your organic rankings.
Read more: Mark Williams Cook explains how to do it here
Do you need to do anything? It depends. It’s a personal decision – and one only you and/or your team can decide. On the one hand it’s a pain seeing AI Overviews ‘steal’ our content, but on the other hand Google now also have to include proper citations and links, and if you remove your content you could miss out on traffic. I don’t have the answer, sorry – you have to do what feels right for your business. Personally I’m waiting for the promised clicks and query data in the GSC AI report in order to make a decision, but I’m not holding my breath.
Google launched Search Profiles for Creators
In short: Google has decided that if you have over 100k followers on some platforms you deserve a dedicated profile page that pulls your info together.
Read more: I explain the limitations here
Do you need to do anything? No. If you’re not in the US, you don’t get one. If you have under 100k follower on one of Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter (never X), or 300k on Tik Tok, you’re not eligible.LinkedIn doesn’t count at all at the moment.
Google said don’t trust 3rd parties
In short: They’ve said for ages that you shouldn’t trust people who imply or claim they have a special relationship with them, because no-one does. Now they’ve extended that to include 3rd party tools as well as SEO consultants and companies.
Read more: I explain more here
Do you need to do anything? Probably not. Unless you’ve fallen for the hustlebro hype on Linkedin and ploughed money into an AI tool that can “handle your SEO, Google approved” then you’re probably OK – if you have fallen for the the smooth talking bollocks, get in touch.
So, lots of updates, not a lot for most businesses to worry about – these few things have generated enough AI content on LinkedIn over the last week or so to power a small town. All to say “nothing to worry about”. (Yes, I’m aware I’ve added to it, soz and all that).
Come see me speak!
I have a couple of speaking engagements towards the end of June – one in Cambridge and one in Northampton – it would be lovely to see you there! Click on the images for more detail:
1:1 SEO mentoring
I’m working with a few copywriters and web developers to put together a 1:1 mentoring program – I’m still finalising the details, it will be like Ascend but purely 1:1 – weekly calls, tailored specifically to you and your clients, very hands on – if this is something you’d be interested in, please let me know. I haven’t quite finalised everything, and of course there have to be limited places, but I’ll be opening the doors after Atomicon (see you there?).
Always non-wanky
Nx
P.S. What happened to the sun?
