Google Tightens Rules on Deceptive Content and EEAT

Why the Update Matters

Google refines its QRG on a regular basis to help human evaluators more accurately identify suspicious content. These evaluators, called quality raters, do not directly affect search rankings. Instead, they measure how well Google’s algorithm sorts and prioritizes sites. If raters find that Google’s automated systems are missing deceptive or low-grade content, they provide feedback. Google then uses this feedback to refine its search results. This cyclical process allows Google to track the evolving tricks that some publishers use to manipulate rankings.

With the January 2025 update, Google hopes to improve the detection of subtle tactics that lower trust. Many of these tactics mask true intent, present false credentials, or nudge users into actions they did not plan to take. Although the guidelines themselves do not impose any direct penalty, they indicate areas where Google’s algorithms may become mo…(truncated)

Apple Eyes AI Search Engines for Safari Amid Google Antitrust Fallout

Apple plans to integrate AI search engines into Safari, potentially reshaping search dynamics amid Google’s antitrust challenges.

Google Pushes Back Against Claims of Declining Search Use Amid AI Competition

Apple Executive’s Testimony Shakes Google Shares

On Wednesday, Google’s parent company Alphabet saw its stock price fall by 7.51% following testimony from Eddy Cue, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Services. Cue told the court that, for the first time, usage of search engines by users of Apple’s Safari browser had declined last month. He suggested that a major technological shift is underway, with users increasingly turning to AI-driven tools instead of traditional search engines. Cue’s remarks fueled investor concerns, leading to a rapid sell-off of Alphabet shares.

How Google Uses AI to Stop Online Scams and Protect Search Users

AI at the Heart of Google’s Scam Defense

Google’s new report highlights significant progress in the fight against scams. Each day, Google’s AI systems block hundreds of millions of harmful search results. According to the company, these new technologies now catch 20 times more scam-related web pages before they appear in search results, compared to three years ago. This leap forward is the result of years of investment in AI models designed to spot fraud and scam patterns across the web.

As stated in Google’s report:

“Advancements in AI have bolstered our scam-fighting technologies — enabling us to analyze vast quantities of text on the web, identify coordinated scam campaigns and detect emerging threats — staying one step ahead to keep you safe on Search.”