Rank trackers are mostly fixed, but not fully
Google has been serving fake search results to scrapers, and 8% of 27.5 million results pages were poisoned after September 13. One tracking tool now says it has corrected its data, with about 2% of keywords still wrong.
Why your traffic moved
Rank tracking is mostly fixed after a week of fake drops
The week ended with rank tracking tools largely repaired after Google was caught serving fake search results to automated scrapers, which made keywords look like they had crashed. SE Ranking says it has corrected historical ranking data and that about 2% of its tracked results are still affected. A study of 27.5 million results pages found 8% were poisoned after September 13, peaking near 27% in late September.
If your client's ranking report shows a significant decline overnight, check GSC average position first.
Who this affects: Anyone who watches rankings in a tool like Ahrefs, Semrush or SE Ranking.
- Compare any drop against average position in Search Console first.
- Ignore overnight collapses your Search Console data does not show.
Getting into AI answers
Google now shows how often you appear in AI answers
Google's new Generative AI performance report is reaching more site owners inside Search Console (Google's free traffic report), showing how often your pages appear in AI Overviews and AI Mode. Alex Groberman says John Mueller confirmed the rollout is incremental, and the report can break results down by page, country and device. It counts appearances only, not clicks, so it tells you where you show up and nothing about traffic.
There is one big limitation, though: this is impression data as opposed to clicks data.
Who this affects: Everyone with a website that gets search traffic.
- Open Search Console and look for the Generative AI report.
- Note which pages appear, and which never do.
AI answers are getting more links out to websites
Google is putting more links inside AI Overviews and AI Mode, placing some higher in the answer and adding a section at the top with the one or two links that finish the task. Nick Fox of Google says use of Preferred Sources, where readers pick sites they want more of, has grown 7x since the start of the year.
Google continues to refuse to show us click data in Search Console
Who this affects: Any site that gets cited in AI answers.
- Our take: ask loyal readers to add you as a Preferred Source.
Do not do this
A popular SEO plugin shipped malware last week
Some paid copies of the Rank Math WordPress plugin, version PRO 3.0.123, downloaded on 15 and 16 October carried a backdoor (hidden access for attackers). Rank Math says anyone who activated one should treat passwords and API keys as exposed. Charles Floate called it RankMath accidentally backdooring everyone's site.
Rank Math says sites that activated one should treat passwords and API keys as exposed.
Who this affects: WordPress site owners who use the paid version of Rank Math.
- Check your Rank Math version and update it today.
- Change site passwords and rotate any API keys.
The short list
Big websites are shutting out AI shopping agents
Delta, JPMorgan Chase, Charles Schwab and Yelp are blocking AI agents from booking, accounts and data, per Glenn Gabe. Yelp only allows agents that pay for its licensing program.
ChatGPT now warns users about biased comparison pages
Of roughly 700 tracked ChatGPT answers, 82 carried a disclaimer last week and 19 warned who writes the rankings, says Lily Ray, naming vendors ranking themselves.
Frequently asked questions
How much of my rank tracking data was affected by Google's fake search results?
About 8% of results pages were poisoned after September 13, peaking near 27% in late September. SE Ranking says about 2% of its tracked results are still affected after corrections.
How do I check if my website appears in Google's AI answers?
Open Search Console and look for the Generative AI performance report, which shows how often your pages appear in AI Overviews and AI Mode. You can break results down by page, country and device.
Are there more links to websites inside Google's AI answers now?
Yes, Google is putting more links inside AI Overviews and AI Mode, including a section at the top with one or two links that finish the task. Use of Preferred Sources, where readers pick sites they want more of, has grown 7x since the start of the year.
What should I do if I use the Rank Math WordPress plugin?
Check your Rank Math version and update it today, then change your site passwords and rotate any API keys. Some paid copies of version PRO 3.0.123 downloaded on October 15 and 16 carried hidden access for attackers.
Why do big websites block AI shopping agents?
Companies like Delta, JPMorgan Chase, Charles Schwab and Yelp are blocking AI agents from booking, accounts and data access. Yelp only allows agents that pay for its licensing program.