This week’s SEO roundup reviews Google’s announcement to build small nuclear reactors to power its AI data center, the addition of new penalties for ad policy violators, and a change in leadership for Google Search.
In other news, Semrush acquired Third Door Media. Martin Splitt shares SEO tips for multilingual websites. And Search Engine Land editorial director Danny Goodwin writes about how YouTube citations in Google AI Overviews have risen by 310%, raising the question, is Google favoring its own platforms?
Google Goes Nuclear To Power AI Data Centers
Google announced it will build nuclear reactors to meet the growing power demands required to run its AI databases.
In doing so, Google joins Microsoft and Amazon in a bizarre new private nuclear reactor owners’ club.
Key takeaways:
- Google partners with Kairos Power to build small nuclear reactors to run its AI data centers.
- Goldman Sachs recently said AI data centers will double the global energy consumption by 2030.
- Kairos Power’s boss says the Google deal is crucial for advancing nuclear energy and meeting growing demand.
- Google said its first reactor will be online by 2030.
Google Enforces New Penalties For Ad Policy Violators
Google has said it’s implementing new penalties for third-party ad policy violations.
The penalties start this November when repeat policy violators could see their accounts permanently suspended.
Key takeaways:
- Google’s new ad policy will severely penalize third parties for sustained policy violations.
- Penalties include a loss of privileges, removal from Google Partners, and account suspension.
- Google said its new penalties will encourage policy compliance.
Semrush Acquires Search Engine Land Parent Company Third Door Media
Russian-owned and American-based leading visibility management SaaS platform Semrush has acquired Third Door Media and all its subsidiaries.
The move is another giant step by Semrush in its quest to become a significant player in the SEO content and Google news media space.
Key takeaways:
- Semrush owns Third Door Media and its brands, including Digital Marketing Depot, MarTech.org, the MarTech Conference, SMX—Search Marketing Expo, and Search Engine Land.
- Third Door Media joins Backlinko (an SEO and digital marketing training company) in Semrush’s content digital stable, positioning itself as a future media market leader.
- Search Engine Land’s editorial director, Danny Goodwin, said the deal wouldn’t change what SEL reports or how it provides its content.
Google Search Boss Replaced in Leadership Reshuffle
The biggest news from last week (besides Google building nuclear reactors, which, let’s be honest, isn’t that surprising) was Google reshuffling its Search and advertising leadership structure.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced the changes, which included Search chief Prabhakar Raghavan moving to a new role, his team member Nick Fox taking his position, and other Google teams merging.
Key takeaways:
- Google boss Sundar Pichai announces Nick Fox as the new head of Google Search and Ads.
- Outgoing Search chief and senior vice president Prabhakar Raghavan becomes Google’s Chief Technologist.
- Google’s reshuffle includes Google’s Assistant team joining Google’s devices and platforms and Google’s Gemini app team merging with Google DeepMind.
- Some believe the changes are Google’s efforts to redirect its advertising and Search strategies in the face of its monopoly charges and regulatory challenges.
From Around The Web
Google’s Martin Splitt Shares 3 SEO Tips For Multilingual Sites
SEJ staff writer Matt G. Southern reports on Google’s Martin Splitt sharing SEO strategies for multilingual websites.
Matt’s post says Splitt’s tips could improve global search visibility and user experience.
Key takeaways:
- Google’s Martin Splitt shares SEO tips for multilingual site owners.
- Splitt talks about three ways to structure your websites for an international audience.
- Splitt advised on Google’s Search Central Podcast to focus on language selection, site structure, and hreflang attributes.
YouTube citations in Google AI Overviews surge 300%
SEL Editorial Director Danny Goodwin writes about a recent BrightEdge study that shows YouTube citations in Google AI Overviews growing by over 300% since August.
Key takeaways:
- Danny writes that the citation increase looks like a case of Google self-preference, as it owns YouTube.
- BrightEdge says their study proves that video content is vital for AIO.
- Other findings show that for e-commerce queries, Google’s AI Overviews focus more on supplemental information, and classic SEO is crucial for the holiday season.
