Google Calls Out Shady SEOs
I curated this update because it matters to every brand that invests in search. Google tightened guidance, added AI optimization and warned about third party tools. It also urged businesses to report deceptive SEO practices to the FTC. That move shifts oversight from guidance to potential legal action.
Read this post to understand how AI optimization, tool audits, and ethics affect your brand strategy. Learn practical steps to vet agencies and avoid risky tactics. As a brand curator I recommend bookmarking these guidelines and sharing them with your marketing team.
This update reframes how brands should evaluate SEO partners and their tools. Ask prospective firms for citations to official Google documentation for every major recommendation. Demand transparency on methodologies, sample work, and any use of generative AI models. Cross check audit findings with your own analytics and independent experts before making changes. If you suspect deception, document communications, preserve evidence, and follow FTC reporting channels. This piece is essential reading for anyone who hires SEO help, buys tools, or manages brand risk. Bookmark it now, brief teams, and update vendor contracts today.
Require written proof of compliance and periodic independent audits.
Source: www.searchenginejournal.com
