AI slop is low-value content made wholly or substantially with generative AI and released with too little human judgment, verification, craft, or accountability. It is commonly produced because speed, scale, traffic, engagement, or cost reduction matters more to the publisher than usefulness to the person receiving it. That definition includes the disposable articles clogging search […]

The post What is AI slop? How to spot it, why it spreads and how to avoid making it appeared first on Search Engine Watch - SEO, AI Search, PPC News & Analysis.

In my career spanning over 20 years in SEO, publishing, and content, I’ve used, as you might guess, quite a lot of SEO tools. Even when I had stepped away from the day-to-day activity and handed my duties over to an SEO manager, I was still interested in the advances in SEO tools Now, after […]

The post Serpstat review: what we learned after using it for a year appeared first on Search Engine Watch - SEO, AI Search, PPC News & Analysis.

In recent years, Google has made significant changes that have particularly impacted publishers and other content creators. At the same time, we’ve witnessed the rise of alternative search engines. Although Google continues to dominate the market, there are many reasons you might consider exploring other options. We’ve compiled and tested a list of alternatives in […]

The post 11 best alternative search engines to Google in 2026 appeared first on Search Engine Watch - SEO, AI Search, PPC News & Analysis.

Google is testing AI-generated descriptions in Shopping and product ads. This follows a similar test spotted last month in regular sponsored text ads, which Google confirmed was a small experiment and now the same approach appears to be showing up in Shopping ads as well. Brodie Clark and SERP Alerts spotted this on X, with […]

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Google communications representative Jennifer Kutz confirmed to The Verge that Reddit gets no preferential treatment in Google’s search rankings or AI search features. Kutz told The Verge: “Google’s AI search features don’t aim to display content from any specific site or platform and that Reddit ‘gets no special preference’ in Google’s ranking system.” Kutz also […]

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ChatGPT is testing new variations for how ads appear at the bottom of its results. The latest version shows multiple product feed ads within a single, prominent unit a shift from simpler single-ad placements. This was spotted by Brodie Clark and shared on X. Brodie wrote: “ChatGPT is now showing multiple product feed ads within […]

The post ChatGPT Rolls Out Product Carousel Ads at Bottom of Results appeared first on Search Engine Watch - SEO, AI Search, PPC News & Analysis.

The AI visibility gold rush has reached Cloudflare. The company best known for keeping websites online, and unwanted bots out, is beginning to look like an SEO software provider. As Adweek reported, Cloudflare launched its AEO Visibility Dashboard in early access on August 6. It measures whether AI assistants mention or cite a brand, how […]

The post Cloudflare releases its own AI visibility tool because … why not? appeared first on Search Engine Watch - SEO, AI Search, PPC News & Analysis.

DuckDuckGo is the best private search engine for most people, but it is not the right answer for every threat model. We examined what seven active services collect, where their results come from, how they make money, and whether their AI can really be turned off. Read below for the full list and analysis. Privacy […]

The post Best Search Engine for Privacy in 2026 [7 Ranked] appeared first on Search Engine Watch - SEO, AI Search, PPC News & Analysis.

There's a lot of nuance to the <dialog> element, a seemingly little piece of web architecture. I've got some notes from digging into it.

Using and Styling the Dialog Element originally handwritten and published with love on CSS-Tricks. You should really get the newsletter as well.

Earlier this year, Google launched a new AI Performance Report within Google Search Console, nested under the main Performance report. This new report lets site owners see impressions, pages, countries, devices, and dates but notably, it doesn’t include query data. Recently, Anastasia Kourou posted on LinkedIn about spotting odd queries in her regular Search Console […]

The post Google is mixing AI Mode replies into Search Console query data appeared first on Search Engine Watch - SEO, AI Search, PPC News & Analysis.

ChatGPT is testing a new ad display format within its results. we’ve been noticing more varied ad designs showing up in ChatGPT lately, and this latest one adds a descriptive heading directly above the ad itself. Brodie Clark spotted this and shared it on the SERP Alerts page on X.   Brodie said: “ChatGPT is […]

The post ChatGPT is testing a new way to make ads feel like part of the conversation appeared first on Search Engine Watch - SEO, AI Search, PPC News & Analysis.

A few notes and takeaways from the 2026 State of CSS survey results, including a nice CSS-Tricks cameo!

2026 State of CSS, Devs Surveys originally handwritten and published with love on CSS-Tricks. You should really get the newsletter as well.

Today, with CSS gap decorations fully supported in Chrome and Edge, starting with version 149, you can now very easily style gaps, and with a lot of control.

Gap Decorations Are Now Available, Here’s What’s New originally handwritten and published with love on CSS-Tricks. You should really get the newsletter as well.

We recently got the shape() function and corner-shape property. What else could we possibly need as far as making shapes in CSS? Let me tell you: the border-shape property!

Get Ready For the Powerful CSS border-shape Property! originally handwritten and published with love on CSS-Tricks. You should really get the newsletter as well.