Technical SEO
XML Sitemaps in 2026: Do They Still Matter and How to Do Them Right
What sitemaps actually do — and don't do — for indexing today, common mistakes like stale lastmod dates, and when a site is too small to need one.
Archive
Every article, newest first.
Algorithm Updates
Google's August 2026 spam update significantly impacted rankings
Google's August 2026 spam update caused 16.71% of top 10 URLs to fall beyond position 100, an 82% increase compared to a period without a confirmed ranking update, according to SE Ranking data.
General
The SEO Tools Stack for 2026: What Actually Earns Its Subscription Cost
A category-by-category breakdown of what's actually necessary at different team sizes, not just a generic top-10 list.
Algorithm Updates
Google Ads introduces reporting for AI-generated product titles in Shopping ads
Google Ads now provides a Product titles report showing when AI-generated titles replace advertiser-provided ones, giving advertisers more visibility into how Google AI modifies their Shopping ad titles.
Case Studies
Recovering From a Google Algorithm Update: A 6-Month Traffic Recovery Case Study
An illustrative case study walking through diagnosing a core update traffic drop and the specific content-quality changes that preceded recovery.
Case Studies
How a B2B SaaS Site Doubled Organic Traffic With a Content Pruning Strategy
An illustrative case study on removing and consolidating thin, outdated pages to concentrate ranking signals — the before/after metrics and the specific pruning criteria used.
Algorithm Updates
Google adds more categories to Local Services Ads ahead of migration to Google Ads
Google has expanded the categories for Local Services Ads (LSAs), adding more specific options for restaurants, automotive services, and beauty businesses ahead of migrating LSA campaigns into Google Ads.
Link Building
How to Vet a Link Building Agency Without Getting Burned
Red flags, the right questions to ask about link sources and disclosure, and how to structure a trial period before committing to a retainer.
Algorithm Updates
Google Rolls Out August Spam Update, Adds Generative UI to AI Overviews
Google has launched its August 2026 spam update and introduced generative UI elements in AI Overviews. Reddit's share of ChatGPT citations has also declined.
Link Building
Broken Link Building: Does It Still Work in 2026?
An honest assessment of a classic link building tactic's current effectiveness, with the specific conditions under which it's still worth the effort.
Algorithm Updates
Google's August 2026 Spam Update Fully Rolled Out
Google confirmed the August 2026 spam update, which began on August 18, 2026, completed its rollout on August 21, 2026. The update affects all languages and regions globally. This is the third spam update this year, focusing on combating spammy content in search results.
On-Page SEO
Internal Linking Strategy: A Practical System, Not Just Best Practices
A repeatable system for deciding which pages should link to which, anchor text rules, and how to catch orphaned pages before they become a problem.