Playbook

Algorithm Updates and What Works

Core updates decoded, recovery playbooks, AI content penalties, and the myths to stop believing this year.

What changed in the latest updates and how to recover or stay safe.

6 guides in this playbook

All 6 guides

Technical2026-04-06

April 2026 Google Core Update: What Changed, Who's Affected, and What to Do

Two core updates in two weeks. SEMrush Sensor hit 9.5/10 volatility. Sites relying on outdated tactics got hammered. Here's what changed, who won, who lost, and the recovery playbook.

20 min read

Technical2026-04-06

Google Search Console Impression Bug: What the Year-Long Data Error Means for Your SEO Reports

GSC over-reported impressions since May 2025 due to a logging error. The fix is rolling out now, your impressions will drop and CTR will spike. How to recalibrate your baselines and explain it to clients.

14 min read

Strategy2026-03-22

SEO Myths Debunked: 15 Things That Don't Work Anymore in 2026

Keyword density, domain authority worship, daily blogging, buying links, and 12 more SEO myths that are still wasting your time and budget. What actually matters now and what never did.

25 min read

AI Tools2026-03-21

AI Content Detection in 2026: What Google Actually Penalizes (and What It Doesn't)

Google targets scaled content abuse, not all AI writing. The March 2026 core update hit low-value AI content hard while rewarding AI-assisted content with genuine expertise. What actually matters.

20 min read

Technical2026-03-20

Google March 2026 Core Update: What Changed, Who Won, and How to Recover

The March 2026 core update hit hard. Sites reporting 20-35% traffic drops, Information Gain elevated as a ranking factor, and E-E-A-T requirements amplified. Here is what changed, who won, who lost, and a step-by-step recovery playbook.

22 min read

Strategy2026-03-20

Google's First-Ever Discover Core Update: What Publishers Need to Know

Google launched its first-ever Discover-specific core update in February 2026. It affects 800M+ users, favors original imagery at 1200px+, elevates Information Gain scoring, and gives local publishers an edge. Here is what changed and how to optimize.

18 min read

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