We start the month with some volatility for September as the latest Google Spam update hits websites. This is a new algorithm update that will take a few weeks to complete according to Google. Google is combating scaled AI content and penalizing sites that produce AI content to better rank on Google. We have seen some sites drop as much as 18% in traffic due to prior Google updates so be warned if you do this. New Google algo August spam update hits.
All the sites we work with practice White-hat SEO meaning they dont do the shady stuff that Google is combating now and rightfully so! Another old technique in 2025 is gaming domains. This is something Google is fighting right now with the new update. It means if you buy a domain or domains in hopes of piggybacking off their past domain authority Google will see this and give your site reduced rankings.
Foundational SEO is tried and true and what we have always done, no gimmicks just hard work to keep sites ranking and hold rankings over time. It’s not glamorous but it delivers on rankings and it is what we trust.
For SEO and marketing help contact us today at KowAbundant.com
Read on to hear client questions for online growth, the top curated SEO news you need to know, and a special charity this month.
Top SEO & AI News
LOCAL & ECONOMY
Intel further delays Ohio plant in New Albany – View More
SEO NEWS
Brace for impact, Spam Update hits after hard hitting June Update. Google June core update completed after 16 days, most volatile update in years. Check your business traffic & rankings
Red Flags when hiring an SEO company – View More
Google says SEO needed for small businesses for AI. – View More
AI NEWS
Gemini wins hands down in direct photo creation contest vs ChatGPT – View More
Positive toward AI? You may use social media more than average people study finds. – View More
ChatGPT ecommerce adds Shopify as partner, takes cut of sales. – View More
AI overviews hit by EU Antitrust. “Foxglove and our partners are urging the European Commission, along with other regulators around the world, to take a stand and allow independent journalism to opt out,” – View More
DRONE
Republican lawmakers push comprehensive audit review of DJI drones, takes 6 months to 1 year. – View More
Take Action! Use this link to reach out to your congress member easily to prevent the DJI drone ban and join the cause. https://droneadvocacyalliance.com/
PRO TIP
Rankings drop alert! Recent Google updates cause Google rankings drop for businesses that use AI on their websites. We saw 20% drop in traffic on some sites that rely heavily on AI for content and blogs. Make sure your AI score is 60% or lower using tools like ZeroGPT. Handwritten content along with AI content helps big here.
DIGITAL ADS/PPC NEWS
Ding dong the witch is dead🧙♀️ Amazon leaves Google shopping in massive shift and big gain for local retailers! – View More
Be careful what you AI for. 20% of results found to be inaccurate data used by marketers. – View More
Google earnings beat expectations leveraging AI up 14% – View More
SOCIAL PLATFORM NEWS
TikTok denies US App in Development – View More
Meta & Youtube Updates target low-value content, often reposts and AI content – View More
Charity of the Month- COSI Science Center
Each month we sponsor a charity and invite you to join us in donating. This month we are donating to Cosi in Columbus Ohio, promoting science and education to all ages.
Top Client Questions
- What is the difference between Google online or service area business and Google business profile?
Google maps is an essential sales channel and I won’t downplay it. If you can, simply get an office location and make that stick so you can use Google maps. It will boost business for you and increase your rankings on Google maps.
Sometimes you can have an office or you are mobile only which would mean you are a service area business according to Google. This means that you do not have a physical location and you instead have a general area of town you serve such as Columbus, Ohio, Dublin Ohio, Upper Arlington, Ohio for SEO etc. When you do this you are far less likely for Google maps to ever show your business on maps vs those that have a location; makes sense right?
A lot of businesses ask if they can get a mailing address instead of an office and use that, Google is really cracking down on this as they notice people are doing it a lot. Today, it doesn’t really work. Some industries like Lockpicking for instance require video verification and tons of additional documents to verify a business. Now the standard is slowly moving to more video verification as well to verify a business location. So in essence, no, you can’t really game things in this way. We always recommend white-hat techniques and not these methods. If you need help to verify an address let us know and we can check it out.
- I’m having trouble getting my address in Google. Why can’t I add my address in Google?
Google has increased their verification procedures in the age of AI and all the spammers out there. So you will have to have a valid address that makes your articles of incorporation or state documents and utility bills to verify an address with Google now. Sometimes the verification methods have issues like texting or calls to a landline with auto answer often dont work. If you need help contact Kow Abundant.
- Should I buy a different domain? I’m worried my business name is difficult to spell or confusing.
This is a great business question. Let’s step outside the box for a moment. Will the new domain make it easier for people to find you? Is the new name confusing or too different from your current name? Are there other businesses that already have the other name as well?
You want to check on a variety of things before changing you domain. It is real estate and as we know, Domain Domain Domain! Meaning, get something that is easy to use, makes sense for your business, and one that you yourself will easily promote and you’ve got a winner!
If you need SEO help then contact Kow Abundant today.