Modo25 / News & Insights / Digital news to watch: Google hires Anti-Scraping Analyst

Digital news to watch: Google hires Anti-Scraping Analyst

In this week’s digital news, Google is hiring an anti-scraping engineering analyst to develop new models to block search result scrapers. A new study suggests that structured data, also known as schema markup, may not directly influence a site’s visibility in AI search.

Google is circulating a revamped 26-page pitch deck for AI Max, its AI-powered ad suite for search campaigns, after an earlier version left advertisers more confused than convinced. Microsoft Ads has launched Supplemental Feeds, letting merchants update product details quickly without re-uploading entire catalogues.

Google is adding more artificial intelligence into its Chrome browser as the search giant tries to fend off competition from AI startups OpenAI and Perplexity. Meta just showed off all the latest in wearable technology, virtual reality, augmented reality, and more at its annual Connect keynote.

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Google hires Anti-Scraping Analyst

Google is hiring an anti-scraping engineering analyst to develop new models to block search result scrapers. This move is a significant step towards improving the integrity of Google’s search data and will likely have a positive impact on the SEO industry. The hiring suggests that Google believes search scraping may have been inflating official keyword impression data in Search Console. The new analyst will investigate and analyse these patterns of abuse.

This initiative should lead to more accurate data in Search Console, providing SEOs with a clearer picture of their site’s true performance. By reducing the noise from automated scraping, marketers can better analyse the effectiveness of their strategies and make more informed decisions. Ultimately, this move reinforces Google’s ongoing efforts to maintain the quality of its platform, and it means that SEOs who rely on legitimate data and ethical practices will benefit the most.

Read more here.

Schema Markup and AI Search Visibility

A new study suggests that structured data, also known as schema markup, may not directly influence a site’s visibility in AI search. The study indicates that when Large Language Models (LLMs) process a web page, they “tokenize” the schema markup, which effectively breaks it down and makes it unusable in the same way traditional schema is used.

While this study suggests that schema may not be effective for AI search, it’s a finding we should monitor but not necessarily trust implicitly. Schema is still used by Google’s own systems for a variety of purposes, such as populating the Knowledge Graph and Merchant Centre. Therefore, schema can still have a positive impact on a site’s SEO in other ways, even if this particular study suggests it doesn’t directly influence AI search visibility.

Read more here.

Google doubles down on AI Max pitch to wary advertisers

Google is pushing its new AI-powered tool AI Max (in global beta), as a smarter way to run search ads by automatically matching ads to relevant searches (including ones brands haven’t bid on), customising ad copy to user intent, and routing traffic to the best landing pages.

Read more here.

Microsoft Ads launches Supplemental Feeds to streamline product updates

Microsoft Ads has introduced Supplemental Feeds, a new feature that allows retailers to update certain product information (titles, descriptions, labels, sizes, colours, promotion IDs, etc.) without having to re-upload their entire product catalogue. The supplemental data will override the corresponding fields in the primary feed, and clearing the supplemental override requires either submitting empty fields or deleting the supplemental feed.

Only one supplemental feed is allowed per language + feed label/country combination. Uploads of supplemental feed data can be done manually via the Merchant Centre, or through FTP/SFTP or a URL feed.

Read more here.

Google adds Gemini to Chrome for all users in push to bolster AI search

In a recent blog post, Google said it’s rolling out Gemini in Chrome to users of Mac and Windows computers in the U.S. as well as to mobile devices. Users will be able to ask Gemini for help understanding the contents of a particular webpage, work across tabs, or do more within a single tab, such as schedule a meeting or search for a YouTube video.

Internet browsers are at the centre of the battle for consumer AI supremacy because they serve as a key gateway to accessing information and content online.

Read more here.

Meta Connect 2025: the 6 biggest announcements

Meta just showed off all the latest in wearable technology, virtual reality, augmented reality, and more at its annual Connect keynote. In addition to the long-awaited reveal of Meta’s updated Ray-Ban smart glasses, the company had some other exciting surprises to share, too.

Rumours have swirled for months about Meta launching a pair of smart glasses with a display, and they’re finally here.
Meta is launching a new version of its popular Ray-Ban smart glasses. With an upgraded eight-hour battery life that nearly doubles that of the original model.
Meta is partnering with Oakley to launch a new pair of smart glasses designed for “high-intensity sports.”
Meta’s new Hyperscape feature allows users wearing a Quest 3 or Quest 3S headset to scan their surroundings and transform them into a digital space.
Meta is putting a new Horizon TV entertainment hub inside Quest headsets.
Meta revealed that its Horizon Engine “powers better graphics, faster performance and more advanced worlds.”

Read more here.

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Author

Kylie Moody

Author

Kylie Moody

Kylie is a SEO Account Manager for Modo25, Kylie specialises in SEO with a BA in Marketing Management, with over 4 years experience at Modo25 Kylie is an expert in all things SEO.

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