Google: Many Top Sites Have Invalid HTML And Still Rank
Most top-ranking websites fail HTML validation. Google explains why perfect code isn’t required, and what matters instead.
About
Matt G. Southern, Senior News Writer, has been with Search Engine Journal since 2013. With a bachelor’s degree in communications, Matt specializes in gathering details, checking facts, and making complex subjects easy to understand. In addition to writing articles, Matt oversees strategy development for SEJ’s news department.
Articles
Google Rolls Out June 2025 Core Update
Google’s June 2025 core update is now rolling out and may take up to three weeks to complete.
Google Integrates Search Console Insights Into Main Platform
Google has launched a new integrated version of Search Console Insights, offering simplified performance data in the main dashboard.
YouTube Tests AI Features To Improve Search & Discovery
YouTube rolls out experimental AI features to improve video discovery, including a search carousel and conversational assistant.
Google Tests ‘Preferred Sources’ To Personalize Top Stories In Search
Google’s new Preferred Sources lets users customize Top Stories with favorite publishers. How could this shift impact search visibility?
Google Launches Offerwall To Expand Monetization Options
Google’s new Offerwall feature lets publishers monetize through surveys, ads, or micro payments. Could this reshape your revenue strategy?
Google’s ‘srsltid’ Parameter Appears In Organic URLs, Creating Confusion
Google’s srsltid parameter is showing on blog and homepage URLs, affecting reporting and analytics, but not affecting rankings.
Sam Altman: ChatGPT Has Evolved Beyond A “Google Replacement”
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says ChatGPT is no longer just a “Google replacement,” describing its shift toward task completion and assistant-style workflows.
YouTube Analytics Updated With Saved Reports & New Interface
YouTube updates Advanced Mode in Studio Analytics with saved reports, a simplified layout, and built-in performance tools for creators.
How Much Code Should SEO Pros Know? Google Weighs In
Google’s Martin Splitt and Gary Illyes discuss how much technical knowledge SEO professionals need, and why coding isn’t always essential.
TikTok Ban Delayed Again, Will Remain Active Until September
TikTok gets third 90-day extension, staying active until Sept 17 as ownership talks continue.
YouTube Reports 200 Billion Daily Views For Shorts Format
YouTube Shorts hits 200 billion daily views as platform unveils AI video tools and TV viewing leadership.
Google Launches ‘Search Live’ Real-Time Voice Search In AI Mode
Google Search Live with real-time voice conversations is now available in AI Mode for U.S. users. Talk to search, get audio responses plus web links.
Google Adds AI Mode Traffic To Search Console Reports
Google updates documents to show that it now includes AI Mode traffic in Search Console Performance reports
Google Launches Audio AI Overviews In Search Labs Test
Google begins experimenting with Audio Overviews in search results. US searchers can opt in to the experiment via Search Labs.
Google Retires 7 Structured Data Features To Streamline Search Results
Google retires seven structured data features including Book Actions, Course Info, and Claim Review to streamline search results. Rankings unaffected.
Google Outage Disrupts Lens, Discover, & Voice Search Results
Google confirms Lens, Discover, and Voice Search are experiencing disruptions, potentially affecting traffic for many sites.
Google Search Team Explains The “It Depends” Response
Why Google’s SEO advice often sounds vague: Search Relations team explains the reasons behind “it depends” answers.
Google Removes Robots.txt Guidance For Blocking Auto-Translated Pages
Google removes robots.txt guidance for blocking auto-translated pages. This change aligns Google’s technical documents with its spam policies.
Google Offers Voluntary Buyouts To Core U.S. Teams Amid AI Push
Google voluntary buyouts target U.S. Search and Ads staff amid AI restructuring. What does this mean for future layoffs and team priorities?
YouTube Begins Showing Posts In The Shorts Feed
YouTube is now showing Posts in the Shorts feed, giving creators a new way to expand their reach.
Google Launches Loyalty Program Structured Data Support
Google rolls out support for loyalty program structured data, which allows businesses to display member benefits in search results.
Google AI Mode Introduces Data Visualization For Finance Queries
Google AI Mode adds interactive charts for financial searches. See how this data visualization may affect SEO and content marketing strategies.
Google Shares Details Behind AI Mode Development
Google reveals details behind the development of AI Mode. Learn design insights and what marketers need to know.
Google AI Overviews Favor Major News Outlets: Study Reveals
New study: Google AI Overviews cite news sources in only 1 in 5 responses. BBC, NYT & CNN lead with 31% share.
SEO Professional’s Tests Suggest Google Search Console Misses Search Queries
An SEO expert’s experiments indicate that Google Search Console might not report a significant portion of search queries. More comprehensive research is needed.
Google Lens Integration For YouTube Shorts: Search Within Videos
Google Lens integration brings visual search to YouTube Shorts. Here’s how it works, along with important rules marketers need to know.
Google: Database Speed Beats Page Count For Crawl Budget
Google confirms 1M page crawl budget threshold stands after 5 years, but database efficiency matters more than page count for SEO performance.
Google’s Gary Illyes Warns AI Agents Will Create Web Congestion
Google’s Gary Illyes suggests that AI-driven bots could overwhelm websites, offering a unique perspective that crawling isn’t the primary issue.
Google Fixes AI Mode Traffic Attribution Bug
Google AI Mode traffic bug fixed after organic search was mislabeled as direct traffic in Analytics.