Daily Search Forum Recap: October 23, 2025

Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today, through the eyes of the Search Engine Roundtable and other search forums on the web.

Google Search Console performance report chart is stuck. Google again says you can’t fix quality issues with links, site moves or technical SEO. Google AI Mode was updated for fantasy sports queries. ChatGPT for signed out users got an update for GPT-5 Instant. Google Business Profiles is missing a few days of call data. Google Ads celebrates its 25 birthday today…

Source:
Search Engine Roundtable

Black hat GEO is real – Here’s why you should pay attention

AI-driven search has enabled large-scale manipulation. Here’s how it happens, what Google’s doing, and why best practices still win.

Source:
Search Engine Land

Google Search Console Performance Report Stopped Updating At Sunday October 19

The Google Search Console performance reports seem to be stuck and not updating since October 19/20th for all profiles and websites. The weird thing is that the 24 hour view does seem to have data but when you view it over the 7 day filter, it doesn’t show anything from October 19th and onwards (some see October 20th).

Source:
Search Engine Roundtable

Why Google Search Console impressions fell (and why that’s good)

Google’s &num=100 change removed automated crawler noise, giving SEOs a truer picture of real search visibility.

Source:
Search Engine Land

How Two Entrepreneurs Used TikTok and Trends to Create a Viral Launch

That Sound Game is a viral party game that’s sold more than 400,000 units worldwide — learn how its creators turned a COVID lockdown idea into a TikTok sensation.

Source:
Unknown Source

Google Says Links, Site Moves & Technical SEO Don’t Fix Quality Issues

Google held the Search Central Live event in Dubai just a couple of days ago. It seems like the vast majority of what was presented at the event was presented at prior events. But I wanted to share that Google again said that links or site moves or technical SEO won’t fix your rankings if you have overall quality issues with your site.

Source:
Search Engine Roundtable

Google Business Profile Performance Reports Missing Some Call Data

Google Business Profile performance reports seem to be missing a chunk of call data from last week. The call data is missing from October 14 through October 16, 2025.

Source:
Search Engine Roundtable

Meta Replaces Staff with AI, Continues to Spend Big on AI Development

Meta’s push towards AI superintelligence continues to evolve.

Source:
Social Media Today – Latest News

YouTube Shares More Info on its ‘Ask Studio’ AI Bot

The tool will provide insights into how to optimize your YouTube content.

Source:
Social Media Today – Latest News

LinkedIn Offers Opportunities to Help Train its AI Systems

LinkedIn members can help to annotate data sets related to their industry.

Source:
Social Media Today – Latest News

ChatGPT Atlas browser could drain ad budgets by mimicking human clicks

OpenAI’s new AI browser ChatGPT Atlas can mimic human clicks, potentially inflating ad costs and distorting website analytics.

Source:
Search Engine Land

Instagram Adds Assistive AI for Visual Creation

The updated option will use AI to enhance your visuals.

Source:
Social Media Today – Latest News

ChatGPT, LLM referrals convert worse than Google Search: Study

ChatGPT’s shopping traffic is growing fast, but a new study says it won’t catch Google Search in conversions or revenue anytime soon.

Source:
Search Engine Land

Google AI Mode Updates For Fantasy Sports & ChatGPT Updates GPT-5 Instant For Signed Out Users

Google has updated AI Mode for fantasy sports including adding in integration with FantasyPros. And OpenAI has improved the GPT-5 Instant model for signed-out users.

Source:
Search Engine Roundtable

Stop Asking Your Guest Speakers to Do Your Marketing for You – SparkToro

I hate asking people for things. Call it years of ingrained people-pleasing if you want, but mostly, it comes from my not wanting to waste anybody’s time,

Source:
SparkToro

Al Engineering 101 with Chip Huyen (Nvidia, Stanford, Netflix)

Chip Huyen on what improves AI apps: talking to users beats chasing models, why senior engineers gain most from AI, and why most AI failures aren’t AI problems

Source:
Lenny’s Newsletter

Instagram Adds Option to Draw on DM Chats

Another option to help spice up your IG chats.

Source:
Social Media Today – Latest News

YouTube Paid Out $8 Billion to the Music Industry Over the Past Year

YouTube continues to provide a valuable pathway for creative talent.

Source:
Social Media Today – Latest News

Google Ads turns 25: A look back at the biggest changes and advances in search

Google marks 25 years of Ads, evolving from search keywords to AI-powered campaigns that reach audiences and deliver answers.

Source:
Search Engine Land

Google Ads Celebrates 25th Birthday

Google Ads is celebrating its 25th birthday/anniversary today. Yes, Google launched AdWords 25 years ago today in 2000. In 2018, Google renamed AdWords to Google Ads and the ad labels and technology have drastically changed over the years.

Source:
Search Engine Roundtable

SEO Specialist ~ Pella Corporation ~ 80,000-100,000 ~ Remote (US)

Pella is seeking a strategic, data-driven, and curious SEO specialist to lead and scale our organic search strategy. This role will partner with internal and external stakeholders to manage and deliver cutting edge digital experiences. As an SEO Specialist, this position will be responsible for driving the development and execution of comprehensive SEO strategies, enhancing visibility […]

Source:
In-house SEO jobs – SEOjobs.com

SEO Technical Automation Marketer ~ Tallo ~ $57,519.75-$120,000 ~ Remote (USA)

Job Description Most young people aren’t asking “How do I find a job?” They’re asking, “Who can I become?” That’s the question traditional hiring infrastructure wasn’t built to answer. Career platforms treat people like résumés. Educational systems prepare students for pathways that may not fit. Employers struggle to find talent that’s been there all along. […]

Source:
In-house SEO jobs – SEOjobs.com