Google Back Button Hijacking Penalty, Spam Reporting Change, Google Ads AI Max Replacing DSAs & More

This week we covered a new Google Search spam penalty for back button hijacking. Google also updated its spam report, it may now be used for manual actions. Google is aware of self-serving listicles and warns not to manipulate LLMs. Google Search Console seems to be testing an AI contribution report. Google Ads is retiring Dynamic Search Ads in place of AI Max. Google Ads removed 8.3 billion ads according to its safety report. Google Ads is simplifying by consolidating enhanced conversions with an off/off switch. A new study shows there are issues with accuracy for AI Overviews. Google Maps blocked 292 million reviews and removed 13 million back Google Business Profiles. Google Posts repeat option is now live. Google updated its reviews policy to restrict staff mentions and solicitations. Google Business Profiles also updated the identity change policy. Google updated the Merchant Center product specs for 2026. And Google Ads and Google Analytics updated its data controls. That was the search news this week at the Search Engine Roundtable.This episode is brought to you by Yahoo Scout. Yahoo’s take on AI search is pretty interesting—it’s an answer engine that doesn’t hide the sources. You get clear, AI-powered answers with context, but also strong citations and links so you can dig deeper and verify for yourself. It’s built around trusted sources and the idea that the open web still matters. Check out Yahoo Scout at scout.com.0:00 - Introduction1:00 - Google Search Goes After Back Button Hijacking With New Spam Penalty1:49 - Google: We May Use Spam Report Submissions For Manual Actions2:26 - Google Is Aware Of And Warns Against Self-Serving Listicles3:00 - Google Search Console Testing AI Contribution Report3:30 - Google Ads Retiring Dynamic Search Ads For AI Max3:53 - Google Ads Removed 8.3 Billion Ads - Up Over 60% (Most Before Serving)4:18 - Google Ads Consolidating Enhanced Conversions With On/Off Switch4:30 - New Study Points to Holes In AI Overviews4:58 - Google Maps Blocked 292 Million Reviews & Removed 13 Million Fake Profiles5:16 - Google Posts Repeat Posts Feature Now Live5:38 - Google Updates Reviews Policy To Restrict Staff Mentions & Solicitations6:08 - Google Business Profile Updates Identity Change Policy Language6:43 - Google Updates Some Merchant Center Product Specs For 20266:51 - Google Ads & Google Analytics Data Controls Update7:17 - Conclusion