Welcome to the Pulse: this week, updates change what Google pays for, what Search Console reports about AI results, and how a site blocks AI training without losing search<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s what matters for you and your work<\/p>\n
Google\u2019s John Mueller said that search has evolved beyond the traditional position one-to-ten model, and it\u2019s quite a challenge to adapt that to AI results<\/p>\n
Key facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n Mueller responded<\/a> to a Reddit discussion about the report, which rolled out worldwide on August 31, and noted that tracking position is \u201chard to do in a way that makes it useful.\u201d\u00a0An impression is recorded when the feature appears on the page served, regardless of user scrolls, whereas links behind Show More aren\u2019t counted until expanded.\u00a0The report relies on existing Web search data instead of adding new information.<\/p>\n The generative AI report doesn\u2019t give positions at all. In the Search performance data underneath it, a link inherits where the Overview block itself was located, rather than the exact spot where the link was placed inside it.\u00a0\u00a0Mueller asked the thread for suggestions on a helpful way to measure position<\/p>\n Read our full coverage: Google Admits Search Console Reporting For AI Search Is Inadequate<\/em><\/p>\n Google is piloting a program that pays participating sites when their content contributes to answers in the Gemini app, AI Overviews, and AI Mode<\/p>\n Key facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n According to Digiday<\/a>, Google confirmed the pilot as early stage, and at least dozens of publishers have been approached. Participants get paid when their content \u201ccontributes significantly\u201d during answer creation.\u00a0Content that only verifies facts or is added afterward does not qualify. Sites that accept get a Search Console panel with monthly earnings and some history, and can opt out from settings.<\/p>\n The contribution panel displays a payout but doesn\u2019t show what it\u2019s based on, something one exec with know<\/a>ledge of the program described as \u201cquite black box.\u201d\u00a0Next to it, there\u2019s a report that tracks impressions rather than clicks.\u00a0Additionally, a publishing executive mentioned that accepting these payouts might weaken a site\u2019s bargaining position, especially when negotiating better terms, because Google could point to the pilot as compensation it already provides.<\/p>\n Read our full coverage: Google Tests Paying Publishers For AI Answers<\/p>\n Cloudflare added a Disallow AI Training setting that publishes a no-training preference in robots.txt while leaving Googlebot, Applebot, and Bingbot free to crawl for search<\/p>\n Key facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n Choosing Block now stops all three crawlers, search included, as Cloudflare explained in July for mixed-use crawlers.\u00a0The new Disallow AI Training option lets search engines keep crawling.\u00a0Existing Training blocks will be automatically updated to match this new setting, and the older Block AI Bots and Managed Robots.txt are being deprecated.\u00a0At Google, this setting is managed through Google-Extended, and at Apple through Applebot-Extended.\u00a0Cloudflare also mentions that Microsoft hasn\u2019t yet supported a robots.txt no-training preference, but plans to work on it in early 2027.<\/p>\n Cloudflare changed what its Block setting does, and your current choices will update automatically.\u00a0Take a moment to check which setting your zone is using.\u00a0The \u2018Disallow AI Training\u2019 option aligns with the training opt-outs provided by Google and Apple.\u00a0Keep in mind, this setting doesn\u2019t influence whether your pages show up in AI Overviews or AI Mode, as those are managed separately in Search Console<\/a>.<\/p>\n Read our full coverage: Cloudflare Lets Sites Disallow AI Training Without Blocking Googlebot<\/em><\/p>\n Google lowered the follower bar for Search profiles to 10,000, counted per account on YouTube, Instagram, X, or TikTok<\/p>\n Key facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n Ibrahim Badr, a product manager for Search, announced the change<\/a>. Profiles launched in June needed 100,000 followers on YouTube, Instagram, or X, or 300,000 on TikTok. By August, the requirement lowered to 35,000 followers across all four platforms.\u00a0This results in three different thresholds within 15 weeks for YouTube, Instagram, and X.\u00a0Media companies<\/a> now get one login covering several brands. Article displays get updated thumbnails and longer headlines, with no sizes given in the post. The feature is still U.S. only.<\/p>\n Google\u2019s help page says that a Search profile does not directly influence ranking.\u00a0Instead, it appears in Discover, where followers may see more content from that ube subscribers that wasn\u2019t eligible in June can now claim a profile today<\/p>\n Read our full coverage: Google Search Profiles Now Available At 10,000 Followers and Google Search Profile Badges Expose The Publisher Traffic Crisis<\/em><\/p>\n Two of this week\u2019s stories give you a number. Both leave out some of the detail behind it. Google will pay sites in its pilot program without breaking down contributions, and its AI report shows impressions but does not specify positions. Cloudflare emphasized transparency, making it mandatory for its Accountable label, requiring operators to provide, or commit to providing, URLs of pages made available for training. Cloudflare says Google is planning additional URL-level transparency tools related to Google-Extended in the coming weeks. The only exception is search profiles, where the number shown is a follower count you already had on platforms that already display it.<\/p>\n Top Stories Of The Week:<\/strong><\/p>\n More Re<\/p>\n Featured Image: Cast Of Thousands\/Shutterstock<\/em><\/p>\n CategorySEOSEO Pulse<\/p>\n \n En rapport:<\/strong> \n <a href="https:\/\/yoursite.com\/automation-africa\/" title="WhatsApp Commercialisation<\/a> Automation Africa: 6 Dangerous Mistakes Brands Make in Nigeria”> Rejoindre Justfine Infotech<\/strong> and build real digital skills in AI, automation, web development, digital marketing, office productivity, e-commerce, freelancing and cybersecurity.<\/p>\n Programmes disponibles :<\/strong> WhatsApp :<\/strong>Why This Matters<\/h3>\n
Google Is Testing Payments For AI Contributions<\/h2>\n
Why This Matters<\/h3>\n
Cloudflare Separates AI Training From Search Crawling<\/h2>\n
Why This Matters<\/h3>\n
Search Profiles Open Up At 10,000 Followers<\/h2>\n
Why This Matters<\/h3>\n
Theme Of The Week: The Number Without The Math<\/h2>\n
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