Why Google Ignores Your Canonical Tag (And What to Do)
Google's canonical selection isn't random. Learn why your declared canonical may be ignored, the 9 scenarios that trigger a different choice, and how to align signals for consistent indexing.
Matt S. Riley
Building websites since before Google existed. I've run SEO, growth, and content for startups across California — and I've watched every 'revolutionary' tactic eventually expire. What doesn't expire: understanding systems, compounding effort, and thinking slower than everyone else.
Google’s May 2026 anti-scraping update: &gl=fr no longer works
Google silently broke the &gl=fr parameter on May 14, 2026, causing most ranking tools to show incorrect French SERPs. Here's what changed and how to check your data.
ChatGPT’s May 2026 Link Shift: What SEOs Need to Know
On May 7, 2026, ChatGPT started adding clickable links to brand sites in its answers. Link presence jumped from 0.4% to 6.2% in one day. Here's the data and what it means for SEO and GEO teams.
Google Image SEO: Best Practices for Alt Text and File Names (2026)
Master image SEO in 2026 with our complete guide to alt text and file names. Learn best practices, character limits, and real-world tips to boost Google Images rankings.
Why Your Search Playbook Changed in 2026 Data You Cant Ignore
New research shows 35% of users changed search habits in 2026. AI, social, and traditional engines now form a three-channel model. Here's the data.
Buying Brand Mentions for AI Search? Google Compares It to Buying Links
Gary Illyes warns that buying brand mentions to appear in AI Overviews is as dangerous as buying links, with detection systems already in place.
Best Screaming Frog Alternatives in 2026: 7 Tools Compared for SEO Audits
Compare the top Screaming Frog alternatives in 2026: Sitebulb, Lumar, Sitechecker, LibreCrawl, Netpeak Spider, and Botify. Find the best SEO crawler for your team size and budget.
Adding GT Manager in Next.js (App Router): 2026 Guide
Learn how to integrate Google Tag Manager into Next.js App Router with @next/third-parties, next/script, SPA tracking, and performance benchmarks. Includes loading strategies and troubleshooting.
Screaming Frog vs Ahrefs (2026): Honest Comparison
Screaming frog vs ahrefs: real pricing in USD, feature breakdown, and a 5-step workflow. Find the right tool for your SEO stack in 2026.
Technical SEO Audit 2026: Checklist That Fixes Rankings
Run a complete technical SEO audit in 2026: crawl, rendering, Core Web Vitals, schema & tools with honest USD pricing. Fix what actually kills rankings.