Google SEO News
Google's Subtle Documentation Update Reveals Key SEO Lessons
Google recently updated its "Estimated Salary (Occupation) Structured Data" documentation with seemingly minor changes that carry significant SEO implications. The update refined focus by removing references to "Job Experience" and concentrating on "Estimated Salary" rich results, aligning content with its intended purpose.
This is the original version:
“Estimated salaries can appear in the job experience on Google Search and as a salary estimate rich result for a given occupation.”
This is the updated version:
“Adding Occupation structured data makes your content eligible to appear in the estimated salary rich result in Google Search results:”
It also replaced an overly complex image with a simpler, more effective example of a rich result and corrected a confusing, grammatically incorrect sentence.
Original version:
“You must include the required properties for your content to be eligible for display the job experience on Google and rich results.”
This is the updated version:
“You must include the required properties for your content to be eligible for display in the estimated salary rich result.”
These revisions emphasize the importance of precision and clarity in content creation, showcasing how subtle shifts in language, visuals, and focus can improve both user understanding and search relevance.
General Search Marketing News
Google Invests Over $1 Billion in Anthropic Amid AI Expansion
Google has invested over $1 billion in generative AI startup Anthropic, building on its previous $2 billion investment and strengthening its 10% ownership stake. The move aligns with Anthropic's efforts to raise $2 billion at a $60 billion valuation. Anthropic, known for its Claude AI chatbot, has seen rapid growth, with annualized revenue reaching $1 billion. Amazon, another key backer, has invested $8 billion and serves as Anthropic's primary cloud partner. The company continues to develop advanced AI capabilities, including its computer-use technology, which allows AI to perform multi-step autonomous tasks.
SEO Recommendations by Jason
As we move into 2025, it is impossible not to have our focus on AI integration with SEO. Our take is very simple: there is so much that is changing so fast, and we need to have clear AI adoption frameworks for content/SEO. (You can find out more about this here)
Safe adoption and use of AI for web-based content should be the center of conversation for policymakers and search engine principles.
Business owners should plan financially to support marketing staff with upskilling AI adoption and integration into content, SEO, and beyond.
Meta Invests in Databricks as AI Partnership Deepens
Meta has invested in Databricks as part of a $10 billion funding round, strengthening their collaboration on AI, particularly with Meta's Llama LLMs. Databricks, which has raised $14 billion to date, plans to use the new capital for global expansion and employee liquidity. The company also secured a $5.25 billion credit facility from JPMorgan Chase to support growth without diluting shareholders. Databricks previously developed its own LLM, DBRX, but now aligns with Meta's open-source AI efforts. A potential IPO is on the horizon, with Databricks aiming to expand its cloud partnerships.
Trump Open to Elon Musk or Larry Ellison Buying TikTok Amid US Uncertainty
Former President Donald Trump has expressed openness to Tesla CEO Elon Musk or Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison purchasing TikTok, as ByteDance faces pressure to sell its US operations. Trump's executive order has given TikTok 75 days to avoid a ban, with analysts valuing its US business at $50 billion. TikTok could be worth up to $1 trillion with proper US permits. Trump's stance on TikTok has shifted since his previous attempts to ban the app, which were influenced by political and business considerations, including ties to key investors and donors.
OpenAI and Donald Trump Announce $500 Billion AI Initiative: Project Stargate
OpenAI, in collaboration with the Donald Trump administration, has unveiled Project Stargate, a $500 billion initiative aimed at accelerating the development of artificial general intelligence (AGI) in the United States. Backed by SoftBank, Oracle, MGX, and other key partners, Stargate will build advanced AI infrastructure over the next four years, with its headquarters in Texas and potential expansion across the country. The initiative combines OpenAI's operational leadership with SoftBank's financial oversight and technological support from NVIDIA, Microsoft, and Oracle. Promising to create jobs, drive economic growth, and bolster national security, Project Stargate underscores the transformative potential of AGI in fields like healthcare, where it could expedite breakthroughs such as curing diseases. President Trump and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman emphasized the project’s importance in positioning the U.S. as a global leader in AI development.