SEO News Roundup – April 2026
In April, SEO news stories covered a range of topics, including official warnings from Google, video ads in search results, and the aftermath of the March 2026 core updates.
We’ve been keeping abreast of the changes that matter most for digital marketers. So, read on for our round-up of the most important SEO news from April 2026.
April algorithm updates made a significant impact on Google search results
Google rolled out its March 2026 core update on March 27 and finished on April 8.
Reports suggest that as many as 55% of domains were affected, making it one of the more impactful core updates of recent times.
Analysts agree that websites with E-E-A-T signals were the biggest winners. Historically, E-E-A-T has been regarded as being particularly important for websites in the health and finance sectors. Following this update, it is now being described as crucial for SEO in all industries.
Domains relying heavily on unedited copy from AI agents took a huge hit in this update, as did generic listicles and product comparison pages. This type of content may also have been punished by Google’s spam update in March.
Another Google Algorithm update that targets low-quality, AI content that plagues the web. It won’t be the last!
Google warns against low-quality listicle content
The publication of self-serving listicles, where brands create ‘best of’ lists and rank themselves first, has previously been championed as a strategy to increase visibility in AI results.
However, in case the crackdown on this content in the March core update wasn’t enough of a deterrent, Google spokesperson Jennifer Kutz has now explicitly warned against it.
In an interview with The Verge, she confirmed that Google was aware of “low-quality listicle content” and is working to combat this type of abuse.
That’s a fair warning. If you’re publishing these types of blog posts, using authors with seemingly no credentials, it might be time to change your content strategy.
If you have a client that installs concrete flooring – does it really need a blog titled “Top 10 Concrete Floor Movie Moments?”
Websites utilising back button hijacking to be punished by Google
Another explicit warning from Google surrounded the practice of back button hijacking.
This is when website owners manipulate browser behaviour so that clicking the back button doesn’t return users to the previous page. Instead, it may redirect them to unrelated pages or pop-ups to keep them on the domain.
This deceptive tactic undeniably worsens the user experience, and Google will begin to punish websites that use it from 15 June.
In an official announcement on its Search Central blog, Google confirmed: “Pages that are engaging in back button hijacking may be subject to manual spam actions or automated demotions, which can impact the site’s performance in Google Search results.”
Google Tests Video Ads in Local Search Results
Local businesses may soon be able to use video within their Google PPC ads.
Screenshots of Google Ads’ Location Manager indicate that some users now have the option to include “Google-owned rich media” within their campaigns. This could include photos, videos, icons, immersive map views and other 3D assets.
It appears that giving Google permission to utilise this media would allow it to be auto-enabled within local ads.
This new feature could make it easier for businesses to stand out within crowded search results pages.
However, for now at least, this feature appears to be in early testing, and it remains unclear how quickly or widely it will be rolled out.
The Sharp Opinion
Reflecting on this month’s news, the head of B# had the following comments:
These types of major algorithm updates, that typically punish low quality web content, are always a huge win for those who value the importance of quality over quantity. Our advice when it comes to content creation and SEO remains the same. Use human writers, do the research, take the time to get it right. Following this principle is the only way to ensure the long-term results that businesses deserve. – Jonny Crossley, Founder & CEO of Be Sharp Digital Marketing
