Google’s May 2026 Core Update started rolling out on May 21 and Edward Sturm’s breakdown is essential reading for anyone running a website right now, because the sites getting hit hardest are a very specific type and the sites holding steady share a very clear pattern.
Watch the full breakdown in the video below:
Source Edward Sturm
AI Spam Content Is Getting Demolished and the Pattern Is Unmistakable
The most significant story emerging from the May 2026 Core Update is what’s happening to sites that scaled up AI generated content without adding real value.
- A notable example circulating in the SEO community involves a large AI generated blog subfolder that effectively disappeared from search results the moment the update landed. The broader domain still shows up but the entire blog section is gone.
- Edward breaks down the content was dense, repetitive, and low quality. There was no original media or supporting assets. The topics jumped all over the place with no clear expertise.
- The lesson from this update is the same lesson Google has been telegraphing for two years now. Content that exists to rank rather than to serve a real reader is becoming increasingly invisible and the enforcement is getting sharper with every core update.
Local SEO Is Shifting and Your Google Search Console Links Report Is Probably Broken
Two other stories are running alongside the AI spam crackdown that every site owner needs to know about right now.
- First, directory and aggregator sites that previously dominated local search terms are dropping out of top positions for near me searches, with Google appearing to favour the actual service provider over the middleman when the search intent is explicitly local. If you run a local business this could mean improved visibility as the directories slide.
- Second and this one is causing a lot of panic in the SEO community, Google Search Console’s links report is showing dramatic drops and even zero links for many sites right now.
- Edward is clear that this appears to be a reporting glitch inside Search Console itself and not evidence that your actual backlinks have disappeared. If your link count looks wrong right now don’t panic. It’s almost certainly a display error on Google’s end and not a reflection of what’s actually happening to your site.
Helpful Link From This Video
- Compact Keywords – Edward’s SEO Course – Get paying customers through SEO – Clear step-by-step video breakdowns – SEO templates to be copied and adapted for your products and services: https://compactkeywords.com/
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Disclaimer: This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views expressed are personal opinions and do not constitute professional, medical, or financial advice.
