Google Lied About Click Data — Here’s What Actually Drives Rankings in 2026
About this episode
This episode explores how Google actually uses click data and its implications for search rankings in the context of AI Overviews.
Send us Fan Mail This episode explores how Google actually uses click data (despite years of denial) and how that reality intersects with the rise of AI Overviews. Cyrus Shepherd connects the dots between antitrust trial revelations, API leaks, and patents, showing that click behavior—especially “last longest click”—is a core ranking signal. The discussion then shifts to how AI Overviews are reshaping search: Reducing traditional clicksForcing Google to predict user behavior with less dataInc...
More episodes of The Near Memo
- Review Fraud, FTC Fines, and Yelp’s Legal Strike
- Google Reviews Crackdown, Meta vs Google, and the AI Search Shift (What Marketers Are Missing)
- AI, Reviews & Intent Pages: What Actually Drives Multi-Location SEO Now (Part 2)
- Multi-Location SEO: What Actually Works (And What Doesn’t) Part 1
- State of Google Business Profile 2026: Impressions Are Down 54%—But Actions Aren’t
- From the Archives: Local Search Ranking Factors — Darren Shaw on Reviews, AI Search & What Drives Local Rank
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The Near Memo podcast page.