Moz

AI Visibility Depends on Who Writes About Your Brand

AI-generated answers are becoming a distinct discovery channel with different citation signals than traditional Google rankings. Multiple studies and vendor experiments (BrightEdge, Moz, Muck Rack, Semrush, Ahrefs) show large gaps between pages that rank in Google’s organic top 10 and sources cited by AI Overviews or chat-based engines: independent editorial coverage and bylined author entities are strongly favored. The article recommends treating earned media as infrastructure (lead with the claim, use named credentialed authors, maintain steady distributed placements, refresh quarterly) and measuring "citation share" across AI engines (ChatGPT, Google AI Mode/Gemini, Claude, Perplexity) to track where buyers actually find brand recommendations. The piece frames the May 2026 Google core update and the rise of AI Mode/AI Overviews as evidence that marketers must add AI citation tracking to SEO and PR workflows.

Studio 1119 and Moz Expand AI SEO Partnership

Studio 1119 announced an expanded strategic partnership with Moz to deepen the integration of Moz’s search intelligence into Studio 1119’s e-commerce optimization product, CataSEO. The integration will deliver enhanced monthly "Powered by Moz" SEO performance reporting for CataSEO customers, combining AI-driven content optimization with Moz data to improve product discoverability across traditional search engines and emerging AI-driven discovery platforms. CataSEO customers who subscribe to Moz Pro will receive a 20% discount on standard monthly Moz Pro pricing. The companies said they will continue collaborative development to refine how CataSEO leverages Moz’s data, analytics and optimization methodologies. The announcement was published May 18, 2026.

SERP Volatility Sparks Google Update Speculation

The article reports noticeable volatility in Google search rankings (SERPs) and spikes in tracking tools across multiple sites. It notes discussions from SEO experts, including Barry Schwartz, who document fluctuations using tools such as SEMrush, Mozcast, and others. The piece centers on the possibility of another Google core algorithm update, though Google has not publicly commented on the fluctuations. The article recalls Google's two major Core Algorithm Updates in 2020, with the second occurring in May, and suggests that the observed volatility could stem from an upcoming update or routine daily search changes. It also mentions alternative explanations like a site seizure by the US Department of Justice and broader US traffic variation. For webmasters, the piece references a guide based on Google's information to prepare for potential updates and emphasizes monitoring whether volatility persists in the SEO landscape.