From AI Image Labels to Server Speed: What’s Shaping Search in Fall 2024
Search is changing, again. From Google’s new visual content labels to a leaked YouTube strategy doc from MrBeast’s team, the world of SEO continues to evolve in surprising (and technical) ways. Below, we break down the latest developments and what they mean for marketers, content creators, and developers alike.
Google Adds AI Labels to Images in Search
In a move to boost transparency and reduce misinformation, Google is now labeling images in search results as either:
- Taken by a camera
- Edited
- AI-generated
This labeling will be added to the “About this image” feature, and the update is set to roll out across Google Search, YouTube, and Google Ads.
What this means for you:
Brands using AI-generated imagery will need to be mindful of how these visuals are perceived in search. Expect a growing emphasis on content authenticity, especially for ecommerce, health and news-related queries.
Google Tests “Top Quality Store” Badge in SERPs
Google is also testing a “Top Quality Store” badge in desktop organic results, a feature previously limited to mobile. The goal? To signal verified, trusted ecommerce experiences directly in the search results.
Why it matters:
For retailers this could become a new trust signal that boosts click-through rates, similar to structured data stars or review snippets. While Google hasn’t published exact criteria yet, we recommend focusing on customer reviews, clear return policies, and site trustworthiness to stay ahead.
What MrBeast’s Leaked Strategy Tells Us About YouTube SEO
A leaked internal PDF from MrBeast’s production team gave us a rare peek behind the curtain of one of YouTube’s most successful content operations. The team’s top priorities?
- Click-Through Rate (CTR)
- Average View Duration (AVD)
- Average View Percentage (AVP)
Why it’s important:
This reinforces the fact that YouTube is a behavioral platform. Content optimization isn’t just about tags and titles, it’s about delivering attention-grabbing intros, strong pacing, and end-to-end engagement. For brands investing in YouTube, these metrics should guide both your creative and your analytics reviews.
Google Revamps Crawler Documentation
Technical SEOs take note: Google has updated its crawler documentation. The previously long and dense single page is now broken into three granular sections, complete with examples of:
- robots.txt configurations
- Product-specific crawl behavior
- Search indexing guidelines
Action item:
Now’s a great time to audit your robots.txt and crawl directives, especially if you’re managing large ecommerce catalogs or international sites. Better documentation means fewer surprises in your crawl reports.
How to Track Linktree in GA4 (Yes, It’s Possible)
If your clients use Linktree in their Instagram or TikTok bios, you can now track that referral traffic directly in GA4. Here’s how:
- Grab your GA4 Measurement ID (Admin > Data Streams > Stream Details)
- In Linktree, go to Settings > Analytics Integrations
- Paste your Measurement ID into the Google field
- Traffic will now show as Session Source = linktr.ee under Referral in Traffic Acquisition
Why this matters:
Link-in-bio tools are everywhere, and they’re often overlooked in performance reporting. This simple integration makes your GA4 data cleaner and gives you a more complete picture of your referral strategy.
Core Web Vitals & Server Response Time: The Hidden SEO Killer
Even with a 95% health score on SEMrush, some sites are still failing Core Web Vitals. That was the case for 829 client Axonius—so we dug deeper.
We found that despite decent PageSpeed Insights scores, the Time to First Byte (TTFB) in key markets like Tel Aviv and Singapore was dragging down performance. Core Web Vitals are based on real-world data collected over 28 days, meaning these lags were hurting SEO in real time.
Key takeaways:
- Server response time matters more than you think—especially for global brands
- Upgrading to premium services like Cloudflare can significantly improve performance
- Faster experiences = better user satisfaction + higher search rankings
Final Thoughts
From algorithm insights to infrastructure upgrades, the fall 2024 search landscape is all about trust, transparency, and technical execution. Whether you’re helping clients track referral sources, optimizing YouTube content, or improving Core Web Vitals, the message is clear. It’s not just what you publish—it’s how, where, and how fast it reaches your audience.
