{"id":720120,"date":"2026-04-06T21:45:14","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T18:45:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/are-low-quality-listicles-about-to-lose-their-edge-in-google-search\/"},"modified":"2026-04-06T21:45:14","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T18:45:14","slug":"are-low-quality-listicles-about-to-lose-their-edge-in-google-search","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/are-low-quality-listicles-about-to-lose-their-edge-in-google-search\/","title":{"rendered":"Are low-quality listicles about to lose their edge in Google Search?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3e2dddc0f7e\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3e2dddc0f7e\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/are-low-quality-listicles-about-to-lose-their-edge-in-google-search\/#Google_says_its_aware_of_weak_%E2%80%98best_of_lists_and_said_it_%E2%80%98works_to_combat_that_kind_of_abuse_in_Search_and_Gemini\" >Google says it&#8217;s aware of weak &#8216;best of&#8217; lists and said it &#8216;works to combat that kind of abuse&#8217; in Search and Gemini.<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/are-low-quality-listicles-about-to-lose-their-edge-in-google-search\/#Topics_on_this_page\" >Topics on this page<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"subhead\" itemprop=\"alternativeHeadline\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Google_says_its_aware_of_weak_%E2%80%98best_of_lists_and_said_it_%E2%80%98works_to_combat_that_kind_of_abuse_in_Search_and_Gemini\"><\/span>Google says it&#8217;s aware of weak &#8216;best of&#8217; lists and said it &#8216;works to combat that kind of abuse&#8217; in Search and Gemini.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><\/p>\n<div class=\"bialty-container\">\n<p>If you rank your own product #1 in \u201cbest of\u201d listicles, it\u2019s not just a search-quality issue \u2014 it may violate FTC rules that took effect in October 2024.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Driving the <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/news\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"2\" title=\"News\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">news<\/a><\/strong>. As <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/posts\/lily-ray-44755615_wow-something-interesting-was-just-brought-activity-7444766281435815937-TrWn\/?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=member_desktop&amp;rcm=ACoAAAB0N7MBstWf5SblEci2G1F3WzMSeIW1b7s\">Lily Ray noted on LinkedIn<\/a>, the FTC\u2019s Consumer Review Rule (16 CFR Part 465) prohibits several deceptive practices tied to reviews and testimonials, including:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Presenting company-controlled content as independent reviews.<\/li>\n<li>Publishing reviews of products or services never actually used.<\/li>\n<li>Attributing reviews to people who didn\u2019t write them.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Penalties can reach up to $53,088 per violation, and each page may count separately. Ray also shared a reference table she generated with the help of Claude:<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"816\" height=\"650\" http: alt=\"Self Promotional Listicles Ftc\" class=\"wp-image-473711\" srcset=\"https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/wp-content\/seloads\/2026\/04\/self-promotional-listicles-ftc.jpg.webp 816w,https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/wp-content\/seloads\/2026\/04\/self-promotional-listicles-ftc-768x612.jpg.webp 768w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 816px) 100vw, 816px\" src=\"https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/wp-content\/seloads\/2026\/04\/self-promotional-listicles-ftc.jpg.webp\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"816\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/wp-content\/seloads\/2026\/04\/self-promotional-listicles-ftc.jpg.webp\" alt=\"Self Promotional Listicles Ftc\" class=\"wp-image-473711\" srcset=\"https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/wp-content\/seloads\/2026\/04\/self-promotional-listicles-ftc.jpg.webp 816w,https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/wp-content\/seloads\/2026\/04\/self-promotional-listicles-ftc-768x612.jpg.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 816px) 100vw, 816px\"><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Why now<\/strong>. \u201cBest <em>X<\/em>\u201d and \u201cTop 10 <em>Y<\/em>\u201d listicles have surged as a GEO tactic over the past couple of years. These pages often perform well in search and increasingly influence AI-generated answers.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The backstory<\/strong>. Before the rule was formalized, Ray said at least one company faced legal action for publishing hundreds of \u201cbest of\u201d pages that:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ranked its own services #1.<\/li>\n<li>Included fabricated competitor reviews.<\/li>\n<li>Used fake reviews on third-party platforms.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The Better Business Bureau later censured the company for unsubstantiated claims.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What\u2019s h<a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>ening<\/strong>. Many modern listicles follow a similar pattern:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A brand publishes a \u201cbest tools\u201d list.<\/li>\n<li>Includes competitors it hasn\u2019t tested.<\/li>\n<li>Uses subjective or invented scoring systems.<\/li>\n<li>Ranks itself #1.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These listicles may imply independence or firsthand evaluation when neither exists.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The nuance.<\/strong> You can publish comparison content that includes your own product. However, based on FTC guidance, risk increases when:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You imply objectivity, but promote your own product.<\/li>\n<li>You present reviews not based on real experience.<\/li>\n<li>You fail to clearly disclose material relationships.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>What Google is saying<\/strong>. Google is aware of the low-quality listicle trend. In a statement to <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/tech\/900302\/ai-seo-industry-google-search-chatgpt-gemini-marketing\">The Verge<\/a>, a Google spokesperson said the company applies protections against manipulation in Search and Gemini, and reiterated its guidance: create content for people and ensure it\u2019s understandable to search systems.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Why we care. <\/strong>What has worked as a visibility tactic may carry risk on two fronts \u2014 regulators and a potential Google Search algorithm change. That means this popular GEO tactic could decline quickly as its effectiveness drops.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Caveat<\/strong>. I\u2019m not a lawyer. Consult your own legal counsel if you\u2019re concerned about using this tactic.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ttd-topics-display\">\n<div class=\"ttd-topics-content\">\n<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Topics_on_this_page\"><\/span>Topics on this page<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<div class=\"ttd-topics-links\">Google SearchFederal Trade CommissionGoogleBetter Business BureauLily RayLinkedInGeminiThe VergeChatbotGenerative Engine OptimizationLarge language modelSearch engine optimization<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ttd-topics-show-extra-button\">+8 more<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMN63nwsw68G3Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more like this article, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/technology\/\" target=\"_blank\" >Technology<\/a><\/span> category.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/low-quality-listicles-trend-google-search-473703\" target=\"_blank\" >Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Google says it&#8217;s aware of weak &#8216;best of&#8217; lists and said it &#8216;works to combat that kind of abuse&#8217; in Search and Gemini. If you rank your own product #1 in \u201cbest of\u201d listicles, it\u2019s not just a search-quality issue \u2014 it may violate FTC rules that took effect in October 2024. Driving the news&#8230;.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":720121,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/wp-content\/seloads\/2026\/02\/google-hammers-listicles.png","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-720120","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/720120","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=720120"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/720120\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/720121"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=720120"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=720120"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=720120"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}