The last few years have shown Google removing a huge chunk of traffic from many websites while simultaneously replacing them with terrible sources. This goes beyond the AI Overview slop, where we’re now seeing an emphasis on unreliable Reddit comments and unknown websites. I’ve especially noticed this as a gaming guide writer, where certain websites scrape content and spread misinformation with potentially genAI.
It’d be one thing if Google hid these websites and Reddit comments, but I often find them ranking highly. For example, I wrote a walkthrough for Echoes of Aincrad and found a website frequently sharing false information. In some cases, it was outranking my guides, despite mine being for a website as large as IGN. I’m all for supporting the little guy, but not when they’re producing incorrect information that is easily verifiable.
One page covering the Echoes of Aincrad permadeath mode explains that it’s toggleable at any time. The game immediately tells you that this isn’t the case upon unlocking that mode. This is on top of getting many other details wrong. I won’t say I’m perfect and never make mistakes, but this is basic information that they’d know if they played the game. Alongside that mistake, the website is clearly tricking Google by naming itself after the game. This feigns credibility by acting like an official source.
While I have no way of knowing if this content is AI-generated or written by a human, it’s impossible to tell with no name attached to the website. How does this rank highly when it has nothing to support its credibility? Plenty of reliable media outlets jump through hoops to show their expertise and integrity, and are penalized instead. Recently I put over 500 hours into writing guides about Crimson Desert. Many gaming guide writers are in the same position, spending long hours to confirm information and produce helpful guides. Often for low pay as well.
When Google pushes a website like the one I mentioned instead, it’s taking revenue from legitimate writers, and effectively killing them. In addition, it leads to a growing distrust of all gaming media. I’ve seen people who assume guides like mine are AI-generated due to websites like the one above destroying our reputation. I didn’t put 500 hours into Crimson Desert for someone to attribute my time to the copyright-infringement machine.
Echoes of Aincrad isn’t the first time I’ve seen a website make up information and even scrape it too. Back when I wrote a High on Life 2 walkthrough, I came across a goofy mistake. Both the first and second High on Life have a joke achievement meant to embarrass you. During a boss fight in the sequel, they give you one for a fake quest. This achievement is “Romanced All 34 Erotic Worm Monsters”. And its description is, “This one takes over 100 hours. Only the most dedicated worm romancers get this one. Great job!”
If you beat High on Life 2, you’d know that this is only a joke. But if you haven’t played the game, you get a guide that states this is a “time-intensive” achievement that requires you to “Complete the full worm romance questline”. On top of getting this wrong, this website used my screenshots and also took from a YouTuber too. This is another website that Google ranks highly, which is only made worse by it selling gacha crates and having its own cryptocurrency.
I won’t say it’s easy for Google to stay on top of who is gaming the system. However, I’ve seen Google nuke the traffic of many reliable gaming websites in the process. This has led to layoffs and some media outlets shutting down. It’s insane to consistently watch this happen as these garbage websites appear. The only good thing I can say is I have had success reporting results from those stealing my content. Years ago, one website blatantly stole from my guides and even left Slyther Games in an article’s code. An open-and-shut case like this led to Google removing those results. Therefore, it isn’t all hopeless, but it is a shame to see how unreliable Google has become.
Jeff is a journalist with over 10 years of experience writing, streaming, and making content about video games. With an associate degree in journalism, he’s a sucker for RPGs, survival games, roguelikes, and more.