Search News Buzz Video Recap: Google Search Volatility Cooling, AI Overviews Penalties, Maps Pin Hack Fix, Search Market Share & More
For the original iTunes version, click here.
This week I covered how the third-party search rank checking tools seem to have cooled, but the chatter is still pretty heated. Maybe Google is blocking these tools…
Scary Google Ads Phishing Scam
Some are seeing a super scary Google Ads phishing scam in the Google Search ads slots. When you search, sometimes a scam may come up, sending you to a Google Sites address that is not managed by Google, where it asks you to login to your Google accoun…
Google Ads Search Max Coming Soon?
Google may be bringing Search Max to Google Ads soon. A “Search Max” option is showing up in the Google Ads match type report for some advertisers.
Google Updates Examples Of Events & Estimated Salary Images In Structured Data Docs
Google has updated the screenshot examples of the events and estimated salary sections of the Structured data markup that Google Search supports. I assume this update was to better match the newer updated designs that Google uses in the actual search …
Google Testing AI Generated What People Are Saying
Google seems to be testing an AI-generated version of What People Are Saying in Google Search. This shows a similar video or social media type of search results but it says generative AI is experimental.
Google Hotel Policies Updated On Availability & Rates
Google is updating its hotel prohibited practices policy to specify that (1) you are required to display final room availability and rates before requesting user information and (2) you are required to avoid price changes after users enter their person…
Is Google Blocking SEO Rank Checking Tools As Search Volatility Continues
For the past week, we’ve been discussing how most of the third-party tracking tools have been showing much calmer and cooler search ranking volatility. This is all while the chatter within the SEO community still seems super heated. The reason may be…
Google Partners With The AP To Gain Real Time Data
Google has partnered with The Associated Press to provide more real time data for Gemini. Google said “the AP will now deliver a feed of real-time information to help further enhance the usefulness of results displayed in the Gemini app.”
Google Ads Tests Chat Button In Top Nav Of Advertiser Console
Google is testing placing the chat button, the one that may use AI to respond to your questions, at the top of the Google Ads advertiser console. Google began testing this last week and it says “Chat” with a “beta” label next to the chat icon.
Google Tests Search Results Zooming In To Next Page Of Search Results
Google Search is testing a zoom animation/effect when you click to the next page of the search results. Previously, we saw Google testing sliding in the next page of results from the right side of the page, but this one is a zoom-in animation.
Google Prefers Review Ratings To Contain Author Name & Comments
Google updated its review snippet documentation to recommend that ratings should be accompanied by a review comment and author’s name. This is a recommendation and not a requirement, but it seems like a strong recommendation.
Google Updates Child & Teen Ads Policies Around Transparency
Google has said it has updated its child and teen ads policies to increase transparency and make it easier for advertisers to understand these policies. Google added there are no changes to enforcement with these updates.
Google Third-Party Review Boxes Algorithmically Selected
In some European regions, Google, likely because of the DMA laws, has to show review aggregated ratings from third-party sites. How does Google know which sites to take those reviews from? You would think Google has a trusted list of sites it would pi…
Google Search Generative AI For People Also Search For
Google is testing using its generative AI, Gemini, for the “people also search for” section within Google Search. I mean, Google is testing AI all over search, so I guess it makes sense for Google to use it here too.
Bing Ads – See More Links (Sitelinks)
Microsoft is testing a new ad format where you can click “see more links” to show even more sitelinks on the search ads shown in the Bing search results. These are powered by Microsoft Advertising and seem to load even more links below the links alrea…
Google Search Tests Sitelinks Carousels On Desktop
Google is testing the sitelinks carousel on the desktop search results interface. We saw this on the mobile results in December 2023 and all the way back in 2017 but now Google is testing them on desktop search.
Google Search Video Tab With Continuous Scroll
In June 2024, Google dropped continuous scroll (infinite scroll) on desktop search and then mobile search. But if you click on the video tab within Google Search, continuous scroll is there.
Search Central Live is returning to Brazil
We’re excited to announce that Search Central Live is returning to São Paulo in 2025. Following our
successful events in 2023 and 2024, we’re continuing our mission to help Brazilian businesses enhance
their site’s performance …
Simplifying the visible URL element on mobile search results
Mobile searchers will soon see a cleaner, more streamlined look for how URLs appear in search
results. Initially introduced as part of the “site hierarchy” feature,
we’ve found that the breadcrumb element isn’t as useful…
Google Can Show Sites With Manual Actions In AI Overviews
Did you know that sites and pages with manual actions can potentially show up in the Google AI Overviews. So while the page has a search penalty and won’t show up in the main Google search results, it can still show up in the AI Overviews at the top o…