Google Voice Search Now Powered By Speech-to-Retrieval (S2R)
Google has updated its Voice Search models to be powered by Speech-to-Retrieval (S2R). Google said this allows it to “gets answers straight from your spoken query without having to convert it to text first, resulting in a faster, more reliable search f…
Microsoft Ads Posts On How To Optimize For AI Search Answers
The Microsoft Advertising blog posted about how to optimize for AI Search Answers. I thought it was weird to see this on the Microsoft Advertising blog and not on the Bing Search blog, because (a) it is an ad blog and (b) it was written by Krishna Madh…
Google Search Ranking Volatility Heats Up October 7th & 8th
While I was offline, it seems the chatter within the SEO industry spiked around the topic of search ranking volatility. It is harder to confirm the volatility, now with the tools recalibrating, but it does seem something started around Tuesday, October…
Google AdSense Authorized Buyers To Replace Ad Networks Blocking Controls
Google announced it will replace the “Ad networks” blocking control from Brand safety within in AdSense with a new “Authorized Buyers” blocking control. This will start on November 6, 2025, the company said.
Google AI Mode Expands To 35 New Languages & 40 Countries
Google AI Mode is now available in over 200 countries and territories. Google said they are expanding AI Mode to “more than 35 new languages and over 40 new countries and territories.”
Google Try On Adds Shoes & Expands To Australia, Canada and Japan
Google upgraded the Try On feature to now support shoes, in addition to other forms of clothing. Plus, Try on will soon also work in Australia, Canada and Japan, Google announced.
New Google Business Profiles Insights
Google seems to be testing a new Insights feature for Google Business Profiles. The new insights section shows you profile suggestions, like tips on getting more reviews, what to update on your profile and what information to share with your visitors -…
Google Adds Google NotebookLM To User-Triggered Fetchers
Google added Google NotebookLM to the list of Google crawlers, under the list of user-triggered fetchers. Google said they added this user-agent “based on feedback.”
Google Merchant Center Adds Google Wallet Promotion Option
Google has added a new promotion option to Google Merchant Center. The new option is Google Wallet. Google doesn’t detail what this promotion does but it likely lets you promote that you accept Google Wallet for purchases.
Bing Search With History Disclaimer
Microsoft is telling Bing Search users when it is using history for some of its search features. Bing will show section named “History” and then say what history is knows about your searches.
Google Tests More Publisher Friendly Recipe AI Overviews
Google is testing a new, more publisher-friendly version of the AI Overviews for recipe results. The new design has the recipe cards at the top, citations at the bottom and a shorter AI response.
Google AI Mode Links In Italics (Test)
Google is testing using the italic font type for the links in AI Mode. So the links have a bit of a slant to them, compared to the other text in the AI Mode response.
Bing Testing Updated Copilot Product Search Box
Microsoft is testing a new and updated layout for its Copilot product box/section within the Bing search results. It looks like they just swap the answer and product listing sections from one side to the other.
Bug: Double Publisher Name On Google Discover
Google had a bug in Google Discover that showed the publisher’s name and logo twice on a story. The publisher’s name showed once at the top and once at the bottom of the article card in the Google Discover feed.
Google Ask AI Mode Anything Explore Carousel
Google Search is testing a new carousel to promote AI Mode named “Ask AI Mode anything.” It gives you ideas on how to “Explore” new or related topics in AI Mode.
Google Merchant Center Lets You Use Your Own Brand In Short Title
Google updated the wording in the title documentation for Merchant Center, now suggesting you can use your own brand or company name in the short title of your products. That is, if you manufacture your own products.
Programming Note: Offline For Sukkot On Tuesday & Wednesday
This is a programming note that Tuesday and Wednesday are Sukkot and I will be offline the next two days. I will be offline on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 7th and October 8th.
Google Search Event Carousel Feature Goes Missing?
If you search for [events near me], Google may not show you any events near you. It seems like Google is not serving that events carousel right now. I suspect it is a bug and I wonder if this is related to the serving bug from Friday afternoon?
Test: Google AI Overviews Show More Button Jumps Into AI Mode
Google is testing having the “Show More” button within AI Overviews jump you directly into AI Mode as opposed to loading more of the AI Overview beneath it. This appears to be a test, as I am unable to replicate it.
Bing Places New Dashboard Rolling Out
As we reported earlier, Microsoft said a new Bing Places update is coming soon. Well, now it is rolling out to businesses in Bing Places for Business.