Google On Good Web Crawler Attributes
Myriam Jessier asked Google about what would be good attributes of a web crawler. In which both Martin Splitt and Gary Illyes gave some responses to.
Daily Search Forum Recap: August 21, 2025
Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today, through the eyes of the Search Engine Roundtable and other search forums on the web.
Google expanded AI Mode to 180 countries and regions, but English only…
Report: OpenAI ChatGPT Sending 52% Less Referral Traffic (Do You See That?)
OpenAI made some updates to its ChatGPT systems, which are impacting the amount of traffic ChatGPT is sending out from its interface. Josh Blyskal from Profounds posted on LinkedIn that “ChatGPT referral traffic is down -52% since July 21st.”
Google Tests Share Icon For For Search Results & AI Mode Again
Google is testing a share button and icon for the search results page again. We recently saw Google using a paperclip for this but now Google is sharing a button that says “share.” Google is also doing this in the AI Mode results.
Google Ads Rolls Out Asset Studio (Beta)
Google seems to be rolling out the Asset Studio, in beta, to some advertisers now. I believe Google announced this at Google Marketing Live a few months back, and now some advertisers are seeing it in their Google Ads accounts.
Google To Replace Local Service Ads Badges With One Verified Badge
Google announced it will replace the existing Local Services Ads badges, including Google Guaranteed, Google Screened, and License Verified by Google badges and icons with a new verified badge. This is happening October 20, 2025.
Google AI Mode Now In 180 Countries & Gains Agentic Features
Google has expanded AI Mode to 180 countries, up from being available in the US, UK and India. Google also announced new agentic capabilities and personalized responses, and a new way to share AI Mode responses.
Google To Begin Approving The First Google Trends API Applications
A month ago, Google announced the Google Trends API and allowed folks to apply to gain access to the API as an alpha release. Google then told us that SEOs should not expect to be part of the first group of applicants accepted. Well, now Google is sayi…
Google Ads Search Partner Network Full Placement Reporting Is Finaly Here
Google Ads seems to be rolling out full placement reporting for the Search Partner Network (SPN). This is a feature advertisers have been begging and praying for, for probably 20 years now. You will be able to see exactly where your ads are appearing …
Google Clippable Coupons Toned Down For Search Snippets
Google seems to have launched a more toned down version of the clippable coupons within the search result snippets. Now it just says “copy code” next to the percentage off, at the bottom of the search result snippet.
Google Ads To Update Child Sexual Abuse Imagery Policy
Google will be updating the Google Ads Child Sexual Abuse Imagery policy (CSAI)on October 22, 2025. The update will “improve clarity and transparency,” according to Google.
Tool Tracks Referral Traffic From ChatGPT vs Google: Can AI Catch Up?
A new tool from Tim Souo and Ahrefs at chatgpt-vs-google.com aims to show the growth rate of ChatGPT’s referral traffic compared to Google Search. Tim said the chart shows that OpenAI’s ChatGPT “doesn’t seem enough to catch up with Google anytime soon…
Bing Updates Copilot AI Answer UX To Improve CTR?
Microsoft has updated the Bing Search Copilot AI answer design to move the sources section under a “read more” tab, which I assume Microsoft is testing to see if it drives more or fewer clicks to publishers.
Bing Updates Copilot AI Answer UX To Improve CTR?
Microsoft has updated the Bing Search Copilot AI answer design to move the sources section under a “read more” tab, which I assume Microsoft is testing to see if it drives more or fewer clicks to publishers.
Google AI Overviews Explain Overlay Tests Bottom Tray
Google AI Overviews has this feature where you can select the text in the AI Overview and an overlay with explain this, related images and copy text (sometimes other features) overlay as buttons for you to do more with. Google even tested keyboard shor…
Why Google Chrome UX Report & Search Console Don’t Match
While I think SEOs spend way too much time and effort on Core Web Vitals, many do ask why does the Google Chrome UX report often not match what is shown in the Google Search Console core web vitals report. Well, as Google’s Barry Pollard said, they lo…
Google Tests Vertical Images For Top Stories
Google is testing vertical images within the Top Stories section of the Google search results on desktop. We’ve seen vertical or portrait layouts for top stories on mobile, but I don’t think I’ve seen it look like this on desktop.
SEOs, Don’t Expect Access To The Google Trends API Soon
As you know, Google released the Google Trends API as an alpha release last month. And many SEOs have already applied for access. But if you are an SEO or even a small publisher, I would not expect access to this API any time soon.
Google Merchant API Is Replacing The Content API For Shopping
Over a decade ago, Google released the Content API for Shopping to let merchants manage their Google Merchant Center feed programmatically. Well, that has been officially replaced by the Google Merchant API.
Google Search Ranking Volatility Cooled & Calmed This Weekend
It has been week after week of intensely heated Google search ranking volatility, and it is time I start reporting when the volatility cools or calms down. Well, this weekend we had a bit of a cooling period, where the chatter within the SEO community…