Bing tests new human verification method before showing results
Bing is testing a new ‘One Last Step’ human verification screen before displaying search results, part of a broader trend of search engines adding anti-bot measures.
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Google AI Mode now showing descriptions for ads
Google AI Mode is now showing ad descriptions at the bottom of the page, a new addition alongside the sitelinks previously seen in this ad format.
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Google tests new icon design for Find related products and services section on mobile
Google is testing a new design for the “Find related products and services” section on mobile. Previously, a magnifying glass icon was used, but it’s now been replaced with a different one. Here is a screenshot of the new design. Here is a screenshot of the old design. Personally, when I first saw the […]
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Google nudges users on its homepage to set up selfie video sign-in
Google is promoting its selfie video sign-in option directly on the Google homepage. A new nudge asks users to set up a selfie video that can later help them sign in to their Google Account. Google announced selfie video sign-in in July as an additional way for users to access their accounts if they cannot […]
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What is Information Gain Score in SEO?
An in-depth breakdown of Google’s Information Gain mechanism and the advanced mathematics behind search retrieval. Discover how Google calculates document entropy, uses vector subspace projections to penalise copycat text, and leverages NavBoost click …
Profound raises $180 million to move beyond AI search tracking, reaches $1.8B valuation
The $1.8 billion company is expanding into content production and advertising, giving marketers more to assess than how often a chatbot mentions their brand.
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Google makes publisher ad load visible in Chrome’s real-user data
Chrome’s new CrUX metrics let advertisers and publishers measure visible ads, viewport density, CPU use and network cost—without giving the industry a definition of an acceptable ad experience.
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Google Search Live Now Powered By Gemini 3.8 Live
Google Search Live is now powered by Google’s latest AI model, Gemini 3.8 Live. Search Live has been around for a couple years now, both in audio only format and then video format. Search Live was released globally in March, and before that, it removed…
Google Chrome User Experience Report (CrUX) With Ad Metrics
Google announced new ad metrics that are being tested within the Chrome User Experience Report (CrUX). These metrics include Ad Count, Ad Density, Ad Weight (Network) and Ad Weight (CPU).
I tested 5 free ChatGPT alternatives. One invented facts with confidence
I put five free AI chatbots through the same tests for writing, fact-checking, image analysis and speed. Most had clear strengths; one gave an answer that sounded convincing until the facts were checked.
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Anthropic admits Claude can make copied text look original
Anthropic admits Claude can copy text without marking it as a quote. Its Fable 5.1 guidance exposes an extra editing burden for anyone turning AI summaries into published work.
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Google’s new Site Goals feature shows which WordPress pages drive sales
Automatic tracking works with supported store and form plugins, while detailed breakdowns need new data after setup.
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You can now opt out of AI training in Cloudflare without blocking Google
Cloudflare’s new “Disallow AI Training” setting lets website owners refuse model training without shutting out Google’s search crawler. The company announced its availability on all plans on September 15. Cloudflare’s announcement That changes the scenario in SEW’s September 9 report. Cloudflare’s earlier plan would have brought mixed-use crawlers—bots used for both search and training—under existing […]
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Google AI Mode tests new carousel format with Pro tip and Sizing note popups
Google AI Mode is testing carousel popups labeled ‘Pro tip’ and ‘Sizing note,’ appearing mainly for ecommerce queries and pulling in Reddit forum content.
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Daily Search Forum Recap: September 15, 2026
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.
I am seeing signs of a big update lurking with Google Search…
Google added Brave Search to Chrome; Brave is using it to push Brave Browser
Google recently added Brave Search to Chrome’s list of available search engines, giving users another option for what powers searches in the browser. Now, Brave is using that placement in Chrome to promote its own browser. If you set Brave Search as Chrome’s default search engine, its results page may show a sticky “Get Brave […]
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Google Search Ranking Volatility Heats Up This Morning – September 15th
Google Search seems to be heating up this morning, I am seeing a huge spike in chatter in the past few hours and the tools may be starting to heat up as well. We will know more tomorrow but I am suspecting we are seeing the start of a Google update, ho…
Google Business Profile API Application Delays
Google announced a delay in processing applications for access to the Google Business Profile API. This was posted by Victoria Kroll in multiple languages in the Google Business Profiles support forum.
Google AI Mode Tests Text Link Ads
Google is testing a text-based link format for ads within AI Mode. So the ads look like normal AI Mode responses, with normal looking text links with anchor text, but they are labeled as “Sponsored” above the AI-generated response.
Google Ads August 17 Target-Based Bidding Update Finished August 27
Google has posted the date of when the Google Ads bidding update, the target-based bid strategies rolled out, completed globally. It started on yes, August 17, 2026 and completed on August 27, 2026.