Google now showing AI Mode button within the search bar above results
Google is now showing an AI Mode button directly within the search bar above results, a placement not previously seen and possibly a new test.
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Daily Search Forum Recap: September 16, 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.
Google said Search Console position reporting may change as Search, AI Mode, AI Overviews…
Google Merchant Center AI Reports Live, Easier UCP & UCP Analytics
Google has announced a number of updates to Google Merchant Center including the AI performance insights generally available, it has simplified Universal Commerce Protocol integration, and Google highlighted how using conversational and video attribute…
Bing tests showing view counts in Shopping tab results
Bing is testing view counts within its Shopping tab results, though it’s unclear how the numbers are calculated clicks or visits might offer more useful insight.
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Google Image Search Collections Save To Suggested By Al
Google Image Search lets you save images to collections and folders. Well, now Google will suggest new folders or collections using AI – it says “suggested by AI” with a Gemini icon over a folder.
Google Search Product Listings Tests Linking Directly To Merchant Site
Google is now testing linking the product and shopping results within Google Search directly to the merchant or retailer website. This is instead of Google opening the side panel with more details about the product.
New Information On Google Ads Multi-Source Conversions Beta
Google posted another new help document on multi-source conversions (beta). Last month, Google reportedly renamed conversions with multiple data sources to multi-source conversions, but now there is this new help document as well.
Bing Tests Shopping Filters On Left Sidebar
Microsoft Bing is testing adding product/shopping related filters on the left sidebar of the search results. This makes the Bing all search tab look more like Google’s all tab, when you search for product or shopping related queries.
Google Ads Spend Benchmarks Report Compares Your Competitors
Google Ads is rolling out an update to the Spend benchmarks report that now shows you how your spend is comparable to businesses like yours. In short, it shows you if you are spending more, less or the same as your competitors on Google Ads.
Google: Google Search Console AI Position Reporting Will Evolve Over Time
Google’s John Mueller said that he expects the position and impression tracking for AI Mode, AI Overviews and Google Search to “evolve over time” as Google Search, AI Mode and AI Overviews “evolve too,” he wrote.
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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