Google: The Old Position 1-10 Is Hard To Map For Site Owners
Google’s John Mueller responded to questions about how impressions are counted for Generative AI in Google Search Console. Google has a document that explains that, and John just reiterated that. But what he added was that “the old “position 1 – 10” is…
Google Ranking Factors Survey: Content & Backlinks Most Important
There is a new Google ranking factor survey out for 2026. It has been a while since we had one, and it is here. This one was done by Cyrus Shepard and Dawn Shepard and posted at Zyppy. It says content relevance, backlinks, and content quality are the m…
Bait & Switch: Google Ads Revoking Credits After Advertisers Spend Them
Google Ads has been offering new and existing customers credits to encourage them to spend on the advertising platform. But sometimes, Google Ads will revoke a credit, a credit that was already spent within the Google Ads platform, leaving the client …
Google Ads Beta Experiment: Budget Or Bidding Targets For Search Campaigns
Google Ads has a new beta variable to test within its experiments area named “Budget or bidding targets for Search campaigns.” This test different budget, target CPA or target ROAS amounts to find the optimal level of spending for your campaign, Google…
Google Maps Phone Number in Photo Scam
Scammers are using the Google Maps contributor program to upload AI-generated photos with phone numbers, tricking users into calling the number in the photo instead of the number on the Google Business Profile listing. These scammers are doing this ac…
Google moves Citations Panel toward the bottom of AI Mode
Google is showing a more detailed Citations Panel at the bottom of AI Mode results, featuring titles, descriptions, and images for cited websites a format first spotted back in July.
The post Google moves Citations Panel toward the bottom of AI Mode appeared first on Search Engine Watch.
Google tests message option on sponsored ad results
Google is testing a new ‘Message’ option on sponsored ad results that lets users connect directly through Google Messages, possibly tied to a new SMS setting for advertisers.
The post Google tests message option on sponsored ad results appeared first on Search Engine Watch.
Google tests centered sponsored results heading on desktop
Google appears to be testing a centered “Sponsored results” heading on desktop search results, a shift from its usual side placement.
The post Google tests centered sponsored results heading on desktop appeared first on Search Engine Watch.
Google tests showing days left for sales in shopping ads results
Google is testing ‘days left’ labels on sponsored shopping results, showing users how much time remains before a sale price ends a potential boost for urgency-driven conversions.”
The post Google tests showing days left for sales in shopping ads results appeared first on Search Engine Watch.
Google Uses Its Search Homepage to Promote AI Tools in the U.S.
Google is using the U.S. version of its Search homepage to promote its growing collection of AI tools. A promotional link at the bottom of the Google homepage reads, “Build, create, and do more with AI tools from Google.” Clicking it opens Google’s dedicated AI landing page, where the company highlights its AI products, features, […]
The post Google Uses Its Search Homepage to Promote AI Tools in the U.S. appeared first on Search Engine Watch.
YouTube says showing fewer videos helped people watch more
Larger desktop thumbnails increased engagement with longer videos, according to YouTube. How individual channels benefited remains unclear.
The post YouTube says showing fewer videos helped people watch more appeared first on Search Engine Watch.
Google’s new weather AI promises fewer “but it said sunny” moments
WeatherNext 3 is coming to Search, Maps and Gemini, with Google claiming better rain predictions for plans a day or more ahead.
The post Google’s new weather AI promises fewer “but it said sunny” moments appeared first on Search Engine Watch.
Cloudflare’s AI block could shut out Google next week, even if you change nothing
Rules scheduled for September 15 would bring Google, Microsoft and Apple crawlers under restrictions that previously excluded them.
The post Cloudflare’s AI block could shut out Google next week, even if you change nothing appeared first on Search Engine Watch.
Google answers a common content structure dilemma
A user asked how to decide between expanding an article or creating a new supporting one. John Mueller answer: there’s often no absolute right answer but you can pick one and make it right
The post Google answers a common content structure dilemma appeared first on Search Engine Watch.
Daily Search Forum Recap: September 9, 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 with SEO…
Google: Sometimes There Is No Absolute Right Answer For SEO
John Mueller has one of his Google lines again, he said in response to someone trying to pick the right answer for an SEO question – he said, “Sometimes there is no absolute right answer — but you can choose one, and make it the right answer.”
Google Merchant Center AI Performance: AI Search Intent, Terms & Attribution
The Google Merchant Center AI Performance Insights which launched in July and has begun expanding to more regions earlier this month has also gained new metrics. AI Search intent, AI Search terms and AI attributes have been added to the Google Merchant…
Google clarifies how AI Overview impressions get counted
John Mueller clarified on Reddit how Google Search Console counts impressions for AI Overviews, explaining they’re tracked as a block rather than by individual position — and he’s open to feedback on what tracking would actually be useful.
The post Google clarifies how AI Overview impressions get counted appeared first on Search Engine Watch.
Google Ads Local Customer Optimization & Store Sales In Data Manager
Google Ads is releasing two new features for multi-location retailers including Local Customer Optimization and Store Sales in Data Manager. Ginny Marvin, the Google Ads Liaison, wrote on X, “Ahead of the holiday rush, we’re introducing two features …
Almost 100% Of People Also Ask Results Are Answered By Google AI Overviews
Google is now answering nearly 100% of all people also asked questions with AI Overviews. 14 months ago, it was only at about 12% but now we are seeing thar nearly all People also ask sections are answered by AI Overviews.