Google tests AI-generated descriptions for ads in AI Mode
Google is testing another change to how ads appear in AI Mode. Previously, we spotted sitelinks showing up within these ads. Today, we noticed that ads appearing at the bottom of AI Mode now include AI-generated descriptions. This looks new to me. A line also appeared below the ads reading: “AI response about ads are […]
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Do AI-automated sites get filtered differently in Google spam update?
Users shared interesting observations on X about how Google’s August 2026 spam update may be treating AI-generated and automated content differently, depending on how a site was originally built. OkaTakuma1 wrote on X and shared its observations. “Regarding this Google spam update, it seems that sites automatically posting with Claude Code, codec, etc., are being […]
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Google Search Ranking Volatility Continues Post Spam Update
As you know, Google’s August 2026 spam update began on August 18th and concluded on August 21st. But the volatility has not calmed down since and I think it is time I document it. We’ve been seeing chatter within the SEO community, in addition to the …
Google Massively Expands Booking Partners On Local Services Ads
Google has expanded the booking partners for Local Service Ads from about 20 partners to over 500 partners. That is about a 2,400 percent increase. “We’re vastly expanding booking capabilities for Local Services Ads to include more than 500 Reserve wit…
Google AI Mode Also Gains Link Carousels For Developing Topics
Back in June, Google released link carousels for top stories or developing topics to AI Overviews. I was happy. Now, Google is also releasing this for AI Mode queries, which adds carousels of web pages directly in the AI Mode response.
Google Ads Customer Lifecycle Optimization Within Conversion Goals
Google Ads has placed Customer Lifecycle Optimization directly within the conversion goals section of the Google Ads platform.
Bing Tests Shorts Video Tab In Search Menu
Microsoft Bing is testing a new “Shorts” tab in the search menu on Bing Search. This should filter the results by short videos across YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and so on. The tab is called “Shorts” and looks like a video play icon in vertic…
Google Ads AI-Created Product Titles Report Beta
Google is beta testing a new Product title report within Google Ads. This is a special product title report for Al-created product titles. The report should show in your ads when they’re more relevant than your original titles, Google wrote.
Google Ads Channel Settings Prioritization Slider (Alpha Test)
Google is testing a new “Channels” slider that lets you adjust how much you prioritize conversions from your Google Ads channels, such as Google Search, Google Partners, Discover, Maps, YouTube, the Display Network and Gmail.
Google search results are dropping PDF pages
Some users are seeing a drop in visibility and indexing for PDFs in Google Search. Savanna Gray spotted this and shared her observations on LinkedIn. She wrote: “This week I’m seeing several sites with dramatic drops for clicks to PDFs on Google. I first noticed this when looking at PDF performance in GSC, which had […]
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Google is bringing link carousels for developing topics to AI Mode
Google is bringing link carousels for developing topics to AI Mode, giving users more prominent access to relevant articles and webpages when searching for trending topics. This feature was already available in AI Overviews and is now live in AI Mode as well. Robby Stein posted about this on X, wrote: “Our goal with AI […]
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Bing tests renaming Copilot results to AI Overview
Bing is testing a rename of its Copilot results section in search results to “AI Overview.” This is the first time we’ve seen this usually, this section appears labeled as “Copilot” along with its logo, but today, when searching on Bing, the results appeared under the “AI Overview” label instead. This looks new, since we […]
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Google Search Showing Fewer PDF Files. But Why?
Google seems to be showing fewer and fewer PDF files, and when it does show PDF files, it seems not to show them from some pretty important sites, like IRS.gov, New York State, and some others. But in some cases we are seeing Google show PDF documents…
The GEO conferences worth attending in 2026 and 2027
The first problem with finding a good GEO conference is deciding what the field is actually called, believe it or not. Some organizers use generative engine optimization. Others prefer answer engine optimization, AI search, LLM SEO or AI visibility. The terms overlap, the definitions move around, and a few events appear to choose whichever acronym […]
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Google To Charge For Missed & Subsequent Calls On LSAs
Google sent out emails to some advertisers notifying them that starting October 1st, Google Local Service Ads will charge for some missed and subsequent calls over the platform. “On October 01, 2026, we are updating how and when you are charged for cal…
Google Shows AI Overviews Above Stock Charts For Stock Price Queries
Google seems to be showing AI Overviews at the top of the search results page when you specifically search for stock price queries – such as for [GOOG stock] or [MSFT stock] and so on. I was able to replicate this myself and it is just weird to show t…
Google Ads Tests Loading Sponsored Results Using Gemini With Animation
Google Ads is testing loading the sponsored results in the mobile search results interface with an animation. It shows that Gemini is also involved by saying, “Evaluating sponsored results” and has a Google and Gemini logo as the ads load in.
Google changes call lead charging policy for Local Services Ads
Google has informed Local Services Ads customers that the charging policy for call leads will change starting October 1, 2026. The major change is that missed calls received during business hours can now also be considered charged leads. Joe spotted this and shared it on X. Here is what the screenshot shows: “On October 1, […]
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Google: There Is Nothing Special To Do For Generative AI Responses In Search
Google’s John Mueller said on Bluesky that there is nothing special for one to do for generative AI responses within Google Search. He wrote, “from our POV there’s nothing really special you need to do for generative AI responses in search.”
Google Says Google’s Crawlers Don’t Parse JSON
Gary Illyes from Google reiterated this morning that Googlebot, Google’s crawler, does not parse JSON files. Instead, Googlebot just downloads the files and then the indexer does the rest.