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 Search Console performance reports may be off again. A teen SEO wants to save his family business, but Google thinks it might be too late. Google is testing white background colors for AI Overview citations. Bing is testing AI-based shopping tab recommendations. Bing is also testing larger product ad formats.

Search Engine Roundtable Stories:

• Google Search Console Performance Report Impressions Spiking???
  Google Search Console's performance report may have some sort of bug or tracking issue. When you set some filters, you may see a huge spike in impressions start to show up in the report.
• Google Chimes In On Teen SEO Wants To Save Family Spain Vacation Rental
  Google's John Mueller chimed in on Reddit when a teenager of a family vacation rental business said he was trying to save his family business through SEO after being burned by previous SEOs. In short, it seems the family has a vacation rental in Spain, and business is significantly down due to the loss of Google traffic.
• Is Google Ditching Blue Background For AI Citations?
  New test places AI Overview citations on a white background without throwing any shade behind it.
• Bing Shopping Tests AI-Based Recommendations
  Bing is testing a new AI-based recommendations section in the Shopping Tab. Bing adds this block to the top of the results, and shows AI-citations at the top right.
• Bing Gives Product Ads Some Cushion
  Bing spotted testing more listings in the sponsored product section at the top of its results.

Other Great Search Threads:

• AdSense Updates for 2026 This week I had the monthly internal meeting with the #AdSense forum managers, and they presented the updates coming this year for the program. For now, I can only share what's already active for most publishers, Bruno Ramos Lara on X
• Did you know you can start partnering with YouTube creators for your performance campaigns right in Google Ads? This week, I've been in NYC for the YouTube Newfronts and sat down IRL(!) with Melissa Nikolic whose teams are building t, AdsLiaison on X
• Google now places a call to action button for posts shown in Google Discover from X, 'View on X", Radu Oncescu on X

Search Engine Land Stories:

• Heidi Sturrock shares how a costly mistake became a competitive advantage
• Google brings its Veo video generation model to Google Ads globally
• YouTube test replaces video titles with AI summaries
• The latest jobs in search marketing
• Stop chasing Reddit and Wikipedia: What actually drives AI recommendations
• ChatGPT hits $100 million in ad revenue and is opening self-serve access in April
• ChatGPT ads are showing up '" a lot
• How SEO maturity unlocked a 133x ROAS in medical device marketing
• AI-forward campaigns are a B2B growth gold mine '" if you're patient
• Google released v23.2 of the Google Ads API

Other Great Search Stories:

AI & LLMs

• OpenAI upgrades Codex to automate your workflows - and compete better with Claude Code, ZDNET
• AI overly affirms users asking for personal advice, Stanford Report
• llms.txt Was Step One. Here's the Architecture That Comes Next, Duane Forrester Decodes

Analytics

• Tracking Telephone and Email Clicks in GA4, KRM Digital Marketing
• The GA4 Audit That Used to Take 4 Hours Now Takes 4 Minutes With AI & Claude, MeasureU
• Google Tag Manager Constant Variable, KRM Digital Marketing

Industry & Business

• Apple hires Google exec to lead AI marketing, Axios
• Google's Real Time Ad Bidding Settlement Gets Final Court Nod, Bloomberg

Links & Content Marketing

• How to Find Content Ideas with Semrush, Semrush
• Measuring Content Marketing: Let the AI Agents Listen, Content Marketing Institute

SEO

• This Test Revealed an Unexpected SEO Signal Hiding in Plain Sight, Search Pilot
• Why Google's New "Google-Agent" is the Biggest Mindset Shift in SEO History, Marie Haynes
• How Google Click Signals Drive SEO Rankings and AI Answers, Zyppy Marketing
• How to Build SEO Habits that Deliver Consistent Results, Women in Tech SEO
• March 2026 Core Update: Radar, Visibility Analysis and Background, SISTRIX

PPC

• Ads Advisor AI Agent Promoted Via Email, PPC News Feed
• Increase in Batch Job Service Request Size, Google Ads Developer Blog
• New Google Ad Manager API read-only scope, Google Ads Developer Blog
• Five Ways To Boost Campaigns With Google Ads Advisors, PPC News Feed

Other Search

• TurboQuant has the potential to fundamentally change how Search (and AI) works, Marie Haynes
• Meta to Launch New AI Glasses Aimed at Prescription Wearers, Bloomberg
• How Many Google Searches Are There Per Day? Feb 2026, Exploding Topics

Feedback:

Have feedback on this daily recap; let me know on Twitter @rustybrick or @seroundtable, on Threads, Mastodon and Bluesky and you can follow us on Facebook and on Google News, add as a preferred source on Google and make sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or just contact us the old fashion way.

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 released the March 2026 core update this morning. Google Search Live is now global. Google Merchant Center to highlight vehicle ads data quality issues. Google Ads expands loyalty program. Google Ads PMax has new exclusions and reporting. Bing is testing rounded corners on short videos. And I posted the SEO video recap.

Search Engine Roundtable Stories:

• Google March 2026 Core Update Is Rolling Out - First Core Update Of Year
  Google officially announced the rollout of the March 2026 core update early Friday morning at around 5:14 ET. This core update is expected to take up to 2 weeks to roll out. Google said this is a regular update designed to better surface relevant, satisfying content for searchers from all types of sites.
• Search News Buzz Video Recap: Google March 2026 Core & Spam Update, AI-Generated Title Links, Bing AI Reports Update & Much More
  This week we covered the release of the Google March 2026 core update that rolled out this morning and will take about two weeks to finish. We also covered Google March 2026 spam update that launched on March 24th and finished 19.5 hours later on March 25th...
• Google Search Live Goes Global
  Google announced Search Live has launched globally, for all languages and locations where AI Mode is available. Google said this is possible by its "new audio and voice model, Gemini 3.1 Flash Live, which delivers even more natural and intuitive conversations."
• Google Merchant Center Will Highlight Vehicle Ads Data Quality Issues
  Google announced that it will begin to highlight data quality account issues related to Vehicle ads within Google Merchant Center. This will begin in mid-April 2026.
• Google Ads Expanding Loyalty Program
  Google Ads and Merchant Center is expanding the Loyalty program features to highlight key perks, expand local and regional visibility, expand internationally and within AI Mode and Gemini.
• Google Ads PMax Audience Exclusions & New Reporting
  Google announced several new steering updates for Google Ads Performance Max including first-party audience exclusions, budget reporting, full audience reporting and network segmentation in placement reporting.
• Bing Testing Rounded Corners On Short Videos
  Microsoft Bing is testing using rounded corners on short videos and normal videos within the Bing search results interface. Bing used to show these as squared-off edges.

Other Great Search Threads:

• Google is sending out an email titled "Updates to how we verify your business details" to contact business owners. Issue: This is the same exact way scammers contact biz owners, Len on X
• Google is now nudging advertisers to apply seasonal themes (like Easter) directly inside asset groups., Arpan Banerjee on LinkedIn
• If you're still keeping an eye on ranking factors, remember that patience is at the top of the list., Marinella Himari on Bluesky

Search Engine Land Stories:

• Google adds seasonal creative theming to PMax asset groups
• If your local rankings are off, your map pin may be the reason
• Google March 2026 core update rolling out now
• Google Search Live expands globally where AI Mode is available
• Google PMax gets new exclusions, expanded reporting features
• Automated traffic is growing 8x faster than human traffic: Report
• Google-Agent user agent identifies AI agent traffic in server logs
• SMX Now: Learn how brands must adapt for AI-driven search
• The parts of Performance Max you can actually control
• Report: Clickout Media turned news sites into AI gambling hubs
• How to use first-party data to find high-impact content ideas
• Google updates structured data for forum and Q&A content
• How GSC's branded query filter changes SEO reporting and analysis
• LinkedIn Ads on a budget: How one playbook drove sub-$10 CPL

Other Great Search Stories:

AI & LLMs

• Beyond the Spreadsheet: Omnimedia Content Audits for the AI Era, iPullRank
• What AI Writing Tools Get Wrong (And The Stack I Use Instead), Ahrefs
• Where do Americans look first for breaking news information?, Pew Research Center
• 4 Prompt Tracking Mistakes — Whiteboard Friday, Moz

Industry & Business

• EU backs nude app ban and delays to landmark AI rules, The Verge
• OpenAI Surpasses $100 Million Annualized Revenue From Ads Pilot, The Information
• Publishers lose Google case, for now, The Seattle Times

Links & Content Marketing

• Content Health Gains Importance in AI World, Content Marketing Institute

Local & Maps

• Whitespark's Guide to Unstructured Citations for AI Visibility, Whitespark

SEO

• The Google Helpful Content Update And Its Relevance in 2026, Hobo
• An Ecommerce SEO Audit You Can Run Using Only Google, Intergrowth
• What is a Query Fan-Out and How Does it Work?, Foundation Inc

PPC

• Support Updates Available Via Whatsapp, PPC News Feed
• Google Ads Rolls Out Passkey Security for Account Access, PPC News Feed
• Upcoming Improvements to Offline Conversion Imports, Google Ads Developer Blog
• Veo Video Generation Now Available in Google Ads, PPC News Feed
• Data Manager Adds ActiveCampaign Integration, PPC News Feed
• Google Pickup Later Ads: Expand Local Reach Easily, Optmyzr
• I Asked ChatGPT 500 Questions. Here Are the Ads I Saw Most Often, Wired
• Themed Asset Cloning for Performance Max, PPC News Feed

Search Features

• Apple Plans to Open Up Siri to Rival AI Assistants Beyond ChatGPT in iOS 27, Bloomberg
• Gemini now lets you import chats and memory from other AI apps, 9to5Google
• Google Web Guide: What It Is, How It Works, and What It Means for SEO, Ahrefs
• How to switch to Gemini: Import your chats and data from other AI apps, Google Blog

Other Search

• Transform your headphones into a live personal translator on iOS., Google Blog

Feedback:

Have feedback on this daily recap; let me know on Twitter @rustybrick or @seroundtable, on Threads, Mastodon and Bluesky and you can follow us on Facebook and on Google News, add as a preferred source on Google and make sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or just contact us the old fashion way.

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.

The Google March 2026 spam update was the fastest rolling out update, starting and finishing within 24 hours. Google Ads API version 23.2 is now out. Google is testing large block citations beneath the AI Overview. Google Merchant Center requires out of stock pages to have grayed out buy now buttons. Google expanded Shopping Ads to more regions. Google AI Mode has sponsored stores ads.

Search Engine Roundtable Stories:

• Google March 2026 Spam Update Unleashed (& Finished)
  Google has released the March 2026 spam update on March 24, 2026 at around 3:20 pm ET. This update applies globally and to all languages and will take a few days (not weeks) to complete. And completed at 10:40 am ET today, March 25th.
• Google Merchant Center: Out-of-Stock Products Need Grayed Out Buy Button
  Google Merchant Center updated its landing page requirements to say that products that are out of stock, those pages must have a grayed out add to cart/buy button on that page.
• Google Ads API Version 23.2 Now Available
  Google Ads has released a minor version update to the Google Ads API. We are now up to version 23.2. 23.2 adds VideoEnhancement resource, updates to HotelSettingInfo, and so many other updates.
• Sponsored Stores Spotted in AI Mode As Google Expands Ads Across AI Surfaces
  Google is continuing to expand ads across AI Mode and now there's another type of ad unit for retailers to play with. We know that AI Mode is the future of Search and that means Google will need to continue innovating on the advertising front...
• Google Tests Huge Block of Citations at Bottom of AI Overviews
  Google is running a test (or a bug) that shows a massive box of citations (massive in size, not in number of citations) at the bottom of AI Overviews.
• Google To Update Shopping Ads Political Content Policy On April 16
  Google announced it will be updating its Shopping Ads political content policy on April 16, 2026. Google said the update is to "implement additional restrictions on some political content."
• Google To Expand Shopping Ads To 15 New European Markets
  Google is reportedly expanding Shopping Ads eligibility to 15 additional European markets. This is a two phase roll out over the coming months...

Other Great Search Threads:

• There is another disturbance in the SEO Force. Google is active again and Q1 has been super volatile. Remember, Google can push what they call 'smaller core updates' outside of broad core updates. And those can still have a big impa, Glenn Gabe on X
• The goal isn't just more leads; it's better business outcomes. If you're managing lead gen campaigns, the latest episode of Ads Decoded is for you. We're diving deep into mastering lead quality in Google Ads. Key themes: Map, AdsLiaison on X
• When [Sundar] Pichai says he's taking a decade-long view of where the technology is going, it's not just a platitude. That universal assistant he wrote about in that 2016 shareholder letter? Google is on the cusp of creat, News from Google on X

Search Engine Land Stories:

• Why CPC keeps rising '" and what to do
• How to write for AI search: A playbook for machine-readable content
• Google March 2026 spam update done rolling out
• How to optimize influencer content for search everywhere
• How schema markup fits into AI search '" without the hype
• TikTok ad creative has a shorter shelf life. Here's how to keep up

Other Great Search Stories:

Analytics

• Best practices for Ads and Analytics Advisor, Google Blog

Industry & Business

• Apple Can 'Distill' Google's Big Gemini Model, The Information
• Meta and YouTube Found Negligent in Landmark Social Media Addiction Trial, New York Times
• The Inside Story of the Greatest Deal Google Ever Made: Buying DeepMind, Wall Street Journal
• Google top India counsel quits in latest departure amid regulatory hurdles, sources say, Reuters

Links & Content Marketing

• The New Rules of Measuring and Proving Content ROI, Content Marketing Institute

Local & Maps

• Apple Maps may soon copy one of Google Maps' more annoying features, Android Central

SEO

• How to Leverage SEO to Manage Your Brand's Reputation, Digitaloft
• March 2026 Spam Update: Visibility Data, Analysis, and Background (Updating), SISTRIX
• Marketers allocate growing shares of search spending to GEO, Digiday
• The SEO parasites buying, exploiting and ultimately killing online newsbrands, Press Gazette
• The March 2026 spam update, fast, targeted, and probably not finished, Dan Taylor SEO

PPC

• 3 Tips for Better Visuals in Looker Studio for PPC Practitioners, JumpFly Digital Marketing Blog
• Best practices for Ads and Analytics Advisor, Google Blog
• PMax Performance Dropped After a tROAS Change? 6 Steps to Troubleshoot Before You Panic, ZATO PPC Marketing
• Yahoo Wants to Turn Your Inbox and Search History Into an Advertiser's Dream, AdWeek

Search Features

• Large pastes are now handled as attachments, ChatGPT Release Notes

Other Search

• New Research: Influence Happens Everywhere, an analysis of the 5,000 most-visited sites on the mobile and desktop web, SparkToro
• TurboQuant: Redefining AI efficiency with extreme compression, Google Research Blog

Feedback:

Have feedback on this daily recap; let me know on Twitter @rustybrick or @seroundtable, on Threads, Mastodon and Bluesky and you can follow us on Facebook and on Google News, add as a preferred source on Google and make sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or just contact us the old fashion way.

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 released the March 2026 spam update yesterday, this one should be done rolling out in a few days. Google added more properties for discussion forum and QA page markup and also on robots meta outside of head in its documentation. Google AI Overviews show less often for breaking news. Google tests new ways to promote Web Guide usage. Google Business Profile metrics offer data is new. Google Ads retired some old ad format requirements.

Search Engine Roundtable Stories:

• Google March 2026 Spam Update Unleashed
  Google has released the March 2026 spam update on March 24, 2026 at around 3:20 pm ET. This update applies globally and to all languages and will take a few days (not weeks) to complete.
• Report: Google AI Overviews Show Less Often For Breaking News
  There is new data out from Newzdash that shows just how often AI Overviews appear within Google across new sections. And while AI Overviews shows 60%+ of the time for health queries, when it comes to breaking news and major headlines, it shows less than 6% of the time.
• Google Tests "Skip Digging, Start Guided Research" Driving Users to Web Guide-like Results
  Google is testing showing a call to action in the search results that says, "Skip digging, start guided research" which drives users to a Web Guide-like results page.
• Google Business Profile Performance Metrics Offer Data Added To Help Doc
  Google added a new section to the "Understand available performance metrics" within the Google Business Profiles help documentation. The new section added a section on offer data and it shows the number of times customers viewed and clicked on offers on your Business Profile.
• Google Adds Properties For Discussion Forum & QA Page Markup & Documents Robots Tags Outside HTML Head
  Google had made a few changes to its SEO developer help documentation. First it documented how Google Search handles and processes robots meta tags outside the HTML head. Second, it added more supported properties for Discussion Forum and QA Page markup.
• Google Ads Retires Several Old Ad Format Requirements
  On March 17, 2026, Google retired some of its Google Ads policies on Ad format requirements. These are specific to "old ad formats that are no longer in use are also being retired," Ginny Marvin of Google.

Other Great Search Threads:

• That's a bit odd - I'll pass it on to the team. FWIW what generally works in cases like this is to use the domain name as an alternate site name - but it would be nice if that weren't needed., John Mueller on Bluesky
• I'm excited to share that I will be joining @demishassabis and @GoogleDeepMind as Chief Strategy Officer! I am committed to shepherding AGI responsibly to benefit everyone. I am looking forward to doing this with the team at DeepM, Jas Sekhon on X
• More prompts, more ads. Here are ChatGPT ads on mobile vs desktop. Again, I see ads for literally every prompt I'm entering in ChatGPT now (for my free account). They don't show for my Plus account, Glenn Gabe on X
• UPDATE: It's been a little over 2 months since we announced Direct Offers. Customers like L'Oreal and @Chewy have been testing it. Expect more special deals in AI Mode very soon!, Vidhya Srinivasan on X

Search Engine Land Stories:

• Google releases March 2026 spam update
• Reddit introduces collection ads, deal overlays, Shopify integration
• AI citations favor listicles, articles, product pages: Study
• Google is tightening political content rules for Shopping ads starting April 16
• ChatGPT citations favor a small group of domains: Study
• Google is testing AI-generated animated video clips inside PMax
• SEO's biggest threat in 2026? Your own organization
• Apple is bringing ads to Apple Maps this summer
• Bing Webmaster Tools now links AI queries to cited pages
• The entity home: The page that shapes how search, AI, and users see your brand
• Why better signals drive paid search performance
• The checks that make or break your next website migration

Other Great Search Stories:

AI & LLMs

• LLM Ghost Citations: Why Your Content Is Working and Your Brand Isn't, Seer Interactive
• OpenAI revamps shopping experience in ChatGPT after Instant Checkout, CNBC
• Reddit for LLM (ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, etc.) Visibility: Doing it Right, Ann Smarty

Industry & Business

• Google named Fast Company's Most Innovative Company 2026, Google Blog
• Google Whips Publishers: Court Throws Out Antitrust Case Filed By Two News Entities, MediaPost
• OpenAI CEO Shifts Responsibilities, Preps 'Spud' AI Model, The Information

Links & Content Marketing

• How To Build a Content Strategy That Survives AI Search, Content Marketing Institute
• How to Solve Poor Internal Linking Practices in Just 5 Steps, BruceClay

Local & Maps

• Google open sources Android Automotive for core car functions, Google Blog
• Google's Android Automotive is moving from the dashboard to the 'brain' of the car, The Verge
• This new Android Auto app can unlock your home's front door, 9to5Google

SEO

• 9 Moldy SEO Metrics to Stop Chasing in 2026, JumpFly Digital Marketing Blog
• AI Title Tag & Meta Generator in Google Sheets (SEO Guide), Billie Geena
• Google Search Console MCP: Talk to Your GSC Data Using Claude AI (For Free), Suganthan
• Is AI Content Bad for SEO? No, and It Never Will Be (7 Reasons), Ahrefs
• Low traffic, high bounce rates, Ilana Davis

PPC

• Paid Social for B2B SaaS: Which platforms actually drive pipeline, Hallam
• The Target CPA Dilemma: When 'Beating Goal' Isn't an Invitation to Tinker, PPC Live

Search Features

• Gap partners with Google Gemini to offer AI platform checkout, CNBC
• Gemini app combines 'plus' and Tools menu in web redesign<< , 9to5Google
• Google TV launches new Gemini features, Google Blog
• Powering Product Discovery in ChatGPT, OpenAI

Other Search

• Kroger joins Google's Commerce Media Suite, Google Blog

Feedback:

Have feedback on this daily recap; let me know on Twitter @rustybrick or @seroundtable, on Threads, Mastodon and Bluesky and you can follow us on Facebook and on Google News, add as a preferred source on Google and make sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or just contact us the old fashion way.

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 AI Mode makes some links even worse. Google Personal Intelligence is looking to go global. Google is testing reply to reviews with AI. Bing Webmaster Tools AI performance report gains grounding queries to pages. Apple Maps may soon get ads.

Search Engine Roundtable Stories:

• Google AI Mode Tests Changing Some Links To Overlay Cards - Reducing Clicks
  Google is testing changing out some of the links within AI Mode to show as overlay cards, instead of take you directly to the website it is mentioning. This obviously will result in fewer direct clicks to those websites.
• Google Tests Reply To Reviews With Al
  Google is testing encouraging business owners to reply to reviews using AI. There is a new option in the Google Business Profile dashboard that is showing for some businesses that says "Reply to reviews with AI."
• Bing Webmaster Tools AI Performance Reports Add Grounding Queries To Pages
  In February, Bing rolled out new AI Performance reports within Bing Webmaster Tools. Bing announced a new feature for this report that connects the Grounding Queries and Pages views within the AI Performance report.
• Local Ads Coming To Apple Maps
  Apple is reportedly launching local ads within Apple Maps, as soon as this month. "Apple Inc. is preparing to introduce advertising in its Maps app, part of a broader push to generate more money from services," Bloomberg wrote.
• Google "Working" On Expanding AI Mode Personal Intelligence Globally
  Google was asked if Personal Intelligence in AI Mode will come to paid accounts across the world (not just the US - where it has hit non-paid accounts). Google replied... (Now is the point where you click on the article...)

Other Great Search Threads:

• Help, I can't escape ChatGPT ads... literally no matter what I search for, ads show up., Glenn Gabe on X
• Just announced today at #GoogleNewFront: Gemini is coming to Display & Video 360 to help advertisers anticipate consumer behaviors, better measure and understand data, and provide new agentic solutions to make managing campaigns mor, Dan Taylor on X
• Thanks for exploring virtual try-on with our experimental app Doppl. Your feedback has helped us refine the technology and you can use our virtual try-on tech on product listings and image results across Google. As we make this tran, Google Labs on X
• Yet another example of "Mt. AI". Site surged like mad, only to crash once Google's webspam team caught on. All AI-generated content. 1.6M urls of it... Now, the dreaded '10 urls site query' indicating a manual action. 100% probabili, Glenn Gabe on X

Search Engine Land Stories:

• EU signals imminent decision on Google DMA probe
• How AI-generated content performs in Google Search: A 16-month experiment
• Google Ads API to block duplicate Lookalike user lists
• ChatGPT ads pilot leaves advertisers without proof of ROI
• Why zero-click search doesn't mean zero influence
• Why 'search everywhere' is the new reality for SEO
• AI is squeezing marketing agencies from both sides
• Duplicate website stats appear in Google paid search ads
• Google Ads account suspensions: What advertisers need to know

Other Great Search Stories:

AI & LLMs

• Perplexity tests Market Researchtool for Perplexity Computer, Testing Catalog
• See how you're showing up in AI search, Microsoft Advertising
• The Gemini Advantage in Google Marketing Platform, Google Blog

Analytics

• GA4 Audience Triggers: Setup and Strategy, KRM Digital Marketing
• Monitoring Form Errors using GA4, KRM Digital Marketing
• How UTM tracking parameters on internal links waste crawl budget and fracture analytics. The fix, Elie Berreby

Industry & Business

• Apple Announces WWDC 2026 Will Take Place June 8 to 12, MacRumors
• EU Competition Chief Says Google Decision is Coming, Ahead of U.S. Tech Meetings, Wall Street Journal
• Google expands utility deals to curb data''center power use during peak demand, Reuters
• Google's 2026 Water Stewardship Portfolio, Google Blog
• OpenAI seeks to muscle in on Google's search dominance, Telegraph
• SCOTUS Won't Hear Search Advertiser Appeal Against Google, Apple, MediaPost
• Search Central Live Asia Pacific 2026: Get Ready for Sydney and more!, Google Search Central Blog
• Sundar Pichai's plan to make Google Gemini the only AI that matters, Fast Company

Links & Content Marketing

• Your Customers Have Already Written Your Content Strategy - You Just Haven't Read It Yet, Nikki Pilkington

Local & Maps

• Android Auto 16.5 Now Available for All Users, As Google Quietly Working on Big Features, AutoEvolution

SEO

• Ranking On Google Still Matters Even When Nobody Clicks, Nikki Pilkington
• AI SEO Workflows: Google AppsScripts for SEOs (Beginner Guide), Billie Geena
• Is Google PageRank Still Relevant in 2026?, Hobo
• Rethinking SEO Structure: Entities, Internal Links, and Topic Hubs | Dixon Jones, Advanced Web Ranking
• Search Console's Average Position, Explained, Practical Ecommerce
• The Research Phase of Content Creation that SEOs Sometimes Skip (But Shouldn't), JumpFly Digital Marketing Blog
• Does Bold Text Sends Ranking Signals To Google?, Nikki Pilkington

PPC

• Animated Clips Now Appearing in Performance Max Asset Creation, PPC News Feed
• Announcing new Display & Video 360 API Discord channels and a documentation update!, Google Ads Developer Blog
• Do You Need a Google Ads Brand Campaign?, Jyll Saskin Gales
• Google Ads for Sensitive Categories: What You Need to Know to Succeed, WordStream
• OpenAI Taps Former Meta Executive to Lead Ad Push, Wall Street Journal

Feedback:

Have feedback on this daily recap; let me know on Twitter @rustybrick or @seroundtable, on Threads, Mastodon and Bluesky and you can follow us on Facebook and on Google News, add as a preferred source on Google and make sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or just contact us the old fashion way.

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.

Still working my way back but here are the headlines for the past couple of days.

Search Engine Roundtable Stories:

• Microsoft Bing Tests New AI Image Search
  Microsoft seems to be testing a new AI-powered image search interface and result set for Bing Image Search. If you do a search on Bing Images, on the right side you may see a button for "New Version." That new version says you can "try a new version of Image Search."
• Google Business Profiles Gains Place Page Attributes
  Google seems to have added a new section to the Google Business Profiles section named Place page attributes. Place page attributes allows you to let customers know more about your business by showing attributes on your Business Profile. These may appear publicly on Search, Maps, and other Google services.
• First ChatGPT Ads Share Little Data To Advertisers
  The Information wrote "OpenAI's First Advertisers Can't Prove ChatGPT Ads Work." In short, the ChatGPT ad platform from OpenAI shares almost no data with advertisers. It is low tech, there is no ad performance data, and it also has very limited ad targeting features.
• Google Using AI to Create Title Links on SERP
  Google confirms it is using AI to create title links on the SERP instead of headlines from news publishers, sometimes.
• Google Adds Google-Agent User Agent
  Google has added a new user-agent to the user-triggered fetchers named Google-Agent. Google said the "Google-Agent user agent is rolling out over the next few weeks, and will be used by Google agents hosted on Google infrastructure to navigate the web and perform actions upon user request."
• Google News Showcase Label In Discover Feed
  New label tests for news results in the Google Discover feed could make certain news results more clickable.
• AI Overviews Showing For Breaking News More Often And Above Top Stories
  News publishers will not be happy to learn that AI Overviews seem to be ranking for breaking news more and more. I noticed this several times recently and shared about it on X yesterday...
• Universal Commerce Protocol Get New Additions Including Cart & Catalog
  Google's Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) is introducing new optional capabilities for merchants to support agentic commerce across the web.

Other Great Search Threads:

• Yes, as far as I know, that's still the case. Make a test-page & use inspect-URL in Search Console, you might see it happen. (There was recently a thread somewhere - Reddit? idk - where it was happening.) Practically, it shouldn't matter for SEO, but it c, John Mueller on Bluesky
• GSC keeps crawling old 404 pages that it claims are "discovered via sitemap.xml" '" even though the sitemap doesn't contain them anymore. What now?, Reddit
• Lost Top 3 Google rankings after moving to Https, Reddit
• Example of a manual action being removed for this publisher. Looks like they cleaned up the problem relatively quickly and had the manual action removed. Now showing back up across Google surfaces. Of course, they probably will not r, Glenn Gabe on X

Search Engine Land Stories:

• The latest jobs in search marketing
• Google launches Ads DevCast Vodcast for developers
• Google tightens rules on out-of-stock product pages
• Google Business Profile tests AI-generated replies to reviews
• Google confirms AI headline rewrites test in Search results
• Could AI eventually make SEO obsolete?
• Cloudflare CEO: Bots could overtake human web usage by 2027
• SEO's new battleground: Winning the consensus layer
• Adobe to shut down Marketo Engage SEO tool
• Why your law firm's best leads don't convert after research
• 7 ways to use storytelling in a business blog
• Walmart: ChatGPT checkout converted 3x worse than website
• Perplexity's Comet for iOS uses Google Search by default
• Microsoft Advertising simplifies automated bidding setup
• Google expands its Universal Commerce Protocol to power AI-driven shopping
• What patents reveal about the foundations of AI search
• Multi-location SEO strategy: Stop competing with your own content
• Your SEO maturity score doesn't measure what you think it does
• AI Mode is Google's next ads engine '" and it already knows how to monetize it
• Google AI Overviews now appear on 14% of shopping queries: Report
• Small publisher search traffic fell 60% over two years: Data
• Google retires several legacy ad format policies
• SMX Now: Learn how brands must adapt for AI-driven search
• Google brings vehicle feeds to Search campaigns
• Where to focus technical SEO when you can't do it all

Other Great Search Stories:

AI & LLMs

• Developer's Guide to AI Agent Protocols, Google Developers Blog
• Google Tests Gemini AI App for Mac to Rival ChatGPT and Claude, Bloomberg
• Universal Commerce Protocol updates improve AI shopping for retailers, Google Blog

Analytics

• UTM Parameters for Offline Advertising: A Redirect-First Approach for GA4, KP Playbook
• What Is Cookiebot? How to Set Up and Implement Cookiebot CMP, Measure Minds Group
• 5 Signs Your GA4 Setup Is Broken (And You Don't Know It), MeasureU
• The GA4 Audit That Gets You Hired Before You Quote, MeasureU

Industry & Business

• Google Shakes Up Its Browser Agent Team Amid OpenClaw Craze, Wired
• Valtrus Hits Google With New Patent Suit After Recent Dismissal, Bloomberg
• Chicken Soup for the Soul publisher sues tech companies over AI training, Reuters
• Search Central Live Asia Pacific 2026: Get Ready for Sydney and more!, Google Search Central Blog

Links & Content Marketing

• Evergreen Content Is "dying"? Not For B2B Service Businesses, Nikki Pilkington
• An Underused Tactic To Get Your Content Cited in AI Search, Content Marketing Institute

Local & Maps

• New Android Auto Update Now Available: Google Releases First 16.5 Build, AutoEvolution

SEO

• Breaking news Google referrals doubled to US publishers in a year, Press Gazette
• ChatGPT links in Google Search Console: How to Discover Real User Conversations That Cite Your Content, GSQI
• How to optimize images for search on Wix, Wix SEO Hub
• Your GEO Strategy Might Be Destroying Your SEO, Lily Ray
• AI Search: How the data shows that Google is winning '" yet everything is changing, SISTRIX
• Out-of-Stock Products Must Now Have a Disabled Buy Button For Google Shopping, FeedArmy Co
• What Is Prompt Tracking? [Tips and Workflows To Do It on a Budget], Moz
• When Being a Local Expert is Bad for SEO, SEO Savvy Agent
• 10 Fan-Outs for Prompt Research '" Whiteboard Friday, Moz
• How AI Search Personalizes Fan-Out Queries Using Memory and Context, iPullRank
• How to Get Buy-in for SEO with Data Storytelling, Women in Tech SEO
• Publishers at Press Gazette US conference agree blocking is best strategy for bots, Press Gazette
• The Hidden Variable: How Clickbait Titles Exploit Attention Through Latent Entities, DEJAN
• When the Training Data Cutoff Becomes a Ranking Factor, Duane Forrester Decodes

PPC

• Microsoft Advertising Rolls Out Simplified Bid Strategies Globally, PPC News Feed
• Reach fans during football's biggest moment, Microsoft Advertising
• Google Ads Updates Account Switcher And Navigation, PPC News Feed
• Health Check Diagnostics for Lodging Feeds in Microsoft Ads, PPC News Feed
• How AI has changed the role of the PPC manager in 2026, Smarter Ecommerce
• Judge rejects lawyers' preemptive fee bid in Google ad tech class action, Reuters
• Negative Keywords Updated with Lists and API Integration, PPC News Feed
• Why POAS can't replace true Profit Optimization, Smarter Ecommerce
• Disabled Buy Button Required for Out-of-Stock Products, PPC News Feed
• How to Fix 'Product Page Unavailable' in Google Merchant Center, FeedArmy
• Introducing: Ads DevCast, Google Ads Developer Blog
• The Paid Search Freelancer Transition Guide, PPC Live
• Upcoming changes to Lookalike user lists in the Google Ads API, starting April 30, 2026, Google Ads Developer Blog
• Veo in Google Ads: A Field Test, Hopskip Media
• Campaign Creation Gets "Tell Us About Your New Campaign", PPC News Feed
• Google Ads API Adds Duplicate Check for Lookalike Lists, PPC News Feed
• Google Shows Identical Web Stats Across Multiple Search Ads, PPC News Feed
• Google Updates UCP With Cart, Catalog, and Loyalty Features, PPC News Feed

Search Features

• Perplexity Launches its Comet Browser on iOS and iPadOS, Thurrott

Other Search

• Google and DocMorris announce digital health experience partnership, Google Blog

Feedback:

Have feedback on this daily recap; let me know on Twitter @rustybrick or @seroundtable, on Threads, Mastodon and Bluesky and you can follow us on Facebook and on Google News, add as a preferred source on Google and make sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or just contact us the old fashion way.

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.

A lot of you are emailing me where did the newsletter go. You may not have seen it, but I need several days off. So Glenn Gabe, Greg Finn and Mordy Oberstein have been posting stories. Here are the stories they have posted over the past week or so. I am still not back but figured I'd chime in.

Search Engine Roundtable Stories:

• Bing Business Profiles With Image Slider
  Microsoft Bing now has an image slider in the Bing Business Profiles local panel. So when you find a business listing and that business listing has photos associated with its Business Profile, Bing will let you slide through those images on the search results page.
• Live Sports Data In Google AI Mode
  Google's AI Mode is showing entity cards with a live score of ongoing sports events.
• Google Officially Removes "What People Suggest" Health SERP Feature
  In March of 2025 Google announced a new SERP feature that would organize and surface health conversations from online discussions. For example, from Reddit, X, Facebook...
• Are Local Packs Losing Their Call Buttons?
  A new study points to there being a low rate of call button appearances in Local Packs.
• Google News Support Team Still Advices You Go To Search Liaison For Updates
  As you know, Google's Danny Sullivan stepped down from his role as the Search Liaison, and that support channel closed down on August 1, 2025. That isn't stopping Google News support team from advising publishers to follow the Google Search Liaison account for updates.
• OpenAI Continues To Expand Ads in ChatGPT and Tests Ads Manager
  OpenAI continues to drive forward on the ads front. This weekend AdWeek reported that OpenAI is currently testing an Ads Manager for ChatGPT advertisers. As AdWeek explained, "The Ads Manager is a dashboard that lets marketers run, monitor...
• Google Brings Helpful Changes to Ads Editor with Version 2.12
  Google is now rolling out Ad Editor version 2.12, featuring helpful changes from the web interface into the software. This update should be a welcomed one, with a handful of changes that should allow for more meaningful work in Ads Editor...
• PMax Channel Reporting Gets Video Segmentation Option
  Hana Kobzova has spotted a new segmentation option within the Performance Max (PMax) Channel Reporting that allows advertisers to view data from ads with video as well as without video...
• Bing Adds AI Shopping Additions In Shopping Results?
  Is Bing testing new AI-curated results in Bing Shopping? Maybe? Have a look.
• Google What People Are Saying With Popular & Latest Comments
  I am not sure how new this is but the What people are saying box within Google Search now also shows the more popular comments and latest comments for Reddit threads.
• Store Tab Appearing in Google Shopping
  Google appears to have added a "Stores" button in Google Shopping.
• Google Haircuts Mobile Trailer
  Did you know that Google has this mobile trailer that comes on its campus to give Googlers haircuts. We've seen signs of this before but here is a photo of the actual trailer that does the cut.
• Is Google Hitting Self-Promotional Listicles Hard Again?
  Is continuing rank volatility again impacting sites focusing on self-serving listicles? Industry chatter seems to indicate so.
• New Google Business Profile Playbooks With Local Optimization Tips
  Google just emailed site owners about new Google Business Profile Playbooks containing recommendations for optimizing local listings. Daniel Hale pinged me on LinkedIn about this the other day after receiving the email...
• Google Ads Hold Music Driving Some Advertisers Crazy
  Have you ever waited on hold for support with Google Ads? Do you enjoy the hold music that Google selected for your wait time? Well, some advertisers say it can drive you crazy.
• Cute Google Space Cookies
  Here are some cute looking cookies I found on Instagram from one of the Google offices. I found them on Instagram, the person wrote, "Tiny treats with major space energy! This mission was powered macarons.
• Google Rolls Out "Ask Maps" in Google Maps - It's like AI Mode In Maps
  Google just announced "Ask Maps", which is a new feature in Google Maps that leverages Gemini to help users research local businesses, plan trips, get recommendations...
• Google Ads Asset Optimization Layout Gets a Refresh
  Google Ads has a new interface for Asset Optimization that allows for quick managing of opt-ins.
• Google Tests Instagram Knowledge Panel Design
  Google is testing a new knowledge panel design for when you search for an Instagram account of a notable person. Google will display the individual's knowledge panel, promoting the Instagram card higher up in that panel.
• Google Tests Ask About Feature in AI Mode Citation Overlays
  Google is now testing the Ask about feature in AI Mode's citation box overlays.
• Google's AI Mode Checking For Personalized Information
  A look at how personalization without opt-in to connect other Google properties, such as Gmail, appears in AI Mode.
• Google Cityscape Pedestal Cloud Signage
  There is this Google cityscape pedestal with the Google super G logo hovering above with clouds. This photo was taken from the new Google office in Austin. Paige Bailey from Google said the building is now open to Google employees.
• Branded Queries Filter Rolling Out in Search Console
  Branded queries filtering is now available for all eligible sites within Search Console.
• Google Launches Merchant Center For Agencies
  A new agency-dedicated experience Merchant Center experience from Google should streamline management
• Google explains undocumented way to disavow entire TLDs (and why you probably shouldn't)
  Google's John Mueller revealed an interesting tip on Bluesky the other day for anyone still disavowing links. John explained that site owners can indeed disavow entire TLDs if they want to. Note...
• Google Search Your Related Activity Adds Chart
  Google has offered this feature that shows you your past searches, including being able to see your related activity searches from the Google Search results. Now, it seems, Google added a chart to show that search activity over time.
• Sundar Pichai With Narendra Modi
  A couple of weeks ago, Sundar Pichai, Google's CEO, went to India for a Google event. Here is the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, with Sundar Pichai at the event.
• Survey Says: PPC is Harder Than It Was 2 Years Ago
  A new survey from the aptly named PPCsurvey.com shows that the majority of PPC practitioners believe that PPC is getting MORE difficult.

Other Great Search Threads:

• From the cofounder of an AI search visibility platform (@lil_bsz) on Reddit -> The GEO Bullshit - State of GEO in 2026 From him: "I'm a co-founder at an AI search visibility platform. By all accounts, I should be writing a hype post ab, Glenn Gabe on X
• Got off a call with a prospect, and they were questioning how incremental their Google is. Their Google CAC is 20% of their Meta CAC, and they told me they had already stopped spending on brand. I can already picture the SQR in, Collin Slattery on X
• So fun to spend part of the afternoon with some of India's builders, creators, and AI teachers in Bangalore! I learned a lot from you!, Josh Woodward on X

Search Engine Land Stories:

• Local content playbook: From service pages to jobs-to-be-done pages
• 30-day vs. 7-day attribution in Google Ads: What the shorter window revealed
• Why customer personas help you win earlier in AI search
• YouTube tests sticky banner after ad skip
• Google adds video visibility to Performance Max reporting
• Google expands Personal Intelligence to AI Mode, Gemini, Chrome
• Google says AI Mode stays ad-free for Personal Intelligence users
• Yahoo CEO: Google AI Mode is the biggest threat to web traffic
• How nonprofits can build a digital presence that actually drives impact
• 5 competitive gates hidden inside 'rank and display'
• Why social search visibility is the next evolution of discoverability
• Google Ads Editor 2.12 adds creative control and campaign flexibility
• How Google's Universal Commerce Protocol could reshape search conversions
• OpenAI tests Ads Manager as ChatGPT ad business takes shape
• Google tests 'Sponsored Shops' blocks in Shopping results
• What incrementality really means in affiliate marketing
• LinkedIn updates feed algorithm with LLM-powered ranking and retrieval
• Why entity authority is the foundation of AI search visibility
• 7 organic content investments that drive ecommerce ROI
• How to avoid 11 common SEO interview mistakes and land your next job
• Breaking Through Creative Ops Bottlenecks: Your 2026 Technology Roadmap
• Chloe Varnfield talks sneaky Google Ads settings and tanking performance
• The latest jobs in search marketing
• SerpApi asks court to throw out Reddit scraping complaint
• Beyond keywords: Mastering AI-driven campaigns
• Why surface-level SEO tactics won't build lasting AI search visibility
• Only 15% of pages retrieved by ChatGPT appear in final answers: Report
• Stop paying for traffic: The enterprise CMO's guide to ROI-driven SEO
• Google Search Ads in 2026 require a different kind of audit
• Google leaves door open to ads in Gemini
• Google AI Overviews cut search clicks 42%: Report

Other Great Search Stories:

AI & LLMs

• AlphaGo at 10: How AI Innovation Is Paving the Path to AGI, Google DeepMind
• AI Overviews Now Appear on 14% of Shopping Queries (Study of 20.9 Million SERPS), Visibility Labs
• Microsoft scales back Copilot plans on Windows 11, Windows Central
• More transparency and control over Gemini API costs, Google Blog
• OpenAI's GPT-5.4 mini and nano launch - with near flagship performance at much lower cost, ZDNET
• Personal Intelligence in AI Mode and Gemini expands in the U.S., Google Blog

Analytics

• Google Business Profile in GA4, KRM Digital Marketing
• Lookup Tables in GTM, KRM Digital Marketing Ltd
• Search Box in GA4, KRM Digital Marketing

Industry & Business

• Amazon Wins Court Order to Halt Perplexity's AI Shopping Bots on Marketplace, Bloomberg
• Google completes acquisition of Wiz, Google Blog
• Search Central Live is coming to Canada!, Google Search Central Blog
• Search Has Changed. And So Have We., SEM Rush
• Another Reminder: Lawsuits Over Competitive Keyword Ads Are Stupid, Eric Goldman
• European publishers, tech firms urge EU to speed up fine on Google over search, Reuters
• OpenAI Clinches AWS Deal in Bid to Win Government Contracts, The Information
• Scaling clean energy and reliability in Michigan, Google Blog
• Search Advertiser PVC Fence's Battle With Google Sent To Arbitration, MediaPost
• Yahoo CEO Jim Lanzone on AI, gambling, and the open web, The Verge
• Google's response to the CMA's consultation on potential requirements for Search, Google Blog

Links & Content Marketing

• You're Not Scaling Content. You're Scaling Disappointment., The Inference
• Can Displaying Links to Popular Destinations Improve SEO?, SearchPilot
• Digital PR Strategy in 3 Simple Steps, Moz
• If your content audit didn't change decisions, it wasn't an audit, SALT.agency
• What Is Content Decay? (And How to Fix It Before It Tanks Your Traffic), Ahrefs
• AI Content Wasn't Good Enough. Now It Is., Ahrefs
• More pages do not equal better SEO or better website performance, Alice Rowan
• A Thorough Guide on How to Do a Website Content Audit, BruceClay

Local & Maps

• Google Maps is getting AI-powered 'Ask Maps' feature and more immersive navigation, The Verge
• Ultra-Practical Local SEO Tasks AI Can Help You With, Local Visibility System

SEO

• Answer Engine Optimization: How to Optimize Content for LLM Citations, Ann Smarty
• How Much Do Keywords Matter in 2026?, Moz
• How to Defend Your SEO Roadmap From Audit Poachers, SEO for Lunch
• How to Migrate GSC Bulk Export Without Losing a Single Day of Data, Jose Luis Hernando
• SEO Busywork - Same As It Ever Was, Nikki Pilkington
• 6 Reasons Why an SEO Professional Must Be Involved in a Site Migration, JumpFly
• "There is no Sandbox" - Google Lies, Black Hat Accusations and The HostAge Attribut, Hobo
• Google crawlers behind the scenes, Search Off the Record
• Google CTR Stats '" Changes Report for Q4 2025, Advanced Web Ranking
• Is Query Length a Reliable Predictor of Search Volume?, DEJAN
• Product pages need to move beyond features and benefits, Dan Taylor SEO
• SEO is no longer one channel, Brainlabs
• Structured data and AI in 202, Wix SEO Hub
• Structured Data Is Not Enough: Why AI Search Needs a Memory Layer, WordLift
• The Dark Side of AI No One Talks About, Moz
• How to Rank on ChatGPT: What Actually Works (Based on Data), Ahrefs
• Google Discover Core Update (Feb 2026): Winners, Losers, and Unexpected Outcomes, DiscoverSnoop
• Keyword Intent: What It Is and How to Use It in Your SEO Strategy, ahrefs
• The Content Moat Is Dead. The Context Moat Is What Survives., Duane Forrester
• What Google's New Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) Means for Marketers, Seer Interactive
• Exclusive: Small publishers hit hardest by search traffic declines, Axios
• Google Knowledge Panel: What Is It & How to Get One, Semrush
• Can You Trust What AI Tells You About SEO? We Tested It!, WordStream
• Google Discover Publishers ranking in February 2026, DiscoverSnoop

PPC

• Keywords Still Matter in Google Ads, But Intent Matters More (Here's Why), WordStream
• Time-Sensitive Offers in Google Ads, Practical Ecommerce
• Ads Decoded: Bidding and budgeting, Google Blog
• What's the right bidding strategy for a brand new Google Ads account?, PPC Live
• Google Ads Updates Asset Optimization Layout in Demand Gen, PPC News Feed
• Google Is Not Ruling Out Ads in Gemini, Wired
• Google Ads AI: Which Tools to Leverage & Which to Avoid, Marlin SEM
• Creative Assets Expanded With Google Owned Assets, PPC News Feed
• Google Updates Alcohol Subscriptions Start Date, PPC News Feed
• Recurring Billing Policy Expanded for Prescription Drugs in the U.S., PPC News Feed
• Google Ads Filter Bug Shows Zero Daily Budget, PPC News Feed
• Google Budget Pacing Update Explained for Businesses, Hopskip Media
• Video Usage Segment Added to PMAX Channel Reporting, PPC News Feed
• Google Wants Cutoff Date For Ad Tech Rivals' Claims, Law360 UK
• Negative keywords for PMax and other product news for March 2026, Microsoft Advertising
• 7 Reasons Your eCommerce Paid Search Isn't Scaling, JumpFly Digital Marketing Blog

Search Features

• Query Intent Drives a 5X Gap in Financial AI Overviews, Seer Interactive
• Automatic YouTube Channel Linking Rollout Begins, PPC News Feed
• Google app starts rolling out quick access to AI Mode history, 9to5 Google
• Microsoft Bing is aggressively pushing Copilot when people search for ChatGPT or Gemini, and it's embarrassing, windows latest

Other Search

• Gemini Embedding 2: our first natively multimodal embedding model, Google Blog

Feedback:

Have feedback on this daily recap; let me know on Twitter @rustybrick or @seroundtable, on Threads, Mastodon and Bluesky and you can follow us on Facebook and on Google News, add as a preferred source on Google and make sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or just contact us the old fashion way.

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.

A quick programming note that I am pausing this newsletter and real-time stories for the next several days. We also saw ongoing heated Google search ranking volatility - surprise, surprise. Google's Robby Stein was interviewed on teaching AI to link out. Google Discover is testing a larger publisher header image. Google AI voice models are coming to Google Ads. And Google Search Console crawl stats date toggle is broken.

Search Engine Roundtable Stories:

• Google Search Ranking Volatility Still Heated
  Yep, more of the same - the Google Search ranking volatility remains heated. Many are asking when we will see an officially announced Google core update. But it has not been announced yet.
• Robby Stein Of Google On Teaching AI To Link Out
  Robby Stein, VP, Product at Google Search, was interviewed by Zain Kah on Google AI Search features. While most of the conversation are items we already know, he did say a few interesting things that I want to pull out.
• Google Discover Tests Large Publisher Header Images
  Google is testing a larger header image for the Google Discover publisher header images. It looks a lot more magazine-type and style.
• Google AI Voice Models Coming To Google Ads PMax Videos
  Google Ads is rolling out Google AI voice models as a new asset optimization feature for your video ads. This is for your existing Performance Max video ads.
• Google Search Console Crawl Stats Date Toggle/Selector Buggy
  Google seems to have a bug with the Crawl Stats report in Google Search Console. The date selector appears to be acting a bit weird, where it doesn't let you select the before or after date.
• Google Search Bars Milk Chocolate
  Check out this Google Search Bar, not the one you type your query into, but the one you eat. This is a Tony's milk chocolate bar with the Google logo and Search Bar name on the wrapper.
• Programming Note: Offline For Several Days
  This is a programming note that I will be not be posting here for the next several days. I am not exactly sure how long it will take and when I will be back at 100% but I am expecting it to take at least several days.

Other Great Search Threads:

• From the cofounder of an AI search visibility platform (@lil_bsz) on Reddit -> The GEO Bullshit - State of GEO in 2026 From him: "I'm a co-founder at an AI search visibility platform. By all accounts, I should be writing a hype post ab, Glenn Gabe on X
• Got off a call with a prospect, and they were questioning how incremental their Google is. Their Google CAC is 20% of their Meta CAC, and they told me they had already stopped spending on brand. I can already picture the SQR in, Collin Slattery on X
• So fun to spend part of the afternoon with some of India's builders, creators, and AI teachers in Bangalore! I learned a lot from you!, Josh Woodward on X

Search Engine Land Stories:

• Google Ads adds AI voice-over to Performance Max video ads
• OpenAI updates privacy policy as ads expand in ChatGPT
• Google Marketing Live 2026 set for May 20
• AI assistants now equal 56% of global search engine volume: Study
• Why PPC teams are becoming data teams
• ChatGPT ads are coming '" here's how you should prepare now
• The Digital Markets Act promised fairer search. It's failing.
• Organic search is fundamentally disrupted. Here's what to do about it.
• Google's undocumented method to disavow a whole TLD

Other Great Search Stories:

AI & LLMs

• The Top 100 Gen AI Consumer Apps '" 6th Edition, A16Z
• SaaS Visibility Beyond Google in the AI Era | Bengü Sarıca Dinçer, Advanced Web Ranking
• The AI pension advisers are already here, Financial Times (Sub)

Analytics

• How Much is Your Audience Searching Google vs. Prompting AI Tools? SparkToro's Answers Just Got an Upgrade, SparkToro
• Mythbusting: Why More Website Traffic Doesn't Always Mean More Leads, DAGMAR
• Why direct traffic in GA4 isn't what it looks like, MarTech

Industry & Business

• 5 things I learned about the future of Search from Liz Reid's latest interview, Marie Haynes
• Gemini is currently the fastest-growing AI website by a huge margin, 9to5Google
• OpenAI and Google Workers File Amicus Brief in Support of Anthropic Against the US Government, Wired
• OpenAI Robotics Head Quits Over Defense Dept. Deal, The Information
• Wiz-Google deal to officially close this week, YNet

Links & Content Marketing

• Content in the AI era: Why distribution and amplification matter more than ever, SALT.agency
• Third party platforms are a risky foundation for your content moat, SALT.agency

Local & Maps

• Google Maps Go gains gradient app icon redesign, 9to5Google
• Man comparing Waze vs. Google Maps reveals which app has better incident reporting, Super Car Blondie

SEO

• Building an SEO Middleware: Decoupling Search Logic from Frontend Code, Visively
• Evidence Grows That Google's AI Overviews Have Eviscerated the Media Industry, Futurism
• LLMs Changing Search: What It Means for SEO and Online Visibility, Analytics Insight
• SEO in 2026: From Rankings to Resilience, Berlin SEO & Content Club
• SEO Keywords is not a thing, Ilana Davis
• AIO & GEO Explained: Why They Matter for Search Visibility Now, DAGMAR
• Many GEO tactics are not that different from search optimization, Digiday

PPC

• Google Ads Pushes AI Max With Huge Recommendation, PPC News Feed
• Google Shopping Ends UK Pharmacy Targeting for Germany and Austria, PPC News Feed
• Auto End Screens Rolling Out for Video Ads, PPC News Feed

Search Features

• Google Home 'Live Search' uses AI to watch your home in real-time, 9to5Google
• Google Translate is readying a welcome usability feature travelers will love, Android Authority
• Google Translate Tests Pinned Languages For Travelers, Find Articles
• Google is quietly working on a big upgrade for Gemini Live, Android Police

Other Search

• Apple Delays Smart Home Display Launch as It Waits for New Siri AI Features, Bloomberg

Feedback:

Have feedback on this daily recap; let me know on Twitter @rustybrick or @seroundtable, on Threads, Mastodon and Bluesky and you can follow us on Facebook and on Google News, add as a preferred source on Google and make sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or just contact us the old fashion way.

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.

Liz Reid, Google's head of search, spoke about the progression of AI in Google Search. Google Ads sends notices for EU political ads. Google Discover has a follow widget card. Google Search Console bulk export to BigQuery is broken. Google adds trending posts and discussions to the what people are saying section.

Search Engine Roundtable Stories:

• Google's Liz Reid On Progression Of Google AI Search
  Alex Heath and Ellis Hamburger interviewed Google's head of Search, Liz Reid, on Google's progression of AI into Search. It felt like a very candid interview that is worth listening to. In short, Liz is still not sure if Gemini and Google Search will ever fully converge or not.
• Google Search Console BigQuery Exports Not Working?
  There are a number of complaints that the Google Search Console bulk data export to BigQuery is not working. The issue seemed to have started several days ago and is still not working today.
• Google: Trending Posts & Discussions Added To What People Are Saying
  Google added "Trending posts & discussions" title under What People Are Saying section within Google Search results. It also has those favicons at the top, which I don't think is new but it is all part of the package.
• Google Ads Sends Notices For European Union Political Ads
  Google has sent notices to some advertisers asking them to confirm whether their campaigns contain European Union political content. The deadline to confirm is by March 31, 2026.
• Google Discover Follow Widget Home Card
  Google is testing a new widget for the Google Discover feed where you can follow news publishers and/or topics. It is called the "home follow widget."
• AI Cricket Coach At Google
  At one of the Google offices the team set up an AI-based cricket coach. The signage says "AI Cricket Coach" and you can see a computer system analyzing the swing of the bat.

Other Great Search Threads:

• I'm not aware of anything, what are you seeing?, John Mueller on Bluesky
• We've been shipping updates to @googlemaps faster than ever, and Street View imagery is a big part of how we make the map super fresh'... @MorningBrew filmed a ride-along in one of our iconic Street View cars from Bosnia to NYC - check, Nick Fox on X
• Remember this story about journalists being replaced by AI writers? Seems that may have caught the attention of Google's webspam team. Looks like two of their sites might have received manual actions this weekend. And that could be f, Glenn Gabe on X

Search Engine Land Stories:

• 10 Reddit comment frameworks that drive engagement without sounding like ads
• Google's AI Mode is citing Google more than any other site: Study
• The latest jobs in search marketing
• OpenAI's big ChatGPT Instant Checkout plan just changed
• Google's Liz Reid: Search and Gemini may converge, or diverge further
• Google contacts advertisers with a mandatory EU political ads deadline
• How structured data supports local visibility across Google and AI
• Break down data silos: How integrated analytics reveals marketing impact
• 'Always be testing' worked in 2016 '" it's risky in 2026
• Why most video ads fail '" and what video metrics actually matter

Other Great Search Stories:

AI & LLMs

• Labor market impacts of AI: A new measure and early evidence, Anthropic
• In and Out of Model Responses Explained '" Whiteboard Friday, Moz
• Search Grounding is Transient, DEJAN
• When Using AI Leads to 'Brain Fry', HBR

Analytics

• GA4 Device Category Report, KRM Digital Marketing

Industry & Business

• Anthropic CEO says 'no choice' but to challenge Trump admin's supply chain risk designation in court, CNBC
• Microsoft says Anthropic's products remain available to customers after Pentagon blacklist, CNBC
• UK to delay difficult decisions on AI copyright rules, Financial Times (Sub)
• Google gives CEO Sundar Pichai new pay deal worth up to $692mn, Financial Times (Sub)
• Meta, Google Begin Defense As Mental Harm Plaintiff Rests, Law360
• International Women's Day and Women's History Month, Google Blog

Links & Content Marketing

• How To Write With AI Without Sounding Like a Machine [Free AI Workflows & Prompts], Moz

Local & Maps

• The Ultimate Guide to Social Media for Local Businesses, Whitespark

SEO

• A Systems View of GEO: What Metrics Actually Control Visibility, SEO Vendor
• JavaScript SEO: Help Google Read Your Website (2026), Jonathan Alonso
• What Are Secondary Keywords? (And How to Use Them), Ahrefs
• Web Graph Statistics Gets a Proper Upgrade, Common Crawl - Blog
• Has Google Deindexed EsportsInsider '" And Is This the Start of a Parasite SEO Crackdown?, iGamingToday
• SEO Myth: Every Page Must Have A Table Of Contents!, Nikki Pilkington
• Social SEO Strategy: Instagram, YouTube & TikTok SERP Features, Sitebulb

PPC

• Brand vs Performance Marketing: Why B2B needs both, Hallam
• Google Marketing Live 2026 Scheduled for May 20, PPC News Feed
• The Physics of PPC: Why Google Ads Revenue Has a Natural Limit, but Campaign Waste Has No Bottom, ZATO PPC Marketing
• The Ultimate Guide to AI Max for Google Search, Smarter Ecommerce
• Google Explains Multi Party Approval For Google Ads Security, PPC News Feed

Search Features

• I tried using Google to redesign my wardrobe and the results were a disaster, Android Police
• Is AI Mode Now Dominated by Google's Self-Referencing Links?, SE Ranking
• AI Overviews Are Up 58% - And Everyone's Reporting It Wrong, Nikki Pilkington

Other Search

• Does ChatGPT Get More Searches Than Google? Data Says Not, Nikki Pilkington

Feedback:

Have feedback on this daily recap; let me know on Twitter @rustybrick or @seroundtable, on Threads, Mastodon and Bluesky and you can follow us on Facebook and on Google News, add as a preferred source on Google and make sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or just contact us the old fashion way.

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 says most sites do not need to disavow links but that is not all sites. Google Ads customer match data uploads has some changes coming soon. Google Local Service Ads team is refusing to issue some important credits. Bing has asian-owned labels on some listings. Bing is also testing a go to shopping button. Finally, I posted the weekly SEO video recap today.

Search Engine Roundtable Stories:

• Google: Most Sites Don't Need To Disavow Links But That's Not All Sites
  Google's John Mueller again spoke about the disavow link file. This time he said that while "most sites don't need it, he added but "that's not all sites." Some sites may indeed need to disavow links.
• Google Local Service Ads Won't Credit Calls For Existing Clients (Not Lead)
  Google Local Service Ads can be super expensive; each call or click can cost hundreds of dollars. Which is why Google has generally been good about refunding for mistaken leads or issues with those leads.
• Google Ads Customer Match Data Uploads Changes Coming April 1
  Google sent out emails to some advertisers about changes coming to the Customer Match uploads in the Google Ads APl. After April 1, 2026, those data uploads are no longer going to work in the Google Ads API and must be done in the Data Manager API instead.
• Bing Search Tests Go To Shopping Button
  Microsoft is testing a "Go to Shopping" button within the Bing Search results. This is instead of the narrower shopping section that shows shopping results by just says "see all."
• Bing With Asian Owned Labels On Microsoft Ads
  A few years ago, Microsoft Advertising the support of Asian owned labels and attributes on its search ads within Bing. Google has a similar attribute, by the way. Honestly, I've never seen the label on Bing, until now.
• Google Zurich Food Ticket Station
  I was at the Google Zurich office back in December and snapped a photo of this little cafe. It looked like a food ticket station of sorts. I may have grabbed a banana, maybe.
• Video: Google Heat Continues, AI Mode Recipe Link Cards, ChatGPT Web Search With Fewer Links & AI-Generated Search Landing Pages
  This week, we continue to see ongoing heated Google Search volatility. I posted the big Google webmaster report for March 2026. Google AI Mode added more links to recipe sites. Google AI Mode has this recipe widget but is that a good thing. Google AI Overviews...

Other Great Search Threads:

• OpenAI's @fidjissimo explained on the ACCESS Podcast with @alexeheath that the ChatGPT ad experience is will be unique since users could even ask ChatGPT about the ads running. The model will not know about the ads but a user could f, Glenn Gabe on X
• New this week: Canvas in AI Mode gives you a dynamic space to organize your plans and projects over time, and now it's available to everyone in the US!<<  Plus, we're adding support for coding & creative writing tasks, so you can bri, Rose Yao on X
• On Google blog now you can opt in or opt out for seeing an AI summary at the top of internal search results. Don't we all #SEOs wish that Google should offer this exact feature for AI Overviews in search results., Gagan Ghotra on X
• MSN is letting Google index their AI generated (by Copilot) pages - so far it says 13K indexed and back in last week of Jan one of my client (US location) told me these are showing up in their Discover feed - I've not seen these pe, Gagan Ghotra on X
• We have just rolled out Sora 2 generative video in Bing Video Creator. This updated model captures more dynamic motion, richer visuals, and more photorealistic quality with audio integration, so you can enhance your visual prompts, Jordi Ribas on X

Search Engine Land Stories:

• AI Max increases revenue 13% but drives higher CPA: Study
• New finding: ChatGPT sources 83% of its carousel products from Google Shopping via shopping query fan-outs
• 200+ AI audits reveal why some industries struggle in AI search
• How to chunk content and when it's worth it
• How the DOM affects crawling, rendering, and indexing
• How to use AI for SEO without losing your brand voice

Other Great Search Stories:

AI & LLMs

• AEO: Stop spamming Reddit for citations, Product Led SEO
• Anthropic launches AI job destruction detector, Axios
• Anthropic's Pentagon Feud Accelerates Push Into Consumer Market, Bloomberg
• Bing AI promoted fake OpenClaw GitHub repo pushing info-stealing malware, Bleeping Computer
• How AI Tools Influence the Modern Buyer Journey: A Survey of 1,000+ US Consumers, Semrush
• Introducing GPT-5.4, OpenAI
• OpenAI launches GPT-5.4 with Pro and Thinking versions, TechCrunch
• OpenAI's new GPT-5.4 clobbers humans on pro-level work in tests - by 83%, ZDNET
• The Smart Home Never Quite Worked. Now It's Getting an A.I. Reboot., New York Times

Analytics

• ZoomCare Defeats Privacy Class Suit Over Use of Google Analytics, Bloomberg

Industry & Business

• Former NPR Host Says Google Trained Its AI On His Voice, Law360
• Canada Says OpenAI CEO Altman Pledged to Toughen Safety Protocols, Wall Street Journal
• Google AI Center Berlin: A new hub for AI research, Google Blog
• Google pledges $50 million to fight superpollutants, Google Blog
• Google's approach for responsible energy growth, Google Blog
• OpenAI Selects Law Firms Cooley, Wachtell for IPO Prep, The Information
• OpenAI Tops $25 Billion in Annualized Revenue as Anthropic Narrows Gap, The Information
• OpenAI's Altman takes jabs at Anthropic at Morgan Stanley conference, CNBC

Links & Content Marketing

• 3 Content Signals That Earn LLM Visibility, Content Marketing Institute
• 5 Content Marketing Ideas for April 2026, Practical Ecommerce
• How to Build a Content Strategy That Actually Drives Revenue, Michel Fortin

Local & Maps

• Artist Uses Google Maps to Bring the Fallout: New Vegas Strip Into Real-World Vegas, Gizmodo
• Canadian authorities warn drivers to be careful using Google Maps after directions mishap and it's a win for its rivals, Super Car Blondie

SEO

• From Pulling Espresso Shots to Pulling Search Insights, iPullRank
• How to Optimize Your Product Pages for AI Visibility, Backlinko
• NanoClaw Creator Loses SEO Battle To Impostor Website, Search Engine Journal
• Post Google ''...it's just Not a Meaningful Driver of our Traffic', SearchEngineWorld
• Reddit Keyword Research: 4 Methods to Find Keywords Your Competitors Miss, Ahrefs
• Self-promotional listicles analysis: Data from 232,000 citations, Peec AI

PPC

• Stop Starving the Machines: Why "Perfect" Brand Segmentation in Google Ads is Overrated, ZATO PPC Marketing
• Use ROMS (Return on Marketing Spend) Not ROAS (Return on Ad Spend), Search Engine People

Search Features

• Yandex Unveils Major Update To Yandex AI Studio For Building Intelligent AI Agents, International Search News

Other Search

• We Tracked 2 Million ChatGPT Prompts. Shopping Showed Up Less Than 10% of the Time., Profound

Feedback:

Have feedback on this daily recap; let me know on Twitter @rustybrick or @seroundtable, on Threads, Mastodon and Bluesky and you can follow us on Facebook and on Google News, add as a preferred source on Google and make sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or just contact us the old fashion way.

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 AI Mode has better link cards to recipe sites now, this was in response to feedback Google said. Google also has this new AI Mode recipe widget, but it all leads to AI-Frankenstein results. Google said loading content with JavaScript is now okay. Google AI Overviews have these weird drop down options. Google Merchant Center added a build-to-order attribute.

Search Engine Roundtable Stories:

• Google AI Mode Adds More Links To Recipe Sites
  Google announced it updated AI Mode to link to more recipe sites and bloggers. "Starting today, when you search for meal ideas like 'easy dinners for two,' you can tap on the dish to see links to relevant recipe sites, plus a short overview of the dish to help with inspiration," Robby Stein from Google said on X.
• Google AI Mode Recipe Widget Sucks Searchers Into AI Frankenstein Recipes
  Google is testing a new AI Mode widget within the main search results that drives searchers away from the core search results and recipe listings/cards and into AI Mode, which then shows those horrible AI-generated Frankenstein recipes.
• Google AI Overviews Expandable Drop Downs
  Google seems to be rolling out a new format for some of the AI Overviews it shows within search. This format shows a drop-down, expandable, accordion-style interface that you can expand to show more.
• Loading Content With JavaScript Does Not Make It Harder For Google Search
  Google has removed a whole section from its JavaScript SEO documentation because it was outdated and Google says loading content with JavaScript does not make it hard for Google Search.
• Google Adds Build to Order Attribute For Vehicle Listings
  Google has added a new attribute to the Google Merchant Center availability options within vehicle listings. The new one is named "Build to order" and only works for Google Vehicle ads.
• Google Sound Immersion
  Google had some "Sound Immersion" event at the Google visitor center at the GooglePlex in Mountain View, California. Here are some of the bowls and equipment that was there.

Other Great Search Threads:

• No discussion of tech media can get past this basic traffic fact:<< in the AI world, Google and social no longer refer traffic, which means that the vast majority of readers just never find you in the first place. Analysis:, Danny Crichton on X
• How We Know Google Trusts BBB Accredited Businesses, Local Search Forum
• I'm happy to share that I'm starting a new position as Corporate Vice President - Search Growth and Experiences at Microsoft!, Michael Schechter on LinkedIn
• One thing that will throw "tests" like this off is that there are a number of sites out there that link to all known llms txt files, so over time they'll just get crawled and used like any other text file you might have. A self linked cats.txt can be just, John Mueller on Bluesky
• SEO Tip: don't just submit the sitemap index file in Google Search Console, you'll need to submit all important sitemaps individually also. When I get access to a client's GSC, often for very large sites, I unfortunately don't always h, Brodie Clark on X

Search Engine Land Stories:

• Google AI Mode updates recipe results to better connect people with recipe creators
• Google Ads status dashboard flags Ad Manager reporting issue
• Google Merchant Center adds 'build to order' for vehicle listings
• Are your PPC ads still authentic in the age of AI creative?
• Google removes accessibility section from JavaScript SEO section
• Google to disable Customer Match uploads in Ads API
• Click fraud in Google Ads: Where exposure rises and how to reduce it
• Google Ads retargeting: A guide to your data segments
• How to turn Claude Code into your SEO command center
• WebMCP explained: Inside Chrome 146's agent-ready web preview
• New Google help document says frequent crawling is a good sign

Other Great Search Stories:

AI & LLMs

• Gemini Said They Could Only Be Together if He Killed Himself. Soon, He Was Dead., Wall Street Journal
• How Google and Taiwan are building an AI blueprint for public health, Google Blog
• NotebookLM adds Cinematic Video Overviews, Google Blog
• OpenAI pushes to add surveillance safeguards following Pentagon deal, Financial Times (Sub)
• OpenAI's Next AI Model Will Have 'Extreme' Reasoning, The Information
• ChatGPT Health 'under-triaged' half of medical emergencies in a new study, NBC News
• OpenAI Scales Back Shopping Plans for ChatGPT, The Information

Industry & Business

• 2026 National Teachers of the Year visit Google, Google Blog
• Epic, Google Settlement Would Let Rivals Access Play Store App Catalog, Bloomberg
• Google Gemini AI told user stage 'mass casualty attack,' suit claims, CNBC
• Google responds to wrongful death lawsuit of man talking to Gemini, 9to5Google
• News Corp, Meta in AI Content Licensing Deal Worth Up to $50 Million a Year, Wall Street Journal
• Nvidia CEO Huang says $30 billion OpenAI investment 'might be the last', CNBC
• Perplexity inks CoreWeave deal to use Nvidia Grace Blackwell-powered clusters., Axios
• Tech giants sign energy pledge at White House ahead of midterms, Reuters
• Tim Sweeney signed away his right to criticize Google until 2032, The Verge
• New York considers bill that would ban chatbots from giving legal, medical advice, StateScoop
• Our statement on the Gavalas lawsuit, Google Blog

Links & Content Marketing

• AI Content Decay: Why Your Content Loses Accuracy & How to Fix It, WordStream
• Earned Media Belongs in AI Search Strategy, Content Marketing Institute
• Why This CMO Ungated Everything and What Happened Next, Content Marketing Institute

Local & Maps

• Drive with Star Trek on Waze, Google Blog
• Google Maps Feeling Outdated: MapQuest Navigation App Updated With New-Gen Features, AutoEvolution

SEO

• Debunking and Demystifying Generative Information Retrieval: Misinformation in The SEO Space, Women in Tech SEO
• Focus Keywords: What They Are, and How to Choose the Right One, Ahrefs
• How to Focus on Topics (Not Keywords) in Your SEO Strategy, Ahrefs
• Static vs. Sticky vs. Sticky-on-Scroll-Up Navigation: Which One Should Your Website Use?, Igniting Business
• Tech Publications Lost 58% of Google Traffic Since 2024, Growtika
• The 4 key challenges of AI search measurement, STAT Search Analytics
• Why Discover Drops: Metadata, Filters, Experiments, Grumpy Old SEO

PPC

• Google Ad Cases Show How Binding Government Judgments Shape MDLs, Bloomberg
• Google Merchant Center Adds 'Build to Order' Availability Attribute for Vehicle Listings, FeedArmy
• Micro Conversions for Google Ads: Build a Quality Traffic Metric Using GTM, KP Playbook
• Microsoft Advertising Activate: Full Event Overview, PPC News Feed
• OpenAI Held Early Talks With The Trade Desk to Sell Ads, The Information
• When Google Forwarding Numbers Fail: A Troubleshooting Guide for PPC Managers, ZATO PPC Marketing

Search Features

• Canvas in AI Mode launches for everyone in the U.S., Google Blog

Feedback:

Have feedback on this daily recap; let me know on Twitter @rustybrick or @seroundtable, on Threads, Mastodon and Bluesky and you can follow us on Facebook and on Google News, add as a preferred source on Google and make sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or just contact us the old fashion way.

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.

OpenAI launched GPT5.3 Instant which can show fewer links in ChatGPT web search. Google has a new help document on how Google crawling works. Google is testing bolding site names in the search results. Google is showing wider images for some travel queries. Google Discover feed does show more social media posts.

Search Engine Roundtable Stories:

• ChatGPT's GPT-5.3 Instant May Show Fewer Links In Web Search Results
  OpenAI announced GPT-5.3 Instant and said it "delivers more accurate answers, richer and better-contextualized results when searching the web, and reduces unnecessary dead ends, caveats, and overly declarative phrasing that can interrupt the flow of conversation."
• New Google Help Doc About Google's Web Crawling
  Google has posted a new help document named Things to know about Google's web crawling. This document currently lists 9 things on how Google's web crawling works.
• Google Tests Bold Site Names In Search Results
  Google is testing bolding the site names in the search results. We've seen Google bold many other elements of the search result snippet, but I don't think I've covered Google testing bolding the site name portion of the search snippet.
• Google Search Wider Images For Some Travel Queries
  Google Search may have rolled out an update for the images it shows in the search results All tab. For some queries, Google is showing a full-width image pack, but with only four wider images, not the five images we saw before.
• Google Confirms Discover Feed Shows More Social Posts
  Google has reportedly confirmed that the Google Discover feed has recently increased how often it shows social media posts in the feed. We covered this in January, and while we know Google does show social media in the Discover feed, it seems Google is more likely to show these social media posts more often now.
• Cute Hallway To Google Cafe
  Here is a cute hallway at one of the Google offices that leads to one of the cafes at Google. I mean, this is all decked out. I found this on Instagram.

Other Great Search Threads:

• FeedFetcher-Google running amok, WebmasterWorld
• I just want to clarify that there are no changes to how Search and PMax campaigns interact when AI Max is enabled., Ginny Marvin on LinkedIn
• PSA: we are turning down Gemini 3 Pro next Monday March 9th. You can upgrade to 3.1 Pro Preview which improves on lots of the things folks gave feedback about on the first Gemini 3 rev. Please keep the feedback coming, Logan Kilpatrick on X
• The "300k" refers to pixel count, which should be a reasonable low bar., John Mueller on Bluesky
• The case study: scaling AI content is working! The reality, Lily Ray on X

Search Engine Land Stories:

• Google Ads API enforces daily minimum budget for Demand Gen campaigns
• The AI engine pipeline: 10 gates that decide whether you win the recommendation
• Google Ads' three-strikes system: Managing warnings, strikes, and suspension
• Meta introduces click and engage-through attribution updates
• Content marketing in an AI era: From SEO volume to brand fame
• 4 CRO strategies that work for humans and AI
• Google launches non-skippable Video Reach campaigns for connected TV

Other Great Search Stories:

AI & LLMs

• Claude Code rolls out a voice mode capability, TechCrunch
• Google's fastest and cheapest model Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite got smarter but also tripled the price, The Decoder
• LLMs Don't Care Who Ranks First, Brainlabs
• OpenAI Is Developing an Internal Alternative to Microsoft's GitHub, The Information
• OpenAI Ships GPT-5.3 Instant With 27% Fewer Hallucinations and a Less Preachy Tone, Implicator

Industry & Business

• Google behind proposed Hermantown data center, Duluth News Tribune
• OpenAI makes changes to 'opportunistic and sloppy' Pentagon deal, Financial Times (Sub)
• Sam Altman tells OpenAI staff 'operational decisions' up to government, CNBC

Links & Content Marketing

• Blogging Still Works - An SEO Case Study and Split Test, Adam Riemer
• Closing content gaps to improve AI search visibility, Oncrawl
• Gated content in a world of zero-click discovery, Hallam
• How to effectively govern AI use in content teams, SALT agency

Local & Maps

• Google Maps for Android rolling out gradient icon redesign, 9to5Google
• South Korea to finally get fully functioning Google Maps, South China Morning Post

SEO

• Are Crawl Issues or Errors Hurting Your SEO? 5 Common Problems and How to Fix Them, BruceClay
• From SEO to GEO: AI's 2026 Outlook for Online Retail, HackerNoon
• How to Use JavaScript to Automate SEO, Jose Luis Hernando Sanz
• Plunging Google Discover traffic hits Reach digital revenue, Press Gazette
• Quick Wins for Spring and Summer Rankings, Koozai
• SEO's 5 Stages Of Grief (& How To Adapt to AI SEO), Ahrefs
• Straight From the (AI) Source: Is AEO/GEO different than SEO? Google, Microsoft, and others explain how to be visible in AI search [Quotes, videos, articles, and more], GSQI

PPC

• AI Ads Are Here: The Biggest Opportunity Since Google AdWords, MeasureU
• How to Choose a Google Ads Agency: Hire the Team, Not Just the Proposal, ZATO PPC Marketing
• New Subscription Options for Physical Goods in Google Merchant Center, FeedArmy
• Offline Conversion Tracking: The Complete Guide for PPC Experts, PPC News Feed
• The Ultimate Guide to AI Max for Google Search, Smarter Ecommerce
• Unusual Recommendation to Target a Broader Audience, PPC News Feed

Search Features

• Get features faster with Chrome's two-week release cycle, Chrome for Developers
• Google Adds Apple-Like Call Screens, Bag Tracking to Android, Bloomberg
• GPT-5.3 Instant: Smoother, more useful everyday conversations, OpenAI

Other Search

• Amid new competition, Chrome speeds up its release schedule, TechCrunch
• Big Google Home update lets Gemini describe live camera feeds, The Verge
• Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite: Our most cost-effective AI model yet, Google Blog

Feedback:

Have feedback on this daily recap; let me know on Twitter @rustybrick or @seroundtable, on Threads, Mastodon and Bluesky and you can follow us on Facebook and on Google News, add as a preferred source on Google and make sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or just contact us the old fashion way.

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 AI Mode's sidebar links do not send referrer; Google is looking into it. Google is testing colors for knowledge panel sections. Google updated its help documents to say how to influence your preferred image thumbnail in Search and Discover. Google Ads and Merchant Center updated several of its policy documents. Google added a new help document in Google Ads for Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP).

Search Engine Roundtable Stories:

• How Google Search & Google Discover Picks Image Thumbnails
  Google updated its image SEO best practices and Google Discover documentation to clarify how Google picks a preferred image thumbnail for Google Search and Google Discover. Google wrote it "uses both schema.org markup and the og:image meta tag as sources when determining image thumbnails in Google Search and Discover."
• Google AI Mode Sidebar Links Don't Pass Referrers - Google To Fix
  Google AI Mode doesn't always pass referrer data from the links on the sidebar. This is supposedly being looked at by the Google Search team and hopefully will be fixed soon, if not, already.
• Google Knowledge Panels With Colored Table Elements Sections Rolling Out
  Google seems to be rolling out colorful sections in the knowledge panels. Sometimes you will see gray, sometimes blue, sometimes orange and sometimes green and maybe more. We saw this on mobile over a decade ago, so this does seem new, especially on desktop.
• Google Updates Alcohol, Prescription Drugs, Gambling & Government Policies
  Google has updated or is updating a number of Google Ads and Google Merchant Center policies. This goes across alcohol, prescription drugs, gambling and games and government documents and services policies.
• Google Help Document On Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) Checkout
  Google has published a new help document titled About the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) and UCP-powered checkout feature on Google. This was published in the Google Merchant Center help documentation section.
• Dressed As Animal Musicians At Google Office
  I am really not sure what is going on here but here are some folks dressed up as animals, a horse and panda bear, playing music at the Google office.

Other Great Search Threads:

• At some point we miscounted, and we've been pushing through ever since. No ragrets. :-), John Mueller on Bluesky
• 9 SEO Predictions for 2026 From People Watching Google Daily, Peaklora
• AdSense Earnings and Observations - March 2026, WebmasterWorld

Search Engine Land Stories:

• Google expands recurring billing policy
• Google uses both schema.org markup and og:image meta tag for thumbnails in Google Search and Discover
• Own your branded search: Building a competitive PPC defense
• How to revise your old content for AI search optimization
• Google publishes Universal Commerce Protocol help page
• How Google's Universal Commerce Protocol changes ecommerce SEO
• How to increase Google Discover traffic with technical fixes

Other Great Search Stories:

AI & LLMs

• Copilot Tasks:<< From Answers<< to Actions, Microsoft Copilot Blog
• How OpenAI caved to the Pentagon on AI surveillance, The Verge
• What is Query Fan-Out? Understanding the Hidden Queries Driving AI Search, Ahrefs

Analytics

• Why Your CAPI Setup Isn't Enough Anymore (Meta Signals Gateway), MeasureU

Industry & Business

• Apple Discusses Google Hosting New Siri as Need for Cloud Help Grows, The Information
• ChatGPT uninstalls surged by 295% after DoD deal, TechCrunch
• State Department switches to OpenAI chatbot as US agencies start phasing out Anthropic, Reuters
• What Rights Do AI Companies Have in Government Contracts?, Jessica Tillipman
• Ex-Google CEO Wins Stay Of Sexual Assault, Surveillance Suit, Law360

Links & Content Marketing

• B2B Marketers on the Move Winter 2026 Edition Celebrating Talent, TopRank
• Content Marketing Measurement in 2026: The Audience Trust Index, Content Marketing Institute

Local & Maps

• How To:<< Track Google Business Profile Listing Traffic, Dave Ashworth
• Local Service Ads Direct Business Search, JumpFly

SEO

• First study on the impact of AI Overviews on Spanish Publishers, Clara Soteras
• How to use embeddings to map hreflang tags at scale, Gus Pelogia
• Future-Proofing SEO: Technical Depth and Strategic Clarity in 2026 | Tory Gray, Advanced Web Ranking
• Google Zero is a Lie, SEO for Google News
• How to Use Entity-Based Topics to Prove Market Authority and Mitigate Risk, Schema App
• LLMs.txt GEO experiment: How AI models crawl websites, Reboot
• Measuring Web Accessibility from Crawl Archives, Common Crawl - Blog
• Pagination, Load More, or Infinite Scroll, Ilana Davis
• The Problem With Topic Clusters: Why Organizing By Page Is Insufficient, Schema App
• Update: 38% of AI Overview Citations Pull From Top 10 Pages, Ahrefs
• What Is B2B SEO and Why It Matters for Growth, Onely
• What is podcast SEO?, WTF is SEO?

PPC

• AI in Online Advertising: 5 Key Trends From February 2026, JumpFly
• Automation Drift: The Google Ads Problem That Looks Like Success, Hopskip Media
• Google Highly Recommends 1500x1500 Images for Product Feeds, PPC News Feed
• Recent transition to IAB TCF v2.3, Google AdSense Help
• VRC Non-Skip Ads reach general availability, Google Blog

Search Features

• New Research: Search Happens Everywhere; an Analysis of 41 Websites with Significant Search Activity, SparkToro

Other Search

• Google Home rolling out new Gemini, smart home updates, 9to5Google
• Wikipedia vs Grokipedia: 5x the Pages, 70x the Citations, 1615x the Traffic, Ahrefs

Feedback:

Have feedback on this daily recap; let me know on Twitter @rustybrick or @seroundtable, on Threads, Mastodon and Bluesky and you can follow us on Facebook and on Google News, add as a preferred source on Google and make sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or just contact us the old fashion way.

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.

There is a Google patent document that implies Google Search might send searchers to AI-generated page of your site, and not your web page. Google search ranking volatility is heated into March. Publishers may be able to control their Google Discover profiles. Google Ads has this sponsored options in this area style. And I posted the monthly Google webmaster report.

Search Engine Roundtable Stories:

• Google Patent: Sending Searchers To AI-Generated Pages Over Your Site
  There is a Google patent named AI-generated content page tailored to a specific user. It describes the use of AI to create custom landing pages and when a user performs a search, Google Search sends the user to the AI-generated page instead of the page on the company's website.
• Google Search Ranking Volatility Heated Into March
  Google Search rankings remain heated into March - I mean, I can post about this every day but now I am at the point of just doing it weekly. We thought things might be cooling a bit, but the volatility really has not cooled...
• Will Google To Allow Publishers To Claim Google Discover Profiles
  Google might be allowing publishers to claim their profiles and publications on Google Discover. I mean, there were forms of this for Google News, Google Business Profiles, even Google Search over the years, but there are hints this is coming to Google Discover.
• March 2026 Google Webmaster Report
  Are you ready for the monthly Google Webmaster report? Well, here is the March 2026 edition, where I sum up all the larger Google organic changes in one story, as a recap for you and me. First off was the first ever...
• Google Ads Label: Sponsored Options In The Area
  Google Ads has often used dynamic labels for some of the ad groupings. I mean, we've seen tons of variations of these and I am not sure if they mean anything specific. But here is one that caught my eye, this is titled "Sponsored options in the area."
• Mall Art Of Google's Cofounder & Other CEOs
  Here are photos from Paige Bailey of Google who went to a mall and noticed that some of the mall art is of founders and CEOs of Google, Microsoft, Facebook and other tech companies.

Other Great Search Threads:

• Google Ads has been unbearably slow for so long that I'm beginning to believe it's intentional., Greg on X
• Google Translate is getting new AI-powered updates that provide more context and clearer nuances for your translations. English is my second language and this would've been a lifesaver when I was learning English. You can now:, Rose Yao on X

Search Engine Land Stories:

• The latest jobs in search marketing
• Microsoft Ads launches self-serve negative keyword lists
• Google publishes new Google Ads passkey help doc
• Google patent hints it could replace your landing pages with AI versions
• OpenAI: ChatGPT now has 900 million weekly active users
• You can now build PPC tools in minutes with vibe coding
• How to build a context-first AI search optimization strategy
• The dark SEO funnel: Why traffic no longer proves SEO success
• How to become an SEO freelancer without underpricing or burning out

Other Great Search Stories:

AI & LLMs

• Scaling AI for everyone, OpenAI
• SRO & Grounding Snippets, DEJAN

Analytics

• Schedule Emails in GA4, KRM Digital Marketing
• Subdomain Traffic in GA4, KRM Digital Marketing

Industry & Business

• Amazon, OpenAI announce strategic partnership, Amazon
• Google acquires 900-hectare site in Finland for data center development, Data Center Dynamics
• Microsoft and OpenAI joint statement on continuing partnership, The Official Microsoft Blog
• OpenAI closes $110 billion funding round in largest private financing, CNBC
• OpenAI to Raise an Additional $10 Billion in Funding From Financial Investors, The Information
• Pentagon approves OpenAI safety red lines after dumping Anthropic, Axios

Links & Content Marketing

• 5 Content Marketing Ideas for April 2026, Practical Ecommerce

Local & Maps

• This underrated Google Maps feature solved my biggest navigation frustration, Android Police
• New Google Maps Alternative: MapQuest Navigation App Gets Update With Essential Features, AutoEvolution
• Waze vs Google Maps: Which app has the best incident reporting?, Tom's Guide

SEO

• Bing's AI Performance Report Is a Start, Momentic
• Cultivating a robust and efficient quantum-safe HTTPS, Google Online Security Blog
• Top SEO Tips For 2026, Moz
• Black Hat SEO 2.0: How Manipulation Is Evolving for LLMs, Dagmar Marketing
• SEO Myths Debunked: Footer Links Don't Count For SEO, Nikki Pilkington

PPC

• Google Updates Ad Scheduling Budget Pacing: What to Know, Cypress North
• Minimum Budget Requirement for Demand Gen Campaigns, Google Ads Developer Blog
• See new Demand Gen best practices with February's Drop, Google Blog
• Shopify's New Data Sharing Settings. What Every Merchant Needs to Know, FeedArmy

Search Features

• Like It Or Not, Google Is Slowly Stair-Stepping Us Into AI Mode, Nectiv

Feedback:

Have feedback on this daily recap; let me know on Twitter @rustybrick or @seroundtable, on Threads, Mastodon and Bluesky and you can follow us on Facebook and on Google News, add as a preferred source on Google and make sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or just contact us the old fashion way.

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.

The Google Discover core update from February 2026 has finished rolling out after 3 weeks. Google Ads text guidelines for AI Max is now rolled out. Microsoft Advertising launched self-service negative keyword lists. Google is testing web mentions in the retailer store pages. Bing is testing a two by two video grid layout. There are two new videos from Google, one on HTML parsing and the other on ad experiences in search. Plus, I posted my video recap today.

Search Engine Roundtable Stories:

• February 2026 Google Discover Core Update Is Done Rolling Out After 3 Weeks
  Google's February 2026 Google Discover Core Update has officially completed rolling out after just over 3 weeks. This update started on February 5, 2026, and was completed on February 27, 2026.
• Google Ads Text Guidelines Rolling Out To All In AI Max
  Google Ads is rolling out text guidelines for all advertisers globally in AI Max. We thought the rollout started more broadly last October, after it was announced last September, but now it is really fully rolling out.
• Microsoft Advertising Rolls Out Self-Service Negative Keyword Lists
  Microsoft Advertising has now rolled out the self-serve negative keyword lists. This launched a couple of days ago and was announced by Navah Hopkins, the Microsoft Ads Liaison.
• Google Tests Web Mentions In Retailer Store Pages
  Google is testing adding "web mentions" to the retailer store page under the reviews section. I cannot replicate this yet, but web mentions shows what people are saying about the retailer on sites like Reddit and other social platforms, whereas reviews are reviews left on Google.
• Videos: Google Search On HTML & Google Ads On Search Experiences
  The Google Search team and the Google Ads team released two different videos this week that I thought you should all listen to, at least in the background. In short, Martin Splitt and Gary Illyes from the Google Search team spoke about how browsers parse HTML. Ginny Marvin and Ads UI Product Manager Abby Butler and Search Ads UX Lead Adam Bullock spoke about search experiences with search ads.
• Bing Tests 2x2 Video Grid Layout
  Microsoft Bing Search is testing a new layout for videos within the search results. Instead of a list view, Bing is testing a two-by-two grid layout.
• Google's CEO, Sundar Pichai Playing Cricket
  Here is a photo of the CEO of Google, Sundar Pichai, playing cricket AI Impact Summit in India. He shared the photo on Instagram and wrote, "Even managed to get a bit of cricket in too."
• Video: Google Discover Core Update Done, Search Volatility, Search Serving Bug, AI Prompt Injection, Google Ads, Local & Bing
  This week, we covered the competition of the Google Discover core update. Also gave a status update on the Google Search volatility. Google had a brief serving issue with Google Search. Google is testing showing vertical...

Other Great Search Threads:

• AFAIK this is what they place in all links in their output, so if someone just copies a link and puts it online in a publicly accessable way, that would be normal. For canonicalization, we have this pretty comprehensive doc, John Mueller on Bluesky
• Are AI content tools tanking their customer's rankings? I recently discovered the term "Mount AI" - and I love it! It perfectly describes what happens when a website starts to publish large amounts of AI-written content. First a, Malte Landwehr on X
• Sorry to hear - feel free to DM me the site, but fundamentally, this can happen, and sometimes it just takes a lot of time to settle down. There many different setups, rebranding / migrating isn't always trivial or fast., John Mueller on Bluesky

Search Engine Land Stories:

• How to see AI search prompts inside Google Search Console
• Google February 2026 Discover core update is now complete
• Google Nano Banana 2 promises smarter, faster image generation
• ChatGPT ads expand as more brands and trigger patterns emerge
• How to use Google Ads Performance Planner and Reach Planner
• How to use AI response patterns to build better content
• 4 strategic paid search pivots to survive Google's AI Overviews
• ChatGPT ecommerce traffic converts 31% higher than non-branded organic search
• Google expands AI Max text guidelines globally
• Google's spam update vs. AI affiliate sites: An SEO experiment
• What industry data reveals about the impact of Google's AI Overviews on paid search

Other Great Search Stories:

AI & LLMs

• Google AI Training for Massachusetts Residents, Google Blog
• How to Monitor Brand Mentions in ChatGPT, Ahrefs
• OpenClaw Users Are Allegedly Bypassing Anti-Bot Systems, Wired
• Perplexity may have built a better OpenClaw, The Deep View
• What Not To Buy: Performing Negative AI Searches, iPullRank

Analytics

• Data-Driven vs. Data-Informed: Why the Distinction Matters, KP Playbook

Industry & Business

• Amazon's OpenAI Investment Could Link Funding to IPO or AGI, The Information
• Baidu Profit Drops as Revenue Decline Continues, Wall Street Journal
• Google Prevails As Judge Tosses Weisner Patent Suit, Law360
• Google said hiring will begin soon for West Memphis data center, Local Memphis
• OpenAI to make London its biggest research hub outside US, Reuters
• Google Workers Seek 'Red Lines' on Military A.I., Echoing Anthropic, New York Times

Links & Content Marketing

• Enterprise Marketers' Biggest Content Problems, Content Marketing Institute

Local & Maps

• When Should You Keep That Google Business Profile Page Unverified?, Local Visibility System
• Consumers Want Real World Accountability for Fake Reviews: 2026 Survey Insights, BrightLocal
• Google Wins Conditional Nod From Seoul Over Map Data Request, Bloomberg

SEO

• 5 SEO Priorities That Matter More Than Ever, Bruce Clay
• How Browsers Really Parse HTML (and What That Means for SEO), Search Off the Record
• How to Find AI Visibility Gaps with Semrush, Semrush
• Publishers can't tell if Google's Preferred Sources benefits them, Digiday
• The Most Underrated Retail SEO Levers for 2026: What Experts Really Think, Search Pilot
• AI SEO Statistics: How AI And LLMs Are Changing SEO, Search Logistics
• The Bing AI Index Gap: How AI is Citing Not Index Pages [Study], Indexing Insight

PPC

• Additional changes for supporting European Union Political Ads Regulation in Google Ads API and Google Ads scripts, Google Ads Developer Blog
• Creator Partnerships Section Now Populated, PPC News Feed
• Google Ads Adds Landing Page Image Examples for PMax, PPC News Feed
• Google Ads Strengthens Account Security With Passkeys, PPC News Feed
• Introducing Google Ads API Developer Assistant v2.0, Google Ads Developer Blog
• The Gemini advantage on Google Marketing Platform, Google Blog
• Google Ads Adds Direct Support Contact on Help Hub, PPC News Feed

Search Features

• Gemini 3 Wipes Out 42% of Previously Cited Domains from AI Overviews, SE Ranking
• Google Translate uses AI to provide context for translations, Google Blog

Other Search

• Nano Banana 2: Google's latest AI image generation model, Google Blog
• Smartphone market set for biggest-ever decline in 2026 on memory price surge, IDC says, Reuters

Feedback:

Have feedback on this daily recap; let me know on Twitter @rustybrick or @seroundtable, on Threads, Mastodon and Bluesky and you can follow us on Facebook and on Google News, add as a preferred source on Google and make sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or just contact us the old fashion way.

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 Circle to Search sees the whole picture now. Google Ads API version 23.1 is now available. Bing updated its Webmaster Guidelines. Google is testing displaying vertical search services in the EU, again. Google Posts recurring scheduling is coming soon.

Search Engine Roundtable Stories:

• Google Circle to Search Looks At The Whole Image
  Google announced updates to Circle to Search where it now doesn't just look at the part you circles but apparently the whole image, so it can get more context. "New multi-object image search helps you find more items from one picture at the same time in Circle to Search," Google explained.
• Microsoft Updates Bing Webmaster Guidelines (A Bit)
  Microsoft has updated the design of the Bing Webmaster Guidelines section and changed some of the verbiage. I think overall these are smaller updates, but I have not gone through every single change to double-check as of yet.
• Google To Test Showing Vertical Search Services In EU
  Reuters has a headline that reads Exclusive: Google to test changes to search results, source says as EU fine looms. This confuses me because I thought Google had been testing this for a couple of years now.
• Google Post Recurring Scheduling Coming
  Recently, Google rolled out the ability to schedule Google Posts. Supposedly, soon, Google will also roll out recurring scheduling for posts. So you can set a Google Post to repeat and post over and over again on a schedule.
• Google Ads API Version 23.1 Now Available
  Google has released a minor version update to the Google Ads API, version 23.1. This update has changes to account management, campaigns, conversions, incentives, planning, reporting and more.
• Google Construction Worker Yellow Jacket
  It seems Google is expanding the Google office in London, maybe code named Unit 3. Here are some folks wearing yellow Google branded construction worker jackets and white hats.

Other Great Search Threads:

• Another area where Reddit is surging: COUPONS -> Reddit: A Major Surge in Coupon Search Visibility in 2025 From the post: For the 59 query brands covered by both Reddit and CouponBirds: *Reddit provides valid coupon codes for 25% (15, Glenn Gabe on X
• Rippling's AEO strategy lives at the corner between genius + spam. They create comparisons around ALL of their competitors, but turn the conversation towards Rippling at every turn. Goal: Have AI insert Rippling into conversations..., Chris Long on X
• Update on ChatGPT Ads: Adthena is seeing an uptick in activity. Their CMO posted more examples this afternoon on LinkedIn of ads they are seeing and pinged me there. Advertisers spotted so far: - Best Buy - AT&T - Pottery B, Glenn Gabe on X

Search Engine Land Stories:

• OpenAI COO says ChatGPT ad rollout will be 'iterative'
• Google to change budget pacing for campaigns using ad scheduling
• What 13 months of data reveals about LLM traffic, growth, and conversions
• How Google Discover qualifies, ranks, and filters content: Research
• The AI writing tics that hurt engagement: A study
• Anthropic clarifies how Claude bots crawl sites and how to block them
• How ChatGPT uses SEO to drive growth and revenue
• How to read Meta Ads metrics like a system, not a scoreboard
• Google fixed a serving issue with search results

Other Great Search Stories:

AI & LLMs

• ChatGPT Traffic Converts 31% Better than Non-Branded Organic Search (94 eCommerce Sites Analyzed), Visibility Labs
• Does AI Recommendation Poisoning Work? Not How You Think..., Nikki Pilkington
• Flow updates: New changes to Google AI video editing tool, Google Blog
• Gemini on Android lets you assign multi-step tasks, Google Blog

Analytics

• 5 GTM Server-Side Tracking Mistakes That Kill Your Data (And How to Fix Them), MEasureU
• Underrated Features of GA4, KRM Digital Marketing

Industry & Business

• 'Conflicting' Claims Threaten Google ERISA Suit, Judge Hints, Law360
• AI Startup Perplexity Says Dow Jones Badgered Its Bot in Court Fight, Business Insider
• Alphabet-owned robotics software company Intrinsic joins Google, TechCrunch
• Google disrupts Chinese-linked hackers that attacked 53 groups globally, Reuters
• Google pushes energy innovation, Axios
• Google Wins Second Shot To Trim <<£14B Ad Tech Class Action, Law360

Links & Content Marketing

• Build This Proven Demand-Gen System in 39 Days, Content Marketing Institute
• Is Your Website a Lead Machine or a Digital Brochure?, Compass Digital Strategies

Local & Maps

• Google Maps might let you restyle Street View with Nano Banana, 9to5Google

SEO

• How Agencies Use Semrush for AI Visibility, Semrush
• Red Flags Your B2B SEO Agency Is Taking The Piss, Nikki Pilkington
• The Listicle Window Is Closing in AI Search: 30% Decline MoM, Seer Interactive
• The Secret Engine Behind ChatGPT? It's Google, Ann Smarty

PPC

• 7 Customer Retention Strategies to Earn Loyalty (& Save Money), WordStream
• Data Analysis of Geo-Experiments for Google Ads, Pure Visibility
• OpenAI COO says ads will be 'an iterative process', TechCrunch
• Reimagining Search ads experiences, Google Blog
• The PPC information funnel: Stop drowning in updates, PPC Live

Search Features

• Google to test changes to search results, source says as EU fine looms, Reuters
• Projects: Chats and Sources tabs, ChatGPT Release Notes

Other Search

• Samsung Galaxy S26 devices get the latest Android AI features, Google Blog

Feedback:

Have feedback on this daily recap; let me know on Twitter @rustybrick or @seroundtable, on Threads, Mastodon and Bluesky and you can follow us on Facebook and on Google News, add as a preferred source on Google and make sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or just contact us the old fashion way.

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 had a brief serving outage with Google Search this morning. Google AI Shopping is pushing more products. Google AI Mode has see more button for shopping results. Google Business Profiles verification flow should be used with caution. Anthropic updates its crawler documentation.

Search Engine Roundtable Stories:

• Google Search Brief Serving Issue This Morning
  Google had a brief issue with serving search results this morning, February 25th. Google documented the issue at around 1:30 am ET on Wednesday, February 25th and said it was resolved a minute later.
• Careful With Google Business Profile Verification Flow
  Some time ago, Google updated the flow for the Google Business Profile verification. And the issue is, if you fill it out wrong, it can have consequences for that Google business listing in the future.
• Anthropic Updates Crawler Docs: ClaudeBot, Claude-User & SearchBot
  Anthropic updates its crawler documentation explaining what its crawlers do, and what blocking them will result in. Anthropic has three primary bots and they include ClaudeBot, Claude-User and Claude-SearchBot.
• Google AI Shopping Pushing Show More Products
  Google's AI Shopping tab is now pushing shoppers and searchers to find more products. The prompt responses to your queries can display "Show more products" and other links to get you to view more products.
• Google AI Mode See More Button
  Google is showing a "See more" button in some of the AI Mode results. This has been happening for almost the past month on desktop and probably mobile. It seems to come up more often for shopping related results, to load more products from the Google Shopping Graph.
• Table Tennis Program At Google
  Google launched some sort of table tennis program at the Google offices in London. The Art of Ping Pong posted some photos of people playing ping pong at the office and posted the images on Instagram.

Other Great Search Threads:

• Google has added on Google Search's iOS app a new 'Games from Google' section., Radu Oncescu on X
• We decided to make another video warning our readers about Frankenstein recipes if you end up in AI Mode. While making our video our findings were simply horrifying. Google needs to do way better than this! Shout out to @rustybrick, Inspired Taste on X
• Yep, I see this in Chrome Canary now. There's a plus button right in the omnibox that's similar to the one in AI Mode. You can add tabs, files, choose models, etc., and then jump to AI Mode in the Gemini sidebar. More ways to get us, Glenn Gabe on X

Search Engine Land Stories:

• Google Ad Grants now lets nonprofits optimize for shop visits
• Merchant Center becomes a central video hub as Google auto-imports content
• How to keep your content fresh in the age of AI
• AAO: Why assistive agent optimization is the next evolution of SEO
• The perfect local business contact page built for Google and conversions
• How to write paid search ads that outperform your competitors

Other Great Search Stories:

AI & LLMs

• Anthropic Drops Flagship Safety Pledge, TIME
• Implicit Queries in AI Search, DEJAN
• Tech Firms Aren't Just Encouraging Their Workers to Use AI. They're Enforcing It., Wall Street Journal
• What Influences Brand Visibility in AI Search? A Practical Guide for 2026, Onely

Analytics

• Incrementality Measurement Is a Program, Not a Project, Measured

Industry & Business

• Exclusive: As AI threatens search, Profound raises $96 million to help brands stay visible, Fortune
• Google Bets Big on a Novel Technology'"Iron Batteries, Barron's
• Profound raises $96M Series C at $1B valuation to build the marketing platform for the AI era, Profound
• We're expanding our Texas presence with a new data center and clean energy in Wilbarger County., Google Blog

Links & Content Marketing

• Best Practices Are Meaningless Without Audience Research, SparkToro
• Building an internal linking recommender using Python, SERP API, and semantic similarity, Oncrawl
• The Importance of Blogging in an Increasingly AI-Driven Landscape, JumpFly

Local & Maps

• Google Maps 'limited view' heavily restricts signed-out usage, 9to5Google
• The Russians Turning to Google Maps in Search of Missing Soldiers, The New Yorker

SEO

• GSC Index Coverage Extractor: Download All Your Index Reports at Once, Jose Luis Hernando
• Getting started in SEO without the sales pitch, Koozai
• How to Optimize for Google AI Mode: The Enterprise Technical Guide, Onely
• How to Track Competitor Rankings in AI Search, Onely
• SEO Tips for Dynamic Content and Dynamic Sites, Onely
• The 7-Step Guide to Better Healthcare SEO, WordStream
• Google Search Console: Impressions Jump From 10K to 150K While Clicks Drop. What's Happening?, Net Content SEO

PPC

• AI web and zero UI: What your brand should do when the web stops asking you to click, Microsoft Advertising
• Shop Visits Now Trackable as Account Goal in Google Ad Grants, PPC Expo
• Shopify Shows Ads on Behalf of Its Merchants in ChatGPT, The Information
• Want Human Google Ads Support? You Have to Authorize Them to Make Changes to Your Account Now to Get It, PPCChat

Search Features

• Google Discover Architecture: Clusters, Classifiers, OG Tags, NAIADES - What SDK Telemetry Reveals, Metehan
• Google Search now supports Wix Booking services, 9to5Google
• Google turned Chrome's address bar into a full AI prompt box, Phandroid
• Naver Expands AI Powered Search With Image And Multi Source Features, International Search News
• What extraction method is Google using to build grounding snippets?, DEJAN

Other Search

• Google apologises for Baftas alert to 'see more' on racial slur, BBC
• ChatGPT Narrows Naver's Grip On AI Korean Search, International Search News

Feedback:

Have feedback on this daily recap; let me know on Twitter @rustybrick or @seroundtable, on Threads, Mastodon and Bluesky and you can follow us on Facebook and on Google News, add as a preferred source on Google and make sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or just contact us the old fashion way.

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.

Microsoft is fighting against prompt injections which try to manipulate AI engine responses. Google Ads support form requires you to give rights to support reps to make changes to your account. Microsoft Advertising is testing a shopping carousel with multiple images. Microsoft Advertising updated the design of shopping ads in Bing Search. Google is testing removing dates from the articles in Google Discover.

Search Engine Roundtable Stories:

• Microsoft Thwarts AI Prompt Injection Attacks Aimed To Manipulate AI Engines
  Microsoft has implemented and continues to deploy mitigations against prompt injection attacks in Copilot, the company announced last week. Spammers were using the "Summarize with AI" type of buttons to trick AI engines into believing or trusting a specific company or response.
• Google Ads Support Form Requires You To Authorize Google To Make Changes
  Google reportedly updated its Google Ads support contact form to add a disclaimer and checkbox to say you authorize "Google Ads specialist on behalf of your company to make the changes above directly to your company's Google Ads account to reproduce and troubleshoot the issue."
• Microsoft Advertising Tests Shopping Carousel With Multiple Images Toggle
  Microsoft Advertising is testing an update to the shopping ads carousel that can show multiple images in a single card. Essentially, you are seeing a carousel within a carousel for Bing shopping ads.
• Google Tests Removing Dates From Articles In Discover Feed
  Google is testing removing the dates from the articles shown in the Google Discover feed. This is a limited test, Google confirmed, to see the impact of removing the date value.
• Bing Updates Shopping Ads Design
  Microsoft Advertising seems to be testing a new design for the Bing shopping ads carousel. The new design fills the screen more from left to right than the old design and is just wider in general.
• Google Dinosaur Post-it Notes Wall
  Here is a photo from one of the office areas inside the Google office. You can see someone put green post-it notes on the wall, in the shape of a dinosaur.

Other Great Search Threads:

• Google has launched a new UI for the 'Search with Google Lens' feature on Google Chrome., Radu Oncescu on X
• And again, one turn of the knob by Google, and visits from Search plummets -> Why Reddit's Stock Plunged 42% In Past Five Weeks "The number of Reddit daily users in the U.S. who are 'logged in' to the service'"meaning they', Glenn Gabe on X
• Bing is again testing the bold 'Sponsored' tag. They previously tested this in January 2025., Sachin Patel on X
• Crypto update: We more than doubled the number of supported cryptocurrencies with the addition of Stable-coins, DeFi Tokens, Utility Tokens, Real-World Asset Tokens, and Meme Coins in Google Finance: https://t.co/muWFIcWGoc this week., Rose Yao on X
• Interesting find and I wasn't even looking for it... Pathetic over-optimized review shows up in my feedly. Gobs of content. Too much. No author listed... Sets off my internal "this looks AI-generated content" flag. Check the page, y, Glenn Gabe on X
• Quick update: Some of the biggest health and medical sites on the web got hammered by the December 2025 core update and some have dropped even more with the recent volatility. That said, most that dropped have many moving parts SEO-wise, Glenn Gabe on X
• Reminder! Our Google Posts 101 Workshop is this Wednesday! Learn how to use the newly updated Google Posts tool to engage customers. We'll cover best practices and even do a live build! Feb 25 | 9am PT/12pm ET, Google Business Profile on X
• Something I've been wondering about, and I am sure there are lots of different takes on this depending on how you see the topic... On February 5th, Google announced a core update impacting Google Discover (much needed)... But i, Mordy Oberstein on X

Search Engine Land Stories:

• Google Ads support now requires account change authorization
• What it takes to make demand gen work for B2B and ecommerce
• Content scoring tools work, but only for the first gate in Google's pipeline
• SerpApi moves to dismiss Google scraping lawsuit
• The SEO's guide to Google Search Console
• 8 tips for SEO newbies
• Google Search Console page indexing report missing data prior to December 15
• Mastering generative engine optimization in 2026: Full guide

Other Great Search Stories:

AI & LLMs

• Anthropic Accuses Chinese Companies of Siphoning Data From Claude, Wall Street Journal
• Anthropic Education Report: The AI Fluency Index, Anthropic
• Google launches AI literacy training for 6 million U.S. educators, Google Blog
• Manipulating<< AI memory<< for<< profit: The rise of<< AI<< Recommendation Poisoning, Microsoft Security Blog
• The persona selection model, Anthropic

Analytics

• Are You Measuring the Right Things in E-commerce SEO?, Audience Key

Industry & Business

• Anthropic Launches Employee Share Sale Valued Up to $6 Billion, Bloomberg
• Backed by Anthropic, a Super PAC Begins Ad Blitz in Support of A.I. Regulation, New York Times
• Google invests $500 million in Dominican Republic connectivity hub, Data Center Dynamics
• How much did AI boost the economy? Maybe zilch, some economists say., Washington Post
• Inside OpenAI's Scramble to Get Computing Power After Stargate Stalled, The Information
• OpenAI lands deals with consulting giants in enterprise push, CNBC
• OpenAI may be the 'best thing' to happen to Google, analyst says, Fox Business Video
• Pentagon Summons Anthropic Chief in Dispute Over A.I. Limits, New York Times
• Wells Fargo upgrades Google-parent Alphabet, says it has '3 key traits of AI winner', CNBC

Links & Content Marketing

• Content Marketing 2026, eMarketer
• HubSpot supercharges its media engine by buying Starter Story, marte
• Writing for Humans, Algorithms, and LLMs at the Same Time, CommPRO

Local & Maps

• Android Auto 'voice commands aren't available' bug goes wide, 9to5Google
• Video Assets in GMC Now Populated With Videos, PPC News Feed

SEO

• Entity Search, Query Fan-Out, and Practical ML for SEO | Lazarina Stoy, Advanced Web Ranking
• Google Discover Feb 2026 Core Update Scorecard: Data Shows What Actually Changed, Newzdash
• History is repeating itself: The return of Google penalties in the age of AI, SALT agency
• How to Optimize Your Content for LLMs With Semrush, Semrush
• Should You Implement LLMs.txt? Evidence from 9 Websites, OVC Lawyer Marketing
• The Shadow Web, Part 2: LLMs Aren't Reading Your HTML Anyway, QueryBurst
• Tracking OpenAI '" ChatGPT Bots '" A Fresh Guide for Webmasters, Site Owners, and SEO's, SearchEngineWorld
• What is Preferred Sources, SEO For Journalism
• Your Brand Doesn't Exist Unless AI Says It Does, Five Blocks

PPC

• 7 Surprising Findings From Our Study of 15K+ Google Ads Accounts, WordStream
• Is it possible to get daily traffic without ads?, Ilana Davis
• Should you use Smart Bidding or Manual CPC in Google Ads?, Jyll Saskin Gales

Search Features

• Samsung is adding Perplexity to Galaxy AI for its upcoming S26 series, Engadget
• Tips for using Google DeepMind's Lyria 3, Google Blog

Other Search

• Gemini app adds video templates to quick start generation<< , 9to5Google

Feedback:

Have feedback on this daily recap; let me know on Twitter @rustybrick or @seroundtable, on Threads, Mastodon and Bluesky and you can follow us on Facebook and on Google News, add as a preferred source on Google and make sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or just contact us the old fashion way.

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 Search volatility may be starting to cool down a bit. Google Search Console's page indexing report is missing data. Google is sending out notifications for fake or incentivized reviews. Google Business Profiles can have AI generated service lists. Bing is testing new AI responses links and citations. Google says a spike in impressions doesn't cause problems with search. And Google won't use your sitemap file if it isn't convinced of new/important pages.

Search Engine Roundtable Stories:

• Google Search Ranking Volatility Beginning To Cool?
  Some are wondering when the Google Search ranking volatility will begin to cool down a bit. While many of the tools continue to show heated volatility over the past weeks, some are starting to show signs of cooling.
• Google Search Console Page Indexing Report Missing A Chunk Of Data
  The Google Search Console page indexing report seems to be missing a chunk of data. The missing data is from December 15th and earlier, but we do have data from December 15th (14th) through today.
• Google: A Spike In Impressions Doesn't Cause Problems For Search
  Google's John Mueller said a spike/increase in impressions within Google Search Console does not cause any specific problems within Google Search. There are a number of posts where some users are seeing a surge in impressions within Google Search Console but clicks and traffic have not changed.
• Google Won't Use Sitemap Files If Its Not Convinced Of New/Important Content
  Google's John Mueller said that if Google is not convinced that there are new and important content to index on your site, then it won't use the sitemap file on your site. Just because you have a sitemap file, it does not mean Google will index all the pages in that file.
• Google Business Knowledge Panels With AI Generated Services
  We've seen Google use AI for local panel descriptions, menus and more. But now Google is also using AI to generate a list of services a local business offers.
• Google Email: Fake Or Incentivised Reviews Found On Your Business Profile
  Google is now (past few weeks?) sending out emails when it detects fake or incentivised reviews on your Google Business Profile. Google also says it has removed the fake or incentivised reviews that were identified.
• Bing Tests New UI For AI Responses With New Links & References
  Microsoft is testing a new user interface for the Bing Copilot AI responses. The new interface shows these link and references cards both inline and on the right.
• More Photos Of The DeLorean & Hoverboard At Google
  We have seen the DeLorean from the Back to the Future movie at the Google offices numerous times and covered it numerous times. But here is one with the hoverboard and many other photos.

Other Great Search Threads:

• In November 2025, image carousels for Twitter posts were introduced on Google Discover. Here's the same format for LinkedIn posts, with a "view more" link displaying the LinkedIn text and a carousel to view multiple images from, Damien (andell) on X
• Microsoft Advertising sales reps are incoming, hired by Teleperformance, Thomas Eccel on LinkedIn
• Wow, MSFT put out an article about those new 'summarize with AI' buttons you're seeing everywhere. They actually call them 'prompt injection attacks.' Yikes! I've seen a lot of businesses adopting it. Now we now how M, Lily Ray on X
• In the extreme case where Google can't crawl at all, then of course at some point pages start to drop out of the index. For everything else, our systems tend to find a good balance. I don't think it's possible to define an absolute cut-off point, & sites, John Mueller on Bluesky

Search Engine Land Stories:

• The latest jobs in search marketing
• Merchant Center flags feeds disruption
• What's next for PPC: AI, visual creative and new ad surfaces
• How to vibe-code an SEO tool without losing control of your LLM
• Emina Demiri talks surviving firing your biggest client
• AI agents in SEO: A practical workflow walkthrough
• Google now attributes app conversions to the install date
• How to use GA4 and Looker Studio for smarter PPC reporting
• Google Ads shows how landing page images power PMax ads

Other Great Search Stories:

AI & LLMs

• Inside the OpenAI Team Developing its AI Devices, The Information
• Expanded context window for Thinking, ChatGPT Release Notes
• ChatGPT searches in English, even when you don't, Peec AI

Industry & Business

• Google Using Financial Might to Take On Nvidia's AI Chip Dominance, Wall Street Journal
• Google v. SerpApi: We're filing a Motion to Dismiss. Here's why we're in the right., SerpApi
• OpenAI says 18 to 24-year-olds account for nearly 50% of ChatGPT usage in India, TechCrunch
• How will OpenAI compete?, Benedict Evans
• OpenAI resets spend expectations, targets around $600 billion by 2030, CNBC
• Your Shopify Store Could Get You Sued. And You Probably Don't Even Know It, FeedArmy

Links & Content Marketing

• Content marketing jobs are splitting in two, MarTech
• How To Build Proof of Work Into Your B2B Brand Strategy for Trust, Content Marketing Institute

Local & Maps

• Google Maps now with less maps, Boing Boing
• How LLMs Rank Local Businesses: A Study of 'Near Me' Query Citations, Search Atlas

SEO

• AI Mode: Features & Ranking, Moz
• Content Types & Formats That Earn Mentions in LLMs, Onely
• Food and Drink - Top Performers and Trends, SISTRIX
• The December 2025 core update: Observations on 4 sites that did well, Marie Haynes
• This Reverse-Proxy Negative SEO Attack That Can Wipe You Out Overnight, Bill Hartzer
• Why Going Viral Isn't the Flex Your Boss Thinks It Is: How to Craft Content with Purpose, Women in Tech SEO
• Stop trying to rank for keywords, Jono Alderson
• Repeating the Search Meta Pattern, Chris Green
• We ran a controlled experiment on markdown vs. HTML for AI bots. Here's what happened, Profound
• Why Your SEO Strategy Still Matters for AI Search, Sitebulb

PPC

• Perplexity's Retreat From Ads Signals a Bigger Strategic Shift, Wired
• Why Ignore Google Ads Optimization Score?, MarlinSEM
• How to Fix Limited or Missing Local Inventory Data in Google Merchant Center, FeedArmy
• Google Ads API v23.1 Release Highlights Event Announced, PPC News Feed
• Is Google Ads Right for Your Business?, Jyll Saskin Gales

Search Features

• Google brings full AI Mode prompt box to Chrome address bar, 9to5Google

Other Search

• Apple's AI Wearables Push; What to Expect From March 4 Low-End MacBook Launch, Bloomberg
• Wikipedia blacklists Archive.today after alleged DDoS attack, TechCrunch

Feedback:

Have feedback on this daily recap; let me know on Twitter @rustybrick or @seroundtable, on Threads, Mastodon and Bluesky and you can follow us on Facebook and on Google News, add as a preferred source on Google and make sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or just contact us the old fashion way.

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 discourages SEOs from force indexing pages. Google updated its Google Business Profiles reviews policies document. Google Ads budget pacing for ad scheduling has been updated. One person spotted ads in ChatGPT in the wild. Google has this new "Sponsored places" ad unit. And I posted the weekly SEO video recap.

Search Engine Roundtable Stories:

• Google Discourages Force Indexing Pages To Search
  Google's John Mueller said that he discourages large sites from force indexing its pages to Google Search. He said on a comment on LinkedIn, "I strongly recommend not relying on trying to force indexing."
• Google Ads Updates Budget Pacing For Ad Scheduling
  Google sent out an email to some Google Ads advertisers about changes coming to Google Ads budget pacing for ad scheduling. These changes go into effect on March 1, 2026.
• ChatGPT Ads From Expedia Spotted In The Wild
  As you know, OpenAI said they would release ads in ChatGPT and then about ten days ago, said the ads went live for a limited number of users. Since then, we have not seen reports of anyone seeing ads in the wild within ChatGPT until now.
• Google Sponsored Places Search Ad Unit
  Google may be testing a new ad unit named Sponsored Places. I think this is new, I mean, have any of you seen this before in the search results? Instead of it saying "Sponsored results" or a local pack with sponsored listings.
• Google Updated The Business Profile Review Policies
  As I noted in my story yesterday about Google reviews dropping out, Google has updated the Google Business Profiles review policies, the Prohibited & restricted content section.
• Google Top Secret Hallway
  When I visited the Google office in Zurich, I was taken to a Top Secret hallway. How do I know, well, Google labeled it "top secret," so it had to be.
• Video: Google Volatility Heated All Week, Google Reviews Vanishing, AI Overview & AI Mode Links Updated, Google Ads News and more
  This week, we covered that Google Search has been super volatile all week long. Google's John Mueller said they don't really have a bad title black filter in search. It seems a lot of businesses are complaining that Google reviews are disappearing. Google also updated its review policies...

Other Great Search Threads:

• Indexing error in 2.6 Million pages | Please Help, Reddit
• "Testing" makes it sound like someone is poking at it. In reality, sometimes the signals just haven't settled down or gotten clear enough. I guess the visible end result is similar though., John Mueller on Bluesky
• ChatGPT has been sending referral traffic to my UTMs specifically made for Google Ads! More evidence that Open AI uses Google's search results to deliver answers inside ChatGPT., Harpreet on X
• Genius tech bro move: Inventing the paragraph, Calling it a chunk., Gary Illyes on Bluesky
• Google Ads added examples of how Landing Page Images will be used for your PMax campaigns, Thomas Eccel on LinkedIn

Search Engine Land Stories:

• This press release strategy actually earns media coverage
• ChatGPT ads spotted and they are quite aggressive
• Reddit tests AI shopping carousels in search results
• Google Analytics adds AI insights and cross-channel budgeting to Home page
• LLM consistency and recommendation share: The new SEO KPI
• ChatGPT ads collapse the wall between SEO and paid media
• Google launches no-code Scenario Planner built on Meridian MMM
• Retire these 9 SEO metrics before they derail your 2026 strategy
• The authority era: How AI is reshaping what ranks in search

Other Great Search Stories:

AI & LLMs

• Build AI skills: Google AI Professional Certificate, Google Blog
• Gemini 3.1 Pro: Announcing our latest Gemini AI model, Google Blog
• Wyndham Partners with Google and Anthropic for Direct Bookings, Skift
• Is OpenAI Intentionally Distancing Itself from Safety?, Annielytics
• Microsoft has a new plan to prove what's real and what's AI online, MIT Technology Review

Analytics

• Build data agents with Conversational Analytics API, Google Cloud Blog

Industry & Business

• 'Think Carefully': Judge Wary Of Notice Plan In Google Deal, Law360
• Ex-Googlers Charged With Stealing Phone Processor Secrets, Bloomberg
• How Google Play and Android app ecosystems stayed safe in 2025, Google Blog

Links & Content Marketing

• Build Agentic Workflows for Your Content Strategy, Content Marketing Institute

Local & Maps

• Google Gemini will soon tap into Maps for improved location-based answers, Android Police
• Google Maps Update Requires Users to Sign in to View Photos and Read Reviews, Android Headlines

SEO

• EP 244 - AI Visibility vs Google Rankings: Rand Fishkin on the Future of Search, Zero-Click & Brand Measurement, Near Media
• Semantic SEO for AI Search: The Enterprise Guide to Citation-Driven Visibility, Onely
• A Strategic Analysis of Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) and Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP), Advanced Web Ranking
• Analysing and Reconstructing Site Architecture Using Breadcrumbs: A Practical SEO Guide, Screaming Frog

PPC

• Announcing Android Google Mobile Ads SDK 25.0.0, Google Ads Developer Blog
• Google Ads Account Hack: What Now? How To Protect Yourself, Jyll Saskin Gales
• Google Ads CPL Is Up 69%. Most Teams Fix the Wrong Thing, Foundation Inc
• New Meridian tool puts MMM insights directly in marketers' hands., Google Blog
• PPC in 2026: What's Working, What's Risky, and How to Actually Control Performance Max, SearchLab Digital
• The Importance of Lead Quality Scoring for Lead Gen Clients in the World of Automated Bidding, JumpFly
• 20 Predictions for the Future of Digital Marketing, Koozai
• Google Now Attributes Conversions to Install Date, PPC News Feed
• How to use Placement Exclusions in Performance Max (PMax), Smarter Ecommerce

Search Features

• In Case You Saw It: We are Testing a New Shopping Product Experience in Search, Reddit
• Meta reportedly releasing smartwatch, display glasses in 2026, 9to5Google
• When Perplexity's Comet AI browser will come to iPhone, AppleInsider
• Interactive Code Blocks in ChatGPT, ChatGPT Release Notes

Other Search

• New features in Chrome for work, life and everything in between, Google Blog
• Pomelli, now creates studio-quality marketing assets., Google Blog

Feedback:

Have feedback on this daily recap; let me know on Twitter @rustybrick or @seroundtable, on Threads, Mastodon and Bluesky and you can follow us on Facebook and on Google News, add as a preferred source on Google and make sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or just contact us the old fashion way.