We hope you are in good health. Here are some of the major SEO news updates of the week that you need to know:
Search Related News and Updates from Major Search Engine
Google Rolls Out September 2026 Spam Update Globally
Google launched the September 2026 Spam Update on September 24, 2026, rolling it out globally across all languages. Google describes it as a normal spam update focused on its existing spam detection systems, with the rollout expected to take up to two weeks. Google also said sites affected by spam updates should review its spam policies and ensure they comply with the guidelines.
Google Responds to Cross-Domain Canonical De-Indexing Report
Google’s John Mueller responded to a reported case where unrelated pages appeared to be affected by a cross-domain canonical issue. He explained that similar behavior can occur when Google encounters duplicate or error-page content and recommended using the Search Console URL Inspection tool, along with site monitoring and automated testing, to identify technical errors before they affect indexing.
Google Adds Local Businesses to EEA Search Result Units
Google has updated its EEA Search result units to support local business queries, including searches for dining, services, and things to do. The change allows approved directories and other aggregators to appear in the aggregator unit, while local businesses can appear in a separate supplier unit alongside them.
Google Search Console Adds Multimodal Search Reporting
Google is rolling out a new Multimodal search type filter in Search Console’s Performance reports, allowing site owners to see traffic generated from searches using images, photos, and screenshots. The data includes searches from Google Lens, Circle to Search, image uploads, and Chrome’s “Search this image” feature. Google says this is new data that was not previously included in the report, and text query data is not available for these searches.
Google Updates Video Structured Data Documentation
Google has updated its VideoObject structured data documentation to support the creator and author properties and clarify which interaction types are supported by interactionStatistic. The changes are primarily documentation updates that provide clearer guidance for implementing video structured data.
PPC Related News and Updates from Major Platforms
Google Updates Requirements for Google Store Ratings
Google has updated its Merchant Center Store Ratings guidance, clarifying eligibility requirements for displaying store ratings. Merchants generally need at least 100 eligible reviews, a 3.5+ average rating for ads, reviews from a rolling 24-month period, and ratings are calculated separately by country.
Google Ads to Run Six-Month Gun Accessory Pilot
Google Ads will begin a six-month pilot in the U.S. in October 2026 allowing ads for certain firearm accessories, including bipods, sights, slings, mounts, and braces. Google said firearms, ammunition, regulated parts, and accessories requiring permits or licenses will remain prohibited, while the pilot will be limited to Search in the United States.
Bing Tests Favicons on Shopping Ads Carousel
Microsoft is testing favicons in Bing Shopping Ads product carousels, placing the site’s favicon next to the advertiser’s name. The current format typically displays only the site name, so the test adds a more visual brand element to the sponsored product results.
Google Ads Adds Holistic and Growth Investment Modes
Google Ads has updated its Recommended Investment Strategy with two new budget allocation modes: Holistic and Growth. Holistic mode reallocates existing spend from underperforming or less efficient campaigns to stronger performers, while Growth mode adds new budget to top-performing campaigns without reducing existing campaign budgets.
Social Media Related News and Updates from Major Platforms
YouTube Adds Shopping Features to Ask YouTube AI Search
YouTube is adding shopping capabilities to Ask YouTube, its experimental AI-powered search experience. Product review searches may now show videos in a comparison table with product attributes and categories, while viewers can ask follow-up questions about a product directly on the video’s watch page.
