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 Explains Why Site Migrations Can Take Months
Google’s John Mueller explained that website migrations can take longer than four months when Google encounters issues processing redirects, crawling URLs, or understanding changes across a large website. Migration timelines depend on site size, URL changes, and technical implementation, so website owners should monitor redirects, indexing, and Search Console performance throughout the process.
Google Clarifies URL Keywords, Hyphens, and SEO Best Practices
Google’s Gary Illyes explained that keywords in URLs have minimal impact on rankings and that adding extra keywords is unlikely to improve SEO. He also recommended using hyphens instead of underscores to separate words in URL paths and noted that Google can detect spammy URLs.
OpenAI Removes UTM Parameters From ChatGPT Results
OpenAI appears to have removed UTM tracking parameters from ChatGPT links, making referral traffic harder to track in analytics tools. As a result, visits from ChatGPT may be incorrectly recorded as direct traffic, complicating the measurement of AI-driven website visits. OpenAI has not confirmed whether this change was intentional.
Google Business Profiles Adds Dietary Attributes for Restaurants
Google is adding gluten-free, dairy-free, halal, and kosher dietary attributes to restaurant listings, alongside existing vegetarian and vegan options. Restaurants can tag applicable menu items through their Google Business Profile, helping diners discover suitable food options when searching on Google Search and Maps.
Bing and Copilot Test Microsoft’s Decision-Scoring Model
Microsoft is testing its Microsoft-Decision-1 model in Bing Search and Copilot. The model is designed to handle structured tasks such as classification, prioritization, and routing with improved speed and quality. The testing is experimental and does not mean the model is being used for all searches or users.
PPC Related News and Updates from Major Platforms
Google Ads Introduces Channel Prioritization and Budget Controls
Google Ads is introducing channel prioritization and budget allocation controls to help advertisers guide how campaigns distribute spend across available channels. These controls aim to give advertisers more flexibility over campaign delivery and budget distribution while optimizing performance.
Google Updates Merchant Center Rules for Poor-Quality Images
Google has updated its Merchant Center guidance to clarify that products with blurry, pixelated, or low-resolution images can continue appearing in ads and free listings rather than being disapproved solely for poor image quality. However, merchants should still improve image quality to support a better shopping experience and performance. Google also plans to enforce a minimum image size of 500 × 500 pixels from January 31, 2027.
Google Updates Data Strength Best Practices for Google Ads
Google has expanded its Data Strength guidance with practical steps for improving conversion measurement and campaign performance through first-party data. The updated guide covers Enhanced Conversions, Google Tag Gateway, Data Manager, and AI-powered campaigns, along with reported performance gains to help advertisers strengthen data quality and improve ROI.
Google Ads Tests Vehicle Top Ads for Vehicle Manufacturers
Google Ads is testing Vehicle Top Ads, a beta format that lets vehicle manufacturers display car images, pricing, and key features directly in Search ads. The feature uses an automotive model feed to match vehicle details with existing Search campaigns and is currently available to eligible manufacturers in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the U.K.
Social Media Related News and Updates from Major Platforms
YouTube Tests Ask YouTube AI in Shorts Player
YouTube is testing Ask YouTube, an AI-powered search feature directly within the Shorts player, allowing users to ask questions about videos and explore related content without leaving the viewing experience. The test aims to make Shorts more interactive by helping viewers discover additional information and relevant videos through conversational AI.
