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 Tests New Local Ad Cards Format in Search
Google is experimenting with a fresh layout for local ads in search results, displaying “local ad cards” that appear at the top. When clicked, these cards expand into the business’s Google Business Profile panel.
Google Adds “AI Mode” Shortcut to Autocomplete Suggestions
Google is testing a feature that adds an “AI Mode” shortcut in the autocomplete suggestions when users type into the search box. This is part of a limited experiment and isn’t yet widely available. The shortcut would let users quickly toggle into an AI-driven search experience directly from autocomplete.
Google Recommends Traditional TLDs Over Trendy Ones—Even If It Means Using a Hyphen
John Mueller of Google advised that it’s usually better to choose a traditional top-level domain (like .com) even if your ideal domain name is taken and you’d need to include a hyphen. He cautioned against using less reputable or spam-heavy TLDs (such as some newer ones) because they can bring baggage like slower indexing, suspicion, or email deliverability issues.
Google Tests Alternative Labels for “People Also Search For”
Google is experimenting with different phrases in place of the usual “People also search for” at the bottom of search results—variations like “Related to your search,” “Also search for,” and “Search for next.” These changes seem aimed at better aligning suggestions with user behavior or improving clarity.
Google AI Overviews Now Pulling In Individual Business Profile Reviews
Google seems to have started citing specific reviews from a business’s Google Business Profile in its AI Overviews when you search things like “doctor reviews.” This update means that the reviews you’ve already collected are even more visible — they may directly influence what content shows in Google’s AI-generated summaries.
PPC Related News and Updates from Major Search Engine
Bing Ads Experiments with Icons in Sitelinks
Bing Ads is running a test that adds small icons next to sitelinks in search ads. The feature is designed to draw more attention, make sitelinks more visually engaging, and potentially increase click-through rates, though it remains in limited testing.
Google Tests “Search Refinement” Options in Sponsored Ads Carousel
Google is experimenting with showing sponsored ads that include a carousel of search refinement options—things like “fine-tune your search,” “search specific products,” and “specify your search.” These extra prompts aim to help users refine what they’re looking for directly from the ad, potentially improving relevance and click-through.
