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 Search Live with Video Input Rolls Out This Week in the U.S.
Google is launching the full version of Search Live—which now includes real-time video (not just audio)—in the U.S. this week to users enrolled in AI Mode Labs. When using Google Lens in the mobile app, users can tap the “Live” icon and engage in a two‑way conversational experience with AI while the camera feed provides contextual visual input.
Google Replaces Three-Dot Menu with Question Mark for “About This Site” Info
Google is replacing the familiar three-vertical-dot icon next to some search result snippets with a question mark (?). Tapping this icon still opens the familiar “About This Site” panel, housing info like site descriptions, security status, and first-indexed date—likely aiming to improve transparency and user engagement.
Google Launches “Web Guide” in Search Labs to AI‑Organize Result Pages
Google has rolled out Web Guide, a new opt-in Search Labs experiment that uses a custom version of Gemini to group search results into AI-generated topic categories complete with summaries and clustered links. Available under the Web tab for users who opt in, this feature applies a “query fan-out” technique—issuing multiple related searches—to better surface relevant content.
Google Shopping Tests Clickable Submenus for Category Filtering
Google Shopping is currently testing clickable submenu links just beneath the “G” super‑logo in the shopping interface, which let users instantly filter results by subcategory—streamlining access to more refined product listings. This new UI appears to be a test and is being noticed in real-time user explorations of the Shopping tab.
Google AI Mode Enhances Online Shopping with Virtual Try-On & Smart Checkout
Google’s AI Mode is transforming U.S. and now U.K. searches into full shopping experiences—powered by Google’s Shopping Graph with over 50 billion continuously updated listings. Users can use virtual try‑on via an uploaded photo, track prices with alerts, and utilize an AI “buy for me” agentic checkout that completes purchases using Google Pay when criteria are met.
PPC Related News and Updates from Major Search Engine
Google Ads Adds Search Term Insights for Responsive Search Ads (RSAs)
Google is rolling out a new Search Term Categories tool for Responsive Search Ads, which groups user search queries from the past ~56 days into intent-based categories and subcategories—even ones previously hidden due to privacy thresholds. This provides advertisers with metrics like clicks, conversions, CTR, impressions, and search volume, making it easier to optimize ad creative and targeting based on performance-driven intent themes.
Google Ads Expands AI Max Beta with Ad Group-Level Controls
Google is beta testing AI Max settings at the ad group level, allowing advertisers to selectively enable AI-driven features—like automated creative generation, broad query matching, location targeting, and URL controls—for specific ad groups within Search campaigns. This modular rollout builds on the existing campaign-level AI Max suite, offering greater flexibility and control while balancing automation and precision
