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 Speaker Icon in Video Search to Indicate Spoken Language
Google is testing a new speaker icon in video search results that displays the spoken language of a video, such as “English,” enhancing user awareness before clicking. This experiment, spotted by Gagan Ghotra, appears alongside existing video metadata like duration and platform, potentially improving accessibility and relevance in multilingual search environments.
Microsoft Tests New Hover & Highlight UI in Bing Search Results
Microsoft Bing is experimenting with updated user interface elements in search results—when users hover over result URLs, they are now bolded and underlined, while related search suggestions feature a vibrant blue or orange background to improve visual distinction. This enhancement, observed by Sachin Patel and others, appears aimed at making navigation more intuitive and results more engaging.
Google Launches “Search Live” Voice Conversations in AI Mode
Google has begun rolling out Search Live, an audio-based, real-time voice conversation feature within the Google app’s AI Mode for U.S.-based Labs users. It allows users to ask follow-up questions naturally, receive spoken Gemini-powered replies, view transcripts and supporting links, and keeps running in the background even when switching apps A visual camera-sharing component, seen at Google I/O, is expected to roll out in the coming months.
Google Trials Enhanced “Report Review” Labels for Business Profiles
Google is testing new, more descriptive options in the review-reporting interface for Local Business Profiles, updating labels like “Off‑topic” and “Spam” to clearer, more action-oriented wording. The test, spotted by Amy Toman and others (not yet widespread), aims to improve the accuracy and usefulness of user-submitted review flags.
Google Updates URL-Structure Help Documentation with Clearer Guidance
Google revamped its URL Structure Help documentation, reorganizing it into more actionable sections like crawlability requirements, readable URLs, common pitfalls, and fixes—enhanced with real-world examples and tabular “Recommended vs. Not Recommended” guidance. While the content is essentially the same, the tone is now more direct and prescriptive, emphasizing consequences of poor URL structures (e.g., inefficient crawling or non-indexation), and the update clarifies that no changes have been made to how Google Search actually processes URLs.
Google Search Console Now Includes AI Mode Metrics
Google has officially confirmed that activity from its AI Mode—such as impressions, clicks, and positions—is now included in the performance reports of Google Search Console and not segmented separately, meaning AI Mode data is aggregated along with standard web metrics. The relevant documentation has been updated to reflect this, noting that while clicks and impressions are tracked with standard rules, AI Mode results follow the same ranking methodology and will appear alongside regular search results in reporting .
PPC Related News and Updates from Major Search Engine
Google Tests “Background Checked” Label in Local Service Ads
Google is experimenting with adding a “background checked” label to Local Service Ads, replacing traditional badges like “Google Screened” or “verified.” The new tag aims to indicate that businesses displayed have undergone Google’s vetted background checks.
Google Ads Introduces Streamlined Step‑by‑Step Conversion Setup
Google Ads is rolling out a redesigned, guided setup for conversion tracking that walks advertisers through a step-by-step process—one that Saquib Syed describes as “simpler and more intuitive,” particularly for small businesses and those new to conversion measurement. The revamped interface includes clear options for conversion types (leads, purchases, sign-ups) and offers both codeless and manual event tracking, complete with organized instructions for implementation via gtag, GTM, and email.
