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 Highlights SEO Benefits of Following Web Standards
Google’s Gary Illyes emphasizes that adhering to web standards—like the standardized robots.txt—ensures consistent interpretation by search engines, which improves indexing and reduces SEO issues. Unlike sitemaps, which remain informal but effective, formal standards help avoid parsing errors and security risks.
How to Detect and Remove Hidden Noindex Tags – Martin Splitt’s Tips
Google’s Martin Splitt explains that unwanted noindex tags, which prevent pages from appearing in search results, often come from embedded JavaScript or third-party scripts. Website owners should check the source code and all JavaScript sources to ensure these tags aren’t unintentionally blocking content from being indexed.
Bing Webmaster Tools to Cut Down Notification Overload
Microsoft is working to streamline email notifications from Bing Webmaster Tools following complaints about excessive emails, especially from users managing multiple domains. Fabrice Canel confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that updates are underway to reduce inbox clutter, acknowledging that even Bing staff are impacted by the current volume.
Google Posts Temporarily Disappear from Local Panels
A widespread issue is causing Google Posts/Updates to vanish from local business panels in Google Search, sparking concern among users. Though no official statement has been made, Google has acknowledged the glitch and is working on a fix, with some users already reporting partial restoration.
Google Phases Out COVID-Era SpecialAnnouncement Structured Data
Google has announced it will end support for the SpecialAnnouncement structured data—introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic—by July 31, 2025. Originally launched in beta to help highlight pandemic-related updates like business hour changes, it was never fully integrated and is now being retired as part of Google’s ongoing cleanup of temporary features.
PPC Related News and Updates from Major Search Engine
Google to Ease Local Service Ads Photo Rules Starting May 22
Google is set to relax its Local Service Ads (LSA) photo guidelines beginning May 22, 2025, allowing previously disallowed images—such as those with poor lighting, watermarks, or duplicate content—to potentially be used in ads. These changes simplify the ad approval process, though all photos must still comply with general Google Ads policies.
Google AdSense Policy Center Adds New Filters and Issue Categories
Google AdSense has introduced three new issue labels—Policy issue, Regulatory issue, and Advertiser preference—replacing the old “Must fix” label. These updates come with enhanced filters and an improved review process, helping publishers better understand and address policy violations while also allowing appeals if an issue is flagged incorrectly.
Google Ads Introduces Tree Table View for Report Clarity
Google Ads has rolled out a new “Tree Table View” for reports, allowing advertisers to view campaign data in a hierarchical structure rather than flat tables. This new layout lets users expand and collapse nodes for detailed insights across dimensions like campaign status and type, improving report clarity and usability.
