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 Says Regular SEO Is Sufficient for AI Overviews
At a Search Live Deep Dive event, Google’s Gary Illyes clarified that web pages can appear in the platform’s AI-generated overviews by following the same best practices used for regular search engine optimization (SEO), without needing specialized approaches like optimizing for GEO or language models. The post shared attendee insights and remarks emphasizing that traditional SEO fundamentals—relevant content, quality signals and proper structure—remain key to inclusion in these AI summaries.
Google Rolls Out Alpha Google Trends API for Researchers and Marketers
Google has launched an alpha version of the Google Trends API, providing researchers, journalists, developers and marketers the ability to programmatically access search trend data. The API offers daily to yearly aggregation of search interest for the past five years and can break down results by geography or sub-region, enabling use cases such as tracking emerging topics, informing content strategy and supporting public research. Access is currently by application only, with John Mueller noting that feedback from early testers will help refine the API before wider release.
Bing Experiments with Boxed Search Result Snippets
Bing has been spotted trialling a redesign where organic search results are enclosed in light-colored boxes with rounded corners, giving each listing a distinct border. Early screenshots shared by observers show that paid ads retain their existing look while only organic snippets receive this outlined treatment, suggesting Microsoft may be exploring ways to improve scannability and separation between results. The test appears limited and Microsoft has not formally announced a rollout, indicating it is likely part of ongoing user experience experiments.
Google Experiments with ‘See More’ and Inline Links in Search Result Snippets
SEO watchers have noticed that Google is testing search snippets with a “see more” link appended to the meta description and additional hyperlinks within the snippet text itself. In some cases these links take users to a specific section of the destination page or simply function as an alternative way to access the same page as the main result. Similar link‑augmentation experiments—such as jump‑to boxes and view‑full‑list links—have been tested before, suggesting Google is exploring ways to make snippets more interactive and navigable.
Google Rolls Out AI Mode Button on Homepage Search Box and Chrome New Tab
After months of experiments, Google has begun adding an “AI Mode” button directly to the search box on its homepage and the Chrome new‑tab page, making it easier for users to toggle into the AI‑powered version of search. The button is appearing across multiple browsers—including Chrome, Safari and Microsoft Edge—and was officially confirmed by Rajan Patel of Google, who noted that it is rolling out on both google.com and Chrome’s new‑tab page. The feature aligns with Google’s broader push to promote AI Mode as the default first tab in search results.
PPC Related News and Updates from Major Search Engine
Google Merchant Center Adds Dedicated “Product Studio” Tab
Google has begun moving its Product Studio toolkit out of the general Products section and into its own tab in the Merchant Center sidebar for some accounts. Product Studio offers free, AI-assisted tools that let merchants generate and refine product images and videos by adjusting backgrounds, increasing resolution and creating new scenes, helping them produce more engaging marketing assets. This redesign is rolling out to a limited set of users, hinting at a broader integration of these creative features into the Merchant Center.
Google Replaces ‘Sponsored’ Label with Disclaimer on “Find Related Products & Services” Suggestions
Google has quietly dropped the prominent “Sponsored” label that used to appear at the top of its “Find related products & services” unit, opting instead for a small disclaimer below the list that reads, “These searches were selected to connect you with relevant products and services from advertisers.” Screenshots shared by SERP Alert show that the new version no longer labels the section as a traditional ad, while the previous design did. Google Ads liaison Ginny Marvin later clarified that these suggestions are not paid placements—advertisers can’t bid on them—and Google is experimenting with different labels to better communicate their commercial nature to users.
