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 Tweaks Display of Local Q&A in Search Results
Google has adjusted how its Local Questions & Answers feature appears in search results. The Q&A section now only shows when users click on a business from the map pack, but not when visiting a business’s Knowledge Panel directly—though the data remains accessible to business owners via the Google Business Profile.
Bing Experiments with Alternative Labels for Related Searches
Microsoft Bing is testing different labels for its “Related Searches” feature to potentially enhance user engagement. Variations observed include “Get detailed results,” “What other people are searching,” and “Take a deep dive,” among others. These changes aim to present search refinement options more compellingly, encouraging users to explore further.
Google Tests Query Expansion Tabs in AI Overviews
Google is experimenting with adding query expansion tabs to its AI Overviews feature. These tabs, positioned at the top of AI-generated summaries, present related questions that users can click to explore further. The first tab displays the original query, while subsequent tabs offer related questions, each triggering a new AI Overview. This design aims to encourage deeper user engagement and increase search activity, building upon the 10% growth in search usage attributed to AI Overviews.
Google Tests Image Carousel in AI Overviews
Google is experimenting with adding an image carousel to its AI Overviews feature in search results. This carousel allows users to swipe through images, and clicking on them redirects to Google Image Search. The feature was observed by Sachin Patel, who shared a video demonstration on X. It’s currently unclear whether this addition is intentional or a test, as it doesn’t seem to fit seamlessly within the AI Overview interface.
Bing Tests Sticky Footer for Related Searches
Microsoft Bing is testing a new user interface feature that displays related search suggestions in a sticky footer at the bottom of the search results page. This persistent footer remains visible as users scroll, aiming to encourage further search activity by keeping related queries constantly in view.
Google Search Console Crawl Stats Redesign Was a Browser Extension Glitch
Reports surfaced suggesting that Google was testing a new, more visual design for the Crawl Stats section in Search Console, featuring multiple charts replacing the traditional list view. However, it was later clarified that this change was not an official Google test but rather the result of the “Advanced GSC Visualizer” browser extension altering the interface. The initial observation was shared by Steven Wilson-Beales on Bluesky and LinkedIn, but the redesign could not be replicated by others, confirming it was not a Google-initiated update.
PPC Related News and Updates from Major Platforms
Google Ads Reduces Customer List Requirement to 100 for Search Campaigns
Google Ads has lowered the minimum size for customer lists in Search campaigns from 1,000 to 100 active users within a 30-day period. This change, implemented between June and November 2024, aligns the Search Network’s requirements with those of the Display and YouTube networks, facilitating easier audience targeting for smaller advertisers. Despite the update, some users have noted that the Google Ads interface still reflects the previous 1,000-user requirement, although official documentation confirms the new threshold.
