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 Targets Explicit Video Sites with New Ranking Update
Google has updated its ranking algorithm to demote sites that host explicit videos but block Googlebot from accessing them. The company also revised SafeSearch guidelines, advising webmasters to allow Googlebot through age gates and to properly label explicit content.
Google Experiments with Placing AI Overviews at Bottom of Search Results
Google is testing a new layout where AI Overviews appear at the bottom of the search results page, deviating from their usual top placement. This change, spotted by user 松下, may be a limited experiment or a bug, as it’s unlikely to become the standard layout.
Bing Tests New ‘People Also Ask’ List View
Microsoft Bing is experimenting with a redesigned “People Also Ask” section, shifting from the traditional carousel format to a cleaner, expandable list view. This change aims to enhance user experience by presenting related questions in a more organized manner.
Google Tests Clickable ‘Page Includes’ in Search Snippets
Google is experimenting with making the ‘Page Includes’ section within search result snippets clickable, allowing users to navigate to additional search results related to those terms. This feature, reminiscent of earlier tag-based snippets from 2017 to 2021, was recently observed by Sachin Patel and may enhance user navigation by providing direct links to related content.
Bing Tests ‘Chat with Copilot’ Feature in Search Results
Microsoft is testing a new “Chat with Copilot” section within Bing Search results, offering users AI-generated suggestions to expand their original queries and encouraging engagement with Copilot, Microsoft’s AI search experience. This feature, spotted by Frank Sandtmann, appears among standard search results and aims to integrate AI-driven interactions directly into the search process.
Bing Tests Blue Box Design for Snippet Extensions
Bing is experimenting with a new design for snippet extensions by placing them inside visually distinct blue boxes, replacing the standard side-by-side text format. This change is likely aimed at improving the visual clarity and user engagement within search results.
PPC Related News and Updates from Major Platforms
Google Ads API Version 20 Released with Major Enhancements
Google has launched Version 20 of the Google Ads API, introducing significant updates such as campaign-level negative keywords for Performance Max campaigns, enhanced Demand Gen reporting, and cross-account conversion tracking options. Advertisers are encouraged to update their client libraries to access these new features.
Bing Tests Shopping Bag Icon in ‘Shop Now’ Ads
Microsoft is experimenting with adding a shopping bag icon to the “Shop Now” button in Bing Ads, aiming to enhance visual appeal and potentially boost click-through rates. This subtle design change, observed by Sachin Patel, is not yet widely available and may be part of a limited test rollout.
Bing Vehicle Ads Now Feature Detailed Car Condition Labels
Microsoft Bing has updated its vehicle ads to include specific condition labels such as “New,” “Used,” and “CPO” (Certified Pre-Owned). Additional highlights like “Single Owner,” “Nationwide Transfer,” and “Low Miles Per Year” are also displayed, providing users with clearer insights into vehicle listings. This enhancement aims to improve user experience by offering more detailed information directly within search results.
