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 Updates Robots Meta Tag Document To Include AI Mode
Google has updated its Search Central documentation to include AI Mode in the robots meta tag, allowing website owners to control how their content appears in AI-powered search results. The nosnippet and max-snippet rules now apply to AI Overviews and AI Mode, preventing or limiting content usage in these AI-driven features. AI Mode, available to Google One AI Premium subscribers, enhances search by handling complex queries, synthesizing information from multiple sources, and enabling multimodal interactions.
Google Business Profile Introduces QR Codes to Simplify Customer Reviews
Google has enhanced its Business Profile features by introducing QR codes that direct customers straight to a business’s review page. This update allows businesses to easily generate a unique QR code from their profile, which can be displayed on receipts, signage, or marketing materials, encouraging customers to leave reviews effortlessly. By simplifying the review process, this feature aims to help businesses build a stronger online reputation and improve local search visibility.
Google Warns Against Low-Effort Content That Prioritizes Appearance Over Value
Google reinforces that content quality is measured by its usefulness and substance rather than how polished it looks. The updated Search Quality Rater Guidelines highlight “scaled content abuse” as a spam tactic, where large volumes of low-value content are created solely for search ranking. This update stresses the importance of prioritizing user experience and delivering genuinely helpful content rather than focusing on aesthetics alone.
Google Continues Testing New Favicon Designs in Search Results
Google is experimenting with various favicon designs in its search results, including adding colored borders that match the site’s logo. These tests aim to enhance visual differentiation among search results and improve user experience. Previously, Google has tried other favicon styles, such as shaded backgrounds, larger sizes, and different shapes.
Microsoft Tests Auto-Expanding Sitelinks in Bing Ads
Microsoft is experimenting with a feature in Bing Ads that automatically expands search advertisements to display additional sitelinks without user interaction. This dynamic expansion aims to provide users with more navigational options directly within the ad unit, potentially enhancing user engagement and click-through rates.
Google Launches AI Mode in Search Labs: How to Access and Use It
Google has introduced AI Mode, an experimental feature within Search Labs, offering advanced reasoning and multimodal capabilities to address complex queries. Initially rolling out to Google One AI Premium subscribers, users can access AI Mode by selecting the “AI Mode” tab below the search bar on Google’s homepage or within the Google app. This feature integrates real-time information from the web, Google’s Knowledge Graph, and shopping data, employing a “query fan-out” technique to provide comprehensive responses, and supports multimodal inputs, including text, voice, and images.
Social Media Related News and Updates from Major Search Engine
YouTube Enhances Mid-Roll Ad Experience Starting May 12
Beginning May 12, 2025, YouTube will adjust mid-roll ad placements to occur at natural breakpoints, such as pauses or scene transitions, aiming to reduce viewer disruptions. This change affects both new and existing videos, with older content receiving automatic ad slots unless creators opt out via YouTube Studio. Early tests indicate that combining manual and automatic ad placements can increase ad revenue by over 5%.
