Google Search Ranking Volatility & Chatter Spike Today
It has been a while since I reported on a Google Search ranking update. I blame the tools, but in all seriousness, I am seeing a spike in volatility and, now probably more importantly, a spike in chatter over the past 24 hours, related to Google Search ranking changes, referral traffic changes and overall disruption in the Google Search results.
Latest Articles
Daily Search Forum Recap: October 19, 2026
Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today...
Is It New? AI Scan Tool
Here is something new for you - the Is it new? AI scan tool. It is a feature I thought would be neat to build, where instead of you reaching out to me to see if this or that is a new Google, Bing, etc search feature, you can upload a screenshot, add some descriptive text and then have the AI figure out if it is new.
Search Video Recaps
Google Moves Google Posts Higher Up On Local Panel
Google seems to have moved the Google Posts section of a local knowledge panel higher up on the page. In 2018, Google moved the Google Posts section to the bottom of the local panel. Now it seems Google is moving it back up.
Google Ads Now In AI Mode With Personal Intelligence
Google confirmed it will now show ads in AI Mode results with Personal Intelligence enabled. Back in March, Google said AI Mode with Personal Intelligence turned on would be ad-free, but that is now changing.
Google AI Mode Citations With Preferred Source Preferences
Google is testing letting users view and modify their preferred sources list directly from within the AI Mode citations sidebar. There is a new button named "Source preferences" and when you click on it, it opens up your preferred sources list where you can add or remove preferred sources.
ChatGPT Ads New Ad Formats, Updated Conversion Page, Performance Emails...
OpenAI announced a number of product updates to ChatGPT Ads late Friday. These updates include new visual ad formats, a redesigned conversions page, performance emails, new measurement partners and a bug reporting / product feedback system.
Google Ads To No Longer Show Featured Professionals, Headshots Are Optional
Google Ads posted a message to Local Service Ads advertisers saying that featured professionals will no longer show on your ads, and headshots will be optional and won't impact ad serving.
Archives
Daily Search Forum Recap: October 16, 2026
Oct 16, 2026Search News Buzz Video Recap: Google Poisoning Tracking Tools, Google AI Results Updates, Discover To Change, Google Ads, ChatGPT & SEO
Oct 16, 2026Google Ads To Allow Certification For Online Gambling Advertisers
Oct 16, 2026Bing Tests Read More Links In Search Result Snippets
Oct 16, 2026Google Ads Lead Form Adds Lead Scoring For Lead Qualification
Oct 16, 2026Bing Search Testing Popular Links On Snippets
Oct 16, 2026Google Ads API Releases Twice Per Month Going Forward
Oct 16, 2026Picture of the Day
