Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today, through the eyes of the Search Engine Roundtable and other search forums on the web.
There may be a large Google local search ranking update going on right now, this is not confirmed by Google. Google says a blank screenshot in the Google Search Console URL Inspection tool isn't necessarily a bad thing. Google says core updates do not impact site names in the results. Google says URLs provide minimal additional signals for ranking. Google Discover is showing more sources in the feed.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
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January 2025 Google Local Ranking Update (Unconfirmed)
There are reports of a major local search ranking change with Google Maps and Local Search results. The reports of this local search algorithm update started to funnel in over the weekend, with some saying they saw local listings rankings drastically change from its previous position. -
Google: Core Updates Do Not Impact Site Name Changes
Google said that core updates should have no impact on a site name in the Google Search results being updated or changed. When asked, John Mueller of Google wrote, "That shouldn't be related to a core update." -
Google: URLs Provide Minimal Additional Signals For Search Engines
The topic of URLs for SEO and ranking is one that has been around since search engines first existed and 25+ years later, it is still a popular topic. Google has said time and time again that keywords in URLs don't offer a significant ranking boost for SEO and ranking purposes and Google said it again in 2025. -
Blank Screenshot In Google Search Console URL Inspection Tool May Be Fine
Did you ever run the Google Search Console URL inspection tool, and click on the view crawled page link, and then see a blank screenshot under the screenshot tab? It might not be an issue, says Gary Illyes of Google. As long as you see the HTML you want Google to see in the HTML tab, you are fine. -
Google Discover Feed Showing More Sources For Stories Within Cards
Google is showing now sometimes showing more than one source for a story in the Google home page, Google Discover, feed. This can show up in a carousel format or a stacked format, just beneath the main story in your Discover feed. -
Video: Google Art Gallery
Did you know that Google has its own art gallery? This is located in the Google office in Brazil and I have a video of someone walking up the stairs in that Google art studio.
Other Great Search Threads:
- Hoping @googleads will buck this trend and get back to improving their platform and keeping advertisers informed., Greg on X
- Woah! New Pop Up And REQUIRED Exit Survey When Disabling Google Ads Dynamic Site Links In Automated Assets., Anthony Higman on X
- Earlier today, we encountered an issue that incorrectly suspended some Microsoft Rewards accounts. We've deployed a fix, and any affected accounts should be back online in the next several hours. Thank you for your underst, Microsoft Rewards Support on X
- Is it a theoretical question? If it's a practical question, you can check if the links actually changed, or if it's just a matter of whatever reporting tool you're using (which is probably the case)., John Mueller on Bluesky
- URL structure is fantastic for your own metrics & tracking, it makes things so much easier to group. It's also great if you want to separate something out from the rest of your site (eg ugc. yoursite. com). The user-facing part is also stro, John Mueller on Bluesky
- Bing supports X-Robots-Tag; obviously bingbot must be allowed to crawl to be able to read the HTTP header tag., Fabrice Canel on X
Search Engine Land Stories:
- Google’s Performance Max placement rules create API confusion
- Google Ads plans major AI Push in 2025, reshaping search marketing
Other Great Search Stories:
Industry & Business
- Google sends funds to collective in exchange for ONA exemption, Toronto Sun
- Microsoft expects to spend $80 billion on AI data centers in FY 2025, CBC News
- Sam Altman Interview: OpenAI CEO’s Plans for ChatGPT, Fusion and Trump, Bloomberg
- Who's Protecting Us from Google?, International Policy Digest
- OpenAI is losing money on its pricey ChatGPT Pro plan, CEO Sam Altman says, TechCrunch
Links & Content Marketing
- Google, Local SEO, and the Link Buying Dilemma, Online Ownership
- Influencer marketing and content in 2025 — a look at what's to come, Glossy
Local & Maps
- Google Should Relaunch Android Auto for Phones, AutoEvolution
- Google Maps Merging With Waze: Can 2025 Be THE Year?, AutoEvolution
Mobile & Voice
- Apple Intelligence now requires almost double the iPhone storage it needed before, 9to5Mac
- Apple Intelligence summaries are still screwing up headlines, AppleInsider
- Apple's China troubles mount as foreign phone sales sink for 4th month, Reuters
- My Google Assistant Has Developed a Sudden Stubborn Streak. I'm Not Alone., VICE
- Hands-on: Halliday smart glasses project a display on your eye, 9to5Google
SEO
- AI crawlers do not render JavaScript so sign your texts, SEM King
- Rethinking Content Creation: The Impact of Google's SEO Leak, Databox
PPC
- How Much Do Google Ads Cost?, DesignRush
- Maximize Conversions or Target CPA for New Google Ads, Jyll Saskin Gales
Search Features
- Less Chat In ChatGPT? How AI Could Evolve In Ad Tech In 2025, AdExchanger
- Microsoft Bing is trying to spoof Google UI when people search Google.com, Windows Latest
Other Search
- Gemini Live may soon compete for space with Copilot on the Windows taskbar, TechRadar
- Google Unveils Whitepaper on Generative AI Agents, Analytics India Magazine
Feedback:
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