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.
Google mentioned generative AI several times in its updated search quality raters guidelines. Google is testing writing the popular product description with generative AI. Yahoo Search AI features seem to be powered by both Microsoft Copilot and OpenAI. Google's John Mueller says embedded resources are cached for a while. Google Ads has this book a tagging appointment prompt.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
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Generative AI Mentions In Google's Search Quality Rater Guidelines
As you know, Google updated its Search Quality Raters guidelines with 11 new pages a couple of weeks ago. But with that, Google also added the term "generative AI" to the quality raters guidelines for the first time, and it is listed 14 times. -
Google Writing Popular Products Descriptions With Generative AI
Google is now testing using generative AI to write descriptions within the popular products section in Google Search. We've seen this with knowledge panels, local listings and many other parts of Google Search but I don't think I've seen it for the popular products section. -
Yahoo Search AI Features Powered By Microsoft Copilot?
Ever since we began seeing the new Yahoo Search AI features and AI Chat, we've been asking if they were powered by their own AI, by maybe OpenAI or maybe Microsoft Copilot. Well, it seems there is evidence that these features are powered by Microsoft Copilot. -
Google: Embedded Resources Are Cached For A While
If you embed resources on your pages, those embedded resources can be cached longer than other parts of the page in Google Search. -
Google Ads Prompt To Book A Tagging Appointment
Google Ads is offering some advertisers the option to book a tagging appointment with a Google Ads representation through the Google Ads console. This will help you set up an appointment to have a Google rep help you set up proper tracking of your campaigns. -
Gray Google Logo Wall
Here is a wall at the Google office in Boulder, Colorado. It is a two ton gray wall with a gray Google logo on it. I like it, but I am weird.
Other Great Search Threads:
- AI is creating a generation of illiterate SEOs? ... and probably many other computer-based / knowledge-based / experience-based roles, John Mueller on Bluesky
- Google is starving for new content. And it's doing whatever it can to feed that hunger. Ignoring rel=canonical Breaking robots.txt rules Following "nofollow" links Indexing pages behind logins Only, Jes Scholz on X
- Introducing Batch AI in @ahrefs Site Audit. Now you can batch generate titles and meta descriptions instead of having an intern or new employee hate their life and waste their time writing them., Patrick Stox on X
- Remove 404's from search console, Reddit
Search Engine Land Stories:
- Google Merchant Center Next fixes product download frustration
- Phishing scam targets Microsoft Ad accounts via Google Search
- From retro gaming glory to fighting Google: The journey of Brandon Saltalamacchia
- How volatile have Google rankings really been?
- How to maximize your Google Ads remarketing campaigns
- Product studio now available within Google Business Profiles
Other Great Search Stories:
Analytics
- Cost data import required field updates, Google Analytics Help
Industry & Business
- Alphabet faces scrutiny on AI spending as Google cloud growth slows, Reuters
- Apple’s attempt to intervene in the Google Search antitrust trial is denied, The Verge
- Google to ask US appeals court to overturn app store verdict, Reuters
- Google's Bid to Overturn Epic App Win Eyed Skeptically by Judges, Bloomberg
- Judge swiftly tells Apple it can't delay the Google trial, AppleInsider
- China to launch probe into Google over alleged antitrust violations, CNBC
Links & Content Marketing
- 11 Simple Ways to Measure the Results of Your PR Efforts in 2025, Koozai
- How To Manage Old Content on a News Website, Moz
Local & Maps
- Android Auto loses TomTom Go navigation app to issues, 9to5Google
- Are Google Business Profile Virtual Offices Allowed? - Google My Business Virtual Office Guidelines - Virtual Address for Google My Business, Sterling Sky
- Google Maps reverts irksome Android Auto update, 9to5Google
Mobile & Voice
- iPhone 15 leads 2024 sales & boosts global smartphone revenue, AppleInsider
- Meta sinks more than $100bn into virtual reality and smart glasses bet, Financial Times (Sub)
- OpenAI's future AI device could involve a lot less typing into ChatGPT, Android Authority
SEO
- E-E-A-T Checklist: What's Your Authority Look Like?, Level343
- How to Measure SEO Performance and Success, SEOTesting
- How to Use Keyword Research to Refine Website Architecture: Expert Tips, DMNews
- It's Time to Pay Attention to Bing, Practical Ecommerce
- SEO Task Time Estimates & seoClarity’s Streamlined Workflows, seoClarity
PPC
- 6 Common Manual Bidding Mistakes to Avoid, WordStream
- Replicating Video Action Campaigns with Demand Gen: New Features & Controls, Cypress North
- Update to Healthcare and Medicines Policy (March 2025) Canada, Google Advertising Policies Help
- US streaming ad revenue to approach $17B, but competition stiffens, Stream TV Insider
Search Features
Feedback:
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