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.
The Google reviews bug seems to be fixed, or almost fixed by now. Did Google do an image search update down-ranking AI-generated images. Google Publisher Center made more unwelcomed changes to news publishers. Bing Webmaster Tools updated the date selector. Google is testing a filter on the latest posts carousel. Google Ads has a notice for brand guidelines changes coming next month.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
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Is Google Image Search Down Ranking AI Images?
There is some chatter in the SEO community that Google Image Search may be down ranking, lowering the rankings, of AI-generated images, in favor of non-AI-generated images within the Google Image search results. -
Google Review Count Bug Fix Rolling Out
The big Google review count bug, that we first reported on Friday and that later Google confirmed on Monday afternoon, is now being fixed. We can now see review counts climbing again and many small business owners and local SEOs are reporting improvements. -
Google Publisher Center Changes: Automatically Generated Publication Pages
Google is making more changes to the Google Publisher Center, in March Google News will fully transition to automatically generated publication pages in March. -
Google Ads Posts Notice For Brand Guidelines March 2025 Update
Google has posted a notice in the Google Ads console reminding advertisers about the upcoming brand guidelines changes that are now slotted for March 2025. This change was communicated numerous times and the deadline has been pushed off here and there. -
Google Tests Filters On Latest Posts Carousel
Google is testing adding filters to the latest post carousel. These filters can show recent posts, video posts, posts from Instagram, or Facebook. -
Bing Webmaster Tools Updates Date Selectors
Microsoft has updated Bing Webmaster Tools to make selecting the date ranges a lot easier in the performance reports. Now the date selectors are very quick to select, and not deeper inside a menu option. -
Google's CEO Sundar Pichai With Perplexity's CEO Aravind Srinivas
Here is a photo of the CEO of Google, Sundar Pichai with the the CEO of Perplexity, Aravind Srinivas. Aravind Srinivas posted this photo on X and said, "Great meeting you @sundarpichai"
Other Great Search Threads:
- Ahrefs Blog lost 40% of its search traffic in 2021. We were hit by one of Google's core updates., Tim Soulo on LinkedIn
- Heads up - automated changes coming to video in Demand Gen in March (unless you opt out). Notice arrived via email today, Julie F Bacchini on X
- Everyone talked about Hubspot losing traffic, but what about Semrush? In a matter of a few weeks, Semrush lost 50% of their traffic (according to Semrush)., Luca Tagliaferro On LinkedIn
- Here is a new section with map results in the eCommerce rich card. Below is the video showing how it works., Sachin Patel on X
- Protocol-relative URLs. They're fine, but if possible, specify the protocol as well, Martin Splitt on LinkedIn
- The countdown to #GoogleIO begins! Join us on May 20-21 for live streamed keynotes, sessions and more, Google on X
Search Engine Land Stories:
- Google News automated publication pages to start in March
- Google lawyer: Less than 1% of YouTube views come from search
- New in Google Demand Gen Ads: Automatically create short videos
- 7 ways to increase SEO revenue without losing clients
- Marketing attribution models: The pros and cons
Other Great Search Stories:
Analytics
- SGTM Fetches GA4 Configurations Automatically, Simo Ahava's blog
Industry & Business
- ChatGPT may not be as power-hungry as once assumed, TechCrunch
- From the YouTube CEO: Our big bets for 2025, YouTube Blog
- Google ‘rumbles’ with Rumble over antitrust claims, Courthouse News Service
- Google Calendar removed events like Pride and BHM because its holiday list wasn’t ‘sustainable’, The Verge
- Google I/O 2025 set for May 20-21, 9to5Google
- Google must face claims of AI-powered wiretapping, California judge rules, Courthouse News Service
- Musk’s $97.4 Billion OpenAI Bid Piles Pressure on Altman, Wall Street Journal
- OpenAI is not for sale, Sam Altman says, Axios
Links & Content Marketing
- Advancing B2B content strategy internally, Oncrawl
- Content Marketing Experts Reveal Tactical Secrets to B2B Success, MarketingProfs
- Content Marketing Market Growing at 16.9% CAGR by 2032, EIN Presswire
Local & Maps
- Yext acquires Places Scout, Strengthens Competitive Intelligence and Benchmarking Capabilities, Yext
- Apple Maps App Renames Gulf of Mexico as Gulf of America, Bloomberg
- Google Maps ETA removed on some Android Automotive vehicles, 9to5Google
Mobile & Voice
- Apple wants to add a headband display for Apple Vision Pro, AppleInsider
- Apple works with Alibaba to bring Apple Intelligence to China, AppleInsider
- Gemini Deep Research now rolling out to iPhone app, 9to5Google
- Google Files Patent for AI Chatbot That Answers Phone Calls, Pymnts
- Google preps song search history for its Android app, Android Authority
- How to use Siri to get answers from ChatGPT, AppleInsider
- YouTube TV Viewing Overtakes Mobile Viewing, CEO Neal Mohan Says, Hollywood Reporter
SEO
- SEO as a Team Sport: Integrating Search Optimization Across Departments, International Web Mastery
- Building SEO-First Website Architecture: A Technical Guide, Sitebulb
- Discover organic traffic drops with Aleyda Solis 7 questions, Buddler
- How I Boosted Traffic by 72% With Ahrefs’ AI Content Helper, Ahrefs
- Product Reviews SEO: Integration & Optimization Advanced Guide, WordLift Blog
- SEO Myth Debunked - Adding Your Location To Every H1 Is Crucial For Local SEO, Nikki Pilkington
- The Zero/Low Search Volume Dilemma, Sara Taher
- What is the 'perfectly optimised' article for SEO?, SEO for Google News
PPC
- Negative Keyword Match Types in Google Ads (Cheat Sheet & Printable PDF), MarlinSEM
- The 5 Biggest Digital Marketing Transformations for 2025, Amsive
- The Importance of Not Neglecting Your Microsoft Ads Account, JumpFly
- The Secret to Lower CPCs and Higher Conversions: PPC Bid Management Explained, Optmyzr
- What Is Quality Score? And How It Impacts Your Google Ads, Semrush
Search Features
- Cockroaches, hot cars & WWII: Google AI’s biggest facepalms, Tech Issues Today
Other Search
- Google Labs’ AI image generator Whisk is expanding to new areas, Google Blog
- Investigating ChatGPT Search: Insights from 80 Million Clickstream Records, Semrush
- Chinese tech giant Baidu to release next-generation AI model this year, CNBC
Feedback:
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