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.
Where are those Google Search Console features announced months ago? Google Ads now shows product eligibility across campaigns. Google's John Mueller recommends you have visible anchor text for your links. Google Ads has a new section for recommended experiments. Bing is testing underlining names and pricing in Shopping Ads. And I posted the weekly SEO video recap.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
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Where Are Those New Google Search Console Features?
Last November and December, Google announced a slew of new features for Google Search Console. But it seems like most of us still do not have access to those features. -
Google Still Recommends You Focus On Visible Anchor Text For Links
Google's John Mueller said he still recommends you have visible anchor text for your links in order to "provide more context for search engines." Don't just use title elements in the link attribute; make sure the link has actual visible anchor text. -
Google Ads Recommended Experiments
Google Ads now has a new recommended experiments box in the Experiments page. This should offer you customized and personalized recommendations that Google Ads thinks you should try based on your account setup and performance data. -
Bing Tests Underlining Name & Price In Shopping Ads Carousel
Microsoft is testing underlining the product name and product price in the shopping ads carousel at the top of the Bing Search results. I am not sure how much this adds to the interface but maybe it drives a bit more attention and thus clicks? -
Labubu In Google Sweater & Hat
Here is a Labubu, a line of collectible plush toys created by Hong Kong illustrator Kasing Lung, wearing a sweater and hat with the Google logo on it. Looks cute. -
Video: Google Volatility, Bing AI Performance Reports, New AI Mode Retail Ads, UCP Checkout & ChatGPT Ads Go Live
This week in search we have more ongoing Google search ranking volatility. Bing Webmaster Tools rolled out new AI Performance reports with a new design. Google AI Overviews tests new overlay cards. Grokipedia is...
Other Great Search Threads:
- AdSense Earnings and Observations - February 2026, WebmasterWorld
- If you test the http version and it shows the same page (you can use "view tested page" and then "screenshot" in the sidebar), then you're all set. If it shows something different, that's worth fixing., John Mueller on Bluesky
- Interesting on Google Discover: when I click on the publisher's name, I'm usually taken to their profile page. But here on Facebook, it redirects me to the Google SERP: https://t.co/WRkeLuutSX Whereas before, it was correctly r, Damien (andell) on X
- OK, I found a ChatGPT ad!! ... on Google. :-), Glenn Gabe on X
Search Engine Land Stories:
- The real story behind the 53% drop in SaaS AI traffic
- If SEO is rocket science, AI SEO is astrophysics
- How social discovery shapes AI search visibility in beauty
- Local SEO sprints: A 90-day plan for service businesses in 2026
Other Great Search Stories:
AI & LLMs
- Anthropic prepares Claude Tasks mobile for browser automation, Testing Catalog
- Apple says it is still on track to launch new Siri this year, as promised, 9to5Mac
- Digital resilience in the era of AI, Google Blog
- Google: Gemini hit with 100,000+ prompts in cloning attempt, NBC News
- India AI Summit: Google Arts & Culture on India’s creativity, Google Blog
Analytics
- What are the Different Types of Consent?, Measure Minds Group
- Why Your Agency Needs a GTM Base Container, KRM
- Why Export GA4 Data to BigQuery?, Moz
Industry & Business
- Anthropic closes $30 billion funding round at $380 billion valuation, CNBC
- Google Faces New EU Antitrust Probe Over Search Ad Pricing Practices, Bloomberg
- Kansas City is getting a Google data center., KC TV5
- OpenAI Accuses China's DeepSeek of Distilling US AI Models to Gain an Edge, Bloomberg
Links & Content Marketing
- Where To Find External Sources for Credible Content, Content Marketing Institute
- The authority deficit: Does your brand lack content, or courage?, SALT.agency
Local & Maps
SEO
- Do You Still Need a Website in 2026?, Search Off the Record
- Elevating the Role of Grounding on the AI Web, Bing Search Blog
- Grounding Pages: Clarity or SEO Theatre?, Grumpy Old SEO
- Inside Bing’s New AI Performance Report: What 20,000 Copilot Citations Taught Us, Search Influence
- International AI Search SEO, Advanced Web Ranking
- Introducing Markdown for Agents, Cloudflare
- Is AI optimization a channel you should care about?, Product Led SEO
- SEO Case Study - Brick & Mortar Starts Selling Online, Adam Riemer
PPC
- Celebrating A Year of Achievement and Excellence: Microsoft Advertising Partner Program 2026, Microsoft Advertising
- Should Your Brand Advertise on ChatGPT?, Brainlabs
Search Features
- Gemini 3 Deep Think: AI model update designed for science, Google Blog
- ChatGPT Voice Update, ChatGPT Release Notes
Other Search
- YouTube Launches on Apple Vision Pro, MacRumors
- Microsoft fixes bug that blocked Google Chrome from launching, Bleeping Computer
Feedback:
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