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 may use your spam reports for future manual actions. Google Search Console's email thing from yesterday is a confirmed bug. Google Posts repeat option is now live. Google Ads is consolidating enhanced conversions with a toggle. and Microsoft Advertising SOAP API is retiring.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
-
Google: We May Use Spam Report Submissions For Manual Actions
Google has posted a clarification that says it now "Google may use spam report submissions to take manual action against violations." The update was posted here and added to the report spam page. -
Google Confirms Confirming Search Console Email Is A Bug
A bug has triggered scores of emails from Google saying it is collecting impressions on sites long since verified in Search Console. Do not be alarmed, it is a bug. -
Google Posts Repeat Posts Feature Now Live
A few months ago, we saw Google testing recurring, repeating Google Posts options. Well, now that option is officially live. This is in addition to the ability to schedule Google Posts. -
Google Ads Consolidating Enhanced Conversions With On/Off Switch
Google sent out emails the other day to some advertisers that may be impacted by changes coming to enhanced conversions for web or enhanced conversions for leads. Google said they will be simplifying this by consolidating enhanced conversions for web and enhanced conversions for leads into a single, unified setting. -
Microsoft Advertising SOAP API Being Retired Jan 31, 2027
Microsoft Advertising will be transitioning from its SOAP to REST API and with that, on January 31, 2027, the SOAP API will be fully retired on January 31, 2027.
Other Great Search Threads:
- Bing with "Continue exploring" as alternate of Related Searches https://t.co/4vYUjJNylh we saw many variations before covered by, Khushal Bherwani on X
- The 5-day review bug is back, Local Search Forum
- I have to confess that I don't personally write *all* messages that go out through Search Console. I have written some though. :-), John Mueller on Bluesky
- New Google Discover : Google Discover now displays the publisher name, date, and AI summary sources in the footer instead of the header, and the Follow button has disappeared. However, you can still click on the publisher to go, Damien (andell) on X
- The upgraded Google app for desktop is now available for Windows users globally in English. Use a simple keyboard shortcut (Alt + Space) to instantly find what you need—information from the web, your computer files, insta, Rajan Patel on X
Search Engine Land Stories:
- The Reddit detour distorting PPC signals
- Meta is on track to overtake Google in global ad revenue for the first time
- Google Ads advertisers report wave of unexplained ad disapprovals
- Advertisers are gearing up to hit Google with mass arbitration claims worth billions
- Why topical authority isn’t enough for AI search
- Claude Skills for PPC: How to turn one-off prompts into scalable systems
- Google Ask Maps is moving from listings to recommendations
- Google Ads MCC hacked? Here’s what to do immediately
Other Great Search Stories:
AI & LLMs
- Gemini Robotics ER-1.6 enhances reasoning to help robots navigate real-world tasks., Google Blog
- Microsoft launches MAI-Image-2-Efficient, a cheaper and faster AI image model, VentureBeat
- The Complete AI Research Workflow: From Prompt Discovery to Content Creation, Moz
Industry & Business
- Bluefish Raises $43M to Help Brands Show Up in ChatGPT, Rufus, and More, AdWeek
- EFF to State AGs: Investigate Google's Broken Promise to Users Targeted by the Government, Electronic Frontier Foundation
- Get ready for Google I/O: Livestream schedule revealed, Google Developers Blog
- Google announces local wetland restoration and research partnership in Mountain View, Google Blog
- Google sued by rival app store Aptoide over alleged monopoly, Reuters
- Microsoft Takes Over Norway OpenAI Data Center Capacity, Bloomberg
- Google Sued By Rival Over 'Interrelated Web' Of Monopolies, Law360
- Samsung and Apple Grew in Q1 2026 as Global Smartphone Shipments Decline 4.1% amid memory constraints, IDC
- Snap's crucible moment, Alex Heath
Links & Content Marketing
- 7 Ideas for Your Email Marketing Based on Billions of Sends, Content Marketing Institute
Local & Maps
- Google Business Profile Update: Review Reply Moderation & Vetted Partners, GMBapi
- Why Are Google Reviews Disappearing? What Businesses Need to Know About Googles New Review Policies and Algorithm Updates, Reputation Arm
SEO
- “Reverse Citations”: What SEOs/GEOs Need to Know About Ungrounded Citations, Ann Smarty
- Deindexed, Delayed, and Down: Investigating A Site’s Removal From Google Before A Delayed Manual Action Arrived [Case Study], GSQI
- Google’s New Back Button Hijacking Policy Comes With a Very Convenient Blind Spot, Search Engine World
- The 6 Agentic AI Protocols Every SEO Needs to Know, Backlinko
- Updating content for large catalog stores, Ilana Davis
- Using SEO Data to Drive Business Model Innovation, seoClarity
- Website Migration Execution Guide: Steps for a Successful Launch, Bruce Clay
PPC
- April 2026 update to Display & Video 360 API, Google Ads Developer Blog
- False Destination Not Working Disapprovals Bug, PPC News Feed
- How SEO Will Help Your PPC, JumpFly
- What is the Best Way to Segment Products in Google Ads?, Smarter Ecommerce
- Google Ads Bulk Ad Review Now Supports Campaign Selection, PPC News Feed
Search Features
- Google app for desktop is available globally in English on Windows, Google Blog
- Google brings its Gemini Personal Intelligence feature to India, TechCrunch
Other Search
- Turn your best AI prompts into one-click tools in Chrome, Google Blog
- World Quantum Day 2026: Google Doodle, explainer video, Google Blog
Feedback:
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