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 explained how using AI in isolation works better for them, otherwise it is a black box event. Google Search Console fixed the 50 week data logging issue, but it is only going forward. Ask.com has shut down after almost 30 years. Google is testing a "Fresh updates" label in the search result snippets. Google Ads use AI to add products is a new option.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
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Google On AI Overviews & AI Mode Being Isolated Systems (Or Not)
Nikola Todorovic, Director of Software Engineering at Google Search, spoke about a presentation he gave at Zurich in December at Google Search Central live (I was there). He dug into it on a recent Search Off the Record named How AI Is Changing Google Search and SEO. In there, he explained how AI and machine learning have been used in isolation within Google Search. -
Google Search Console Fixed The 50 Week Data Logging Issue
A month ago, Google posted that between the dates of May 13, 2025 through April 27, 2026, just about 50 weeks, there was a "logging error prevented Search Console from accurately reporting impressions." Google updated the post to now say "This issue has been resolved." -
Ask.com Shut Down After Almost 30 Years
IAC, the owners of Ask.com, have decided to get out of the search business and shut down one of the oldest and most legendary search engines of all time - Ask.com, formerly Ask Jeeves. IAC wrote, "As IAC continues to sharpen its focus, we have made the decision to discontinue our search business, which includes Ask.com." -
Google Tests Fresh Updates Label For Search Snippets
Google is testing a new label for the search results snippet named "Fresh updates." This was spotted on a weather website result, Accuweather. -
Google Ads Adds Use AI To Add Products
Google Ads has added a new option (although, I think Google has said this is coming) under the "add product source" section where you can select how to add products to your Google Ads account. The option reads, "Use AI to add products - beta." -
Google Gold Sparkle Signage
This signage at the Google Playa Vista office caught my attention. It is sparkling gold with a custom message. Shiny things sometimes catch my eye. I found this on Instagram.
Other Great Search Threads:
- AdSense Earnings and Observations - May 2026, WebmasterWorld
- Spammy links removal limit for SEO, Reddit
- Ecommerce SEO: for large domains, there are various ways of managing product variants. Here's an important aspect of the feed component: Within free listing surfaces, Google will often develop individual grid items for specific pro, Brodie Clark on X
Search Engine Land Stories:
- Ask.com shuts down after over 25 years
- The latest jobs in search marketing
- Microsoft Ads adds deeper reporting to Performance Max placements
- Google Ads API v20 sunset set for June 10
- How to build SEO agent skills that actually work
- Performance Max for B2B: 5 best practices
- A blueprint for semantic programmatic SEO
- Inside ChatGPT ads: What the data tells us and what’s coming next
Other Great Search Stories:
AI & LLMs
- AI Citation drift: How stable are sources in AI search results?, SISTRIX
- Gemini app getting full redesign that overhauls every part of the UI, 9to5Google
- OpenAI Plans on Marketing Its Way To Glory. Bon Chance!, John Battelle's Searchblog
- Search Engines Were Built to Send Traffic Out. LLMs Were Built to Answer You, keep you in., Duane Forrester Decodes
Industry & Business
- ChatGPT Wrestles With Its Most Chilling Conversation: How Do I Plan an Attack?, Wall Street Journal
Links & Content Marketing
- 27 Great Content Writing Examples, Tips, and Tools, Content Marketing Institute
Local & Maps
- Ask Maps: The Future of Google’s AI Local Search, Reputation Arm
- Google Review Rules Changed: What It Means for Your Review Strategy, RicketyRoo
SEO
PPC
- AI Max for Shopping: Everything We Know So Far, Jyll Saskin Gales
- Gemini may get ads soon as executives look to turn the money taps on, Android Police
- The Google Ads to Shopify to Amazon Attribution Problem (And Why You Can't Solve It), ZATO
- The Hidden Click Problem: Running Smarter Landing Page Experiments for Local Businesses, Pure Visibility
- Google Ads API v20 sunset reminder, Google Ads Developer Blog
- New Data Retention Policy for Google Ads starting June 1, 2026, Google Ads Developer Blog
- Simplifying Keyword Forecast Metrics in Google Ads API v24, Google Ads Developer Blog
- Google Partners Promotional Offer Alert Script for MCC, PPC News Feed
Search Features
- Circle to Search update lets Google look beyond your screen content, Android Authority
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