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 Gemini added related content and verification links. OpenAI launched its search engine called SearchGPT. Google says don’t use LLMs for SEO advice. Google has a related image carousel below the image box. Google local has this book online button that leads to call business. And I posted the weekly SEO video recap.

Search Engine Roundtable Stories:

• 
  Google Volatility, Bing Generative Search, Reddit Blocks Bing, Sticky Cookies, AI Overview Ads & SearchGPT
  
  
  This week, we covered yet again more Google Search ranking volatility. Microsoft is testing its new Bing generative search experience. Reddit blocked Bing and other search engines that won’t pay for its content…





• 
  Google Gemini Adds Related Content & Verification Links
  
  
  Google pushed out a large update to Gemini (formerly known as Bard) and this update includes more links to both related content and also links to verify the content that Gemini is responding with.





• 
  SearchGPT – OpenAI’s AI Search Tool
  
  
  OpenAI has announced SearchGPT, its AI search tool that looks and feels a lot like ChatGPT but gives you more sources and answers through links. OpenAI wrote, “We’re testing SearchGPT, a temporary prototype of new AI search features that give you fast and timely answers with clear and relevant sources.”





• 
  Google’s John Mueller: Don’t Use LLMs For SEO Advice
  
  
  Google’s John Mueller said on LinkedIn he does not recommend you use LLMs (AI tools) for SEO advice. He wrote, “please don’t use LLMs for SEO advice.” “They learn from all the bad SEO information out there,” he added.





• 
  Google Search With Related Images Carousel Below Image Box
  
  
  Google is testing showing a related images carousel right below an images box in the mobile search results. As you scroll through the search results, you are presented with an images box and if that is not enough for you, Google Search shows you a related images carousel right below that.





• 
  Google Local Book Online CTA For Call Business
  
  
  Google seems to be testing a new option for the Book Online call to action option that does not use an online booking service but rather lets you call the business directly. The button says “call business” and then will dial the business from your mobile phone.





• 
  Google Chrome Dinosaur Game Crochet
  
  
  Here is the Google Chrome dinosaur game in some sort of crochet art, or tapestry art. I found this on Instagram and this was the person’s first crochet or tapestry, not sure the difference.

Other Great Search Threads:

• Google discover test highlight text snippets with also asking to add note on links that visited, Khushal Bherwani on X
• Google asking to add notes, Khushal Bherwani on X
• Google AIO thinks “Psoriasis” is a viral disease that affects plants. This isn’t some tiny specific medical case. If AIO gets something this big wrong what does that mean for all the smaller health searches AIO is showing up for? We, Matt Smith on X
• Sound Search is expanding from @YouTube to @YouTubeMusic!  Search for music in a brand new way by humming, singing or playing a song in the background. More info, Neal Mohan on X
• To clarify, the system will prioritize the keyword that is identical to the query. It will not prioritize keywords that aren’t eligible to serve (e.g. the campaign or ad group is paused). However, if you, AdsLiaison on X
• update: despite receiving this email June 12th, our rep confirmed that these 2 accounts aren’t required to make the switch., Greg on X

Search Engine Land Stories:

Other Great Search Stories:

Analytics

Industry & Business

Links & Content Marketing

Local & Maps

Mobile & Voice

SEO

PPC

Search Features

Other Search

Feedback:

Have feedback on this daily recap; let me know on Twitter @rustybrick or @seroundtable, on Threads, Mastodon and Bluesky and you can follow us on Facebook and on Google News and make sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or just contact us the old fashion way.

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.

Bing launched its new generative search experience and it does seem to prioritize links to publishers. Reddit blocked Bing Search and other search engines but not Google. Google says again it will test ads within the AI Overviews. Apple Maps launched a beta version of its web version. Google Local Service Ads tests expanding the phone number.

Search Engine Roundtable Stories:

• 
  Microsoft Now Testing Bing Generative Search Experience
  
  
  Microsoft announced yesterday it has begun testing its new Bing generative search experience – so Bing GSE (versus Google SGE). “By combining the power of generative AI and large language models (LLMs) with the search results page, Bing’s generative search creates a bespoke and dynamic response to a user’s query,” Microsoft wrote.
• 
  Reddit Blocked Bing Search & Others But Not Google
  
  
  On July 1, 2024, Reddit updated its robots.txt file to prohibit most search engine and AI crawlers from accessing its content – including blocking Microsoft Bing. Reddit did not block Google Search, which we covered here a few weeks ago.




• 
  Google Again: We Will Test Ads In AI Overviews Soon
  
  
  Google said it again, it will soon test ads within its AI Overviews. Philipp Schindler, senior vice president and chief business officer for Google, said this in the earnings call on Tuesday night. He said, “soon we’ll actually start testing search and shopping ads in AI Overviews for users in the U.S.”
• 
  Apple Maps Web Version Launches Beta
  
  
  Apple has launched a public beta version of Apple Maps on the web after launching the mobile app back almost 12 years ago on September 19, 2012. “Apple Maps on the web is available in public beta, allowing users around the world to access Maps directly from their browser,” Apple wrote.





• 
  Google Local Service Ads Shows Phone Number On Hover
  
  
  Google Local Service Ads can now show the business’s phone number in the ad unit when you hover over your mouse cursor over the ad. It will then dynamically expand the ad to show the advertiser’s phone number.





• 
  Tree House & Hippie Van At Google Boulder Office
  
  
  We have seen this area at the Google Boulder, Colorado office before, but I have not seen this hippie-looking van with flowers on it and such. This gives off a certain vibe for the office, don’t you think?

Other Great Search Threads:

Search Engine Land Stories:

Other Great Search Stories:

Analytics

Industry & Business

Links & Content Marketing

Local & Maps

Mobile & Voice

SEO

PPC

Other Search

Feedback:

Have feedback on this daily recap; let me know on Twitter @rustybrick or @seroundtable, on Threads, Mastodon and Bluesky and you can follow us on Facebook and on Google News and make sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or just contact us the old fashion way.

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.

We spotted another Google search ranking volatility again around July 23rd. An SEO poll says 54% of SEOs saw positive effects from Google updates. Google Local Service Ads adds new budget options. Google Search is outlining videos in the search results. Google announced earnings and their ad revenue is up again, this time 11%.

Search Engine Roundtable Stories:

• 
  Google Search Ranking Algorithm Volatility – July 23rd
  
  
  I probably should have covered this yesterday but I have been seeing more ranking volatility starting late on Monday, July 22nd, through yesterday, July 23rd and into today July 24th. This may be a continuation from what we saw last week or maybe something new – it is hard to tell.





• 
  Google Ad Revenue Up 11% – $64.62 Billion In Ad Revenue
  
  
  Google / Alphabet reported its Q2 2024 earnings last night, where its ad revenue hit $64.62 billion, up 11% from last year’s quarter of $58.14 billion. Clearly, Google’s advertising business continues to grow despite any economic downturn we may have seen.
• 
  SEO Poll: 54% Of SEOs Saw Positive Effects From Google Updates
  
  
  Aleyda Solis posted the results of a poll she ran, which showed 54% say their sites have seen mostly a positive effect from Google Updates in the last couple of years. John Mueller from Google replied to that poll saying, “While there are exceptions, life as an SEO or when working on the web is not about doom & gloom.”




• 
  New Google Local Service Ads Budget Options
  
  
  Google has added new ad budget options and features to Local Service Ads. You can now set a maximum monthly ad spend limit for the month for some accounts.
• 
  Google Outlines Videos In Search Results
  
  
  Google seems to have changed how it shows large videos in the search results. I am now seeing them show these gray lines, outlining the video box, in the Google Search results.





• 
  Google Receptionist – The Seattle Seahawks Blitz Mascot
  
  
  Here is an old photo I recently found at the Google Kirkland, Seattle office. You can see the Seattle Seahawks mascot, aka the Blitz, sitting at the front desk at the Google office there.

Other Great Search Threads:

Search Engine Land Stories:

Other Great Search Stories:

Analytics

Industry & Business

Links & Content Marketing

Local & Maps

Mobile & Voice

SEO

PPC

Search Features

Other Search

Feedback:

Have feedback on this daily recap; let me know on Twitter @rustybrick or @seroundtable, on Threads, Mastodon and Bluesky and you can follow us on Facebook and on Google News and make sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or just contact us the old fashion way.