Key Takeaways
- Google Search results continue to be unpredictable for many website owners.
- Google confirmed using its search data to train its Gemini AI model.
- Several Google Search and Ads tests are underway, including new placements for AI Overviews and potential “sponsored” labels for some results.
- Technical issues affected Google Search Console, including incorrect data reporting and API outages.
- Microsoft reported significant growth in its advertising revenue.
- AI features are expanding across platforms like Bing, ChatGPT, and soon, Apple devices via partnerships.
The world of search engines saw plenty of action this past week, with Google Search rankings remaining notably unstable for many.
Google also released its comprehensive webmaster report covering recent updates and insights for May.
In a significant admission revealed through a deposition, Google confirmed it utilized search data to help train its Gemini AI systems.
Technical hiccups weren’t absent. Google Search Console temporarily showed desktop data instead of mobile data in its Discover performance reports. Additionally, the Search Console’s API experienced connectivity problems for most of the week.
Looking ahead, Google might start labeling certain commercial search results features as “sponsored,” according to recent observations.
For advertisers, Google Ads is finally rolling out channel-specific reporting for its Performance Max campaigns.
Google is experimenting with several new features in Search. Tests include linking the review button in local business panels directly to AI Overviews and positioning these AI summaries on the right side of the search results page.
The experimental “AI Mode” in Google Search is also being tested more widely, now incorporating specific cards for products and places, among other enhancements.
For online retailers, Google Merchant Center introduced a “Search for Products” feature. Google is also testing additions to retailer knowledge panels, including sections for shipping details, Reuters news, and payment options, alongside new shopping ad designs and a button to “track deals from search.”
Competitors are also making moves. Bing’s Copilot AI answers are now incorporating video sections.
Microsoft announced strong quarterly earnings, highlighting a 21% increase in its advertising revenue.
In other advertising news, Google AdSense plans to start displaying ads within AI chatbots.
ChatGPT Search expanded its capabilities by introducing new shopping-related features.
Apple revealed that its upcoming Apple Intelligence will integrate Google Gemini and potentially other AI services by the end of 2025. Apple also updated the documentation for its web crawler, Applebot.
This summary covers the key search news developments reported this week by the Search Engine Roundtable.
