Google has updated its documentation to confirm that ads may now appear mixed within organic search results. This follows nearly a year of testing, starting with mobile devices in June 2023 and expanding to broader visibility by October 2023. As of March 2024, this placement is permanent. While ads mixed with organic results are rare, they often appear below featured snippets. The impact on user experience and SEO appears neutral, with Google prioritizing ad revenue.
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Google will discontinue the chat feature in Google Business Profiles by July 31, 2024. The phase-out begins on July 15, with full termination by the end of the month. Businesses were informed via email, acknowledging the difficulty of the decision but emphasizing Google's commitment to business management. Customers will still be able to contact businesses through Google Search and Maps. Businesses should download chat histories and find alternative chat solutions.
An analysis of 1,675 health-related keywords reveals that Google's AI Overviews (AIOs) appear in 42% of queries, potentially reducing organic clicks. AIOs are more likely to show up for complex queries and alongside informational SERP features. Sites cited in AIOs often rank well organically, but AIO citations generally lead to fewer clicks for those URLs. The impact varies by user intent, with some AIOs possibly increasing traffic.
Google is now indexing EPUB files, a format used for e-books, in its search results. EPUB, an XML-based format developed by the International Digital Publishing Forum and later merged with the W3C, aims to integrate e-publishing with the Internet. Google's changelog confirms the addition of EPUB to indexable file types but does not provide further details. While EPUB files are indexed, they are not yet ranked in search results.
Google is launching a new social profile feature for public reviews. Announced via email, it centralizes reviews in one hub at profile.google.com. Initially private, profiles will become public on June 24th, allowing users to manage reviews for TV shows, movies, and more. Google assures personal details will remain private. This feature enhances transparency and could influence purchasing decisions and review management strategies.
Google Lens, Google's AI-powered visual search, will integrate ads into AI-generated search results. Unveiled at Google’s Marketing Live event, this approach merges AI assistance and advertising. The interactive ads, offering users direct purchase options, will appear at the top of search results. This advertising form, described as an 'experience', blurs boundaries between search and advertising in the context of AI-powered suggestions.
WordPress 6.5 introduces native 'lastmod' support, enhancing search engine crawl efficiency and website visibility. The 'lastmod' tag indicates a webpage's last significant modification, aiding search engines in crawl prioritization. This update, a result of the WordPress developer community's efforts, is recommended by Google's Gary Illyes for improved SEO.
SEO job listings dropped 37% in Q1 2024 compared to 2023, due to AI's role in search, economic conditions, and lack of salary transparency. However, senior roles increased slightly. To stay competitive, SEO professionals should develop AI expertise, focus on strategic SEO, build analytics skills, specialize, emphasize soft skills, and build a personal brand.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai dismisses concerns about AI's impact on website traffic, asserting it increases engagement. He suggests AI overviews boost user interaction and clicks. Despite some websites reporting traffic loss, Pichai believes these are mostly 'aggregators'. He encourages website owners to monitor analytics to assess AI's real impact.
