SEO News & Updates for February 2025

Google Lens adds screen search feature for iOS users and expands AI Overviews

13 hours ago

Google Lens has launched a feature for iPhone users that allows screen searches in Chrome and the Google app using gestures like drawing or tapping, eliminating the need for screenshots or new tabs. Additionally, AI Overviews will be more frequent in Lens results, providing insights on unique images without needing a specific question. These updates are rolling out globally this week for iOS apps and will soon be available on Chrome.

Automate Your Marketing Audits - Say Goodbye to Manual Checklists

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Marketing Auditor is a comprehensive, automated tool designed to revolutionize the process of auditing digital marketing campaigns. It supports platforms like Google Ads and Google Analytics, performing 200+ automated checks to uncover growth opportunities and deliver actionable insights. Users can generate professional, white-labeled reports customized to their branding and preferred formats like Google Slides and PowerPoint.

Google Confirms No Special Handling Needed for Paginated Content Indexing

2 days ago

SEO

Google clarified that search engines no longer require special handling for paginated content, as the `rel="prev"` and `rel="next"` attributes are discontinued. He emphasized that Google can recognize unique content in paginated series without special treatment, meaning valuable content will be indexed regardless of its pagination. Mueller advised against combining paginated pages into a single URL, as Google's systems can effectively process and index unique content.

Google updates Merchant listings with member pricing beta and priceType clarifications

6 days ago

SEO

Google updated its Merchant listing structured data guidelines to include a beta for member pricing, validForMemberTier, and clarified the priceType property for active, sale, and strikethrough prices. It provided examples and instructions for encoding these prices in JSON-LD. Member prices apply to loyalty program members and have distinct encoding. Merchants should review these updates to effectively use the new pricing features.

OpenAI expected to pay Reddit $70M for exclusive content licensing deal

6 days ago

SEO Reddit

Reddit's content licensing deals with Google and OpenAI contribute 10% to its revenue, according to COO Jen Wong. Advertising is still the main revenue source, with Q4 ad revenue growing 60% year-over-year. Total revenue for the year was $1.3 billion, up 62%, but the company reported a net loss of $484.3 million. Reddit is focusing on enhancing ad capabilities through machine learning and automation while maintaining user privacy in its licensing agreements.

Google Search Enhances Speed with Speculation Rules API for Faster Navigation

7 days ago

SEO Technical SEO

Google announced improvements to search speed via the Speculation Rules API, enhancing user experience by prefetching and prerendering results. It now prefetches the first two search results while ensuring privacy with features like anonymous IP usage. Tests showed significant loading time reductions. Prefetching extends to more results when users hover over links. Currently available on Chrome and Edge, Google aims for broader adoption and future enhancements.

Google News Announces Full Transition to Automated Publication Pages

8 days ago

SEO

Google News will switch to automatically generated publication pages in March 2024, removing manually created pages and customization features in the Publisher Center. Content eligibility will remain unchanged, following Google's policies that prioritize relevance, prominence, authoritativeness, freshness, location, and language for ranking. Custom sections will be removed from landing pages, with logos using site favicons and publication titles based on site names.

Google tests new AI Mode for Search to enhance exploratory queries and responses

13 days ago

SEO AI Overviews

Google is testing a new “AI Mode” for Search that lets users ask open-ended questions and receive AI-generated responses. Powered by Gemini 2.0, this feature aims to improve searches for queries needing advice or comparisons. Employees are currently testing this mode, which has a chatbot-like interface that organizes information into easy-to-digest formats. AI Mode may launch in 2025, aligning with significant Search innovations expected this year.

Google Reports Solid Q4 Growth, Reveals Massive AI Infrastructure Plans

15 days ago

Paid Search SEO

Alphabet reported mixed Q4 results, with revenue of $96.5 billion slightly missing expectations, leading to a 6% drop in shares. Earnings per share were $2.15, exceeding forecasts. Key figures included Google Services revenue at $84 billion, Cloud revenue at $12 billion, and YouTube ads at $10.5 billion. The company plans to invest $75 billion in AI by 2025 amid rising competition, while facing legal challenges and potential market position erosion.

Google Tests AI-Powered 'Ask for Me' Feature for Local Business Calls

20 days ago

Local SEO SEO

Google has launched an AI feature called "Ask for Me" that makes calls to local businesses to gather pricing and availability information. It is currently being tested through Search Labs, focusing on auto repair shops and nail salons. Users can access it by searching for services and providing details. The AI uses technology similar to Google Duplex. Businesses can opt out of calls, and human reviewers monitor results. The feature is available in the U.S. and may expand to other sectors

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