Where the Google core updates, Web is Thriving and AI index freshness

Search Engine Roundtable Podcast

Another week and more Google search ranking volatility hits, this time on June 25 and June 26. Google promised more core updates, more often, but that did not happen. Google’s Nick Fox says he questions the AI Overview click studies and says the web is thriving. Liz Reid, Google’s head of Search, spoke about SEO and ads in AI Search. Google expanded AI Mode in Labs to India. Google touts its index freshness as a win for its AI. Google has an undisclosed search answer box. Google is testing a new feature named Preferred Sources to let searchers see more content from their favorite news publications. Bing is testing a floating a Copilot follow up query box in the Bing search results. Google says URL extensions still don’t matter. Google Business Profiles tests social buttons above Google Posts. Google expands turning off review posting. Google disallows adding countries or states to service area businesses. Google will end its self-service hotel rates on July 30. Google Ads tests a compact segment dropdown menu. Google launched Offerwall for publishers to make more money. Google Merchant Center product status change history report is back. Google has this new emoji answer box. And the industry is mourning the loss of Jill Whalen. That was the search news this week at the Search Engine Roundtable.

SPONSOR: This week's video recap is sponsored by Duda, the Professional Website Builder You Can Call Your Own.

0:00 - Introduction

0:40 - Google Search Ranking Volatility Rumbles On June 25 & 26

1:09 - Google's More Core Updates, More Often Seem To Not Be Happening

2:25 - Google Questions AI Overview Click Studies & Says Web Is Thriving

3:54 - Head Of Google Search, Liz Reid, On Ads & SEO With AI Search

4:34 - Google Expands AI Mode To India In Search Labs

4:58 - Google Touts Its Index Freshness As A Win For Google AI

5:42 - Google Undisclosed Blue Search Answer?

6:16 - Google Top Stories Preferred Sources Labs Feature Can Be Big For Publishers

6:55 - Bing Search Tests Floating Copilot Search Box

7:14 - Google Still Says URL Extensions Still Don't Matter

7:32 - Google Business Profiles Tests Social Profiles Above Google Posts

7:50 - Google Expands Posting Reviews Is Turned Off For This Place

8:24 - Google Disallows Adding Countries Or States To Service Area Businesses

8:44 - Google To End Self-Service Hotel Rates July 30

9:07 - Google Ads Tests Compact Segment Dropdown Menu

9:20 - Google Offerwall Out Of Beta

9:57 - Google Merchant Center Product Status Changes History Report Returning

10:22 - New Google Search Emoji Answer Feature

10:48 - The Industry Mourns The Loss Of Jill Whalen - Content SEO Hero & Legend

11:50 - Conclusion