SEO News
Google updated its ranking algorithms for explicit videos and explicit content
Google has revamped its search help documentation with revised guidelines for sites with explicit content. The new document covers how SafeSearch works, how Google handles sites with sexually explicit content and numerous best practices on the topic.
Google also updated its ranking algorithms to target sites that host explicit videos but don’t allow Googlebot to fetch those videos. Google said these sites may see “a significant drop in ranking.”
Google's Sergey Brin Says AI Can Synthesize Top 1,000 Search Results
Google co-founder Sergey Brin says AI is transforming search from a process of retrieving links to one of synthesizing answers by analyzing thousands of results and conducting follow-up research. He explains that this shift enables AI to perform research tasks that would take a human days or weeks, changing how people interact with information online.
Paid News
Google Promoted Pins come to Maps for Demand Gen campaigns
Advertisers can now tap into Promoted Pins on Maps as part of their Demand Gen campaigns. These pins leverage existing image assets and appear in key spots on Maps, like Browse, Directions, and Entity/Place Details modes.
Google clarifies where ads appear in AI Overviews
As AI Overviews expand to more countries and Google tests AI Mode in the U.S., advertisers need to know exactly how ads will display in these evolving search experiences. Google’s new help document outlines these placements, clarifying that while exact and broad match keywords can trigger different placements, only broad match keywords can serve within AI Overviews.
Studies & Data
Google Search Console Fails To Report Half Of All Search Queries
New research from ZipTie reveals an issue with Google Search Console.
The study indicates that approximately 50% of search queries driving traffic to websites never appear in GSC reports. This leaves marketers with incomplete data regarding their organic search performance.
Google Ads costs rise again, but conversions improve: Report
Google Ads costs surged across nearly every industry in 2025, with 87% of sectors seeing higher cost-per-click rates. But the pain is being offset by significantly better conversion rates — 65% of industries are turning more clicks into actual customers. That’s according to a LocalIQ analysis of 16,446 campaigns.
Guides & Recommendations
How AI Mode and AI Overviews work based on patents
Read this deep dive into six patents that reveal how Google's AI Overviews and AI Mode work – and what it all means for the future of SEO.
Google Ads Audience Builder: What the heck is that?
Learn how Google’s new Audience Builder workflow changes how create, manage, and apply audiences in Demand Gen, Video, and PMax campaigns.
Events
International SEO for Tech Companies – NZ TMG Event, June 2025
The session will explore the challenges and opportunities of international SEO for tech companies - especially those looking to expand beyond their local market. From cultural and competitive nuances to technical foundations like site structure and hreflang implementation, I’ll be sharing practical guidance to help you avoid common pitfalls and build a solid SEO framework for global growth.
Thought Pieces
Why Google Search Console Isn't Showing All Your Website Clicks
Have you ever logged into Google Search Console, looked at your search terms report, and thought “hang on, these numbers don’t add up”? Don’t worry, you’re not imagining things. Search Console is deliberately hiding a massive chunk of your data.
Has double-serving made Google Ads Auction Insights obsolete?
Double-serving in Google Ads is a hot topic right now, but almost no one is talking about what’s really impacted: Auction Insights.
With metrics like impression share getting diluted through the double-serving update, advertisers need to be careful about how they interpret competitor metrics in Auction Insights.
Here’s what’s changed, what it means for your performance, and how to regain visibility into how competitors are impacting you.
AI News
Claude's Hidden System Prompts Offer a Peek Into How Chatbots Work
Anthropic released the underlying system prompts that control their Claude chatbot’s responses, showing how they are tuned to be engaging to humans with encouraging and judgment-free dialog that naturally leads to discovery. The system prompts help users get the best out of Claude. Here are five interesting system prompts that show what’s going on when you ask it a question.
Although the system prompts were characterized as a leak they were actually released on purpose.
LinkedIn introduces AI and automation tools to improve ad performance
LinkedIn released automation updates that could help advertisers leverage advanced forecasting, automation, and insights to streamline ad creation and maximize ROI with new levels of efficiency.
Other News
Wix Announces Adaptive Content For Driving Higher Sales & Engagement
Wix announced a new feature that enables businesses to create personalized content for visitors, increasing relevance and opportunities for higher sales and lead generation. The feature integrates AI into the workflow, making it easier for publishers to deliver advanced personalized experiences to returning customers.
WordPress Unpauses Development But Has It Run Out Of Time?
Automattic announced that it is reversing its four-month pause in WordPress development and will return to focusing on the WordPress core, Gutenberg, and other projects. The pause in contributions came at a critical moment, as competitors outpaced WordPress in ease of use and technological innovation left the platform behind.