SEO News
Google Lighthouse To Undergo Major Audit Overhaul: What To Know
Google Lighthouse audits are changing. Learn which tests are merging, disappearing, and how to prepare your SEO workflows before these changes take effect.
- Google is making changes to Lighthouse, its popular website testing tool.
- Many familiar audits will be combined, and some will be removed entirely.
- These changes aim to simplify performance analysis.
Google's Updated Raters Guidelines Refines Concept Of Low Quality
Google’s Search Quality Rater Guidelines were updated a few months ago. Among the most consequential updates are those to the sections defining the lowest quality pages, which more clearly reflect the kinds of sites Google wants to exclude from the search results.
Paid News
Google adds to its transparency rules for who is paying for ads
Google updated its Ads Transparency policy to show more detailed information about the entities funding ads – a move aimed at increasing accountability in digital advertising.
Google is testing ads in third-party AI chatbot conversations
Google started placing ads inside chat conversations with some third-party AI assistants, according to a Bloomberg report, marking another step in its push to monetize AI-powered search alternatives.
Studies & Data
Survey: 36% of consumers start searching on Pinterest, not Google
More than a third of consumers – including nearly 4 in 10 Gen Z users – have ditched Google Search in favor of Pinterest’s visual-first search experience, according to a new Adobe survey. And businesses are following their lead to capture traffic and engagement.
AI search example in ChatGPT & Perplexity - a case study
Learning theory about AI search ranking is one thing. A real world example is another. See how different factors influence AI results for local plumbers.
Guides & Recommendations
Search, answer, and assistive engine optimization: A 3-part approach
Here's how to optimize for LLMs, knowledge graphs, and modern search engines and build a digital footprint recommendation engines trust.
Your 2025 guide to SEO reporting and tracking
SEO reporting and tracking are major sticking points for anyone in the industry.
- Data that you find important may be less valuable to C-suite executives.
- Or you may not have enough data to show growth, changes, and significant events clearly and concisely.
Reports must tell a story. Without the right data, you’ll end up with a confusing plot that won’t be well-received.
Thought Pieces
In unfunny times, can humor make work more bearable? - WorkLife
As the average person spends 90,000 hours at work over a lifetime — one-third of our lives — the quality of that time matters a lot. And as bosses brace for a looming “manager crash,” they might want to turn to an unexpected ally: humor.
We’re not talking about just getting laughs. “Smart humor” is a strategic tool backed by science, with laughter having been proved to reduce stress, strengthen team bonds, and transform the most tedious meetings into lively, engaging exchanges.
I’ve Had It! We Need to Stop the Fearmongering and “SEO Is Dead” Narrative - Moz
Is SEO really dead or are fearmongers twisting data to fit their narrative? Chima Mmeje debunks myths and reveals what actually works to dominate search in 2025
AI News
ChatGPT Adds Shopping, WhatsApp Search, & Improved Citations
OpenAI has added several new features to ChatGPT’s search tool. You can now shop for products, search through WhatsApp, and see improved source citations.
These updates build upon the real-time search features introduced in October, demonstrating OpenAI’s increasing challenge to Google and other search engines.
Microsoft Launches Copilot Search in Bing
Microsoft has released Copilot Search in Bing combining AI-generated summaries with regular search results.
Copilot Search aims to give users quick answers with clear source links. Like Google’s similar features, it offers a more conversational search experience.
Other News
Meta rolls out ads globally on Threads feed
Meta’s text-based social platform is now monetizing its 300 million monthly active users
Meta’s standalone app Threads is beginning a global rollout of advertisements within its feed, expanding beyond the limited testing that began in January.
YouTube Tests AI Overviews In Search Results
YouTube is now testing AI-powered video summaries in its search results, a feature similar to Google Search’s AI overviews.
The new tool helps users find relevant videos faster by highlighting specific clips that best match their search criteria.