Category Archives: computers

All things computers/servers…

Google Search Console Shows AI Mode Queries, Not In Generative AI Reports

While the Google Search Console generative AI performance reports do not share query data, you can still try to figure out which queries are from AI Mode versus normal searches. The SEO community has been doing this for years now by looking for more conversational-style queries in your Search Console performance reports.

Microsoft Ads New Exclude Audience Ads Placements Within PMax Campaigns

Microsoft Advertising is rolling out a new feature for advertisers to allow you to exclude Audience ads placements within Performance Max campaigns. There is a new setting named “Excluded content terms” within Audience Ads.

Google Search Ranking Volatility Heats Up Into August 5th & 6th

Yes, I reported Google Search ranking volatility over this past weekend, but I am seeing a large increase in the chatter within the SEO community over the past 24 hours or so. The chatter seems consistent with a big Google Search algorithm update that is underway but at this point, Google has not yet confirmed […]

Daily Search Forum Recap: August 5, 2026

Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today…

Bing Top Source Search Feature

Microsoft is testing a “Top Source” section within the Bing Search results interface. This section shows the Top Source with various sections from the site or various news articles from the site.

Google Local Services Platform Policies Now Local Services Ads Requirements

Google has renamed the Local Services platform policies document to Local Services Ads requirements. I am not sure if this was renamed and reworded because the Google Local Service Ads platform is being migrated into the main Google Ads platform but it just seems weird to do this now?

Google: Reddit Gets No Special Preference In Google Search Rankings

Google’s communications representative, Jennifer Kutz, told The Verge that Reddit gets no preference in Google Search or Google’s AI Search features. Kutz told The Verge that Reddit “gets no special preference” in Google’s ranking systems.

Google Assistant Shutting Down On Mobile Devices On September 4

We knew this day was coming, and now Google has sent out emails announcing the date when Google Assistant will be going away on mobile devices. The date is September 4, 2026, and Gemini will replace Google Assistant on WearOS, headphones and earbuds that are compatible, and Android Auto.

Google Ads Government Documents & Services Policy To Be Updated

Google will be updating its Other restricted businesses: Government documents and services policy on October 5, 2026. There are a lot of changes coming to this policy, so if you are in the business that promote direct acquisition of government documents and services, then read on.

Daily Search Forum Recap: August 4, 2026

Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today…

Google Ads Text Disclaimer Override Pinned Descriptions Position One

Google Ads is testing a new text disclaimer feature that lets you set the text disclaimer to override descriptions pinned to position 1. This is labeled as “new” under where you add text disclaimers in the Google Ads interface.

Handle Swapping Coming To Google Search Profiles

Google is currently beta testing a new Search Profiles feature named Handle Swapping. Handle Swapping allows you to switch your handle to any of your linked verified platforms within Google. Some sources say it’s launching very soon.

Google Ads Ad Preview & Diagnosis Captcha Bug

The Google Ads Ad Preview and Diagnosis tool, where you can preview your ads in the Google Search results, within the Google Ads interface is broken. It loads a CAPTCHA box and doesn’t let you remove the CAPTCHA from being displayed. So you cannot use the tool to preview your Google Ads.

August 2026 Google Webmaster Report

Here is the big Google Webmaster Report for August 2026, including of course the ongoing Google search ranking volatility; we saw volatility on…

Google Ads Tests Anchor Text Hyperlinks In Ad Descriptions

Google is testing adding keyword-rich anchor text hyperlinks to the ad descriptions in the sponsored results within Google Search. Clicking on the link takes you to the same ad landing page URL as it would if you clicked on the main title link in the ad.