Microsoft Advertising is previewing a new design and usability update for its ad platform. This update has a redesigned navigation and improved tables and layouts. This update should make managing your ad campaigns more efficient and intuitive.

Google posted a note that it has made enhancements to the Merchant Center’s Popular products reports. Specifically, the coverage and insights sections were improved back in June of this year, but Google just posted about this information on this past Friday afternoon.

Microsoft is now forcing all users to log in before using Copilot, but this currently does not apply to Copilot Search answers within Bing Search. When you try to go directly to Copilot, even by clicking on the Copilot button on Bing’s home page, you are asked to sign into your account.

Google Search is testing pushing searchers into AI Mode from the AI Overview by default, without having to click the “Show more” button. The new AI Overview experience that Google is testing shows a much fuller AI answer, like you’d get in AI Mode, and loads the follow up “Ask anything” box by default.

Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today, through the eyes of the Search Engine Roundtable and other search forums on the web. A first, Google won’t enforce a spam policy within the European region…

Google’s John Mueller said Google “primarily” announces search updates to provide “transparency for site owners.” He added that when Google publishes blog posts, updates policies, and help center documentation, that is an actionable announcement site owners could use.

Google has two, well, maybe three, features that are being confused as one. The preferred sources, the tailor your feed and also search profiles. All kind of customize what you see across Google Search features including Google Search, AI Mode, Discover and so on. But they are all different features.

Google will be updating its alcohol advertising policy on September 30, 2026. The update “revises country-specific guidelines, expands allowed advertising locations, and provides clearer details on specific advertiser requirements and responsibilities,” Google wrote.

Another week…

Google is expanding the book button through Reserve with Google partner integration to Google Ads Search and Performance Max campaigns. Previously, I believe, this was only available on Google Local Service Ads and maps ads.

Google announced it will not enforce manual actions under the site reputation abuse policy in the European Economic Area (EEA) due to a mandate set by the European Commission, effective August 30, 2026. Google said searchers in the EEA will not benefit from Google’s spam prevention for sites labeled for site reputation abuse.

Over the past few days, the IRS website (and other government sites) has tanked within Google’s search results. My gut feeling is that the federal government implemented some bot-blocking that was too aggressive and blocked Google, among others, resulting in Google not fully showing the IRS website. I believe the IRS implemented some fixes, and […]

Google is rolling out three new travel features within AI Mode in Google Search. These features include track flight prices, view points or miles rates, and book hotels directly within AI Mode, through your conversational search.

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