Search is moving fast, and this week brought big changes from Google, Reddit, and AI tools. From ranking shake-ups to new AI features, these updates matter if you rely on online visibility. Here’s what you should know to stay ahead.
Search Engine Roundtable
- Google’s search results are still shaking up even after the June 2025 core update ended on July 17. Many websites saw traffic jump up and down around July 31 and August 1. This means Google is likely still tweaking its system, so watch your rankings closely. Read more
- Google is trying a new file called llms.txt that tells AI tools how they can use your site’s content. It works alongside meta keywords but is meant for AI training, not rankings. Website owners should stay alert because this could change how AI reads and uses your content. Read more
- Google now uses AI to write menu summaries on Business Profiles for restaurants and similar businesses. These summaries pull info from your menus and customer reviews. Keep your menu details accurate and updated so Google shows the right information. Read more
Search Engine Land
- Google rolled out Search Live with video, letting users point their camera and get answers instantly. AI Mode also got new tools like file uploads, Canvas planning, and Lens built into Chrome. Businesses that share clear images and files have a better shot at showing up in these results. Read more
- Google is now indexing publicly shared ChatGPT chats, meaning they can appear in search results. If your content is shared this way, it might get extra visibility. Be careful with what’s shared since it could show up online. Read more
- A Google survey found that Gen Z loves AI tools and often skips regular search results. They like conversational answers instead of long lists of links. Businesses should create content that AI can easily use and recommend. Read more
Search Engine Journal
- Reddit’s AI-powered Answers feature has grown 5 times, now handling 70 million searches every week. People are using Reddit more to find quick, trusted info. Brands can get noticed by joining conversations and sharing helpful advice there. Read more
- Pages wrongly marked as soft 404s still eat up crawl budget, even if they return a “200 OK” code. This can stop Google from finding other pages on your site. Fixing these errors helps Google index your content better. Read more
- Google decided to drop its new URL shortener project. The company likely backed out because of privacy and tracking concerns. Stick with trusted link shorteners that already work well. Read more
Stay updated, test new features like AI Mode, and use platforms like Reddit to stay visible where users are searching.
