AI Overviews data: Google visits are up but engagement is falling

AI Overviews data: Google visits are up but engagement is falling

Users are visiting Google more often but staying less. That’s one of several insights from a new analysis by Kevin Indig, in partnership with Similarweb, based on 5 billion search queries and 20 million websites across the U.S., UK, and Germany. The big picture. In the U.S., visits to Google are up +9% since AI […]

33% of Google Users Stuck with Bing After a Two-Week Trial: Study

33% of Google Users Stuck with Bing After a Two-Week Trial: Study

A study found that 33% of Google users continued to use Bing after trying it for two weeks. This challenges the prevailing notion about search engine preferences and Google’s market dominance. The research, published by the National Bureau of Economic Research, suggests Google’s market share isn’t just because it’s better. Many users haven’t tried alternatives. […]

Google Expands AIO Coverage In Select Industries

Google Expands AIO Coverage In Select Industries

BrightEdge Generative Parser™ detected an expansion of AI Overviews beginning April 25th, covering a larger quantity of entertainment and travel search queries, with noteworthy growth in insurance, B2B technology and education queries. Expanded AIO Coverage Expansion of AIO coverage for actor filmographies represented the largest growth area for the entertainment sector, with 76.34% of new […]

Survey: 36% of consumers start searching on Pinterest, not Google

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. By the numbers. Thirty-six percent of consumers said they start searches […]

Google Lighthouse To Undergo Major Audit Overhaul: What To Know

Google Lighthouse To Undergo Major Audit Overhaul: What To Know

Google announced plans to revamp Lighthouse’s performance audits. The new version will match the recently launched insights in Chrome DevTools’ Performance panel. This shift will alter how performance data is organized and presented, impacting SEO professionals who utilize Lighthouse for website optimization. Background: Combining Google’s Performance Tools This update is part of Google’s effort to […]

Google Is Launching Search Central Deep Dive Events

Google Is Launching Search Central Deep Dive Events

Google announced via their Search Off the Record podcast that they are launching a multi-day conference series to enable in-depth workshops on SEO topics that matter. The series is launching as a test pilot in the Asia-Pacific region, then expanding from there. Google’s Gary Illyes said that he’s been thinking of doing a multi-day event […]

Google adds to its transparency rules for who is paying for ads

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. Driving the news. Starting today, Google is displaying the payer name – drawn from an advertiser’s payment profile – if it differs from their verified advertiser name. For agency […]

Google is testing ads in third-party AI chatbot conversations

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. Driving the news. Google’s AdSense network — traditionally used for placing ads in search results and across websites — is now running ads within chatbot interactions, according […]

Google AI Mode Exits Waitlist, Now Available To All US Users

Google AI Mode Exits Waitlist, Now Available To All US Users

Google has removed the waitlist for AI Mode in Search. This Gemini-powered search tool is now available to all US users. The update introduces new features, including visual cards for places and products, shopping integration, and a history panel for desktop users. This growth aligns with Google’s recent earnings reports, which indicate that investments in […]

Google changed 76% of title tags in Q1 2025 – Here’s what that means

Google changed 76% of title tags in Q1 2025 – Here’s what that means

In the first quarter of 2025, I ran a data study to understand how often Google changes title tags – and why.  While it’s well known that Google frequently rewrites titles, I wanted to dig deeper:  What factors trigger these changes?  Are some pages more prone to rewrites than others? Most SEO professionals develop their […]