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.
Google's CEO says scaling Gemini as a consumer app is key to 2025. Google is testing AI Overview rendering animations. Google is testing AI Overviews in Things To Know and What People Are Saying sections. Google tested knowledge panel images that open in full screens. Google Search ads has a section named find related products and services.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
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Google: Scaling Gemini For Consumers Biggest Focus Of 2025
Google's CEO, Sundar Pichai, reportedly held a meeting for its employees where he spoke about the upcoming challenges in 2025 and how important it is for Google to ship AI products fast. One line that really stood out for me is "Scaling Gemini on the consumer side will be our biggest focus next year," Pichai later added. -
Google Testing AI Overview Rendering Animation
I am not sure I'd call this new, because I believe I've seen this numerous times before, but Google has two AI Overview rendering animations. One for when you are not logged into Search Labs and the other for when you are just using normal Google Search with normal AI Overviews. -
Google Search Tests AI Generated Things to Know
Google is testing using Gemini to generate the Things To Know section using AI. Yes, AI-generated Things to know results in Google Search that look and feel like AI Overviews. This also seems to be in the What People Are Saying section too. -
Google Search Ads Titled Find Related Products & Services
Google is now testing titled sponsored search ads in the Google Search results with "Find related products & services." And as you guessed it, those buttons lead to more search results with more ads to click on. -
Bug? Google Knowledge Panel Images Opening Full Screen.
Google often shows images in the knowledge panels within the Google Search results, but when you click on them, they often load smaller in an overlay window. It seems Google is testing (or it is a bug) showing the image full screen. -
Large Google Energy Pinwheels
Google has this large pinwheels outside of its new Mountain View, California offices, that I think generate some energy. They might be really small windmill energy devices of sorts, in the Google company colors.
Other Great Search Threads:
- Bing is testing a huge number of product-sponsored ads with see more and see less drop-down buttons. Here is the test and the window without the test for the same query., Khushal Bherwani on X
- Google tells bloggers to "build a brand" and write for your own audiences BUT if you do that and your audience tries to find you via brand search, Google will try its best to stop your audience from finding you in the SERPs Google will:, Nate Hake on X
- I have just requested the Odoo team to support IndexNow natively, so that it is enabled by default. I suggest you also reach out to them., Fabrice Canel on X
- Site maintenance is worth it - especially when a "broken bolt" doesn't trigger something catastrophic that's obviously & immediately visible, John Mueller on Bluesky
Search Engine Land Stories:
- Google’s CEO warns ChatGPT may become synonymous to AI the way Google is to Search
- Top 10 PPC news of the year 2024 on Search Engine Land
Other Great Search Stories:
Industry & Business
- How Google's Sundar Pichai navigated a pressure-filled year, CNBC
- OpenAI Details Plans for Becoming a For-Profit Company, New York Times
- OpenAI needs 'more capital than we’d imagined,' moves to for-profit, CNBC
- Watch Gradient Investments Sees More Growth Ahead for Google, Bloomberg
- Why OpenAI’s Structure Must Evolve To Advance Our Mission, OpenAI
Links & Content Marketing
- Link Building Basics: A Simple Guide with Ethical Strategies, ROI Rangers
- AI in Content Creation & Optimization: Write Smarter, Not Longer, Level343
Local & Maps
- Google Maps vs. Waze: The Biggest New Features, AutoEvolution
- Google Maps is missing a co-driving mode, and it's time to fix that, Android Police
- How to Get More Google Reviews: 9 Proven Tips, Backlinko
Mobile & Voice
- Android Auto rolling out redesigned music player, 9to5Google
- How I balance Siri and Google Assistant for the best of both worlds, Android Police
SEO
- 21+ Of Our Best SEO & Content Marketing Templates, Ahrefs
- Ecommerce SEO Pro on AI, 2025 Tactics, Practical Ecommerce
- SEO for Plumbers: How to Rank Higher & Get More Customers, Backlinko
- To Fight AI Search Spam, Prioritize Real Human Voices, Wired
PPC
- The Pros and Cons of Google Ads vs. Facebook Ads for E-Commerce, Bluetuskr
- Google AI Enhances Shopping Ad Performance, PPC News Feed
- How to Optimize Your Google Shopping Feed for Better Results, Jyll Saskin Gales
Search Features
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