We hope you are in good health. Here are some of the major SEO news updates of the week that you need to know:
Search Related News and Updates from Major Search Engine
Early Insights on Google’s March 2025 Core Update
Google’s March 2025 core update is more complex than usual, combining algorithmic changes with spam updates that target low-quality and unoriginal content. Early observations show significant volatility in search rankings, especially affecting sites with AI-generated or thin content.
Pingdom Performance Scores and Their Impact on SEO
Google’s John Mueller clarified that a low Pingdom performance score does not negatively affect a website’s SEO. While tools like Pingdom measure site speed and uptime, Google does not use these specific metrics for ranking purposes. However, ensuring a fast-loading site is beneficial for user experience.
Google Search Pagination Bar Disappears for Some Users
Some Google users have reported the absence of the pagination bar at the bottom of search results, preventing navigation to subsequent pages. This issue has been observed across multiple browsers and may be linked to specific Google accounts. Google has acknowledged the problem, attributing it to a bug, and confirmed that it was resolved as of March 26th.
Google Tests ‘Quick View’ Links in Hotel Search Results
Google is experimenting with a ‘Quick View’ feature in its hotel and lodging search results, allowing users to access a hotel’s Google Business Profile directly from the search page. This addition aims to streamline the user experience by providing essential information without the need to navigate away from the search results.
Resolution of Google Business Profile Setup Issue at Phone/Website Entry Stage
Users previously experienced a bug during the Google Business Profile setup, where the “Next” button became unresponsive after entering phone number and website details, hindering profile completion. Google acknowledged the issue and has confirmed its resolution as of March 26, 2025.
PPC Related News and Updates from Major Search Engine
Bing Introduces ‘You Might Also Like’ Ads Within Featured Snippets
Bing is testing a new advertising feature called “You Might Also Like,” which integrates ads directly within featured snippets of search results. This initiative aims to enhance user engagement by presenting additional relevant content suggestions alongside the primary search answer.
Google Merchant Center Click Reporting Update Effective April 21, 2025
Starting April 21, 2025, Google Merchant Center will update its click reporting methodology to align with Google Ads, ensuring consistency across both platforms. This change may affect both current and historical click data within the Merchant Center. Google has notified impacted users via email about this upcoming adjustment.
