GEO news
What is changing in AI search. Each item is a short summary with a link to the outlet that reported it.
Where AI assistants get their information
A new article from Semrush explains the sources AI assistants draw on when generating answers. These include training data, live online information, and licensing partnerships.
Source: Semrush Blog
Kevin Rowe Shares Digital PR System Behind 1,000+ Earned Links
Kevin Rowe has detailed the digital PR system that earned more than 1,000 links for GEO and SEO. The approach focuses on data stories that journalists are likely to cover, and the research can also win spots in AI Overviews.
Source: Search Engine Journal
Claude and Claude Code Show Different Search Behaviours, Data Finds
New data shows that Anthropic's Claude and Claude Code search the web at different rates, mention different brands, and send their agents to different types of pages. The findings come from an analysis of search patterns across the two AI systems.
Source: Search Engine Journal
Semrush adds AI Overview tracking
Semrush has published a guide to tracking AI Overviews in its platform. The tool now lets users monitor when their site appears in Google's AI-generated search summaries.
Source: Semrush Blog
Google updates site reputation policy
Google has updated its site reputation policy, which was introduced in 2024 to stop third-party content being published on trusted websites to exploit their reputation for higher rankings. The update clarifies the policy's scope and enforcement, aiming to improve search quality a
Source: Google Search Central Blog
Google Adds Hotel Booking to AI Mode
Google has begun rolling out hotel booking in AI Mode, its AI-powered search experience, with checkout handled through Google Pay. The feature is being introduced in supported markets, alongside flight alerts and rewards pricing.
Source: Search Engine Journal
Google AI Mode Adds Flight Price Tracking, Miles Rates and Hotel Booking
Google has added three travel features to AI Mode in Search. Users can now track flight prices, view points or miles rates, and book hotels directly within the conversational search experience.
Source: Search Engine Roundtable
Google AI Mode adds flight price tracking and hotel booking
Google has expanded AI Mode in Search to handle more of the travel planning process. The feature can now track flight prices and help users book hotels directly within the AI-powered interface.
Source: TechCrunch AI
OpenAI Adds WebMCP Site Tools to ChatGPT Browser
OpenAI has added WebMCP support to ChatGPT's desktop browser, allowing supported webpages to expose structured actions to ChatGPT Work and Codex. The update means ChatGPT can now interact with websites that implement WebMCP, a protocol for machine-readable site capabilities. This
Source: Search Engine Journal
Google AI Mode Adds Link Carousels for Developing Topics
Google has extended its link carousel feature to AI Mode, following its earlier rollout in AI Overviews. The carousels appear for queries on developing topics, showing a horizontal list of web pages directly within the AI Mode response.
Source: Search Engine Roundtable
ChatGPT Ads adds automated bidding and platform targeting
OpenAI has added automated bidding, platform targeting and view-through conversions to ChatGPT Ads, its advertising platform for the AI assistant. The update also expands the service into Latin America.
Source: Search Engine Land
Marketers still call AI search SEO, study finds
New research shows that marketers still refer to AI-driven search as SEO, even as the technology changes how answers are generated. The study, published on 24 August 2026, examines how marketers define AI search, where they allocate budget, and what vendors must demonstrate to ga
Source: Search Engine Land
AI Mode Queries Are 3X Longer: Why Your Page Should Lead With The Answer
A year of AI Mode data shows that users are asking longer, more conversational questions, with query length tripling compared to traditional search. This shift suggests that content should lead with the answer rather than follow a narrative arc.
Source: Search Engine Journal
Google Brings Generative UI to AI Overviews
Google has expanded its generative UI, which builds custom visual layouts and interactive tools, from AI Mode to AI Overviews. The feature first launched in AI Mode last year and is now reaching a wider audience through AI Overviews in search results.
Source: Search Engine Journal
Reddit Citations Drop in ChatGPT Search, Promptwatch Data Shows
New data from Promptwatch shows a sharp decline in Reddit citations within ChatGPT Search this month. The drop is not fully explained by the data, according to the analysis.
Source: Search Engine Journal
Google introduces Search profiles for creators and publishers
Google has launched a new profile space for creators, publishers and brands to present their work in Search. The profiles are designed to give these groups a dedicated place to share information about themselves and their content.
Source: Google Blog (Search)
Google Search Console adds Search Generative AI performance reports
Google has introduced new Search Generative AI performance reports in Search Console, with dedicated views for Search and Discover. The reports show how often a site appears in generative AI features on Search, helping site owners understand their visibility in AI-driven results.
Source: Google Search Central Blog
Google expands spam policies to cover back button hijacking
Google has updated its spam policies to explicitly prohibit a deceptive practice called back button hijacking, which will now be treated as a violation of its malicious practices policy. Sites found engaging in this behaviour could face spam actions, including demotion or removal
Source: Google Search Central Blog
