Daily Search Forum Recap: September 28, 2026

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. The Google September spam update had a big impact this weekend...

Posted on: 28 September 2026 | 9:00 am

Google September 2026 Spam Update Has Big WeekendÂImpact

The first stage of the Google September 2026 Spam update seems to have been felt in a big way starting Friday, September 25th, with even more movement on Saturday, September 26th and then ending on Sunday, September 27th. There is more to come, since we are only five days into the two-week rollout.

Posted on: 28 September 2026 | 6:51 am

Google Web Search Service API Documentation Has Been Removed

A couple of weeks ago, Google seemed to accidentally publish its Web Search Service API documentation, then pulled it down last week. Google doesn't offer a public Web Search Service API, so we really can't access it, but I assume it does have some partners with access, like Apple.

Posted on: 28 September 2026 | 6:41 am

Several Google Merchant Center Policy Documents Updated

Google has updated several Google Merchant Center policy documents late last week. The documents include Products that enable dishonest behavior, Dangerous products, Counterfeit products, Sexual content, Editorial & professional requirements, the overarching Shopping ads policies overview and probably more.

Posted on: 28 September 2026 | 6:31 am

Google Tests Replacing Show More Button On AI Overviews With Loading...

Google is testing replacing the "Show more" button under the AI Overviews with a "Loading..." button. Also, earlier this year, Google tested "Enter AI Mode" for the button text but that obviously did not stick.

Posted on: 28 September 2026 | 6:21 am

Google Merchant Center API Help Document Vastly Updated

Google has completely revamped the Google Merchant Center API help document page. It was previously named "API access to Merchant Center" and was renamed to "Google Merchant Center API." Plus, the content on the page has been completely rewritten and expanded.

Posted on: 28 September 2026 | 6:11 am

Google Search Profiles Follow Button Removed From Desktop Search Results

Google seems to have removed the Follow button from the desktop search results page, but it is still on the mobile search results page. The follow button lets you quickly follow a Search profile for the individual or brand you searched for.

Posted on: 28 September 2026 | 6:05 am

Google Tests More Sitelinks Designs

Google continues to test variations of designs and user experiences for Sitelinks within its search results. The new design spotted has the Sitelinks listed line by line, with a horizontal line across the left side of the mobile search result snippet.

Posted on: 28 September 2026 | 4:45 am

Google's 28th Birthday Doodle Takes You To Google AI Mode Quiz

Today is Google's 28th birthday and Google has a special Google Doodle to celebrate. The Doodle takes you back in time to an early Google logo. Plus, when you click on the Doodle, you are taken into AI Mode where you can take "a fun trivia quiz about Google's company lore, historical quirks, and birthday traditions."

Posted on: 27 September 2026 | 7:17 pm

Daily Search Forum Recap: September 25, 2026

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 has released a new algorithm update, not a core update, but a spam update and this spam update will take two weeks...

Posted on: 25 September 2026 | 9:00 am

Search News Buzz Video Recap: Google September 2026 Spam Update Is Here, Goodbye Discover Traffic, Multimodal Search Reporting & CrUX Ad Metrics In Page Experience

This week, Google announced yet another spam update, the fourth of the year, the September 2026 Google spam update. Prior to that, we reported on more Google Search ranking volatility. Google Search Console released multimodal search filters...

Posted on: 25 September 2026 | 7:01 am

OpenAI Has Quality Raters, AI Trainers, & They Cheated With AI

As you know, Google has thousands of quality raters they use to help test and improve the search results and AI results. OpenAI does the same thing, with AI trainers according to a report by 404 Media.

Posted on: 25 September 2026 | 6:51 am

Google LSAs Showing Google Business Profile Number, Not Google Ads Number

Google seems to have made a change in which phone number they use for tracking calls, even when you tell Google to use the Google Ads number, it is still using the Google Business Profiles phone number. I am told this is a confirmed change and Google still has not changed it back, and it is unclear if Google will change it back.

Posted on: 25 September 2026 | 6:41 am

Bing Testing Editable Labels On Images

Microsoft Bing is testing adding an editable icon in two formats on images within Bing Search that can be edited using Bing's AI image feature.

Posted on: 25 September 2026 | 6:31 am

Google Ads Disables Editing Target ROAS While Promotion Mode Is Active

Did you know that you cannot edit your Target ROAS while promotion mode is active in Google Ads? Google will display a notification that reads, "You can't edit your Target ROAS while promotion mode is active" and then gives you the option to edit the ROAS tolerance instead.

Posted on: 25 September 2026 | 6:21 am