Skip to content

Features
Pricing
Changelog
Status

Category: News

Elevate Your LinkedIn Ads: Reserved Slots Now Available

Recently, I’ve been exploring LinkedIn’s Reserved Ads feature, which is now open to all managed advertisers. This exciting update lets me secure the prized top-of-feed placement, fundamentally boosting visibility and engagement for my B2B campaigns.

LinkedIn has now made Reserved Ads accessible to all managed accounts, allowing me to grab the first ad slot in the feed. This prime location guarantees premium visibility for my advertising efforts.

What’s new. With Reserved Ads, I can secure top-of-feed placement at a consistent rate, ensuring predictable delivery and enhanced reach. According to LinkedIn, this format drives up to 75% higher dwell time, 88% higher view-through rates, and achieves 99% of forecasted impressions, making it a powerful choice for my marketing strategy.

How it works. These ads appear in the most visible ad slot on LinkedIn’s feed and support a variety of Sponsored Content formats like Video, Single Image, and Carousel Ads. My LinkedIn account representative assists me in reserving this valuable inventory and setting the pricing strategy.

Why we care. For me, LinkedIn Reserved Ads are a game-changer, providing guaranteed top-of-feed placement. This increases my campaign’s visibility and engagement, helping me stand out in the competitive B2B space. The premium positioning enhances brand recall and influences potential leads early in the funnel.

Explore the future of payments with Oustia's sleek new card reader! Secure, stylish, and efficient — the perfect tool for modern businesses.

The predictable delivery and fixed pricing models mean I can plan my campaigns with more certainty, while also building high-quality retargeting audiences for future conversions.

The big picture. By utilizing Reserved Ads, I’m effectively bridging brand awareness and demand generation. Anchoring my campaigns at the top of LinkedIn’s feed enables me to create higher-quality retargeting pools, with LinkedIn reporting up to a 101% increase in mid-funnel engagement as a result.

The bottom line. LinkedIn’s Reserved Ads provide me, as a B2B marketer, with a predictable way to command attention and transform it into significant demand.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

December 17, 2025
Enhance Product Images with Google’s New Merchant Center Tools

I recently discovered that Google has supercharged its Merchant Center with some noteworthy additions. If you’re like me, always on the lookout for ways to make your product listings pop, this update is exciting!

Google’s Product Studio is now equipped with three creative features that add flair to your product images. Previously, it was all about generating images, but now there’s so much more on offer.

What’s New: Imagine transforming your static product pictures into engaging short videos with just a few text prompts. Product Studio now makes it easy to do just that, perfect for creating eye-catching ads for social platforms.

Another cool feature is the one-click background removal. This tool is fantastic for making your product images look clean and professional, allowing products to stand out more vividly in Shopping visuals.

The third addition is really handy—enhancing image resolution. It lets us upscale older, lower-quality images to meet today’s high visual standards, ensuring our listings look their best.

Why We Care: High-quality images are crucial for boosting Shopping performance. However, creating and updating these assets has always required time and effort. These new features speed up the process and keep us from relying heavily on design teams.

The Big Picture: Google’s integration of AI-powered tools within Merchant Center is a game-changer. By making it easier to animate and enhance images, Google lowers the barriers to testing creative content—essential for maximizing campaigns.

What to Watch: For those of us with limited creative resources, these tools could be a massive time-saver. As Google pushes for more video-focused and visually enhanced ad formats, staying ahead with these updates will be vital.

First Seen: I came across this exciting update thanks to a post by Senior PPC Specialist, Vojtěch Audy.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

December 17, 2025
Google Ad Manager Relaxes Pricing Rules Amid Antitrust Scrutiny

I’ve noticed that Google has recently made a significant change to its Ad Manager by removing the unified pricing rules. This change allows publishers like me to set different price floors for various bidders, potentially causing a shift in programmatic auction pricing.

In practical terms, this means I can now specify that one buyer must bid at least $5 while others might have a lower minimum of $2. Interestingly, Google has also rebranded “unified pricing rules” to just “pricing rules.”

Before 2019, I had more flexibility to set higher floors specifically for Google, which helped balance its data advantages. However, this was all put on hold when uniform pricing was mandated, a decision that didn’t go unnoticed by regulatory bodies in the U.S. and Europe.

Why does this matter to me? With the return of bidder-specific pricing rules, the auction dynamics shift. Higher floors for certain buyers could influence win rates and CPMs, ultimately affecting my advertising strategies and inventory.

Regulatory pressure seems to be a catalyst for this rollback. For instance, the U.S. accused Google of anti-competitive behavior, which resulted in proposals to end unified pricing. Meanwhile, Europe fined Google €2.95 billion, demanding it cease self-preferencing within the ad tech supply chain.

According to Google, this update should simplify the process for publishers and advertisers like me to work with competing ad tech solutions, while aiming to minimize disruption. They view this as part of broader strategic changes across display, video, and app ads.

Industry reactions appear positive. Jason Kint from Digital Content Next mentioned that the change brings meaningful relief, as unified pricing previously reduced yield. It also signals compliance with regulatory pressures, potentially averting stricter remedies.

Ultimately, after more than six years, I feel like I’m regaining some control over the pricing in Google Ad Manager. This shift is less about Google’s product strategy and more about responding to intense antitrust scrutiny.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

December 17, 2025
Experience AI Revolution: Google Unveils Gemini 3 Flash in Search

I’ve just learned that Google is rolling out the new Gemini 3 Flash as the default AI Mode in Search globally, and I couldn’t be more intrigued. This update promises to supercharge our search experience with faster and smarter answers, elevating the way we approach complex questions and planning tasks.

The significance of this update lies in Google’s shift towards an AI-first approach in search. By integrating AI Mode more deeply, it’s possible that we’ll see more direct answers to our queries, potentially diminishing reliance on traditional search result listings. The enhanced reasoning capabilities mean I can expect this new AI Mode to tackle tasks involving comparisons and multi-step inquiries even more efficiently.

So, what’s exactly changing? Google has now equipped AI Mode in Search globally with the power of Gemini 3 Flash, phasing out older Flash-class models. This transition results in AI Mode responses that offer Gemini 3-level reasoning, improved speed, and lower latency.

Here’s what AI Mode actually does according to Google’s announcement:

– It breaks complex queries into manageable parts.

– Real-time information and links are effortlessly pulled from across the web.

– Answers are presented in a visually organized and structured manner.

– It handles multi-step tasks efficiently, like trip planning or learning intricate topics.

Tulsee Doshi, Google’s senior director of product management, mentioned in a blog post how Gemini 3 Flash leverages enhancements in reasoning capabilities. By considering each facet of our queries, it’s designed to deliver thoughtful and comprehensive responses that integrate real-time and local insights. For someone like me aiming to plan a last-minute getaway or delving into complex learning objectives, this is especially compelling.

If you’re curious about the full announcement, here’s the link to Google’s blog post: Gemini 3 Flash: frontier intelligence built for speed

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

December 17, 2025
Master Canonicalization with Google’s JavaScript SEO Update

Earlier this week, I noticed Google made another tweak to its JavaScript SEO best practices document. This time, they focused on clarifying canonicalization best practices. In essence, Google suggests that setting the canonical URL to match the URL in the original HTML is crucial. If that’s not possible, it’s better to leave the canonical URL out of the HTML altogether.

Google’s New Additions. Google introduced a fresh section that explains:

“The rel=‘canonical’ link tag helps Google identify a page’s canonical version. While you can use JavaScript for this, it shouldn’t alter the canonical URL from what’s set in the original HTML. Ideally, use HTML to set it, but if JavaScript is necessary, ensure the JavaScript sets it identically to the HTML. If HTML isn’t an option, use JavaScript and omit the canonical URL in the HTML.”

Understanding Google’s Stance on Noindex. They also issued a warning earlier regarding noindex tags—advising not to use them in the original page code if you want the page indexed.

Why This Matters to Me. If I rely on JavaScript for setting canonical links, Google’s advice is to verify its recognition through the Google Search Console’s URL Inspection tool. It’s a great reminder to review these updated best practices, especially if JavaScript plays a crucial role on my site.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

December 17, 2025
Unlocking AI Max’s Ad Potential: Broad vs. Exact Match

I’ve been diving into some recent updates from Google regarding keyword match types, especially for those of us working with AI Overviews (AIO) and AI Mode ad placements. It’s crucial to understand these changes, particularly for those testing AI Max and using various match-type strategies. Let’s break it down so we can all optimize our ad reach effectively.

Why this matters to us. As the digital advertising landscape embraces AI-powered placements, it’s more important than ever to grasp which keywords are ready to serve ads and avoid unintentionally limiting our ad reach or misjudging performance metrics.

In May’s developments. When I followed the conversation between Marketing Director Yoav Eitani and Google’s Ads Liaison, Ginny Marvin, it was clarified that ads can serve either above or below an AI Overview—or appear within—but not in both placements simultaneously. Marvin stated, “Your ad could trigger to show either above/below AIO or within AIO, but not both at this time.”

When we talk about ad placements, it turns out both exact and broad match keywords can trigger ads above or below AIO. However, only broad match keywords (or those using keywordless targeting) have the privilege to appear within the AI Overviews.

What’s different now. In a later discussion with Paid Search specialist Toan Tran, Marvin provided further insight into Google’s updated eligibility criteria. Before this update, the presence of an exact match keyword could block a broad match keyword from filling AIO spots. But thanks to Google’s revisions, that’s no longer an issue.

Marvin detailed, “The presence of the same keyword in exact match will not prevent the broad match keyword from triggering an ad in an AI Overview, since the exact match keyword is not eligible to show Ads in AI Overviews and hence not competing with the broad match keyword.”

This adjustment means that with exact and phrase match keywords not qualifying for AI Overview placements, they won’t compete with broad match keywords in those auctions. So, a broad match can still trigger successfully even if its exact match counterpart is present.

The broader perspective. Google’s strategic update strengthens the distinction between traditional keyword matching and AI-powered intent matching. Ads in AI Overviews now depend on a keen understanding of both user queries and AI-generated content, requiring broader targeting signals.

The takeaway for us. If you, like me, are pushing into AI Max and AIO placements, it’s clear that broad match and keywordless strategies are key to tapping into Google’s AI-driven ad spaces. Exact and phrase match keywords might not appear in AI Overviews, but crucially, they won’t stop us from leveraging broad matches.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

December 16, 2025
Mastering AI SEO: Insights from Google’s Nick Fox

Recently, I listened to a fascinating podcast featuring Nick Fox, Google’s Senior Vice President of Knowledge and Information. He shared an intriguing perspective: optimizing for AI search is fundamentally the same as traditional SEO. His advice? Focus on creating great sites with engaging content for your users.

Podcast Highlights: During the AI Inside podcast, hosted by Jason Howell and Jeff Jarvis, Nick Fox provided invaluable insights. Here’s a snippet from around the 22-minute mark:

Jeff Jarvis asked a pressing question: “For publishers wanting to participate in AI, should they view their content differently?”

Nick Fox’s response was clear and straightforward: “The short answer is no.” He emphasized that the approach to optimizing for Google’s AI experiences mirrors best practices for traditional search. Ultimately, it boils down to building outstanding sites and content. “Create what you’d want to read,” Fox advised.

If you want to dive deeper, check out the full episode around the 22-minute mark:

This perspective aligns with what other Google experts like Danny Sullivan and Gary Illyes have shared. Good traditional SEO translates to effective AI optimization. You can read more about Danny Sullivan’s thoughts and Gary Illyes’ advice on focusing on normal SEO here.

Why This Matters: As someone who’s been honing SEO skills for years, it’s reassuring to know that these skills are just as relevant in the era of AI search. We are already equipped to excel in this new landscape.

So go ahead, take advantage of your hard-earned expertise and thrive in the evolving SEO world.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

December 16, 2025
Google Search Console Performance Reports: Delay Resolved
After enduring weeks of delays, I’m relieved to see that the performance reports in Google Search Console are finally back to normal. These reports had been set back by over 50 hours, creating quite the challenge for anyone relying on timely data.

Latest Status: If you access the search performance report now, you’ll notice the data delay is significantly reduced to just 2 to 6 hours, which is fairly typical. Compare this to the over 70-hour delays we experienced recently!

This is exactly what I observe:

The delays started a few weeks back and it took about three weeks for Google to resolve the issue, clearing the backlog in the process.

Page Indexing Update: Unfortunately, the page indexing report delay we mentioned earlier is still not resolved. It’s frustrating to note that this delay has stretched to nearly a month, with Google acknowledging the issue in a notice:

“Due to internal issues, this report has not been updated to reflect recent data”

Why This Matters: If you depend on Search Console for analytics and reporting to clients, these delays can be incredibly frustrating. While it’s a relief that performance reports are up-to-date, the ongoing delay in the indexing report can still disrupt reporting processes.

Meanwhile, Google has rolled out several exciting new features recently, including:
- AI-powered configuration for search performance reports
- Social channels integration in insights reports
- Weekly and monthly smoothing in performance reports
Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.
December 16, 2025
Unlocking VTC Bidding: A New Era for Google App Campaigns
I’ve noticed a significant shift in Google Ads as they now allow us to optimize bidding for view-through conversions (VTC) in Android App campaigns. This change highlights a growing emphasis on video-driven performance.

In the past, VTC was a subtle, behind-the-scenes signal within Google’s system. Now, it’s a visible option that allows me to focus on conversions that occur after an ad is seen, rather than clicked.

The shift. It’s evident that Google is steering app advertising away from traditional click-focused strategies, encouraging an approach centered around influence and incremental results. This is particularly beneficial for platforms like YouTube and in-feed video advertising.

This update means our bidding strategies align more intuitively with the actual ways users discover and install apps today.

Why it matters to me. This flexibility allows me to go beyond mere clicks, enhancing measurement metrics for video-centric app campaigns. It’s an exciting validation for those of us invested in upper-funnel marketing activities.

Who benefits the most? Advertisers who prioritize video content and focus on creating awareness and engagement. This is a game-changer for teams oriented towards long-term growth, not just immediate installs.

What I’m keeping an eye on:
- How Google’s attribution models affect campaign reliance
- Potential shifts in Cost-Per-Acquisition expectations
- The growing importance of creative quality over click-centric strategies
First seen by. I came across this update thanks to Rakshit Shetty, a Senior Performance Marketing Executive who first spotted this change.

Bottom line. Google is elevating view-based data for app campaigns to a priority status, marking a shift towards a performance marketing strategy led by AI and agnostic of sales funnels.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.
December 15, 2025
Sergey Brin Opens Up: Google’s AI Missteps and Future Vision

When I think about Google’s journey with artificial intelligence, Sergey Brin’s admission strikes a chord. He candidly revealed that Google ‘for sure messed up’ by not prioritizing AI investments at the right time. Looking back, it seems clear that we released groundbreaking research but didn’t capitalize on it to ride the current wave of generative AI.
Google’s cautious approach always intrigued me. According to Brin, there was hesitation and fear about potential missteps, especially since chatbots could ‘say dumb things.’ It’s fascinating to hear him acknowledge that Google didn’t move quickly enough after publishing the Transformer paper.
The hesitation seemed to stifle opportunities. Brin admitted that while Google was reluctant, companies like OpenAI leapt forward with brilliant foresight. They seized the moment, leveraging insights and even talent, such as Ilya Sutskever, to drive AI innovation.
Reflecting on the past, Brin shared, “In some ways, we for sure messed up in that we underinvested… eight years ago when we published the transformer paper. We didn’t take it all that seriously and didn’t necessarily invest in scaling the compute. And also we were too scared to bring it to people because chatbots say dumb things. And you know, OpenAI ran with it, good for them.” He graciously acknowledged the value of the history we’ve built.
The current landscape still favors Google, as Brin points out. Years of AI research and development, deep learning, and our robust infrastructure continue to provide a competitive edge. This bedrock underlines the control we maintain over key technologies driving AI today.
Why does this matter? Brin’s insights shed light on why Google’s AI-driven changes in search sometimes seem sudden and erratic. Our earlier caution means we now find ourselves speeding ahead, possibly too quickly, to bridge the gap. The fluctuating nature of Google Search is a byproduct of this rapid adjustment process.
When Brin spoke about AI’s future, he characterized the field as highly competitive and ever-evolving. He mentioned, “If you skip AI news for a month, you’re way behind.” It’s uncertain what the ultimate potential of AI is, or if there’s a limit to its intelligence.
On a personal note, Brin shared that he often uses Gemini Live for engaging conversations while driving. Interestingly, he noted that the public version is outdated, with a “way better version” on the horizon.
Looking back and forward, Brin’s remarks at Stanford were part of an event celebrating the School of Engineering’s century-long legacy. The discussion touched on Google’s early days, its culture of innovation, and the present AI ecosystem. You can watch the full video here.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

December 15, 2025

←Previous Page

1 … 48 49 50 51 52 … 62