Tag: Search

Explore Google Search’s New Power with Gemini 3.5 Flash

Today, I’m excited to share that Google has announced the launch of its latest AI model, Gemini 3.5 Flash. This powerful update is now the default engine for Google’s AI Mode, transforming how we experience search every day.

At the recent Google I/O, I learned about Gemini 3.5 Flash directly from Google’s head of Search, Liz Reid. She described this model as Google’s “newest Flash model delivering sustained frontier performance for agents and coding.” It’s thrilling to know that this technology is now impacting users worldwide.

What really excites me is that 3.5 Flash doesn’t just enhance AI Mode in Google Search; it also powers the Gemini app for everyone, regardless of whether they are paid users or not. It’s great to see Google making such advancements widely accessible.

Developers, you’re in for a treat! 3.5 Flash is now integrated into Google Antigravity, Gemini API for Google AI Studio, Android Studio, and more. For those in enterprise, it’s now part of the Enterprise Agent Platform and Gemini Enterprise.

Koray Kavukcuoglu, CTO of Google DeepMind and Chief AI Architect, shared that Gemini 3.5 Flash rivals the intelligence of large flagship models while providing the speed we expect from the Flash series. It outshines previous models, making remarkable strides in agentic and coding performance benchmarks. I’m truly impressed by its capabilities in multimodal understanding too.

Why should I care? Well, with Gemini 3.5, Google Search’s AI Mode is smarter and more efficient than ever. I’m eager to explore how AI Mode’s responses evolve, especially for the queries that matter most to my site.

The rapid changes in search technology mean it’s crucial to stay informed and adaptable. This update reaffirms the importance of keeping pace with Google’s innovations.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

May 19, 2026
Unveiling Google’s PMax Timeline: Boost Your Ad Strategy

Recently, I discovered that Google has launched an exciting new feature for Performance Max campaigns. As an advertiser, I’m always on the lookout for tools that provide clearer insights, and this new channel performance timeline view does just that. It offers a comprehensive breakdown of how different channels like Search, YouTube, and Display contribute to my campaign results over time.

What’s New

The latest update introduces a timeline graph that showcases channel-level contributions over a selected period, complete with investment and performance filters. This means I can quickly identify which channels are excelling and which ones might need a bit more attention.

The chart features helpful visual cues—like a yellow box highlighting channel performance evolution over time, and a pink box indicating different ad types, such as All Ads, Ads Using Product Lists, and Ads Using Video.

Why I Care

Managing Performance Max campaigns across multiple channels often left me guessing about where my budget was working best. This new view provides valuable insights into channel-level trends, allowing me to adjust strategies or budgets more efficiently. If I notice YouTube underperforming while Search is thriving, I can now make informed decisions without relying purely on guesswork or exported data.

The Big Picture

This new view empowers me to evaluate PMAX performance more effectively, without relying solely on Google’s automated decisions. Now, I can see consistent underperformance or excellence across channels, which guides my budget and asset strategies moving forward.

The Bottom Line

Though it’s not full transparency, this update is a significant move in the right direction. I now have a more structured way to detect trend anomalies in PMax campaigns early and make necessary adjustments to optimize performance.

First Spotted

This feature was first noticed by Axel Falck, Head of Search at Le Mage du SEA, who shared his insights on LinkedIn.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

April 2, 2026
Exploring Google’s Vision: The Future of Search and Gemini
As I delve into the world of Google, I’m fascinated by Liz Reid’s insights on Google Search and Gemini. While these might eventually converge or further diverge, the journey remains equally captivating.

The big picture Reid painted is compelling. Search mainly helps us connect with the web, while Gemini leans towards enhancing productivity and creativity. But with the rapid evolution of AI, the boundaries feel almost fluid to me.

What she’s saying. Reid clarified that despite sharing tech, Search and Gemini follow different “north stars.” It’s intriguing to think about whether they might overlap more as time progresses or if their paths will widen further. Here are Reid’s thoughts from her interview:
- “I don’t know the answer is the short answer.”
- “Some areas they’re converging more and some areas they’re diverging more, right?”
- “Are they getting closer or further apart? I think we’ll see.”
- “Maybe a third product emerges altogether.”
Gemini vs. Search. Reid’s distinction piqued my interest:
- On Gemini: “Focused on being an assistant, leaning towards productivity and creation.”
- On Search: “Information-based, fostering connection and engagement with the web.”
Agents and the web’s future. Reid’s vision of increased agent activity on the internet is enthralling. Imagine a world where not just people, but agents interact online.
- “Agents are doing a lot of interaction, not just people.”
- “Agents communicating with each other as we evolve.”
Google vs. ChatGPT. Contrary to popular belief, Reid believes we won’t end up with only one dominant AI product, which is enlightening.
- “Not just one product will dominate the landscape.”
- “Tech advances allow more questions and tool adoption.”
Trusted sources. Reid’s emphasis on highlighting trusted or paid sources resonates with me. Google’s Preferred Sources and subscription-aware features are steps in the right direction.
- “How do you enhance relationships with trusted sources?”
- “Content from loved or paid-for sources should surface easily.”
Why we care. Reid’s insights remind us that Google’s long-term role in an AI-centric world is still being defined. It’s an exciting time to follow these developments as AI assistants and search dynamics shift.

The interview. Check out the insightful conversation in What happens to Google when AI answers everything? with Liz Reid.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.
March 6, 2026
Reddit Search Revolution: 80 Million Users Embrace New AI Features

Every week, I’m amazed by how 80 million people, just like you and me, are using Reddit’s search feature. During Reddit’s Q4 2025 earnings call, they highlighted this incredible surge in usage following a pivotal transformation. They seamlessly integrated their core search with AI-powered Reddit Answers, setting the stage for Reddit to be a platform where we can both initiate and complete our search journeys.

What struck me about this change is how Reddit executives addressed the shift in user behavior. People, including myself, are increasingly turning to community discussions to research and make decisions, rather than solely relying on traditional search engines. Reddit sees this as an opportunity to capture that intent within its platform, moving beyond just being a hub of outbound links.

Why this matters to us. It’s fascinating to consider how Reddit’s evolution affects our daily search habits. Brands need to recognize that visibility on this platform is as crucial as securing a spot on traditional search engines. It’s an exciting development, particularly for those of us who value Reddit’s unique contribution to information discovery.

Exploring Reddit’s ambitious plans. Steve Huffman, Reddit’s CEO, emphasized significant advancements through unifying keyword search with Reddit Answers. I love how this offers a seamless transition between typical search results and AI-driven insights within a single user-friendly interface.

Huffman expressed his vision of Reddit as an “end-to-end search destination,” where our curiosity about topics doesn’t just start but expands. It’s exciting to see such growth—more than 80 million of us flock to Reddit weekly, a leap from 60 million a year prior, to deeply explore our interests.

Reddit Answers is a game-changer. Spearheading much of this growth, Reddit Answers skyrocketed from 1 million to 15 million queries in the last year. Huffman noted its effectiveness with open-ended questions that invite diverse viewpoints—perfect for decisions about what to buy, watch, or try.

Moreover, Reddit is beta testing “dynamic agentic search results” which include media formats. It’s a move towards more engaging and interactive searches, something I’m thrilled to explore personally.

Search: A pivotal priority for Reddit. Huffman also revealed ongoing tests with new app layouts, prominently featuring an easily accessible search bar. This move reflects the platform’s intent to prioritize search experiences significantly.

COO Jennifer Wong sees tremendous opportunity in search and Answers, even as monetization strategies evolve. What resonates with me is her description of Reddit search as an “incremental and additive” engagement tool. It’s aligned with high-intent activities such as researching purchases—an insight into future consumer behavior shifts.

AI answers elevate Reddit’s importance. The platform’s integration with AI partners like Google and OpenAI is central to this narrative. It’s fascinating how Reddit content has become a primary source cited in AI-generated answers, showcasing its growing role in shaping information access.

There’s immense potential in steering users from AI answers into active Reddit communities to engage deeper in discussions. Imagine searching for “the best speaker” and not just reading a summary but diving into a vibrant community debate—that’s where Reddit shines.

Reddit earnings. If you’re interested, you can explore more about Reddit’s financial insights and strategic decisions in their recent report here.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

February 9, 2026