#google-search

#google-search

Google is testing shifting the sitename and favicon in the search results around, where it is on one line with the favicon, then a bold sitename and then the URL, followed by the rest of the snippet; the title and description and sitelinks.

It is sometimes worth pointing out that while the Search Quality Raters Guidelines are insightful to read through, they're not a guide for search ranking.

Gary Illyes and Cherry Sireetorn Prommawin did not confirm whether organic, authentic mentions provide a direct benefit for AI search, noting they were unsure how useful standard mentions on the internet actually were. However, they strongly cautioned against buying or manipulating mentions, comparing the practice to paid links-which Google's internal systems detect, disregard, and ultimately ignore.

Google Search is sometimes showing a label under the Live search results named “Updated by AI 1 minute ago.” So Google is labeling what content was updated using AI, which seems new to me. Normally it would just say it was updated X minutes ago, but not disclose that it was AI.

Today we released the May 2026 core update to Google Search. This is a regular update designed to better surface relevant, satisfying content for searchers from all types of sites. The rollout may take up to 2 weeks to complete.

Google’s developer conference kicks off today, with a keynote slated to start at 1PM ET. You can watch the stream (here’s how to watch the I/O 2026 keynote) or, if you aren’t able to tune into a video, you can just rely on our liveblog right here! (You can also do both, you multitasker you.)

This reminds me of when Google added the LLMS.txt files to their help docs and then removed it and said it does not endorse LLMS.txt. I guess we will see where this goes but Google is saying, even though Markdown files are available, Google Search does not use it. It could be used for mnay othe reasons outside of Search.

Google is testing showing a new icon in the autocomplete search suggestions, as you type your search. The icon has a magnifying glass with the Gemini logo on it. It suggests a longer query, a prompt, and when you click it, it takes you to Google Search but with the AI Overview response expanded and fully open.

Android Authority has discovered code related to the Pixel Launcher in Android 17 QPR1 beta 2 that indicates users might be able to hide the Google Search bar on Pixel phones. The blog also created a mockup of the interface that Android 17 may offer users, showing a simple toggle in a Search bar settings menu that would let users remove the Google search bar from the bottom of the home screen.

Google is testing a new knowledge panel design for when you search for an Instagram account of a notable person. Google will display the individual's knowledge panel, promoting the Instagram card higher up in that panel.

These sidebar links within AI Mode are not passing any referrer. Traffic from these clicks will appear as direct, not Google. This means website owners cannot properly attribute traffic sources from Google AI Mode sidebar interactions, creating analytics tracking issues.

Google's selection of an image preview is completely automated and takes into account a number of different sources to select which image on a given page is shown on Google (for example, a text result image or the preview image in Discover). You can influence which image gets selected by providing your preferred image through one of the following metadata sources: Specify the schema.org primaryImageOfPage property with a URL or ImageObject, or specify an image URL or ImageObject property and attach it to the main entity, or specify the og:image meta tag.