<div><img width="800" height="457" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2024/05/google-reddit-splatter-1920-800x457.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2024/05/google-reddit-splatter-1920-800x457.jpg 800w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2024/05/google-reddit-splatter-1920-592x338.jpg 592w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2024/05/google-reddit-splatter-1920-198x113.jpg 198w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2024/05/google-reddit-splatter-1920-768x439.jpg 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2024/05/google-reddit-splatter-1920-1536x878.jpg 1536w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2024/05/google-reddit-splatter-1920.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></div>Reddit is pushing for a new AI deal with Google that could make its forums more central to AI Overviews and other Google AI products.

<div><img width="800" height="457" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2024/05/google-reddit-splatter-1920-800x457.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2024/05/google-reddit-splatter-1920-800x457.jpg 800w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2024/05/google-reddit-splatter-1920-592x338.jpg 592w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2024/05/google-reddit-splatter-1920-198x113.jpg 198w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2024/05/google-reddit-splatter-1920-768x439.jpg 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2024/05/google-reddit-splatter-1920-1536x878.jpg 1536w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2024/05/google-reddit-splatter-1920.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></div>
<p>Reddit and Google are discussing a new partnership that would weave Reddit content more directly into Google’s AI products, Bloomberg reported.</p>



<p><strong>Why we care. </strong>If Reddit and Google tighten their AI ties, more Reddit content could surface in AI Overviews and other Google products – potentially shifting visibility for brands and SEOs. If Google and Reddit strike a new deal, user-generated discussions will likely carry even more weight in shaping AI-driven answers and referral traffic.</p>



<p><strong>What&#8217;s happening. </strong>Reddit is exploring dynamic pricing, where payouts from Google or OpenAI could rise as Reddit’s data becomes more central to AI answers.</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>The talks would build on Reddit’s first Google data-sharing deal, <a href="https://searchengineland.com/reddit-google-ai-content-licensing-deal-437782">worth a reported $60 million</a>, and broader January 2024 licensing agreements worth $203 million.</li>



<li>Executives said current agreements undervalue Reddit’s unique discussions, which fuel everything from ChatGPT to Google’s AI Overviews.</li>
</ul>



<p><strong>What Reddit wants</strong>. Reddit is one of the most cited sources across AI platforms. However, traffic from Google often doesn’t convert into active users. Reddit wants to fix this by working more closely with Google’s product teams.</p>



<p><strong>Zoom out</strong>. Licensing deals between AI companies and content providers are accelerating, but <a href="https://searchengineland.com/google-sued-by-chegg-over-ai-overviews-hurting-traffic-and-revenue-452518">Chegg</a> and <a href="https://searchengineland.com/penske-media-sues-google-ai-overviews-461997">Penske Media</a> are suing Google over the negative impact of AI Overviews.</p>



<p><strong>Bottom line.</strong> Reddit wants to move from flat fees to being paid like a must-have supplier for as long as its forums remain critical to AI answers.</p>



<p><strong>The report.</strong> <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-09-17/reddit-seeks-to-strike-next-ai-content-pact-with-google-openai" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reddit Seeks to Strike Next AI Content Pact With Google, OpenAI</a></p>


Reddit and Google are discussing a new partnership that would weave Reddit content more directly into Google’s AI products, Bloomberg reported.
Why we care. If Reddit and Google tighten their AI ties, more Reddit content could surface in AI Overviews and other Google products – potentially shifting visibility for brands and SEOs. If Google and Reddit strike a new deal, user-generated discussions will likely carry even more weight in shaping AI-driven answers and referral traffic.
What’s happening. Reddit is exploring dynamic pricing, where payouts from Google or OpenAI could rise as Reddit’s data becomes more central to AI answers.
The talks would build on Reddit’s first Google data-sharing deal, worth a reported $60 million, and broader January 2024 licensing agreements worth $203 million.
Executives said current agreements undervalue Reddit’s unique discussions, which fuel everything from ChatGPT to Google’s AI Overviews.
What Reddit wants. Reddit is one of the most cited sources across AI platforms. However, traffic from Google often doesn’t convert into active users. Reddit wants to fix this by working more closely with Google’s product teams.
Zoom out. Licensing deals between AI companies and content providers are accelerating, but Chegg and Penske Media are suing Google over the negative impact of AI Overviews.
Bottom line. Reddit wants to move from flat fees to being paid like a must-have supplier for as long as its forums remain critical to AI answers.
The report. Reddit Seeks to Strike Next AI Content Pact With Google, OpenAI

Reddit is pushing for a new AI deal with Google that could make its forums more central to AI Overviews and other Google AI products.

Reddit, Google in talks to deepen AI partnership: Report

<div><img width="800" height="450" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2024/03/TIkTok-ban-in-the-united-states-800x450.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="TikTok ban U.S." style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2024/03/TIkTok-ban-in-the-united-states-800x450.jpg 800w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2024/03/TIkTok-ban-in-the-united-states-600x338.jpg 600w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2024/03/TIkTok-ban-in-the-united-states-200x113.jpg 200w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2024/03/TIkTok-ban-in-the-united-states-768x432.jpg 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2024/03/TIkTok-ban-in-the-united-states-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2024/03/TIkTok-ban-in-the-united-states.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></div>Brands and advertisers face fresh uncertainty as President Trump's executive order keeps TikTok alive in the U.S. as negotiations drag on.

<div><img width="800" height="450" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2024/03/TIkTok-ban-in-the-united-states-800x450.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="TikTok ban U.S." style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2024/03/TIkTok-ban-in-the-united-states-800x450.jpg 800w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2024/03/TIkTok-ban-in-the-united-states-600x338.jpg 600w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2024/03/TIkTok-ban-in-the-united-states-200x113.jpg 200w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2024/03/TIkTok-ban-in-the-united-states-768x432.jpg 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2024/03/TIkTok-ban-in-the-united-states-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2024/03/TIkTok-ban-in-the-united-states.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></div>
<p>President Trump once again delays the enforcement of the TikTok sell-off law, signing a fourth executive order that gives China until Dec. 16 to secure a U.S.-based buyer or face a nationwide ban.</p>



<p><strong>The state of play</strong>. The sale deadline has now been pushed back four times, as U.S. and Chinese officials struggle to agree on terms.</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Negotiations have become entangled in broader U.S.-China trade talks, with Beijing resisting any deal that looks like forced divestment.</li>



<li>A proposed compromise would let TikTok’s U.S. partner lease its algorithm from China, rather than buy it outright, and grant the U.S. government a seat on the board of the new entity.</li>
</ul>



<p><strong>Why we care.</strong> Keeping TikTok alive in the U.S. means continued access to a major and highly engaged audience – plus, uncertainty over the platform&#8217;s legal status could disrupt advertising plans, budgets, and influencer partnerships. A change in ownership will also lead to changes in who controls data, algorithm access, and creative governance, which could influence how ad targeting works, what content is allowed, and how brands have to structure deals.</p>



<p><strong>What they’re saying</strong>. Critics in Washington are increasingly uneasy with Trump’s repeated executive delays, which effectively sidestep a law Congress passed. If no deal closes, the president’s strategy could face stronger pushback in the Senate.</p>



<p><strong>Bottom line</strong>. <a href="https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/trump-signs-fourth-executive-order-to-keep-tiktok-in-US/760325/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok’s future in the U.S.</a> remains uncertain. A sale looks closer than ever, but the outcome may fall short of the bill’s original intent to limit Chinese influence over the platform.</p>


President Trump once again delays the enforcement of the TikTok sell-off law, signing a fourth executive order that gives China until Dec. 16 to secure a U.S.-based buyer or face a nationwide ban.
The state of play. The sale deadline has now been pushed back four times, as U.S. and Chinese officials struggle to agree on terms.
Negotiations have become entangled in broader U.S.-China trade talks, with Beijing resisting any deal that looks like forced divestment.
A proposed compromise would let TikTok’s U.S. partner lease its algorithm from China, rather than buy it outright, and grant the U.S. government a seat on the board of the new entity.
Why we care. Keeping TikTok alive in the U.S. means continued access to a major and highly engaged audience – plus, uncertainty over the platform’s legal status could disrupt advertising plans, budgets, and influencer partnerships. A change in ownership will also lead to changes in who controls data, algorithm access, and creative governance, which could influence how ad targeting works, what content is allowed, and how brands have to structure deals.
What they’re saying. Critics in Washington are increasingly uneasy with Trump’s repeated executive delays, which effectively sidestep a law Congress passed. If no deal closes, the president’s strategy could face stronger pushback in the Senate.
Bottom line. TikTok’s future in the U.S. remains uncertain. A sale looks closer than ever, but the outcome may fall short of the bill’s original intent to limit Chinese influence over the platform.

Brands and advertisers face fresh uncertainty as President Trump's executive order keeps TikTok alive in the U.S. as negotiations drag on.

Trump gives TikTok until Dec. 16 to secure U.S. buyer

<div><img width="1920" height="1080" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/06/Chunks-passages-and-micro-answer-engine-optimization-wins-in-Google-AI-Mode.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="Chunks, passages and micro-answer engine optimization wins in Google AI Mode" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/06/Chunks-passages-and-micro-answer-engine-optimization-wins-in-Google-AI-Mode.png 1920w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/06/Chunks-passages-and-micro-answer-engine-optimization-wins-in-Google-AI-Mode-768x432.png 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/06/Chunks-passages-and-micro-answer-engine-optimization-wins-in-Google-AI-Mode-1536x864.png 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></div>Google’s pitches AI Max as smarter search ads with more safeguards solution — but control, brand safety and spend remain key concerns.

<div><img width="1920" height="1080" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/06/Chunks-passages-and-micro-answer-engine-optimization-wins-in-Google-AI-Mode.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="Chunks, passages and micro-answer engine optimization wins in Google AI Mode" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/06/Chunks-passages-and-micro-answer-engine-optimization-wins-in-Google-AI-Mode.png 1920w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/06/Chunks-passages-and-micro-answer-engine-optimization-wins-in-Google-AI-Mode-768x432.png 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/06/Chunks-passages-and-micro-answer-engine-optimization-wins-in-Google-AI-Mode-1536x864.png 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></div>
<p>Google is circulating a revamped 26-page pitch deck for AI Max, its AI-powered ad suite for search campaigns, after an earlier version left advertisers more confused than convinced.</p>



<p><strong>How it works</strong>. AI Max matches ads to relevant searches (even those brands haven’t bid on), customizes copy based on user intent, and automatically directs users to brand landing pages.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" width="646" height="375" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-09-17-at-16.25.13.png" alt="" class="wp-image-462130"/></figure></div>


<p><strong>Advertiser concerns</strong>. Marketers worry about brand safety, with some fearing AI could pull misleading or legally risky claims, such as skincare clinical data tied to the wrong product. </p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Others have flagged accuracy gaps, noting that the tool often misinterprets sector nuances, pulling the wrong text, links, or imagery. </li>



<li>Agencies also report spend leakage, with budgets intended for search flowing into display networks.</li>
</ul>



<p><strong>Google’s response.</strong> <a href="https://digiday.com/marketing/pitch-deck-heres-how-google-is-responding-to-advertisers-concerns-about-ai-max/">The updated deck</a> highlights safeguards, including negative keyword lists, asset removals, and URL exclusions. </p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Agencies briefed say Google is taking a “lightly generated” approach to copy, pulling from brand-approved sources instead of fabricating content. </li>



<li>Google is also advising advertisers to avoid testing AI Max on campaigns under $50 per day.</li>
</ul>



<p><strong>What’s next</strong>. Google is experimenting with placing shopping and text ads beneath AI-generated answers in the U.S., and will test ads inside the first AI response starting in Q4 2025. Adoption is growing and new controls like text guidelines are on the way, Google said.</p>



<p><strong>Why we care.</strong> <a href="https://searchengineland.com/google-ads-ai-max-search-454980">AI Max</a> – <a href="https://searchengineland.com/google-expands-ai-max-beta-globally-461840">now in global beta across Google Ads, Ads Editor, Search Ads 360, and the API </a>– promises smarter targeting and automated creative. But advertisers remain uneasy about how much control they’ll keep over brand messaging and budgets. Google experiments with how ads appear within AI search results could directly impact visibility, spend efficiency, and competitive advantage.</p>



<p><strong>Bottom line. </strong>AI Max could become a cornerstone of Google’s search ad business, but its success hinges on convincing marketers that automation won’t come at the expense of brand safety or budget control.</p>


Google is circulating a revamped 26-page pitch deck for AI Max, its AI-powered ad suite for search campaigns, after an earlier version left advertisers more confused than convinced.
How it works. AI Max matches ads to relevant searches (even those brands haven’t bid on), customizes copy based on user intent, and automatically directs users to brand landing pages.

Advertiser concerns. Marketers worry about brand safety, with some fearing AI could pull misleading or legally risky claims, such as skincare clinical data tied to the wrong product. 
Others have flagged accuracy gaps, noting that the tool often misinterprets sector nuances, pulling the wrong text, links, or imagery. 
Agencies also report spend leakage, with budgets intended for search flowing into display networks.
Google’s response. The updated deck highlights safeguards, including negative keyword lists, asset removals, and URL exclusions. 
Agencies briefed say Google is taking a “lightly generated” approach to copy, pulling from brand-approved sources instead of fabricating content. 
Google is also advising advertisers to avoid testing AI Max on campaigns under $50 per day.
What’s next. Google is experimenting with placing shopping and text ads beneath AI-generated answers in the U.S., and will test ads inside the first AI response starting in Q4 2025. Adoption is growing and new controls like text guidelines are on the way, Google said.
Why we care. AI Max – now in global beta across Google Ads, Ads Editor, Search Ads 360, and the API – promises smarter targeting and automated creative. But advertisers remain uneasy about how much control they’ll keep over brand messaging and budgets. Google experiments with how ads appear within AI search results could directly impact visibility, spend efficiency, and competitive advantage.
Bottom line. AI Max could become a cornerstone of Google’s search ad business, but its success hinges on convincing marketers that automation won’t come at the expense of brand safety or budget control.

Google’s pitches AI Max as smarter search ads with more safeguards solution — but control, brand safety and spend remain key concerns.

Google doubles down on AI Max pitch to wary advertisers

<div><img width="1920" height="1080" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/08/Why-your-Amazon-Ads-arent-delivering-6-critical-issues-to-fix.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="Why your Amazon Ads aren&#039;t delivering: 6 critical issues to fix" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/08/Why-your-Amazon-Ads-arent-delivering-6-critical-issues-to-fix.jpg 1920w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/08/Why-your-Amazon-Ads-arent-delivering-6-critical-issues-to-fix-768x432.jpg 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/08/Why-your-Amazon-Ads-arent-delivering-6-critical-issues-to-fix-1536x864.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></div>Amazon's new agentic AI tool in Creative Studio lets advertisers quickly turn product insights into polished, multi-format ad campaigns.

<div><img width="1920" height="1080" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/08/Why-your-Amazon-Ads-arent-delivering-6-critical-issues-to-fix.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="Why your Amazon Ads aren&#039;t delivering: 6 critical issues to fix" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/08/Why-your-Amazon-Ads-arent-delivering-6-critical-issues-to-fix.jpg 1920w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/08/Why-your-Amazon-Ads-arent-delivering-6-critical-issues-to-fix-768x432.jpg 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/08/Why-your-Amazon-Ads-arent-delivering-6-critical-issues-to-fix-1536x864.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></div>
<p>Amazon Ads has introduced an agentic AI tool in Creative Studio that lets advertisers produce professional-quality ads in hours instead of weeks. </p>



<p>The tool acts as a creative partner, generating ideas, storyboards, videos, and display ads using Amazon’s retail insights, shopper signals, and brand data.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" width="2048" height="1153" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/Nws_Homescreen_1._TTW_-scaled.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-462117" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/Nws_Homescreen_1._TTW_-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/Nws_Homescreen_1._TTW_-768x432.jpg 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/Nws_Homescreen_1._TTW_-1536x865.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px" /></figure>



<p><strong>Why we care</strong>. Campaigns that once required tens of thousands of dollars and specialized teams can now be created quickly and at no extra cost. This levels the playing field, giving smaller advertisers the same creative advantages previously reserved for large brands.</p>



<p><strong>Details:</strong></p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Conversational AI:</strong> Click “chat” to brainstorm, review concepts, and iterate ads in real time.</li>
</ul>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" width="2048" height="1152" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/Nws_Frame_2._TTW_-scaled.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-462119" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/Nws_Frame_2._TTW_-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/Nws_Frame_2._TTW_-768x432.jpg 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/Nws_Frame_2._TTW_-1536x864.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px" /></figure>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>End-to-end ad production:</strong> From scripts and storyboards to visuals, animation, music, and voiceovers.</li>
</ul>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" width="2048" height="1152" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/Nws_Frame_5._TTW_-scaled.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-462122" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/Nws_Frame_5._TTW_-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/Nws_Frame_5._TTW_-768x432.jpg 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/Nws_Frame_5._TTW_-1536x864.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px" /></figure>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Multi-format support:</strong> Works across Sponsored Brands, Sponsored Display, Amazon DSP, and Brand Stores.</li>
</ul>



<p><strong>Real-world impact</strong>. Early users say the tool enhances creativity and speeds production. Nestle Health Science noted it surfaced insights they hadn’t considered. Mid-market agencies reported they can now produce campaigns that previously were cost-prohibitive.</p>



<p><strong>Tech behind it</strong>. Built on AWS using Amazon Bedrock models –&nbsp;including Amazon Nova and Anthropic Claude – the tool is in beta and joins Amazon’s suite of AI ad generators.</p>



<p><strong>Bottom line</strong>. <a href="https://advertising.amazon.com/library/news/amazon-ads-agentic-ai-creative-tool" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Amazon Ads’ agentic AI</a> promises to make high-quality, strategic creative accessible to every advertiser, reducing cost, saving time, and encouraging experimentation.</p>


Amazon Ads has introduced an agentic AI tool in Creative Studio that lets advertisers produce professional-quality ads in hours instead of weeks. 
The tool acts as a creative partner, generating ideas, storyboards, videos, and display ads using Amazon’s retail insights, shopper signals, and brand data.




Why we care. Campaigns that once required tens of thousands of dollars and specialized teams can now be created quickly and at no extra cost. This levels the playing field, giving smaller advertisers the same creative advantages previously reserved for large brands.
Details:
Conversational AI: Click “chat” to brainstorm, review concepts, and iterate ads in real time.





End-to-end ad production: From scripts and storyboards to visuals, animation, music, and voiceovers.





Multi-format support: Works across Sponsored Brands, Sponsored Display, Amazon DSP, and Brand Stores.
Real-world impact. Early users say the tool enhances creativity and speeds production. Nestle Health Science noted it surfaced insights they hadn’t considered. Mid-market agencies reported they can now produce campaigns that previously were cost-prohibitive.
Tech behind it. Built on AWS using Amazon Bedrock models – including Amazon Nova and Anthropic Claude – the tool is in beta and joins Amazon’s suite of AI ad generators.
Bottom line. Amazon Ads’ agentic AI promises to make high-quality, strategic creative accessible to every advertiser, reducing cost, saving time, and encouraging experimentation.

Amazon's new agentic AI tool in Creative Studio lets advertisers quickly turn product insights into polished, multi-format ad campaigns.

Amazon Ads launches AI tool that builds professional-quality ads

<div><img width="1920" height="1097" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/google-logo-discover-1920.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/google-logo-discover-1920.jpg 1920w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/google-logo-discover-1920-768x439.jpg 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/google-logo-discover-1920-1536x878.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></div>This aims to make Google Discover more publisher and creator friendly.

<div><img width="1920" height="1097" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/google-logo-discover-1920.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/google-logo-discover-1920.jpg 1920w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/google-logo-discover-1920-768x439.jpg 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/google-logo-discover-1920-1536x878.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></div>
<p>Google is rolling out new features in Google Discover to help promote publishers and content creators.  There is a new follow publisher feature in Google Discover where you can subscribe to your favorite publishers. Plus, Google <a href="https://blog.google/products/search/discover-updates-september-2025">said</a> it will show more social posts from X, Instagram and YouTube Shorts, from your favorite content creators, within Google Discover.</p>



<p><strong>Follow in Google Discover. </strong>Similar to the new <a href="https://searchengineland.com/google-search-tests-preferred-sources-for-top-stories-457640">preferred source in Google Search</a>, Google will now let you follow your favorite publications in Google Discover. When you follow those publications, Google may show content from those publications more often in your Discover feed.</p>



<p>Google said, &#8220;you’ll be able to personalize Discover with more content from your favorite publishers and creators.&#8221; I spotted Google <a href="https://www.seroundtable.com/google-discover-publisher-entity-pages-39982.html">testing this a few weeks ago</a>, and I kind of like it. </p>



<p>After you click follow, Google will give you a preview of the publishers or creator’s content, &#8220;including articles, YouTube videos and posts from social channel,&#8221; so you can decide if you want to follow. You need to be signed into your Google account for this to work.</p>



<p>I was able to <a href="https://profile.google.com/cp/Cg0vZy8xMWZtYmdjMGJyGlpodHRwczovL3d3dy5zZXJvdW5kdGFibGUuY29tL2dvb2dsZS1hZHMtcG1heC1jaGFubmVsLXJlcG9ydGluZy1vbi1hY2NvdW50LWxldmVsLTM5OTkxLmh0bWw?source=disco_sh&amp;token=bWlkOiAvZy8xMWZtYmdjMGJy&amp;gsas=2&amp;pane_nb_mode=2&amp;hl=en&amp;creator_ref=Search+Engine+Roundtable">replicate this for my site</a>, here is a screenshot:</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/google-discover-publisher-entity-follow-page-1755784366-scaled.jpg"><img decoding="async" width="1049" height="2048" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/google-discover-publisher-entity-follow-page-1755784366-scaled.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-462125" style="width:400px" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/google-discover-publisher-entity-follow-page-1755784366-scaled.jpg 1049w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/google-discover-publisher-entity-follow-page-1755784366-768x1499.jpg 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/google-discover-publisher-entity-follow-page-1755784366-787x1536.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1049px) 100vw, 1049px" /></a></figure>



<p><strong>More social content. </strong>Google will also start showing more content from content creators from social media platforms like X, Instagram, YouTube Shorts with more to come. </p>



<p>Google wrote, &#8220;you’ll start to see more types of content in Discover from publishers and creators across the web, such as posts from X and Instagram and YouTube Shorts, with more platforms to come. In our research, people told us they enjoyed seeing a mix of content in Discover, including videos and social posts, in addition to articles.&#8221;</p>



<p>Here is what a YouTube Short looks like in Discover:</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" width="500" height="1054" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/google-discover-youtube-shorts.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-462126" style="width:500px"/></figure>



<p><strong>Why we care. </strong>Content creators and publishers are looking for more ways to get more traffic to their sites. Google Discover is a great way for generating traffic and these new features will hopefully make that traffic more consistent. </p>



<p>You should try to encourage your readers to follow you on Google Discover and interact with your content.</p>



<p>Here is a GIF of it action:</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" width="500" height="500" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/google-discover-follow-content.gif" alt="" class="wp-image-462127" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/google-discover-follow-content.gif 500w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/google-discover-follow-content-95x95.gif 95w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /></figure>


Google is rolling out new features in Google Discover to help promote publishers and content creators.  There is a new follow publisher feature in Google Discover where you can subscribe to your favorite publishers. Plus, Google said it will show more social posts from X, Instagram and YouTube Shorts, from your favorite content creators, within Google Discover.
Follow in Google Discover. Similar to the new preferred source in Google Search, Google will now let you follow your favorite publications in Google Discover. When you follow those publications, Google may show content from those publications more often in your Discover feed.
Google said, “you’ll be able to personalize Discover with more content from your favorite publishers and creators.” I spotted Google testing this a few weeks ago, and I kind of like it. 
After you click follow, Google will give you a preview of the publishers or creator’s content, “including articles, YouTube videos and posts from social channel,” so you can decide if you want to follow. You need to be signed into your Google account for this to work.
I was able to replicate this for my site, here is a screenshot:




More social content. Google will also start showing more content from content creators from social media platforms like X, Instagram, YouTube Shorts with more to come. 
Google wrote, “you’ll start to see more types of content in Discover from publishers and creators across the web, such as posts from X and Instagram and YouTube Shorts, with more platforms to come. In our research, people told us they enjoyed seeing a mix of content in Discover, including videos and social posts, in addition to articles.”
Here is what a YouTube Short looks like in Discover:




Why we care. Content creators and publishers are looking for more ways to get more traffic to their sites. Google Discover is a great way for generating traffic and these new features will hopefully make that traffic more consistent. 
You should try to encourage your readers to follow you on Google Discover and interact with your content.
Here is a GIF of it action:

This aims to make Google Discover more publisher and creator friendly.

Google Discover adds follow feature and more social posts from creators and publishers

<div><img width="1920" height="1080" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/Week-31-landscape-cover.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/Week-31-landscape-cover.png 1920w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/Week-31-landscape-cover-768x432.png 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/Week-31-landscape-cover-1536x864.png 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></div>Learn how Google Ads placement targeting works – what it is, where to find it, how to block the junky sites, and whether it’s worth testing.

<div><img width="1920" height="1080" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/Week-31-landscape-cover.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/Week-31-landscape-cover.png 1920w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/Week-31-landscape-cover-768x432.png 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/Week-31-landscape-cover-1536x864.png 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></div>
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-vimeo wp-block-embed-vimeo wp-embed-aspect-9-16 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe title="Google Ads Placement Targeting: What You Need To Know" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/1118828164?dnt=1&amp;app_id=122963" width="422" height="750" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin"></iframe>
</div></figure>



<p></p>



<p>What’s the narrowest, niche, specific type of targeting you can use in Google Ads? </p>



<p>Placements! </p>



<p>It’s a type of content targeting that you can use in Display and Video campaigns. (We covered one of your other options, <a href="https://searchengineland.com/google-ads-display-keywords-453802">Display/video keywords</a>, in a previous column). </p>



<p>If you&#8217;ve ever wanted to get your ads in front of people browsing specific websites, using specific apps, or watching specific YouTube videos, this is the article for you.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-are-placements-in-google-ads">What are placements in Google Ads?</h2>



<p>In Google Ads, a placement is a specific location where your ad can be shown. They are the most specific type of targeting you can do. </p>



<p>When you choose placements, you&#8217;re telling Google, &#8220;I only want my ad to show on this exact website, this exact app, or this specific YouTube channel / video.&#8221;</p>



<p>You’ll find Placements under <em>Audiences, keywords and content > Content > Add content targeting</em>. </p>



<p>Remember, there are three types of content targeting in Google Ads: </p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Topics.</li>



<li>Keywords.</li>



<li>Placements.</li>
</ul>



<p>You can only use content targeting in Display campaigns and Video campaigns.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-placements-can-you-use-in-display-and-video-campaigns">What placements can you use in Display and Video campaigns?</h2>



<p>The crucial thing to remember is that, in order to use a placement, the website or app has to be part of the <a href="https://searchengineland.com/google-display-network-explained-456796">Google Display Network</a>. This is a network of millions of websites and apps (including YouTube) where Google can show ads. </p>



<p>So, you can&#8217;t just pick your competitor&#8217;s website and expect your ad to show up there, unless they&#8217;re part of the network. But you <em>can</em> place a video ad on your competitor’s YouTube videos.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-did-my-ads-show-the-placement-report">Where did my ads show? The placement report</h2>



<p>Even if you’re not using placement targeting, you can still see the placement report for your Display, Video, and Demand Gen campaigns, to understand where your ads showed.</p>



<p>Yes, Demand Gen, too! You can only use audience targeting in Demand Gen campaigns, but you can use the placement report to find out what videos your ads served on (or what websites/apps, if you’re opted into the Display network).</p>



<p>You&#8217;ll find this information under <em>Insights and Reports > When and Where Ads Showed > Where Ads Showed</em>. </p>



<p>This report will give you a list of all the specific placements where your ads have served. If you see a YouTube channel, you can often click on it to see the individual videos where your ad was shown. If you see a web domain, you can often click on it to see the individual URLs.</p>



<p>Now, if you&#8217;re running a Performance Max campaign, the report is in a different location, and it&#8217;s a little less detailed. You&#8217;ll need to go to <em>Insights and Reports > Report Editor</em> and then look for your Performance Max report. This will show you a list of your placements, but it will only provide impression data, not the full performance metrics.</p>



<p>And if you&#8217;re wondering how to find your search partner placements in a Search or Shopping campaign, you&#8217;ll find that report under <em>Insights and Reports > Report Editor > Content Suitability</em>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-exclude-placements-in-google-ads">How to exclude placements in Google Ads</h2>



<p>One of the main reasons to check in on your placements is to exclude the ones that aren&#8217;t working for you, or that perhaps don’t align with your brand guidelines or values. You might find that your ads are showing on low-quality websites or apps that are eating up your budget without providing any results.</p>



<p>You can exclude specific placements by navigating to <em>Audiences, Keywords, and Content > Content > Exclusions</em>. This lets you add individual websites, apps, YouTube channels, or YouTube videos to a list of places you <em>never</em> want your ads to show.</p>



<p>If reviewing your placement report and adding negative feels like playing whack-a-mole, consider setting account-level placement exclusions. This will exclude those display/video placements from all of your campaigns, including Performance Max, and including search partners, too.</p>



<p>You can also go even broader and exclude whole categories of placements. </p>



<p>For example, if you’re running reach-focused video campaigns, you might want to exclude “Made for Kids” content so you don’t waste your budget on children who are just trying to watch Bluey or Ms. Rachel. You can find this option under <em>Tools > Content Suitability</em>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-find-placement-ideas-for-your-campaigns">How to find placement ideas for your campaigns</h2>



<p>Once you&#8217;ve gotten the hang of exclusions, you might be wondering how to find new, relevant places to put your ads. Here are a few ways to find placement ideas:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Audience tools:</strong> Use a third-party audience tool to see which websites or apps your target customers are using.</li>



<li><strong>Google search:</strong> Do a Google search for some of your top keywords and see which websites come up.</li>



<li><strong>YouTube search: </strong>Search for those same keywords on YouTube to get ideas for video and channel placements.</li>



<li><strong>AI tools:</strong> Ask a tool like Gemini or ChatGPT for suggestions based on your target audience and industry.</li>



<li><strong>Your own browsing: </strong>If you are your target customer, look at your own browsing history to see what websites you visit or what YouTube videos you watch.</li>
</ul>



<p>A word of caution: when creating video placements, you&#8217;ll have to choose at least 10 channels or videos in order for your ad to serve. So, you can&#8217;t just run a campaign on a single competitor&#8217;s channel. But there’s an easy workaround I’ve figured out: choose their channel as one placement, and then 9 of their specific videos as placements, and you’re good to go.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-is-it-a-good-idea-to-use-placement-targeting-in-google-ads">Is it a good idea to use placement targeting in Google Ads?</h2>



<p>I’ll be honest, I don&#8217;t use display or video placements frequently. They are very precise, and this can be a double-edged sword.</p>



<p>While you get to be intentional about where your ads show, this targeting method isn&#8217;t scalable. Because the pool of places to show your ads is so small, you can end up with really high CPMs (cost per thousand impressions) and/or CPVs (cost per view).</p>



<p>However, if you&#8217;re certain that your target audience is spending time on a specific set of websites, apps, or YouTube channels, it can be a great way to reach them directly. If you have that information, by all means, run a test and see if it works for your business.</p>



<p><em>This article is part of our ongoing bi-weekly Search Engine Land series, Everything you need to know about Google Ads in less than 3 minutes. Every other Wednesday, Jyll highlights a different Google Ads feature, and what you need to know to get the best results from it – all in a quick 3-minute read.</em></p>



<p></p>


What’s the narrowest, niche, specific type of targeting you can use in Google Ads? 
Placements! 
It’s a type of content targeting that you can use in Display and Video campaigns. (We covered one of your other options, Display/video keywords, in a previous column). 
If you’ve ever wanted to get your ads in front of people browsing specific websites, using specific apps, or watching specific YouTube videos, this is the article for you.
What are placements in Google Ads?
In Google Ads, a placement is a specific location where your ad can be shown. They are the most specific type of targeting you can do. 
When you choose placements, you’re telling Google, “I only want my ad to show on this exact website, this exact app, or this specific YouTube channel / video.”
You’ll find Placements under Audiences, keywords and content > Content > Add content targeting. 
Remember, there are three types of content targeting in Google Ads: 
Topics.
Keywords.
Placements.
You can only use content targeting in Display campaigns and Video campaigns.
What placements can you use in Display and Video campaigns?
The crucial thing to remember is that, in order to use a placement, the website or app has to be part of the Google Display Network. This is a network of millions of websites and apps (including YouTube) where Google can show ads. 
So, you can’t just pick your competitor’s website and expect your ad to show up there, unless they’re part of the network. But you can place a video ad on your competitor’s YouTube videos.
Where did my ads show? The placement report
Even if you’re not using placement targeting, you can still see the placement report for your Display, Video, and Demand Gen campaigns, to understand where your ads showed.
Yes, Demand Gen, too! You can only use audience targeting in Demand Gen campaigns, but you can use the placement report to find out what videos your ads served on (or what websites/apps, if you’re opted into the Display network).
You’ll find this information under Insights and Reports > When and Where Ads Showed > Where Ads Showed. 
This report will give you a list of all the specific placements where your ads have served. If you see a YouTube channel, you can often click on it to see the individual videos where your ad was shown. If you see a web domain, you can often click on it to see the individual URLs.
Now, if you’re running a Performance Max campaign, the report is in a different location, and it’s a little less detailed. You’ll need to go to Insights and Reports > Report Editor and then look for your Performance Max report. This will show you a list of your placements, but it will only provide impression data, not the full performance metrics.
And if you’re wondering how to find your search partner placements in a Search or Shopping campaign, you’ll find that report under Insights and Reports > Report Editor > Content Suitability.
How to exclude placements in Google Ads
One of the main reasons to check in on your placements is to exclude the ones that aren’t working for you, or that perhaps don’t align with your brand guidelines or values. You might find that your ads are showing on low-quality websites or apps that are eating up your budget without providing any results.
You can exclude specific placements by navigating to Audiences, Keywords, and Content > Content > Exclusions. This lets you add individual websites, apps, YouTube channels, or YouTube videos to a list of places you never want your ads to show.
If reviewing your placement report and adding negative feels like playing whack-a-mole, consider setting account-level placement exclusions. This will exclude those display/video placements from all of your campaigns, including Performance Max, and including search partners, too.
You can also go even broader and exclude whole categories of placements. 
For example, if you’re running reach-focused video campaigns, you might want to exclude “Made for Kids” content so you don’t waste your budget on children who are just trying to watch Bluey or Ms. Rachel. You can find this option under Tools > Content Suitability.
How to find placement ideas for your campaigns
Once you’ve gotten the hang of exclusions, you might be wondering how to find new, relevant places to put your ads. Here are a few ways to find placement ideas:
Audience tools: Use a third-party audience tool to see which websites or apps your target customers are using.
Google search: Do a Google search for some of your top keywords and see which websites come up.
YouTube search: Search for those same keywords on YouTube to get ideas for video and channel placements.
AI tools: Ask a tool like Gemini or ChatGPT for suggestions based on your target audience and industry.
Your own browsing: If you are your target customer, look at your own browsing history to see what websites you visit or what YouTube videos you watch.
A word of caution: when creating video placements, you’ll have to choose at least 10 channels or videos in order for your ad to serve. So, you can’t just run a campaign on a single competitor’s channel. But there’s an easy workaround I’ve figured out: choose their channel as one placement, and then 9 of their specific videos as placements, and you’re good to go.
Is it a good idea to use placement targeting in Google Ads?
I’ll be honest, I don’t use display or video placements frequently. They are very precise, and this can be a double-edged sword.
While you get to be intentional about where your ads show, this targeting method isn’t scalable. Because the pool of places to show your ads is so small, you can end up with really high CPMs (cost per thousand impressions) and/or CPVs (cost per view).
However, if you’re certain that your target audience is spending time on a specific set of websites, apps, or YouTube channels, it can be a great way to reach them directly. If you have that information, by all means, run a test and see if it works for your business.
This article is part of our ongoing bi-weekly Search Engine Land series, Everything you need to know about Google Ads in less than 3 minutes. Every other Wednesday, Jyll highlights a different Google Ads feature, and what you need to know to get the best results from it – all in a quick 3-minute read.

Learn how Google Ads placement targeting works – what it is, where to find it, how to block the junky sites, and whether it’s worth testing.

Google Ads placements: Your guide to targeting websites, apps, and YouTube

<div><img width="1920" height="1080" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/local-search-ai.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="Local search AI" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/local-search-ai.png 1920w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/local-search-ai-768x432.png 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/local-search-ai-1536x864.png 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></div>AI may dominate search, but local queries still drive action. Discover actionable steps for maximizing your local presence across platforms.

<div><img width="1920" height="1080" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/local-search-ai.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="Local search AI" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/local-search-ai.png 1920w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/local-search-ai-768x432.png 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/local-search-ai-1536x864.png 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></div>
<p>Generative AI is changing how users search. With instant answers from AI Overviews, ChatGPT, and other tools, many searchers no longer need to click through to websites – especially for informational queries. </p>



<p>But this change has resulted in many websites seeing declining click-through rates despite rising impressions.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" width="1524" height="344" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/gsc-impressions-up-clicks-down.png" alt="" class="wp-image-462093" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/gsc-impressions-up-clicks-down.png 1524w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/gsc-impressions-up-clicks-down-768x173.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1524px) 100vw, 1524px" /></figure>



<p>However, there’s a notable exception: local search. </p>



<p>Businesses that depend on local intent are seeing steady performance, with no signs of the “alligator graph” (rising impressions and falling clicks) that plagues other categories.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" width="1518" height="354" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/gsc-local-ctr-unimpacted.png" alt="" class="wp-image-462094" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/gsc-local-ctr-unimpacted.png 1518w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/gsc-local-ctr-unimpacted-768x179.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1518px) 100vw, 1518px" /></figure>



<p>This article explains why local content is uniquely resilient in the age of generative AI – and how you can capitalize on this by <a href="https://searchengineland.com/local-seo-ai-driven-tactics-459437">strengthening your local SEO efforts</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">1. Large language models don’t deliver a good local search experience</h2>



<p>Try searching [pizza near me] in ChatGPT or another AI platform. </p>



<p>The results are vague, lack images, and often list places that aren’t even nearby. </p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" width="660" height="607" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/pizza-quick-picks-at-a-glance.png" alt="" class="wp-image-462095"/></figure></div>


<p>There are no maps, no phone numbers, and no real-time context.</p>



<p>By contrast, search the same query in Google Maps.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" width="1443" height="790" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/google-maps-pizza.png" alt="" class="wp-image-462096" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/google-maps-pizza.png 1443w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/google-maps-pizza-768x420.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1443px) 100vw, 1443px" /></figure></div>


<p>You get a rich, visual interface with accurate listings, reviews, directions, call buttons, and real-time location tracking.</p>



<p>AI tools don’t offer a comparable user experience for local discovery. Why?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. AI platforms lack reliable location awareness</h2>



<p>Generative AI doesn’t know where you’re searching from – at least not without you telling it explicitly. That lack of geolocation leads to generic, irrelevant answers. </p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" width="630" height="212" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/chatgpt-doesnt-know-your-location.png" alt="" class="wp-image-462097"/></figure></div>


<p>For local search, proximity is a key ranking factor, so this is a critical weakness.</p>



<p>While privacy advocates may welcome the anonymity, users looking for nearby services don’t benefit from extra friction. </p>



<p>Most searchers won&#8217;t bother entering their exact address just to get AI-powered suggestions. As a result, traditional search still wins for queries with clear local intent.</p>



<p>Even if AI tools eventually solve for location accuracy, they still face another barrier.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. Local search involves real-world intent</h2>



<p>Local searches often lead to phone calls, in-person visits, or service appointments—not just website clicks. Users want to talk to someone who can fix their roof, unclog a pipe, or deliver a pizza. AI can explain how to do these things, but it can’t actually do them.</p>



<p>This is why Google rarely includes AI Overviews in local search results. In fact, AI Overviews are less likely to appear for local queries than for informational ones, a recent <a href="https://ahrefs.com/blog/insights-from-56-million-ai-overviews/">Ahrefs study found</a>.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" width="647" height="702" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/aio-normal-searchdistribution-local-non-local.png" alt="" class="wp-image-462098"/></figure></div>


<p>Even when AI attempts to answer, it leans heavily on the same sources traditional local SEO relies on.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">4. AI results still depend on local SEO data sources</h2>



<p>Ask Perplexity or ChatGPT for a local service provider and you’ll often get:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>A Yelp &#8220;best of&#8221; list</li>



<li>Google Business Profile data, including review counts and ratings</li>



<li>A Google Maps link for directions</li>
</ul>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" width="814" height="663" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/pipe-repair-near-me.png" alt="" class="wp-image-462099" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/pipe-repair-near-me.png 814w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/pipe-repair-near-me-768x626.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 814px) 100vw, 814px" /></figure></div>


<p>These models don’t generate original local knowledge. They aggregate and summarize structured data from platforms like Google, Yelp, TripAdvisor, and others.</p>



<p>As <a href="https://searchengineland.com/ai-search-booming-seo-still-not-dead-458935">Lily Ray noted in a recent analysis</a>, Google&#8217;s AI Mode cites links to Google Business Profiles much more frequently than linking to external websites.</p>



<p>This means all <span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">the work on local listings, location pages, and <a href="https://searchengineland.com/guides/service-area-pages" target="_blank">service area pages</a> will continue</span>, even if users decide to switch search platforms.</p>



<p>In short, all the local SEO fundamentals – reviews, directory listings, business profile accuracy – still matter. Arguably, they matter even more in the AI era.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">5. Local SEO is built for a fragmented search future</h2>



<p>As search behavior evolves across platforms, it’s more important than ever for businesses to be discoverable everywhere. </p>



<p>This is the foundation of <a href="https://searchengineland.com/search-everywhere-optimization-443738">Search Everywhere Optimization</a>.</p>



<p>Local SEO has always embraced this mindset. Success means showing up across a wide network of data aggregators, map apps, industry-specific directories, and review platforms. </p>



<p>These touchpoints are exactly where AI tools look for signals.</p>



<p>If your local business is consistently represented across these platforms, you’re already aligned with how AI gathers and validates information.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-actionable-steps-for-maximizing-your-local-presence">4 actionable steps for maximizing your local presence</h2>



<p>To maintain and grow local visibility, prioritize these tactical steps:</p>



<ol start="1" class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Stick to proven SEO tactics for mid- and bottom-funnel queries.</strong> AI is either ineffective or absent in these areas.</li>



<li><strong>Ensure consistency across all relevant local platforms.</strong> This includes your business name, address, phone number (NAP), hours, and categories.</li>



<li><strong>Complete every local profile fully.</strong> Fill in all available fields and add rich content – photos, service descriptions, FAQs, and menus.</li>



<li><strong>Continue generating reviews.</strong> LLMs depend on fresh, authentic, user-generated content. Regular reviews help your business stand out in AI-powered lists.</li>
</ol>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-takeaway">Key takeaway</h2>



<p>Local SEO isn’t just surviving the generative AI shift – it’s thriving. Investing in visibility across platforms, accurate business data, and review generation will remain discoverable no matter how the search landscape evolves.</p>


Generative AI is changing how users search. With instant answers from AI Overviews, ChatGPT, and other tools, many searchers no longer need to click through to websites – especially for informational queries. 
But this change has resulted in many websites seeing declining click-through rates despite rising impressions.




However, there’s a notable exception: local search. 
Businesses that depend on local intent are seeing steady performance, with no signs of the “alligator graph” (rising impressions and falling clicks) that plagues other categories.




This article explains why local content is uniquely resilient in the age of generative AI – and how you can capitalize on this by strengthening your local SEO efforts.
1. Large language models don’t deliver a good local search experience
Try searching [pizza near me] in ChatGPT or another AI platform. 
The results are vague, lack images, and often list places that aren’t even nearby. 

There are no maps, no phone numbers, and no real-time context.
By contrast, search the same query in Google Maps.

You get a rich, visual interface with accurate listings, reviews, directions, call buttons, and real-time location tracking.
AI tools don’t offer a comparable user experience for local discovery. Why?
2. AI platforms lack reliable location awareness
Generative AI doesn’t know where you’re searching from – at least not without you telling it explicitly. That lack of geolocation leads to generic, irrelevant answers. 

For local search, proximity is a key ranking factor, so this is a critical weakness.
While privacy advocates may welcome the anonymity, users looking for nearby services don’t benefit from extra friction. 
Most searchers won’t bother entering their exact address just to get AI-powered suggestions. As a result, traditional search still wins for queries with clear local intent.
Even if AI tools eventually solve for location accuracy, they still face another barrier.
3. Local search involves real-world intent
Local searches often lead to phone calls, in-person visits, or service appointments—not just website clicks. Users want to talk to someone who can fix their roof, unclog a pipe, or deliver a pizza. AI can explain how to do these things, but it can’t actually do them.
This is why Google rarely includes AI Overviews in local search results. In fact, AI Overviews are less likely to appear for local queries than for informational ones, a recent Ahrefs study found.

Even when AI attempts to answer, it leans heavily on the same sources traditional local SEO relies on.
4. AI results still depend on local SEO data sources
Ask Perplexity or ChatGPT for a local service provider and you’ll often get:
A Yelp “best of” list
Google Business Profile data, including review counts and ratings
A Google Maps link for directions

These models don’t generate original local knowledge. They aggregate and summarize structured data from platforms like Google, Yelp, TripAdvisor, and others.
As Lily Ray noted in a recent analysis, Google’s AI Mode cites links to Google Business Profiles much more frequently than linking to external websites.
This means all the work on local listings, location pages, and service area pages will continue, even if users decide to switch search platforms.
In short, all the local SEO fundamentals – reviews, directory listings, business profile accuracy – still matter. Arguably, they matter even more in the AI era.
5. Local SEO is built for a fragmented search future
As search behavior evolves across platforms, it’s more important than ever for businesses to be discoverable everywhere. 
This is the foundation of Search Everywhere Optimization.
Local SEO has always embraced this mindset. Success means showing up across a wide network of data aggregators, map apps, industry-specific directories, and review platforms. 
These touchpoints are exactly where AI tools look for signals.
If your local business is consistently represented across these platforms, you’re already aligned with how AI gathers and validates information.
4 actionable steps for maximizing your local presence
To maintain and grow local visibility, prioritize these tactical steps:
Stick to proven SEO tactics for mid- and bottom-funnel queries. AI is either ineffective or absent in these areas.
Ensure consistency across all relevant local platforms. This includes your business name, address, phone number (NAP), hours, and categories.
Complete every local profile fully. Fill in all available fields and add rich content – photos, service descriptions, FAQs, and menus.
Continue generating reviews. LLMs depend on fresh, authentic, user-generated content. Regular reviews help your business stand out in AI-powered lists.
Key takeaway
Local SEO isn’t just surviving the generative AI shift – it’s thriving. Investing in visibility across platforms, accurate business data, and review generation will remain discoverable no matter how the search landscape evolves.

AI may dominate search, but local queries still drive action. Discover actionable steps for maximizing your local presence across platforms.

Why local SEO is thriving in the AI-first search era

<div><img width="1920" height="1080" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/Adobe-20250917-1920x1080-1.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/Adobe-20250917-1920x1080-1.jpg 1920w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/Adobe-20250917-1920x1080-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/Adobe-20250917-1920x1080-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></div>Not without a content supply chain that can keep up.

<div><img width="1920" height="1080" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/Adobe-20250917-1920x1080-1.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/Adobe-20250917-1920x1080-1.jpg 1920w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/Adobe-20250917-1920x1080-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/Adobe-20250917-1920x1080-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></div>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/Adobe-20250917-1920x1080-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-461950" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/Adobe-20250917-1920x1080-1.jpg 1920w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/Adobe-20250917-1920x1080-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/Adobe-20250917-1920x1080-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



<p>Customers expect content tailored for them. In fact, 71% of consumers <a href="https://business.adobe.com/resources/digital-trends-report.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener sponsored nofollow">say</a> &nbsp;it’s “critical” for brands to anticipate their needs and serve relevant content in the moment. But only 34% <a href="https://business.adobe.com/resources/digital-trends-report.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener sponsored nofollow">believe</a> brands actually deliver.</p>



<p>The disconnect doesn’t signify a lack of effort, but a lack of scale. Real personalization is about reaching every customer with the right content at the right time. That requires more than just creating extra email banners. You have to build a robust content engine that runs reliably at speed.</p>



<p>That engine is your content supply chain.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-caution-scaling-personalization-may-break-workflows">Caution: Scaling personalization may break workflows</h3>



<p>AI can supercharge content generation, but it has not solved the biggest roadblock to personalization: disconnected content supply chains. Generated assets still require human oversight, approval and timely delivery. Without streamlined processes, AI can add friction and become just another tool lost in a cluttered drawer.</p>



<p>Common challenges that prevent personalized content:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Manual, repetitive tasks that drain creative teams and limit scale.</li>



<li>Fragmented systems that cause version confusion and duplicate work.</li>



<li>Insufficient governance that slows delivery or releases off-brand content.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-as-demand-explodes-content-teams-drown">As demand explodes, content teams drown</h3>



<p>“Demand for content shows no signs of slowing,” <a href="https://news.adobe.com/news/news-details/2023/adobe-genstudio-accelerates-enterprise-content-supply-chain-with-customized-firefly-models#:~:text=%E2%80%9CDemand%20for%20content%20shows%20no,to%20quality%20or%20brand%20consistency.%E2%80%9D" target="_blank" rel="noopener sponsored nofollow">said</a> Amit Ahuja, senior vice president, Digital Experience Business at Adobe. “Nearly two-thirds of customer experience professionals expect demand to rise five-fold over the next two years.”</p>



<p>Campaigns that once called for dozens of assets now require hundreds or thousands tailored for specific regions, segments, and channels. <a href="https://business.adobe.com/blog/how-to/create-a-content-supply-chain-that-will-stand-the-test-of-time" target="_blank" rel="noopener sponsored nofollow">According to IDC</a>, by 2026 enterprise content is projected to consume 155 exabytes—roughly the equivalent of 15 billion high-resolution images.</p>



<p>But as Helen Wallace, Creative Director at Deloitte Digital <a href="https://business.adobe.com/uk/customer-success-stories/deloitte-digital-case-study.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener sponsored nofollow">said</a>, “The content supply chain isn’t just about delivering content faster and more efficiently. It’s about creating content that engages people on an individual level.”</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-systems-fail-so-do-good-ideas">When systems fail, so do good ideas</h3>



<p>Even well-prepared global brands stumble when content supply chains break. Despite solid creative strategies, teams can miss launch deadlines because assets are scattered across platforms or approvals get tangled in email threads.</p>



<p>Without coordination, the wasted creativity can be astounding. An <a href="https://www.adobe.com/content/dam/cct/creativecloud/business/teams/whitepapers/dotcom-116728/Adobe_StateofCreativity_Report_2024_FV_UE.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener sponsored nofollow">estimated</a> 44% of creative teams spend up to half their time on low-value work like resizing assets. <a href="https://business.adobe.com/content/dam/dx/emea/resources/reports/supercharge/12900452_Supercharging_your_content_supply_chain_Guide_uk.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener sponsored nofollow">According to some Adobe customers</a>, 50-70% of content produced is never used because teams can’t easily find it.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-time-for-a-full-marketing-engine-rebuild">Time for a full marketing engine rebuild</h3>



<p>According to <a href="https://www.ibm.com/thought-leadership/institute-business-value/en-us/report/content-supply-chain-gen-ai" target="_blank" rel="noopener sponsored nofollow">IBM</a>, leaders in personalization don’t just invest in isolated AI image generators. They re-engineer their content supply chain from end to end—and they do it on the cloud. With that foundation, it’s possible to connect teams, scale securely, and keep content moving quickly.</p>



<p>&#8220;Modern personalization requires infrastructure built for tomorrow&#8217;s demands,&#8221; said Ann Culver, Principal Partner Development Manager at Amazon Web Services (AWS). &#8220;As content operations scale exponentially, organizations need cloud infrastructure that can deliver the speed, scale, and intelligence necessary for modern content operations.&#8221;</p>



<p>Here’s what a cloud-powered content supply chain looks like in practice:</p>



<p><strong>Workflow and planning</strong>: Scrap siloed spreadsheets and ad hoc tools. Standardize project management with a single, cloud-based hub that manages content requests, briefs and timelines. Teams gain real-time visibility across projects, wherever they are.</p>



<p><strong>Creation and production</strong>: Use generative AI running on high-performance cloud technology to accelerate repetitive tasks or content generation (potentially up to 50 times faster, according to <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/growth-marketing-and-sales/our-insights/unlocking-the-next-frontier-of-personalized-marketing" target="_blank" rel="noopener sponsored nofollow">McKinsey &amp; Company</a>).</p>



<p><strong>Asset management</strong>: Make content libraries searchable and accessible globally with a cloud-based digital asset management (DAM) solution. Teams can quickly reuse or localize deliverables while remaining compliant and on brand.</p>



<p><strong>Delivery and activation</strong>: Ditch manual uploads and opt for cloud integration instead. Content can flow directly from DAM to publishing channels with low latency, so campaigns adapt faster across regions.</p>



<p><strong>Reporting and insights</strong>: Cloud analytics provide a holistic view of content performance in real time. Teams can measure, learn, and optimize future campaigns immediately.</p>



<p>You wouldn’t run a streaming service on dial-up. Likewise, you can’t scale personalized content on-prem. The cloud unlocks the agility and scale you need to make AI and automation deliver on their promise.</p>



<p><strong>One more thing:</strong> Don’t skip change management. Communicate early and often with teams and provide adequate training. More than half of executives <a href="https://www.ibm.com/thought-leadership/institute-business-value/en-us/report/content-supply-chain-gen-ai" target="_blank" rel="noopener sponsored nofollow">report</a> that organizational change is a critical challenge hindering the improvement of content supply chains.</p>



<p>You need both technology <em>and </em>people to pull off transformation.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-turn-potential-into-performance">Turn potential into performance</h3>



<p>Organizations that want to scale personalization need an integrated, AI- and cloud-enabled content supply chain.</p>



<p><a href="https://bit.ly/4fJj697" target="_blank" rel="noopener sponsored nofollow">Adobe and AWS</a> deliver solutions that unify every stage of the content lifecycle—from creative brief to analytics report. Adobe’s generative AI, automation and collaboration tools help streamline creation and approval. AWS provides the scalable infrastructure needed to deliver and adapt content securely at global scale.</p>



<p>Learn more about Adobe and AWS solutions <a href="https://bit.ly/4fJj697" target="_blank" rel="noopener sponsored nofollow">here.</a></p>


Customers expect content tailored for them. In fact, 71% of consumers say  it’s “critical” for brands to anticipate their needs and serve relevant content in the moment. But only 34% believe brands actually deliver.
The disconnect doesn’t signify a lack of effort, but a lack of scale. Real personalization is about reaching every customer with the right content at the right time. That requires more than just creating extra email banners. You have to build a robust content engine that runs reliably at speed.
That engine is your content supply chain.
Caution: Scaling personalization may break workflows
AI can supercharge content generation, but it has not solved the biggest roadblock to personalization: disconnected content supply chains. Generated assets still require human oversight, approval and timely delivery. Without streamlined processes, AI can add friction and become just another tool lost in a cluttered drawer.
Common challenges that prevent personalized content:
Manual, repetitive tasks that drain creative teams and limit scale.
Fragmented systems that cause version confusion and duplicate work.
Insufficient governance that slows delivery or releases off-brand content.
As demand explodes, content teams drown
“Demand for content shows no signs of slowing,” said Amit Ahuja, senior vice president, Digital Experience Business at Adobe. “Nearly two-thirds of customer experience professionals expect demand to rise five-fold over the next two years.”
Campaigns that once called for dozens of assets now require hundreds or thousands tailored for specific regions, segments, and channels. According to IDC, by 2026 enterprise content is projected to consume 155 exabytes—roughly the equivalent of 15 billion high-resolution images.
But as Helen Wallace, Creative Director at Deloitte Digital said, “The content supply chain isn’t just about delivering content faster and more efficiently. It’s about creating content that engages people on an individual level.”
When systems fail, so do good ideas
Even well-prepared global brands stumble when content supply chains break. Despite solid creative strategies, teams can miss launch deadlines because assets are scattered across platforms or approvals get tangled in email threads.
Without coordination, the wasted creativity can be astounding. An estimated 44% of creative teams spend up to half their time on low-value work like resizing assets. According to some Adobe customers, 50-70% of content produced is never used because teams can’t easily find it.
Time for a full marketing engine rebuild
According to IBM, leaders in personalization don’t just invest in isolated AI image generators. They re-engineer their content supply chain from end to end—and they do it on the cloud. With that foundation, it’s possible to connect teams, scale securely, and keep content moving quickly.
“Modern personalization requires infrastructure built for tomorrow’s demands,” said Ann Culver, Principal Partner Development Manager at Amazon Web Services (AWS). “As content operations scale exponentially, organizations need cloud infrastructure that can deliver the speed, scale, and intelligence necessary for modern content operations.”
Here’s what a cloud-powered content supply chain looks like in practice:
Workflow and planning: Scrap siloed spreadsheets and ad hoc tools. Standardize project management with a single, cloud-based hub that manages content requests, briefs and timelines. Teams gain real-time visibility across projects, wherever they are.
Creation and production: Use generative AI running on high-performance cloud technology to accelerate repetitive tasks or content generation (potentially up to 50 times faster, according to McKinsey & Company).
Asset management: Make content libraries searchable and accessible globally with a cloud-based digital asset management (DAM) solution. Teams can quickly reuse or localize deliverables while remaining compliant and on brand.
Delivery and activation: Ditch manual uploads and opt for cloud integration instead. Content can flow directly from DAM to publishing channels with low latency, so campaigns adapt faster across regions.
Reporting and insights: Cloud analytics provide a holistic view of content performance in real time. Teams can measure, learn, and optimize future campaigns immediately.
You wouldn’t run a streaming service on dial-up. Likewise, you can’t scale personalized content on-prem. The cloud unlocks the agility and scale you need to make AI and automation deliver on their promise.
One more thing: Don’t skip change management. Communicate early and often with teams and provide adequate training. More than half of executives report that organizational change is a critical challenge hindering the improvement of content supply chains.
You need both technology and people to pull off transformation.
Turn potential into performance
Organizations that want to scale personalization need an integrated, AI- and cloud-enabled content supply chain.
Adobe and AWS deliver solutions that unify every stage of the content lifecycle—from creative brief to analytics report. Adobe’s generative AI, automation and collaboration tools help streamline creation and approval. AWS provides the scalable infrastructure needed to deliver and adapt content securely at global scale.
Learn more about Adobe and AWS solutions here.

Not without a content supply chain that can keep up.

Think AI can scale personalization alone? by Adobe

<div><img width="1920" height="1080" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/chatgpt-search-update.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="ChatGPT search update" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/chatgpt-search-update.png 1920w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/chatgpt-search-update-768x432.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></div>OpenAI says ChatGPT search now reduces hallucinations, improves shopping intent detection, and delivers answers in cleaner formats.

<div><img width="1920" height="1080" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/chatgpt-search-update.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="ChatGPT search update" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/chatgpt-search-update.png 1920w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/chatgpt-search-update-768x432.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></div>
<p>OpenAI today announced upgrades to ChatGPT search that aim to deliver more accurate, reliable, and useful results.</p>



<p><strong>What’s new</strong>. OpenAI&#8217;s updates to ChatGPT search focused on three areas:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Factuality:</strong> ChatGPT search produces fewer hallucinations, improving the accuracy of answers, OpenAI said.</li>



<li><strong>Shopping:</strong> Search is now better at detecting when users want product recommendations, keeping results focused on intent.</li>



<li><strong>Formatting:</strong> Answers are presented in cleaner, easier-to-digest formats without sacrificing detail.</li>
</ul>



<p><strong>Why we care. </strong>ChatGPT’s search is increasingly being positioned as an alternative to traditional engines like Google – and <a href="https://searchengineland.com/consumer-use-ai-tools-daily-report-459110">adoption of AI search tools is growing</a>. Just remember that even though AI search is booming, it <a href="https://searchengineland.com/ai-search-traffic-referrals-organic-search-data-461935">drives less than 1% of referrals</a>.</p>



<p><strong>The announcement.</strong> The updates were shared via <a href="https://help.openai.com/en/articles/6825453-chatgpt-release-notes#h_adc59d257e">ChatGPT changelog</a>.</p>


OpenAI today announced upgrades to ChatGPT search that aim to deliver more accurate, reliable, and useful results.
What’s new. OpenAI’s updates to ChatGPT search focused on three areas:
Factuality: ChatGPT search produces fewer hallucinations, improving the accuracy of answers, OpenAI said.
Shopping: Search is now better at detecting when users want product recommendations, keeping results focused on intent.
Formatting: Answers are presented in cleaner, easier-to-digest formats without sacrificing detail.
Why we care. ChatGPT’s search is increasingly being positioned as an alternative to traditional engines like Google – and adoption of AI search tools is growing. Just remember that even though AI search is booming, it drives less than 1% of referrals.
The announcement. The updates were shared via ChatGPT changelog.

OpenAI says ChatGPT search now reduces hallucinations, improves shopping intent detection, and delivers answers in cleaner formats.

ChatGPT search update focuses on quality, shopping, format

<div><img width="800" height="509" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/10/shutterstock_2065638467-800x509.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="Meta Facebook (Credit: Shutterstock)" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/10/shutterstock_2065638467-800x509.jpg 800w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/10/shutterstock_2065638467-531x338.jpg 531w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/10/shutterstock_2065638467-177x113.jpg 177w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/10/shutterstock_2065638467-768x489.jpg 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/10/shutterstock_2065638467-1536x978.jpg 1536w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/10/shutterstock_2065638467-150x96.jpg 150w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/10/shutterstock_2065638467.jpg 1696w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></div>Meta fuses WhatsApp Status ads with click-to-message, giving brands a bigger stage to spark chats and boost engagement.

<div><img width="800" height="509" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/10/shutterstock_2065638467-800x509.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="Meta Facebook (Credit: Shutterstock)" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" srcset="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/10/shutterstock_2065638467-800x509.jpg 800w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/10/shutterstock_2065638467-531x338.jpg 531w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/10/shutterstock_2065638467-177x113.jpg 177w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/10/shutterstock_2065638467-768x489.jpg 768w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/10/shutterstock_2065638467-1536x978.jpg 1536w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/10/shutterstock_2065638467-150x96.jpg 150w, https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2023/10/shutterstock_2065638467.jpg 1696w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></div>
<p>Meta is giving advertisers more ways to reach WhatsApp users by combining click-to-message ads with Status placements, offering a new path to spark conversations with potential customers.</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Ads will now appear in WhatsApp’s Updates tab (home to Status and Channels) and, when tapped, send users directly into a business chat.</li>



<li>The expansion builds on Meta’s June launch of Status ads, which run between full-screen updates from friends.</li>
</ul>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" width="600" height="463" src="https://searchengineland.com/wp-content/seloads/2025/09/whatsapp_business2.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-462077"/></figure></div>


<p><strong>Why we care</strong>. Meta is turning WhatsApp into a stronger ad channel, blending full-screen Status placements with click-to-message ads that drive users directly into chats. With 100 million U.S. users and early global expansion, the platform offers brands an effective way to boost engagement as direct interactions outperform traditional ads.</p>



<p><strong>The details</strong>. The new format allows brands to place ads on Facebook or Instagram that click through to WhatsApp Status, creating a larger, full-screen promo with a chat CTA.</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Availability is limited to certain regions for now.</li>
</ul>



<p><strong>Between the lines</strong>. WhatsApp is increasingly central to Meta’s messaging ecosystem, and blending Status ads with direct chat options could help advertisers connect more personally while capitalizing on WhatsApp’s growing role as a hub for conversations.</p>



<p><strong>What’s next</strong>. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/business/help/1074444721456755?id=805840565113559" target="_blank" rel="noopener">As Meta expands access</a>, advertisers in eligible regions will have more ways to test whether WhatsApp’s conversational ad formats fit into their broader customer engagement strategy.</p>


Meta is giving advertisers more ways to reach WhatsApp users by combining click-to-message ads with Status placements, offering a new path to spark conversations with potential customers.
Ads will now appear in WhatsApp’s Updates tab (home to Status and Channels) and, when tapped, send users directly into a business chat.
The expansion builds on Meta’s June launch of Status ads, which run between full-screen updates from friends.

Why we care. Meta is turning WhatsApp into a stronger ad channel, blending full-screen Status placements with click-to-message ads that drive users directly into chats. With 100 million U.S. users and early global expansion, the platform offers brands an effective way to boost engagement as direct interactions outperform traditional ads.
The details. The new format allows brands to place ads on Facebook or Instagram that click through to WhatsApp Status, creating a larger, full-screen promo with a chat CTA.
Availability is limited to certain regions for now.
Between the lines. WhatsApp is increasingly central to Meta’s messaging ecosystem, and blending Status ads with direct chat options could help advertisers connect more personally while capitalizing on WhatsApp’s growing role as a hub for conversations.
What’s next. As Meta expands access, advertisers in eligible regions will have more ways to test whether WhatsApp’s conversational ad formats fit into their broader customer engagement strategy.

Meta fuses WhatsApp Status ads with click-to-message, giving brands a bigger stage to spark chats and boost engagement.

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