Google AI Overview is now showing more external links within its content compared to before. Malte Landwehr posted about this on X, sharing a chart of the data. Looking at that data, it appears that after September 11, Google started making changes to AI Overview, increasing the number of external links shown within its content.

He wrote: “Google massively increased the number of external links within AI Overview answers.”

Here is the chart he shared.

Showing more external links within AI Overview isn’t necessarily a bad thing if anything, it could benefit websites by giving them more visibility directly within the AI-generated answer. Given how much Google continues to change across SERP, AI Mode, and AI Overview, this data is worth sharing with the digital marketing community to keep track of these ongoing shifts.

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Source:: searchenginewatch.com

Google Native Checkout feature, first launched in back in February, is now expanding to more Merchant Center account users. This feature is currently available only for websites that support the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP).

Google is notifying eligible merchants directly via email. Menachem (Google Ads) received one of these emails and shared a screenshot of it on x, and wrote: “Your products are now eligible for native checkout on Google.”

Here is the screenshot he shared.

Through this feature, users can purchase products directly through Google without needing to visit the website separately or manually enter payment details. This works through UCP integration alongside Google Pay.

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Source:: searchenginewatch.com

Google AI Mode is now showing a profile login popup by default when accessing AI Mode through Incognito mode. This may be Google’s way of notifying users to log in first, encouraging them to sign in rather than continuing anonymously.

I’ve used AI Mode through Incognito mode many times before and hadn’t seen this popup previously this feels new.

Here is a screenshot.

This popup could simply be a login reminder, though it also raises the possibility that Google may eventually require users to log in to access AI Mode altogether.

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Source:: searchenginewatch.com

Bing is now showing a new “Member price” tag within Shopping ad results. We recently covered the “Top Pick” label and view counts appearing in Shopping results, and today we spotted this new member price tag as well. This looked new to us — we hadn’t seen this type of tag before.

Here is a screenshot of this.

Based on our understanding, this tag likely applies to websites offering paid memberships or subscriptions, showing a special discounted price available specifically to paying members.

The post Bing tests new Member price tag on Shopping ad results appeared first on Search Engine Watch.

Source:: searchenginewatch.com

Google AI Mode is showing sponsored product recommendations that read like follow-up advice to a user’s question.

In a series of tests, AI Mode answered informational queries before showing Sponsored carousels with wording tailored to the subject. Rather than appearing as generic, standalone shopping units, the paid recommendations were framed as a suggested next step after the AI-generated answer.

For example, after I asked Google AI Mode how to start investing in index funds, it explained the basics and then displayed a Sponsored section that said, “To learn more about different investing strategies, you can explore these books.” The unit showed a carousel of sponsored books related to investing.

A similar pattern appeared in another test about coffee. After I asked about the best coffee brewing methods and their differences, AI Mode explained different brewing approaches before showing a Sponsored section that said, “If you’d prefer a quicker option, you can also explore instant coffee and coffee pods.” The unit showed a carousel featuring instant coffee and coffee pods.

The pattern also appeared in an active-listening query. After I asked how to become a better active listener, AI Mode explained the techniques before displaying a Sponsored section that said, “To learn more about these techniques and how to apply them, you can explore these guides.”

The wording changed with each query, tying the sponsored items to the original topic and making the module read like a continuation of the AI Mode response. Google labels the placements as “Sponsored,” but their tone and positioning make them feel more like a conversational recommendation than a conventional ad slot.

The post Google AI Mode Shows Sponsored Ads as Conversational Follow-Ups appeared first on Search Engine Watch.

Source:: searchenginewatch.com