Local search &
platform news
Timely local SEO updates for multi-location brands: Google Business Profile, Apple Business, Meta, AI search, and EU regulation, explained for the central teams that manage hundreds or thousands of locations.
July 2026
EU orders Google to open Android AI and share search data
The EU's 16 July DMA decisions order Google to open Android AI features to rival assistants and share anonymised search data with rival search engines and chatbots.
Marcus OlssonGoogle turns on local inventory ads by default in Shopping
Google is turning on local inventory ads by default in Shopping campaigns and merging Shopping ads and free listings into one policy. What retailers must do.
Astghik NikoghosyanEU set to fine Google over search self-preferencing
The European Commission is expected to fine Google for search self-preferencing under the Digital Markets Act. What the pending DMA ruling means at scale.
Marcus OlssonGoogle AI Mode shows ads on 1 in 3 commercial queries
A new SE Ranking study finds ads now appear on nearly one in three commercial Google AI Mode queries. What paid AI search means for multi-location brands.
Astghik NikoghosyanGoogle Merchant Center adds AI shopping visibility report
Google's new Merchant Center report shows how your brand appears in AI Mode, AI Overviews and Gemini. What AI shopping visibility means for retailers.
Ehsan MousaviAsk YouTube AI search opens to all US desktop users
YouTube's conversational Ask YouTube search is now live for signed-in US desktop users, with wider rollout coming. Why video is becoming an AI search surface.
Astghik NikoghosyanGoogle's UCP turns AI search into a checkout for retail
Google's Universal Commerce Protocol lets shoppers buy inside AI Mode and Gemini. What the shift from clicks to agent purchases means for retail chains.
Ehsan MousaviOpenAI retires ChatGPT Atlas browser on August 9
OpenAI is shutting down its Atlas browser and folding agentic browsing into the ChatGPT desktop app. Why AI surface consolidation matters for brand visibility.
Marcus OlssonGoogle adds AI disclosure labels to Search and YouTube ads
Google will flag ads built with AI across Search, YouTube and Discover in a How this ad was made panel, with on-ad labels where local rules require them.
Marcus OlssonGoogle's AI Search opt-out control expands beyond the UK
Google is extending the Search Console control that keeps content out of AI Overviews and AI Mode past the UK, with no penalty to classic search rankings.
Astghik NikoghosyanApple loses EU court fight over DMA gatekeeper status
The EU General Court upheld Apple's gatekeeper status under the Digital Markets Act, keeping the App Store and iOS open to rivals. What it means at scale.
Marcus OlssonBrave's Place Search API undercuts Google Maps on cost
Brave relaunched its Place Search API at $5 per 1,000 requests, roughly 6 to 7 times cheaper than Google Maps Platform for places data at scale.
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