Source: Search Engine Roundtable by barry@rustybrick.com (Barry Schwartz). Read the original article
TL;DR Summary of Daily Google Search Forum Recap: Latest Updates and Tests
Google confirms that URL extensions like .html or .htm do not affect SEO rankings. The company expands AI Mode in Search Labs to users in India, broadening its international reach. New feature tests include an emoji answer box directly in search results, and social media profile buttons appearing above Google Posts in Business Profiles. Additional UI experiments involve a slim blue vertical bar next to search snippets and an undisclosed blue-highlighted answer box.
Optimixed’s Overview: Key Google Search Innovations and SEO Insights from Recent Forum Discussions
Google Maintains URL Extension Neutrality for SEO
John Mueller from Google reiterates that URL extensions such as .html, .htm, or having no extension at all do not impact SEO performance. Website owners can choose their preferred URL format without fearing search ranking penalties.
Expansion of AI Mode in Google Search Labs
- AI Mode, initially available only in the U.S., is now accessible to users in India through Search Labs.
- This marks Google’s first international rollout of its AI-powered search experience, indicating a broader global strategy.
Innovative Search Features Being Tested
- Emoji Answer Box: Google is experimenting with an integrated emoji feature to replace external emoji-copy websites by providing emoji details and copy functionality directly in search results.
- Social Media Profile Buttons: Within Google Business Profiles, social media links are being tested above the Google Posts section to enhance local business visibility.
- Undisclosed Blue Highlight Answer Box: A new type of answer snippet with a blue background (grayish in dark mode) appears without labels, possibly a novel AI overview or featured snippet format.
- Slim Blue Vertical Bar: A light blue bar is tested alongside search result snippets, potentially to improve visual distinction of links.
Additional Industry and Search Insights
Beyond the main updates, community discussions highlight changes in average positions within AI Mode, analytics improvements, and ongoing SEO challenges related to AI and indexing. The evolving search landscape continues to emphasize the importance of adapting SEO strategies to new Google features and experiments.
