Source: Search Engine Roundtable by barry@rustybrick.com (Barry Schwartz). Read the original article
TL;DR Summary of Google Search & Ads Updates: Latest Volatility, AI Features, and Policy Changes
Recent **Google Search rankings** have shown renewed volatility after a brief calm period. Google is rolling out a **sticky search bar** feature and testing enhanced **AI Mode tabs** with icons and dividers. Updates to the **Google Ads political content policy** for the EU are scheduled for September 2025, alongside insights on how **negative keywords** impact smart bidding. Additionally, new AI-powered features like “Ask Anything” are appearing in product search listings.
Optimixed’s Overview: Key Developments in Google Search, Advertising Policies, and AI Enhancements
Google Search Ranking Fluctuations and Interface Enhancements
After a brief period of stability, Google Search rankings have experienced significant volatility once again, generating increased discussion within the SEO community. Among interface improvements, Google is reintroducing a sticky search bar that remains visible as users scroll, enhancing navigation usability—a feature initially introduced in 2018 but paused until now.
Google Ads Policy Updates and Smart Bidding Insights
- Google announced an update to its political content policy for Google Ads, specifically affecting the European Union, with changes effective from September 2025. Advertisers targeting EU audiences should prepare for these new regional restrictions.
- Regarding smart bidding, Google confirmed that negative keywords are factored into the training algorithms, influencing campaign and ad group eligibility—an important consideration for optimizing paid search strategies.
Advancements in AI Integration Within Google Search
- Google is experimenting with a visually enhanced AI Mode tab, adding icons and dividers to make this feature more prominent in the search interface.
- The innovative “Ask Anything In AI Mode” feature is being tested within Google product search listings, allowing users to interact with AI-driven queries directly in product contexts, expanding the scope of AI assistance.
Additional Industry Insights and Community Highlights
The SEO and search marketing communities continue to share valuable insights, such as attempts to model demographic data for Performance Max campaigns and analyses of alternative ranking algorithms like Perplexity. These discussions underscore the dynamic and evolving landscape of search engine marketing.
