Daily Search Forum Recap: September 25, 2025

09/25/25
Source: Search Engine Roundtable by barry@rustybrick.com (Barry Schwartz). Read the original article

TL;DR Summary of Google Search Updates and Forum Highlights from August 2025

Google’s August 2025 spam update has caused noticeable ranking volatility across search results. Cloudflare introduced a new robots.txt policy to block AI-generated content overviews, though compliance by Google remains uncertain. Google Ads updated its dishonest pricing policy to require clearer cost disclosures, and some ads will now be labeled as “Not a government website.” Additionally, Search Live is fully available in the US without opt-in, expanding AI-powered search experiences.

Optimixed’s Overview: Key Developments in Google Search and Advertising Policies in August 2025

Recent Search Ranking Volatility Following Spam Update

Since the completion of Google’s August 2025 spam update, the SEO community has observed increased fluctuations in search rankings. Although third-party rank tracking tools face limitations, chatter among webmasters and SEO experts indicates ongoing shifts in results, highlighting the update’s significant impact on search visibility.

Cloudflare’s Content Signals Policy to Control AI Content Use

Cloudflare has introduced a new Content Signals Policy as an extension to the robots.txt file. This allows website owners to express preferences against their content being used in AI-generated overviews, such as those produced by Google AI. However, the effectiveness depends on whether Google honors these signals, which is not guaranteed at this time.

Updates to Google Ads Policies and Labeling Practices

  • Dishonest Pricing Practices: Google Ads now requires advertisers to transparently disclose payment models and any potential costs before and after purchase to prevent misleading pricing representations.
  • Government Website Labeling: Some search ads will carry a new label stating “Not a government website” to help users better identify ad sources and avoid confusion with official government pages.

Search Live Expands Accessibility in the US

Previously limited to users enrolled in Search Labs, Google’s Search Live feature is now broadly available to all English-speaking users in the United States without the need for opt-in. This enhancement integrates AI chat capabilities directly into search, offering users a seamless multi-modal experience.

Additional Community and Industry Insights

  • Discussions in search forums highlight recovery examples from previous spam updates, emphasizing that sites can regain rankings after addressing spam issues.
  • Technical clarifications from Google’s John Mueller about how server handling and canonicalization impact indexing and search stability.
  • Ongoing developments in analytics integration, local SEO, and content marketing strategies were also noted, reflecting a dynamic search ecosystem.