Daily Search Forum Recap: September 3, 2026

A federal judge in Virginia ruled against breaking up Google's ad tech business, ordering Google to end practices that depress ad rates for web publishers but declining to order divestiture of its ad exchange and other technology. Separately, Google rolled out Gemini 3.8 Flash for AI Mode in Search, but early feedback indicates it is less likely to cite or link to sources than previous models. Google also expanded Merchant Center AI performance insights to merchants in Australia, Canada, India, and New Zealand.

Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today, through the eyes of the Search Engine Roundtable and other search forums on the web. Google has dodged being broken up for a second time on its monopoly ruling, this time over ad tech. Some publishers are noticing their content is disappearing from the Google News tab. Google released Gemini 3.8 Flash for AI Mode but it seems it is not link or citation friendly. Google Merchant Center has expanded the AI performance insights. Google Ads re-review status is showing up. Google Ads has new information on phone call conversions and offline conversions. Search Engine Roundtable Stories: - Judge Rules Google Ad Tech Business Won't Be Broken Up https://www.seroundtable.com/google-ad-tech-business-ruling-42008.html A federal judge in Virginia ruled against breaking up Google's ad tech business after Google was found to be a monopoly over its ad technology platforms. The judge ordered Google to end its practices that depress ad rates for web publishers, but declined to order divestiture of Google's ad exchange and other technology. - Publishers Noticing Google News Tab Content Disappearing https://www.seroundtable.com/google-news-tab-content-disappearing-42012.html Over the past several days, I have been hearing from some publishers that while their content is being crawled, indexed, and served in Google Search results, some of it is missing from the news tab. It may then later show up in the news tab, much later. I was able to replicate this but it seems completely random. - Google AI Mode Gemini 3.8 Flash Not Link / Citation Friendly? https://www.seroundtable.com/google-ai-mode-gemini-38-no-links-42011.html As you know, Google rolled out Gemini 3.8 Flash for subscribers to AI Mode and some have started to play with it. And the early feedback is that AI Mode running Gemini 3.8 Flash is not link or citation friendly. Meaning, AI Mode with Google's latest AI model is less likely to cite sources and link to sources than previous models. - Google Search Using Gemini 3.8 Flash In AI Mode https://www.seroundtable.com/google-search-ai-mode-gemini-38-42009.html Google's Robby Stein, VP of Product at Google Search, said on X, "Gemini 3.8 Flash has landed in Search." This comes only a couple of weeks after Google brought Gemini 3.7 Flash to AI Mode within Google Search. - Google Expands Merchant Center AI Performance Insights https://www.seroundtable.com/google-expands-merchant-center-ai-performance-insights-42005.html In July, Google began to roll out AI performance reports within Google Merchant Center to United States based merchants. Google said the AI reports are now available to merchants within Australia, Canada, India & New Zealand as well. - Google Ads Under Re-Review Label Status https://www.seroundtable.com/google-ads-under-re-review-status-41976.html Google Ads is showing under the status of your ads a label that says "Under Re-Review." It says the ad is eligible but limited and "this ad is serving to a limited audience." It then breaks down where the ad may not be serving. - Google Ads New Phone Call & Offline Conversions Details https://www.seroundtable.com/google-ads-phone-call-offline-conversions-42000.html Google added some new nuggets to its Google Ads help documentation on about conversion measurement, specifically on phone call conversions and offline conversions. - Google Unpacking Numerous Webby Awards https://www.seroundtable.com/photos/google-unpacking-webby-awards-42010.html Here is a photo of Googlers, including Josh Woodward, unpacking numerous Webby awards. I see at least six of them but I am sure there are more. Other Great Search Threads: If you search 'messi' you will see this tag line. https://x.com/AlifICSlegal/status/2095012025785319888 , Alif Shorif on X And check the Gen-AI reporting to see that surge https://x.com/glenngabe/status/2095171708755890631 , Glenn Gabe on X Strengthen Your Ads Account Security: Protect Against Account Takeovers https://support.google.com/google-ads/thread/464418706?hl=en , Google Ads Community Great Schema.org has now added “AI Preview” to its website. This could be an interesting step toward making structured data more relevant for AI-powered search and previews. https://x.com/Punit6008/status/2095389827219001554 , Punit on X Search Engine Land Stories: Gemini 3.8 Flash rolling out in Google Search https://searchengineland.com/gemini-3-8-flash-rolling-out-in-google-search-486630 Google avoids AdX breakup in ad tech antitrust case https://searchengineland.com/google-avoids-adx-breakup-486625 Lily Ray on why shortcuts rarely win in SEO or AI search https://searchengineland.com/lily-ray-search-engine-land-20-for-20-interview-486614 Evolving SEO for 2027: What still needs to change https://searchengineland.com/evolving-seo-what-needs-to-change-450911 Creative targeting is quietly fragmenting your Meta audiences https://searchengineland.com/creative-targeting-fragmenting-meta-audiences-486368 Google Trends adds category filters https://searchengineland.com/google-trends-adds-category-filters-486582 What makes a good listicle? https://searchengineland.com/what-makes-good-listicle-486330 Google Analytics showing zero traffic on Sept. 1 https://searchengineland.com/google-analytics-showing-zero-traffic-on-september-1st-486448 How to prove paid social drives paid search demand https://searchengineland.com/prove-paid-social-drives-paid-search-demand-486345 Other Great Search Stories: AI & LLMs 27% of U.S. adults turn to AI for personal, emotional, social queries https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/interactive/2026/09/02/27-us-adults-turn-ai-personal-emotional-social-queries/?pwapi token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJyZWFzb24iOiJnaWZ0IiwibmJmIjoxNzg4MzIxNjAwLCJpc3MiOiJzdWJzY3JpcHRpb25zIiwiZXhwIjoxNzg5NzAzOTk5LCJpYXQiOjE3ODgzMjE2MDAsImp0aSI6IjZkY2JlZjdhLTY4ODMtNDFkYy05NGE2LWJhN2IxMGIxOWMxMiIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS90ZWNobm9sb2d5L2ludGVyYWN0aXZlLzIwMjYvMDkvMDIvMjctdXMtYWR1bHRzLXR1cm4tYWktcGVyc29uYWwtZW1vdGlvbmFsLXNvY2lhbC1xdWVyaWVzLyJ9.J487dBdOpj Igs68fQjkRD4rhFpHKk42vgJMo11qwhc , Washington Post Siri AI won't be your friend, and here's why that really matters https://9to5mac.com/2026/09/02/siri-ai-wont-be-your-friend-and-heres-why-that-really-matters/ , 9to5Mac Why humanoid robots won’t catch up to human workers any time soon https://www.understandingai.org/p/why-humanoid-robots-wont-catch-up , Understanding AI Agentic Search Readiness Audit Framework + Free Skill https://www.oritmutznik.com/agentic-search-optimisation/agentic-search-readiness-audit-framework-skill , Orit Mutznik Google AI Mode shows the same products 21.6% more expensive than traditional search Data Study https://productrise.app/blog/google-ai-mode-prefers-more-expensive-products , Productrise The Semantic Data Layer: Building a Brand AI Can Understand https://www.advancedwebranking.com/blog/semantic-data-layer-brand-ai-understand , Advanced Web Ranking Analytics Industry & Business Google inks 396MW geothermal PPA with Fervo in Utah https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/google-inks-396mw-geothermal-ppa-with-fervo-in-utah/ , Data Center Dynamics OpenAI Lawsuits Mount Over Canadian School Shooting https://www.wsj.com/us-news/law/openai-lawsuits-mount-over-canadian-school-shooting-ca24c762?st=JmNUeS&reflink=desktopwebshare permalink , Wall Street Journal Google partners on West Virginia energy storage project https://blog.google/innovation-and-ai/infrastructure-and-cloud/global-network/west-virginia-long-duration-energy-storage/ , Google Blog MrBeast partners with Gemini and Google Health https://blog.google/company-news/inside-google/company-announcements/mrbeast-gemini-google-health/ , Google Blog Google, the Linux Foundation building a more private digital world https://blog.google/products-and-platforms/platforms/google-pay/zero-knowledge-proof-library-linux-foundation/ , Google Blog Russia Fines Google, Telegram, Pinterest Over Non-Compliant Content https://www.kyivpost.com/post/83588 , Kyiv Post Suit Alleges Athletico Gave Patient Data To Google Without OK https://www.law360.com/articles/2520784/suit-alleges-athletico-gave-patient-data-to-google-without-ok , Law360 Entergy loses bid to block Google deal reporting https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/09/02/entergy-google-data-center-deal-court-ruling , Axios Google starts September with AI momentum after long losing streak https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/02/google-starts-september-with-ai-momentum-after-long-losing-streak.html , CNBC Google to grow office space in Taiwan by 60% https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2026/09/03/2003863595 , Taipei Times Links & Content Marketing 4 Blockers Standing Between You and Content That Converts https://contentmarketinginstitute.com/strategy-planning/blockers-content-converts , Content Marketing Institute Local & Maps Google Maps in Android Auto could soon get new, darker colors https://www.androidauthority.com/google-maps-dark-colors-android-auto-apk-teardown-3705909/ , Android Authority A Foxhole View on Local SEO in 2026: Interview on the Legal Late Night Podcast https://www.localvisibilitysystem.com/2026/09/02/a-foxhole-view-on-local-seo-in-2026-interview-on-the-legal-late-night-podcast/ , Local Visibility System People are sharing how navigation looks on Apple Maps vs Google Maps and say there's 'no competition' over which is best https://supercarblondie.com/google-maps-apple-maps-online-comparison/ , Super Car Blondie Should You Let AI Manage Your Google Business Profile? https://www.koozai.com/blog/search-marketing/local-search/should-you-let-ai-manage-your-google-business-profile/ , Koozai Other Search About half of Americans say they spend too much time on their phone. Some are trying to cut back https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2026/09/01/about-half-of-americans-say-they-spend-too-much-time-on-their-smartphone/ , Pew Research Center Microsoft Defender flags legitimate Google search links as malicious https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/microsoft-defender-flags-legitimate-google-search-links-as-malicious/ , Bleeping Computer Google's AI Mode Is Ripping Shoppers Off With Vastly Higher Prices, Study Claims https://futurism.com/artificial-intelligence/google-ai-mode-higher-prices-study , Futurism PPC Optimize for the Next Query: Building Informational Content Around Search Journeys, Not Single Keywords https://www.jumpfly.com/blog/optimize-for-the-next-query-building-informational-content-around-search-journeys-not-single-keywords/ , JumpFly AI Agents in Google Ads: Is Read-Only Access Safe? https://hopskipmedia.com/ai-agents-in-google-ads/ , Hop Skip Media Bumper Ads Redefined as 5 to 6 Seconds Long https://ppcnewsfeed.com/ppc-news/2026-09/bumper-ads-redefined-as-5-to-6-seconds-long/ , PPC News Feed Hotel Campaigns Can Now Target Regions and Cities https://ppcnewsfeed.com/ppc-news/2026-09/hotel-campaigns-can-now-target-regions-cities/ , PPC News Feed What’s a Good ROAS for Google Ads in 2026? Here's What the Data Says by Vertical and Spend Tier https://www.optmyzr.com/blog/what-is-a-good-roas-for-google-ads/ , Optmyzr Google LSAs Get Even Worse for Real Estate Agents https://www.seosavvyagent.com/blog/google-lsas-get-even-worse-for-real-estate , SEO Savvy Agent Announcing the 2026 Microsoft Advertising Partner Awards Finalists: EMEA and LATAM https://about.ads.microsoft.com/en/blog/post/september-2026/announcing-the-2026-microsoft-advertising-partner-awards-finalists-emea-and-latam , Microsoft Advertising Getting a Pipeline Number You Can Defend to Finance https://ppchero.com/getting-a-pipeline-you-can-defend-to-finance/ , PPC Hero Google Ads API v22 sunset reminder https://ads-developers.googleblog.com/2026/09/google-ads-api-v22-sunset-reminder.html , Google Ads Developer Blog YouTube Creator Partnerships Analytics Adds Reach Metrics https://ppcnewsfeed.com/ppc-news/2026-09/youtube-creator-partnerships-analytics-adds-reach-metrics/ , PPC News Feed SEO How to prepare your site for AI agents https://www.semrush.com/blog/how-to-prepare-your-site-for-ai-agents/ , Semrush The Dynamic SERP Update: How the May 2026 Core Update Changed SEO https://www.sterlingsky.ca/the-dynamic-serp-update-may-2026-core-update-changed-seo/ , Sterling Sky What's new in Yoast SEO 28.4: find, fix, and generate at scale https://yoast.com/yoast-seo-sept-1-2026/ , Yoast Falsely Fast Websites: How Lighthouse Scores Are Hacked https://pagespeed.one/en/blog/lighthouse-score-hacking , PageSpeed ONE Google Spent 2026 Targeting Content Volume, Not AI Content https://nikki-pilkington.com/google-spent-2026-targeting-content-volume-not-ai-content/ , Nikki Pilkington Feedback: Have feedback on this daily recap; let me know on Twitter @rustybrick https://twitter.com/rustybrick/ or @seroundtable https://twitter.com/seroundtable , on Threads https://www.threads.net/@rustybrick , Mastodon https://c.im/@rustybrick and Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/rustybrick.com and you can follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/seoroundtable and on Google News https://news.google.com/publications/CAAiEGcxG7fAnv8WVJaUn-8kyrcqFAgKIhBnMRu3wJ7 FlSWlJ vJMq3?hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US%3Aen , add as a preferred source on Google https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=seroundtable.com and make sure to subscribe to the YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/rustybrick?sub confirmation=1 channel, Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id284443003 , Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4tFYPk3RmdTfMKG6u074TS , or just contact us the old fashion way https://www.seroundtable.com/contact.php .