Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today...

Over the past day or so, I am seeing a large spike in signs that there is Google search ranking movement and volatility. This is between the SEO community chatter spiking, as well as some of the tools showing some big volatility swings.

Google announced that GA4, Google Analytics, has a new AI Assistant traffic measurement. This allows you to track AI chatbot traffic, like from ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude. This is through a new AI Assistant channel in your Default Channel Group reports.

Google is expanding its vehicle ads to support more vehicles in the United States. Specifically, All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), RV's Utility Task Vehicles (UTVs), and non-motorized trailers, such as travel trailers and campers are now supported in Google Vehicle Ads.

Google sent out emails to some advertisers notifying them that after June 10, 2026 they will automatically link your Google Ads account with your YouTube channel. Linking them will give Google Ads data on your YouTube channel.

Google has released version 24.1 of the Google Ads API, this is a minor release with dozens of updates. This update includes features like mobile device platform segment, classic images in DemandGen, support for passkeys, revamped support of experiments, and support for the new data retention policy.

Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today...

Google had yet another Search Console reporting bug, this time with the Discover performance report. Between May 7, 2026 and May 8, 2026, Google confirmed a data logging issue that can result in the report showing fewer clicks and impressions. It is a reporting issue only and not a Discover ranking issue.

Google posted a tease for Google Marketing Live where Google Ads will be announcing new dashboards powered by Gemini. Google wrote on X, "Tired of manual reporting? Introducing Dashboards built with Gemini capabilities."

Google at some point added a section to this Google Ads document explaining that because of all the new Google AI search features, like Lens, AI Mode, AI Overviews, or auto-complete searches - the search terms report now may show keywords that "represents the best approximation of the user's intent."

A new study from Ahrefs says that adding schema does not and did not boost citations on any of the AI platforms including Google (AI Overviews or AI Mode), ChatGPT and others. "Adding schema produced no major uplift in citations on any platform," Ahrefs wrote.