Ad Tech, Updates
Kashish

What Google’s AI Mode Means for Your B2B Paid Search Strategy

What Google’s AI Mode Means for Your B2B Paid Search Strategy

The keyword-first approach is dying, and Google’s AI Mode is proving it. Introduced in May 2025, AI Mode has already started reshaping search and experts believe it could soon replace the traditional SERP as the default.

For B2B advertisers, this shift can feel daunting. Cost-per-click (CPC) rates are rising, algorithms are smarter than ever, and the old “tight keyword control” mindset isn’t enough. But AI Mode isn’t just a challenge it’s an opportunity to rethink your paid search strategy and find new, untapped revenue streams.

The Old Playbook Is Fading

For years, success in Google Ads meant micro-managing keywords, building long exact-match lists, and obsessing over every query variation. That era is over.

Today, smart advertisers ask:
“Where is my audience spending time and how can I engage them across all stages of their journey?”

The shift is clear: You need to stop managing keywords and start managing attention.

Smarter Budgeting Without Overspending

With rising CPCs, the instinct for many advertisers is to clamp down on budgets. But the smarter move is reallocation, not reduction.

Here’s what that means in practice:

  • Stop relying solely on keyword targeting.
  • Expand into areas where your competitors are not present, like video-first campaigns.
  • Leverage underutilized assets, such as YouTube Shorts, to reach audiences earlier in their buying journey.

Real Example:

Looking at Program C (Search + Pmax + Demand Gen & Video), we saw it outperform Program B (Search Only) despite spending significantly less:

Program C’s video-forward approach generated 102,976 video views while maintaining healthy conversions. This proved to stakeholders that video content builds awareness and drives cost-effective qualified leads.

The 4S Framework: Stream, Scroll, Search, Shop

Traditional B2B advertisers focus mainly on searching (keywords) and shopping (lead forms). But that’s just half the picture.

To stay competitive, your ad presence needs to expand into:

  • Streaming: YouTube, Shorts, webinars.
  • Scrolling: LinkedIn, Meta, and X (paid + organic).

This is where trust and brand recognition are built long before someone is ready to click your search ad.

Why Keywords Alone Won’t Work Anymore

Most advertisers still treat Google Ads like it’s 2015:

  • Endless lists of exact match keywords.
  • Micromanaging every variation.
  • Believing exact match gives more control.

But Google’s AI is now smarter than keyword lists. Broad Match, when used strategically, is often more powerful and cost-efficient.

Here’s how Google defines broad match: 

Broad match now considers signals like landing page content, user history, and ad group context, delivering relevance without the need for 1,000 keywords.

Pro Tip: Focus on building high-quality content and landing pages that support your ad goals. This is what drives success in an AI-first world.

Where to Start

To future proof your PPC strategy:

  1. Adopt an audience-first strategy. Use custom segments, CRM lists, and retargeting.

  2. Audit your landing pages. Ensure clarity, relevance, and strong CTAs.

  3. Invest in creative. Video and interactive formats outperform static ads.

  4. Streamline your keywords. Quality beats quantity.

  5. Test AI Max campaigns. These campaigns are built to integrate with AI Overviews. Early testing shows strong ROI.

B2B advertisers who simplify their accounts, embrace audience targeting, and leverage video + stream/scroll strategies will outperform those who cling to outdated keyword tactics. Now is the time to test broad match, AI Max, and video-first campaigns and build a presence across all four S’s (Stream, Scroll, Search, Shop).

Search behavior is changing So is ad monetization

If your current setup isn’t built for how users land today, it’s time to rethink how you earn from traffic support@magicbid.ai

Fill Rate

If you’re not making the most of your ad space, you’re leaving money on the table.

MagicBid helps web, app, and CTV publishers maximize revenue with smarter ad placement and optimization tools.

  • Web Monetization: Get better ad visibility, higher engagement, and more revenue from every impression.
  • In-App Monetization: Connect with premium advertisers to effortlessly boost fill rates and eCPMs.
  • CTV Monetization: Deliver high-quality, tailored ad experiences that keep viewers engaged and advertisers paying more.

With MagicBid’s advanced ad tech and expert support, you can turn your traffic into higher earnings without the guesswork.

Connect with us now to get a free ad revenue evaluation.

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Ad Tech, Updates
Kashish

Study Reveals How to Rank in Google’s AI Overviews

Study Reveals How to Rank in Google’s AI Overviews

AI Overviews are AI-generated summaries that appear at the top of Google’s search results. They pull information from multiple sources to answer a user’s query directly, with source links shown alongside.

Instead of listing blue links like traditional SERPs, AIOs give a conversational answer on the left and display cited sources on the right. For publishers, getting featured here means unmatched visibility even if your page isn’t in the top 10 results.

Why Ranking in AI Overviews Matters

If your page is cited in an AI Overview, it’s the first thing users see above organic links, videos, and even featured snippets.

According to Surfer SEO and Ahrefs:

  • 52% of AIO citations come from the top 10 search results.
  • That means nearly half of citations are from outside the first page.

Translation? Even if you’re not ranking #1, you can still earn visibility at the very top.

What We Studied

To understand how publishers are getting cited in AIOs, we analyzed:

  • Ahrefs’ study of 300,000 keywords
  • Surfer SEO’s analysis of 405,000 AI Overview results
  • SE Ranking’s research on 100,000 keywords post-AIO rollout

We also included findings from our own optimization work with publisher clients.

11 Ways to Boost Your Chances of Getting Cited in AI Overviews

1. Add More Context to Your Articles

Google favors content that gives direct, well-structured answers in plain English. Only 5.4% of AIOs use exact-match keyword, meaning context matters more than phrasing.

What to do:

  • Answer queries fully and clearly, especially for informational topics.
  • Use Ahrefs to identify AIO-triggering keywords and build complete answers around them.
  • Supplement with questions from Google Autocomplete and People Also Ask.

2. Use Long-Tail Keywords

AI Overviews tend to show up for longer, specific queries not broad ones. Ahrefs found that AIOs trigger most often on 3–4 word phrases, like:

“can dogs eat cinnamon”
“best time to visit Iceland”

How to find them:

  • Explore “Questions” in keyword tools like AnswerThePublic.
  • Use Google’s Autocomplete suggestions for natural-sounding phrases.

3. Add Structured Markup (Schema)

Schema markup helps Google understand your page layout, topic, and context all of which are critical for AI systems.

 Recommended Schema:

  • FAQ schema → for question-answer content
  • Article schema → for blog posts
  • Breadcrumb schema → for clearer site structure

Implementing these can increase your chances of being cited or linked within an AIO.

4. Strengthen Your On-Page SEO

Strong traditional SEO still plays a role 52% of AI Overview sources come from pages ranked in the top 10.

Tips:

  • Use relevant keywords in H2s and subheadings
  • Write compelling meta descriptions
  • Align content with E-E-A-T best practices

5. Prioritize Low-Difficulty Keywords

Most AIO-triggering keywords have surprisingly low competition. Ahrefs puts their average keyword difficulty at just 12.

Strategy:

  • Use filters in Ahrefs or SEMrush to find informational queries with KD < 20.
  • These keywords may not bring massive traffic alone but they’re much easier to win.

6. Build Brand Credibility

AI Overviews tend to favor domains that are already trusted. If your brand has low visibility or authority, your chances drop.

We’ve seen strong results from:

  • Brands mentioned in major publications
  • Authors with real-world authority or credentials
  • Consistent positive presence across Reddit, Quora, and forums

Action Steps:

  • Invest in digital PR (not just link-building).
  • Monitor your brand mentions and sentiment across platforms.

7. Optimize for Mobile SEO

AIO visibility is mobile-first 81% of citations are from mobile-indexed pages.

Key mobile optimizations:

  • Responsive design that adjusts across screen sizes
  • Fast load times (use PageSpeed Insights)
  • Clean, scannable layouts with minimal clutter

8. Use Scannable Formatting

AI models prefer content that’s structured in a way machines and humans can parse quickly.

What works best:

  • Bulleted lists and numbered steps
  • Short paragraphs (2–3 lines max)
  • Clear H2s and H3s that match search intent
  • Visuals to break up long text (charts, screenshots, etc.)

9. Prioritize Simplicity

AI doesn’t reward complicated writing. The clearer your copy, the higher your chance of being cited.

Tip:

  • Use Hemingway or Grammarly to edit for clarity.
  • Aim for an 8th-grade reading level or below especially on info-first topics.

10. Build High-Quality Backlinks

Authoritative links still influence whether your content is trusted and whether it’s selected for citation.

Tactics:

  • Run guest post campaigns targeting niche sites with real audiences.
  • Use link-building tools to find broken link opportunities in your niche.
  • Build deep links to specific content pages not just your homepage.

11. Keep Content Fresh and Updated

Google favors up-to-date information, especially for topics that evolve.

Maintain content relevance by:

  • Adding the current year to titles (when appropriate)
  • Refreshing stats, screenshots, and references every 3–6 months
  • Republishing with updated publish dates when relevant

Do AI Overviews Affect Traditional SEO?

Yes. AIOs shift the SEO game from ranking to citation. You might still rank #1 and get less traffic if the Overview pulls an answer from somewhere else. On the flip side, even if you rank #8, you might be the only source linked in the AIO and your traffic jumps.

Need Help Optimizing for AI Overviews?

Ranking in Google’s AI Overviews isn’t about tricking algorithms, it’s about making your content easy to cite, scan, and trust. At MagicBid, we work with publishers to structure, simplify, and optimize content so it performs in both traditional SERPs and AI-powered results.

You can reach out to us at support@magicbid.ai for a quick review of your site’s AI visibility potential or to get help implementing these strategies.

Fill Rate

If you’re not making the most of your ad space, you’re leaving money on the table.

MagicBid helps web, app, and CTV publishers maximize revenue with smarter ad placement and optimization tools.

  • Web Monetization: Get better ad visibility, higher engagement, and more revenue from every impression.
  • In-App Monetization: Connect with premium advertisers to effortlessly boost fill rates and eCPMs.
  • CTV Monetization: Deliver high-quality, tailored ad experiences that keep viewers engaged and advertisers paying more.

With MagicBid’s advanced ad tech and expert support, you can turn your traffic into higher earnings without the guesswork.

Connect with us now to get a free ad revenue evaluation.

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Ad Tech, Updates
Kashish

What Google’s Latest Search Event Tells Us About SEO in the AI Era

What Google’s Latest Search Event Tells Us About SEO in the AI Era

Search is changing fast and at the 2025 Search Central Live Deep Dive in Bangkok, Google made it clear: if you’re still relying on the same SEO tactics from five years ago, you’re falling behind.

Crawling, indexing, and serving remain the backbone of how Google Search functions and as outlined in Google’s official event recap, this year’s event opened with a sharp focus on the first stage: crawling.

But this wasn’t just a technical deep dive. It was a clear wake-up call for SEOs and publishers trying to stay visible in a search landscape increasingly driven by AI, voice and image searches, and new user habits.

Search Is Changing Fast

Google’s own leadership isn’t mincing words.

Mike Jittivanich, Director of Marketing for South East Asia and South Asia Frontier, opened the conference by laying out three major forces reshaping search:

1. AI innovation at the core  

AI is now a foundational part of how search works comparable in impact to the rise of mobile or social media.

2. Changing user behavior  

People expect instant, conversational, visual answers not just long lists of links.

3. Gen Z’s unique habits  

Younger users interact with search in entirely new ways, often skipping the traditional search bar. Together, these shifts mean the old playbook isn’t enough anymore. Ranking on Google is still important but being selected by AI features like Overviews or Lens is the new goal.

Human Content Still Ranks Best

Across multiple sessions, Google’s speakers reinforced one core principle:

Google’s ranking algorithms learn from human-created content not AI-generated text.

According to Gary Illyes, Google’s ranking models are trained only on the highest-quality content in the index, and that’s clearly the content made by real people, not machines.

What this means:

  1. Keep building human‑focused content. Google’s models favor natural, expert writing above all.

  2. Optimize for multiple modalities. Make sure images have descriptive alt text, videos have transcripts, and voice search is supported by conversational language.

  3. Monitor crawl budget. Fix 5XX errors promptly and streamline your site’s structure to guide Googlebot efficiently.

  4. Use Search Console recommendations. Non‑expert site owners can benefit from the guided suggestions feature to improve usability and performance.

  5. Stay flexible. Long‑held traffic trends may shift as AI features grow. Past success does not equal future success.

How Gen Z Searches Differently

One of the most surprising data points came from a session on generational trends: Gen Z is now the fastest-growing search demographic.

Here’s how their behavior is different:

  • 65% YoY growth in Google Lens usage
  • Over 100 billion Lens searches so far in 2025
  • 1 in 5 Lens searches have commercial intent
  • Around 10% of Gen Z search journeys begin with Circle to Search or another AI tool, not a typed query

For SEOs, this means your strategy can’t focus only on keyword targeting and blue links. You need to optimize for images, voice, and multimodal queries.

That includes:

  • Adding descriptive alt text to every image
  • Making sure video transcripts are available
  • Using conversational phrasing to support voice-based search

How AI Is Changing the Crawling Process

Crawling might seem like a technical backend issue but it’s now being reshaped by AI too. Two sessions offered new details:

1. AI is increasing crawl rates  

Googlebot is adapting to new AI-powered features, which can lead to more frequent crawls. But higher crawl rate does not mean better ranking.

2. Crawl budget still matters  

Your crawl budget is determined by two things:

  • Crawl rate limit: How quickly Googlebot is allowed to crawl your site
  • Crawl demand: How much Googlebot wants to crawl your pages

If your site has a lot of broken links or returns frequent server errors, Google will deprioritize your pages even if they’re important.

Fix these issues to maintain crawl efficiency:

  • Resolve all 5XX errors (they consume crawl budget)
  • 4XX errors don’t hurt crawl budget, but can affect crawl scheduling
  • Clean up broken links and improve server response time
  • Submit a clean, updated sitemap

AI Features Use the Same Search Systems

It’s easy to think that AI Mode and AI Overviews are completely separate products but they’re not.

AI features run on the same crawl → index → serve pipeline that SEOs already optimize for.

Here’s how the process works for every page, whether it ends up in blue links or in an AI Overview:

  • Googlebot crawls the page
  • HTML is parsed and rendered
  • Statistical models like BERT, RankBrain, and MUM analyze the content
  • Spam filters and deduplication systems run
  • Final ranking and result formatting happen during serving

So if you’re already building strong content that ranks in traditional search, you’re in a good place. AI answers just represent a new format, not a new system.

LLMs.txt Is Not Something Google Uses

There’s been some buzz around LLMs.txt, a proposed new standard to help site owners control how AI models crawl their content. At the conference, Gary Illyes and Amir Taboul clarified Google’s stance:

Google does not support LLMs.txt

Robots.txt remains the official method to control access.

If you want to block AI-specific crawlers, you can add rules to your robots.txt file. But keep in mind not all crawlers will honor these rules.

Google Search Is Evolving in Two Directions

Throughout the event, Google made it clear that Search is expanding in both input and output.

1. The kinds of questions users ask  

  • Queries are becoming longer and more conversational
  • 5+ word queries are growing 1.5X faster than shorter ones
  • Users now regularly use images, voice, and AI tools as entry points

2. The types of answers Google delivers  

  • AI Overviews: Provide balanced summaries when there’s no one right answer
  • AI Mode: Offers fully generated experiences for things like travel planning, shopping, or recipes
  • DeepMind’s reasoning models are being used to blend text, images, and step-by-step instructions

To rank across all formats, your content should be structured, concise, and optimized for action just like traditional SEO, but adapted for new display formats.

Search Console Insights for AI Search and Crawling

Daniel Waisberg wrapped up the day with a deep dive into how to use Search Console effectively in this new AI-driven landscape.

Here are some of the top points:

1. Understand data timing  

  • Finalized data is usually two days old, based on Pacific Time
  • Partial data can appear earlier but might change

2. Feature lifecycle  

New Search Console features follow a predictable path:

  • User need → data availability → design → testing → launch

This helps explain why some AI-related performance data may lag.

3. Recommendations tab  

If you’re not an SEO expert, this tool suggests actionable improvements without needing deep technical knowledge.

For example, it might recommend improving mobile usability or fixing slow-loading pages both of which can affect eligibility for AI Mode display.

Search Is Getting Smarter But So Can You

If Search Central Live 2025 had a single theme, it was this: The core principles of SEO still matter, but the way users interact with Search is changing fast.

  • Stay human-first
  • Stay technically sound
  • Stay flexible as new formats emerge

Whether it’s fixing crawl issues, structuring content better, or tracking AI features in Search Console, the opportunities are there but only if you’re adapting with them.

Is Your Monetization Setup Ready for AI-Driven Traffic?

AI Overviews, voice, and visual search are changing how users land on your site and that affects how your ads perform. MagicBid helps publishers adapt with full-stack monetization across Web, App, and CTV. If your CPMs are dipping or traffic is shifting, Reach out to us at support@magicbi.ai

Fill Rate

If you’re not making the most of your ad space, you’re leaving money on the table.

MagicBid helps web, app, and CTV publishers maximize revenue with smarter ad placement and optimization tools.

  • Web Monetization: Get better ad visibility, higher engagement, and more revenue from every impression.
  • In-App Monetization: Connect with premium advertisers to effortlessly boost fill rates and eCPMs.
  • CTV Monetization: Deliver high-quality, tailored ad experiences that keep viewers engaged and advertisers paying more.

With MagicBid’s advanced ad tech and expert support, you can turn your traffic into higher earnings without the guesswork.

Connect with us now to get a free ad revenue evaluation.

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Kashish

Google AdSense Now Auto-Fills Unfilled Ad Slots Here’s How It Works

Google AdSense Now Auto-Fills Unfilled Ad Slots Here’s How It Works

If you’re seeing unfilled ad slots on your site, you’re not alone. Until now, those blank spaces simply meant lost revenue. But with AdSense’s latest update, that’s changing.

Google has introduced a new feature called “Fill empty in-page ads” and it’s designed to help publishers make the most of every ad space, even when no ad is available.

What’s Changing?

When AdSense can’t find an ad to serve, instead of leaving the space blank, it will now show contextually relevant suggestions based on your page content.

For example:  

  • If your page is about baking, AdSense might show suggestions like “baking utensils” or “cake recipes”.
  • If a user clicks on one of these suggestions, they’ll see a dialog box with display ads relevant to what they clicked giving you a chance to earn even when no direct ad was available at first.

This isn’t just filler content. These suggestions are interactive and lead to real monetization opportunities.

Do I Need to Enable It?

No. Google is automatically enabling this setting for all AdSense publishers over the next 30 days. You don’t need to make any changes for it to start working.

How to Opt Out (If You Prefer Not to Use It)

If you’d rather keep your unfilled ad spaces blank, you can turn this feature off in your AdSense account.

Steps to opt out:  

  1. Sign in to your AdSense account
  2. Click Brand safety
  3. Click Content, then Blocking controls
  4. Click Manage Ad serving
  5. In the “Display ads” section, turn off Fill empty in-page ads

Why This Matters for Publishers

Here’s what this means for your site: 

  • Protects your revenue: You now have a chance to earn from ad spaces that would’ve otherwise stayed blank.
  • Improves user experience: The suggestions shown are related to your content, not random or disruptive.
  • Zero setup required: If you’re already running AdSense, this just works.

Should You Keep It On?

In most cases, yes. If your site often has low fill rates or you’re in a niche with inconsistent demand, this can help smooth out your earnings.

But if your brand experience depends on strict layout control or you prefer to keep your ad experience minimal, you have the option to turn it off.

What This Means for Your Revenue

AdSense’s new feature is a small but smart step toward reducing revenue loss from unfilled ads. By giving publishers a fallback option without requiring any changes it’s another way Google is trying to improve monetization behind the scenes.

If you notice changes in your revenue or new user interactions with ad areas, this update could be why. Keep an eye on your reports and test what works best for your site.

Read the official announcement from Google

Want Higher CPMs Across All Formats?

If you’re looking to go beyond incremental AdSense improvements and want a unified setup that increases fill rates, CPMs, and demand access across Web, App, and CTV, Magicbid can help.

Whether you already run AdSense or use multiple platforms, our team helps publishers optimize every part of their stack without over complicating the setup.

Reach out at support@magicbid.ai to explore what’s possible.

Fill Rate

If you’re not making the most of your ad space, you’re leaving money on the table.

MagicBid helps web, app, and CTV publishers maximize revenue with smarter ad placement and optimization tools.

  • Web Monetization: Get better ad visibility, higher engagement, and more revenue from every impression.
  • In-App Monetization: Connect with premium advertisers to effortlessly boost fill rates and eCPMs.
  • CTV Monetization: Deliver high-quality, tailored ad experiences that keep viewers engaged and advertisers paying more.

With MagicBid’s advanced ad tech and expert support, you can turn your traffic into higher earnings without the guesswork.

Connect with us now to get a free ad revenue evaluation.

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Kashish

Google Search Chief Explains How AI Is Changing Search and Ads

Google Search Chief Explains How AI Is Changing Search and Ads

Liz Reid, Google’s Head of Search, recently spoke about how the company is moving into the AI era and what that means for how we search, what results we see, and how ads will show up in the future.

From AI Overviews to voice and Gemini, she broke down what’s changing in search and how it affects what people see and click.

We’re already in the AI search era

Reid started by saying this clearly: Google has already entered the AI era. This isn’t new, it’s just more visible now.

“We are in the AI search era, and have been for a little bit.”

She explained that Google has been using AI for years (like BERT and MUM), and now tools like AI Overviews and AI Mode make it easier for users to get full answers directly in Search

AI isn’t replacing search — it’s making it better

Some people think AI and traditional search are separate. Reid disagrees.

“It’s not AI or search. AI helps search do what it always wanted to do.”

That includes organizing all kinds of content across the web and giving people better answers, especially for complicated questions.

The Way People Search Is Evolving

Reid said people using AI Mode ask longer, more detailed questions often 2 to 3 times longer than regular search queries.

This helps Google understand exactly what someone wants and can also help advertisers show more relevant ads.

Ads are coming to AI Mode — but not everywhere

Google is starting to show ads inside AI-powered results. But Reid made it clear that ads won’t be everywhere.

“We don’t think we should just show ads no matter what. We should show them when they’re high quality and relevant.”

Right now, the focus is on learning what works. Ads will show up where it makes sense especially when people are clearly looking to buy or compare things.

AI Overviews are increasing searches, not reducing them

Despite what some people think, Reid said AI Overviews are leading to more search activity not less.

“We’re seeing a 10% increase in those types of queries in the US and in India.”

In other words, when Google shows helpful AI answers, people keep exploring and not drop off.

Search, Gemini, Voice it all works together now

Reid said Google isn’t picking one way to search it’s giving users multiple options that all work together. You can type a query, ask with your voice, get an AI answer, and still see links if you want to dive deeper.

That’s the idea behind Search Live, a new feature powered by Gemini. It lets you move between voice, AI answers, and traditional web results in one place.

“The user is always right… They should come to whatever tool they find most useful,” Reid said.

Whether it’s Google Search, Gemini, or Maps Reid said it doesn’t matter. What matters is giving people the info they need, in the format they want.

SEO still matters

Reid was clear: good SEO is still important. Make your content easy to find, understand, and helpful.

“SEO is neither a strictly bad or good word… But you can have great SEO, and then you can have [people] trying to game the system.”

Google is still focused on fighting spam and low-quality tricks and says spam in search results is still under 1%.

Not everyone is ready for AI — and that’s okay

Some users still prefer regular blue links. That’s fine.

Reid said Google made AI features optional for a reason:

“Probably everyone in the world is not going to be ready for exactly the same thing at exactly the same time.”

If you like AI, use AI Mode. If not, Search works the same with AI Overviews added in where helpful.

Why this matters

If your business relies on Google traffic or paid search, Reid’s comments show how fast things are changing.
What ranks, what gets clicked, and how ads are shown are all evolving.

AI Overviews, Gemini, and voice-based search aren’t just new features they’re a sign that Google’s becoming more contextual, more personalized, and more selective about what appears on top.

What this means for publishers and advertisers

For Publishers:  

  • AI Overviews may answer some queries directly so your content needs to be clear, direct, and trustworthy to get picked.
  • Search isn’t dying but how people search is changing.
  • Expect fewer clicks for simple answers, but new traffic from people who want to go deeper.

For Advertisers:  

  • Longer queries = more intent = better targeting.
  • AI Mode ads are starting to roll out but expect different formats, placements, and behavior.
  • Relevance is key. Ads that match the question will perform better.

Search is changing fast and AI is part of every step. But it’s not either/or. Whether users type, talk, or tap, Google’s goal is to deliver the right answer and the right ad in the right format.

Reid’s message is clear: adapt to how people ask questions today, and how Google now answers them. That’s where the opportunity lies.

Source: Liz Reid’s interview with Semafor

Need help adapting to AI Search?

Even with AI Overviews and changing search behavior, publishers can still win with the right setup, structure, and monetization. Reach out at support@magicbid.ai

Fill Rate

If you’re not making the most of your ad space, you’re leaving money on the table.

MagicBid helps web, app, and CTV publishers maximize revenue with smarter ad placement and optimization tools.

  • Web Monetization: Get better ad visibility, higher engagement, and more revenue from every impression.
  • In-App Monetization: Connect with premium advertisers to effortlessly boost fill rates and eCPMs.
  • CTV Monetization: Deliver high-quality, tailored ad experiences that keep viewers engaged and advertisers paying more.

With MagicBid’s advanced ad tech and expert support, you can turn your traffic into higher earnings without the guesswork.

Connect with us now to get a free ad revenue evaluation.

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Google Now Includes AI Mode Traffic in Search Console Report
Kashish

Google Now Includes AI Mode Traffic in Search Console Report

Google Now Includes AI Mode Traffic in Search Console Report

Google Now Includes AI Mode Traffic in Search Console Report

Google just confirmed a quiet but important update: Search Console now counts AI Mode traffic in your performance reports.

That means any clicks and impressions from Google’s AI-powered search experiences including AI Overviews and interactive follow-ups are now bundled into your existing data.

Here’s what’s changed, how it works, and what publishers should do next.

What Is AI Mode?

Google’s AI Mode is part of its generative search rollout. It builds on AI Overviews by giving users more detailed, multi-step answers  breaking queries into parts and searching across them in parallel (a process called “query fan out”).

This mode creates new, more dynamic paths for users to land on your site but those clicks might not look the same as traditional search results.

What’s New in Search Console?

 As per Google’s updated changelog:

Data from AI Mode is now counting towards the totals in the Search Console Performance report. That means AI-generated search interactions are now tracked in your performance metrics without being broken out separately.

Here’s how it works:

  • Clicks: If a user clicks a link to your site from AI Mode, it’s tracked as a normal click.
  • Impressions: If your link appears or can be seen, it’s logged as an impression using the same visibility rules as regular search.
  • Position: Rankings are calculated the same way as carousels or standard blue links.

If a user asks a follow-up question, Google treats it as a brand-new query and all engagement with that answer is tracked accordingly.

You Won’t See AI Mode Separately

Here’s the key detail: AI traffic isn’t segmented out. It’s included in the “Web” search type inside your Performance report, alongside traditional search queries.

This means:

  • You won’t see a separate “AI Mode” filter.
  • Spikes or shifts in metrics might reflect changes in how users interact with AI results not your regular rankings.

So… Will This Traffic Be Better?

Google says traffic from AI Mode tends to be “higher quality” users who click through are more informed and more likely to stay on the page.

That might be true, but there’s no way to confirm it right now. Without a separate report type, you can’t isolate AI Mode traffic or its impact on bounce rate, session duration, or conversions.

What Should Publishers Do?

The good news: You don’t need to do anything technical to be included in AI Mode.

No special markup.
No new schema.
No “AI files.”

Google says existing SEO best practices still apply especially:

  • Clear, structured content that answers the query directly
  • Snippet-friendly formatting (lists, subheadings, bolded answers)
  • Fast load times and good UX

You can still control how content appears in AI snippets using standard settings like nosnippet, max-snippet, or noindex.

Pro Tip: Watch Your Metrics Differently

Now that AI Mode is blended into your Search Console totals, here’s how to adapt:

  • Look for unusual shifts in click-through rate (CTR) or impressions that don’t match your rankings.
  • Track branded vs. informational queries AI Mode is more likely to surface your site for longer-form, question-based queries.
  • Use third-party analytics to cross-reference session time and bounce rate especially for content likely to appear in AI Overviews.  

This change is subtle, but significant. It signals that Google’s AI integrations are no longer experimental they’re becoming part of the “normal” search pipeline.

Publishers should:

  • Monitor metrics with this in mind
  • Keep optimizing for clarity and depth
  • Be ready for more blended traffic sources going forward

As AI-powered search continues to evolve, understanding where your clicks come from  and how users land there is becoming just as important as ranking itself.

Fill Rate

If you’re not making the most of your ad space, you’re leaving money on the table.

MagicBid helps web, app, and CTV publishers maximize revenue with smarter ad placement and optimization tools.

  • Web Monetization: Get better ad visibility, higher engagement, and more revenue from every impression.
  • In-App Monetization: Connect with premium advertisers to effortlessly boost fill rates and eCPMs.
  • CTV Monetization: Deliver high-quality, tailored ad experiences that keep viewers engaged and advertisers paying more.

With MagicBid’s advanced ad tech and expert support, you can turn your traffic into higher earnings without the guesswork.

Connect with us now to get a free ad revenue evaluation.

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Updates
Kashish

Google AdSense Adds RAFs: Major Policy Shift for Search Partners Explained

Google AdSense Adds RAFs: Major Policy Shift for Search Partners Explained

Starting August 25, 2025, Google is launching a new set of rules for AdSense for Search  Restricted Access Features (RAFs). If you’re in the business of search arbitrage, this update could directly affect how your pages perform and how much you earn.

RAFs include tools that many arbitrage publishers use today to increase clicks and revenue. These tools will no longer be available to everyone. Instead, you’ll need to be approved by Google to keep using them.

If your account doesn’t meet Google’s new criteria, you’ll still be able to run ads but with limits that reduce your control, tracking, and layout options.

What Are RAFs and Why Do They Matter?

RAFs are advanced features inside AdSense for Search that give you more control over how search ads appear and perform on your site.

Here’s why they’re important for arbitrage publishers:

  • You can add your own keyword suggestions (instead of letting Google choose them)
  • You can show multiple ad units on the same page, increasing earning potential
  • You can customize how the ads look fonts, spacing, icons, layout
  • You can track which ad positions get the most clicks
  • You can create detailed reporting channels to monitor and optimize performance

Starting August 25, these features will only be available if your account is marked as “Qualified” by Google. If you’re not qualified, your ad setup will become much more basic and harder to optimize.

Who is eligible?

To be given access to RAFs, accounts must:

  • Have access to AdSense for Search in the AdSense interface.
  • Work with their Google AdSense account manager to confirm/request access.

What Counts as Strike and How it Affect Account RAF's Eligibility

Google is introducing a strike-based system to determine how long you can retain or lose access to RAFs.

  • 5 minor policy violations = 1 strike
  • 1 egregious policy violation = 1 strike

Once you receive a strike, your account goes through the following stages:

First Strike → Probation
If you get your first strike, your account moves to Probation for 90 days. You’ll still have full RAF access during this time, but your setup is under review.

As long as you don’t get another strike during the probation window, you’ll return to Qualified status. But if a second strike comes in that same period, RAF access is gone for good.

Second Strike → Restricted
A second strike (within two years) will shift your account to Restricted status for 90 days. That means you temporarily lose all RAF privileges.

If no new strike is added during those 90 days, you’ll be reinstated as Qualified. But one more violation during this time, and RAFs are permanently revoked.

Third Strike → Revoked
If you receive a third strike within two years, your account is marked as Revoked. This is permanent.

Even if the violations are later resolved or removed, your RAF access won’t be restored. Once revoked, the account can’t qualify again.

Expunging Strikes  

Strikes don’t stay on your account forever unless you reach Revoked status. If your account goes two full years without receiving a new strike, all previous strikes are automatically removed, and your strike count resets to zero.

But if your account reaches Revoked status, this reset does not apply. You won’t be able to regain RAF access, even after the two-year period.

What Can Trigger a Strike?

Strikes are issued for policy violations tied specifically to RAFs. This includes:

  • Acquiring traffic from misleading sources, such as fake job ads or unrealistic promises
  • Displaying more ads than search results, or irrelevant/no content on the page
  • Deceptive layouts, like arrows pointing at ads or “Click here” prompts
  • Poor ad placement, where the Related Search unit dominates the page or encourages accidental clicks
  • Misreporting ad creatives, e.g., changing the upstream message shown to users vs what’s sent to Google

Google considers some violations egregious, including:

  • Unrealistic or manipulative claims (e.g., free cars, guaranteed jobs)
  • Pretending to be a recruiter or business you’re not
  • Pages with nothing but an ad unit
  • Obscured or hidden content
  • Large-scale setups that hurt advertisers or mislead users 

For more details on what policy violations are in scope and how egregiousness is defined, visit Policy violations in scope for Restricted Access Features (RAFs).

Need help adapting to Google’s latest changes?

Whether you’re running search arbitrage or exploring new monetization models, MagicBid can help you stay compliant and profitable. We work with publishers to review setups, fix policy risks, and protect long-term performance.

For questions, support, or a policy safe review of your pages, email us at support@magicbid.ai

FAQ

Your RAF status will be visible in your AdSense dashboard once the update goes live on August 25. If you work with a Google account manager, they can help explain your current standing.

Only active or unresolved violations as of August 25, 2025 will count. Successfully appealed or removed violations will not be factored into your RAF status.

You’ll be limited to one Related Search unit per page, lose most styling controls, can’t track clicks, and your custom reporting channels will be replaced by generic ones.

No. Once revoked, your account permanently loses RAF access even if violations are resolved later.

Fill Rate

If you’re not making the most of your ad space, you’re leaving money on the table.

MagicBid helps web, app, and CTV publishers maximize revenue with smarter ad placement and optimization tools.

  • Web Monetization: Get better ad visibility, higher engagement, and more revenue from every impression.
  • In-App Monetization: Connect with premium advertisers to effortlessly boost fill rates and eCPMs.
  • CTV Monetization: Deliver high-quality, tailored ad experiences that keep viewers engaged and advertisers paying more.

With MagicBid’s advanced ad tech and expert support, you can turn your traffic into higher earnings without the guesswork.

Connect with us now to get a free ad revenue evaluation.

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Updates
Kashish

Google Discover Now on Desktop: What It Means for Publishers

Google Discover Now on Desktop: What It Means for Publishers

After years of testing, Google is finally rolling out Discover to desktop and for publishers, that’s big news. Until now, Google Discover has mostly lived on mobile.

If you use the Google app or visit Google.com on your phone, you’ve probably seen it a personalized feed of articles, news, and videos based on your interests. For publishers, this feed has been a major traffic source. Now, it’s headed to desktop.

What’s Happening?

Google confirmed at the Search Central Live event in Madrid that Discover is expanding to desktop search.

That means logged-in users visiting Google.com on desktop will soon start seeing a Discover feed, similar to what’s available on mobile.

This update wasn’t just quietly rolled out. Slides were shown at the event, and several experts like Clara Soteras and Gianluca Fiorelli posted about it on X. SEO consultant Brodie Clark also confirmed it’s already live for some users in Australia.

Why This Matters

This isn’t just another feature tweak. Here’s why publishers should care:

1. More Exposure

Discover on desktop means more eyeballs. Desktop users often spend more time per session and engage differently with content. Now, your articles can reach them right on Google’s homepage.

2. Traffic Potential

Until now, only mobile users saw Discover. With desktop added, the potential reach could nearly double. And that means more traffic for news, trending topics, and fresh content.

3. No Search Required

Discover is not dependent on user query. If your content is relevant to the user’s interests, it can appear proactively rather than waiting for user to type something into Google. As a result, content strategy goes beyond traditional SEO.

4. User Behaviors

People browse differently on desktop. Screen size, layout, session time it all changes how people consume content. Articles need to be optimized for both formats now.

How Publishers Should Prepare

Here’s what to focus on if you want your content to show up in Discover on mobile and desktop:

1. Check Your Discover Report

Head to Google Search Console and look at the Discover performance tab. See which content is already getting picked up. Are there patterns? Is your most helpful content performing well? Start there.

2. Focus on Quality

Discover favors content with strong signals of E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trust). Think expert backed articles, content with a clear byline, and information users can trust.

3. Use Big, Bold Visuals

High-quality images (at least 1200px wide) matter a lot. Articles with strong visuals tend to perform better in Discover. Make sure your visuals load fast and look sharp on large screens.

4. Keep It Fresh

Discover new and updated content. Regularly publish timely stories, but also refresh existing high-performing posts. News-style content tends to work well here.

5. Format for Desktop

Your layout matters more now. Make sure your pages are clean, easy to read, and fast-loading on desktop.

How Google’s Evolving

This move shows Google’s growing investment in content discovery, not just traditional search. Instead of just answering questions, it wants to anticipate what users might care about and surface content proactively.

That’s good for publishers who know how to create content that’s timely, relevant, and engaging.

Final Thoughts

Google Discover on desktop is rolling out and it’s a big opportunity for publishers who want to grow their traffic and reach new audiences. If you’re already optimizing for mobile. Discover, this is your signal to double down and adapt for desktop too.

How MagicBid Helps You Earn More

Google Discover for Desktop

If you’re not making the most of your ad space, you’re leaving money on the table.

MagicBid helps web, app, and CTV publishers maximize revenue with smarter ad placement and optimization tools.

  • Web Monetization: Get better ad visibility, higher engagement, and more revenue from every impression.
  • In-App Monetization: Connect with premium advertisers to effortlessly boost fill rates and eCPMs.
  • CTV Monetization: Deliver high-quality, tailored ad experiences that keep viewers engaged and advertisers paying more.

With MagicBid’s advanced ad tech and expert support, you can turn your traffic into higher earnings without the guesswork.

Connect with us now to get a free ad revenue evaluation.

Updates
Kashish

Google’s New Requirements for CTV and DOOH Ads: What Publishers Need to Know

Google’s New Requirements for CTV and DOOH Ads: What Publishers Need to Know

Google is rolling out new requirements for publishers monetizing Connected TV, CTV and Digital out-of-home, DOOH inventory with Google served ads.

These changes will take effect from 1 May 2025 and apply to all CTV and DOOH inventory running through Ad Manager, AdMob, and AdSense.

Here’s what’s changing and what you need to do to stay compliant

What Are CTV and DOOH?

  • Connected TV (CTV):  A TV used to stream video over the internet at home this includes smart TVs or TVs connected to devices like Roku or Fire TV.
  • Digital out-of-home (DOOH): Screens that display video or ads in public places like tablets in rideshare vehicles or screens in shops, lobbies, or other non-home settings.

In-stream vs Non-in-stream Placements in CTV

  • In-stream placement: An ad that plays before, during, or after streaming video, or a display ad shown alongside video content.
  • Non-in-stream placement: Ads that aren’t part of the video stream like those that appear on a video selection homepage tile or as a display ad when a video is paused.

Key Requirements for CTV and DOOH Ads

Google CTV and DOOH ad requirements

Detailed declarations and technical compliance

Your ad inventory must follow Google’s VAST ad tag URL parameters and technical specs.

Ad requests and how ads are served must be correctly configured and reported.

No Ad Requests When Screens Aren’t in Use 

Don’t serve ads when no one is watching.

For example, ads shouldn’t run if the screen is in screensaver mode, if a rideshare vehicle has no passengers, or if a business is closed.

DOOH Ads Must Show Right Away

Ads must be displayed immediately after the ad request is made. Delays can lead to compliance issues

Other Key Notes Publishers Should Know

DOOH and non-in-stream ads may have fewer ad sources. 

You might get fewer ad sources if you use non-in-stream ad placements (like ads on a paused screen or a homepage tile) or monetize DOOH inventory. 

Restricted Content

Inventory that includes content restricted under Google’s Video Inventory Restrictions could see limited monetization options.

SDK and Library Limits

You can’t use the Google Interactive Media Ads SDK or Programmatic Access Library for Interstitial or Standalone placements in CTV or DOOH unless you’re part of the official Google Beta program.

Policy and Guidelines Update

Google is making changes to the GAM Partner Guidelines by adding a new section (2.11) that covers the latest CTV and DOOH inventory requirements.

Publishers should continue to follow the current rules for VAST ad tag URL parameters, as these still apply moving forward.

Check out the Ad Manager policy change log for reference.

What Publishers Should Focus On Now

  • Inventory Setup – Make sure that your CTV and DOOH inventory specifies ad types and placements
  • Technical – Make sure your setup follows the latest VAST ad tag requirements and is properly set up.
  • When to Serve Ads – Only serve ads when a user is expected to see them no ads on idle screens.
  • Tools Check – Verify you’re not using SDKs or libraries that aren’t supported for CTV or DOOH unless you’re part of an official Google Beta.

These changes are meant to improve how ads work on CTV and DOOH, but they also mean publishers need to stay sharp.

Go over your setup before May 1, 2025, to avoid ad delivery or monetization issues.

How MagicBid Helps You Earn More

If you’re not making the most of your ad space, you’re leaving money on the table.

MagicBid helps web, app, and CTV publishers maximize revenue with smarter ad placement and optimization tools.

  • Web Monetization: Get better ad visibility, higher engagement, and more revenue from every impression.
  • In-App Monetization: Connect with premium advertisers to effortlessly boost fill rates and eCPMs.
  • CTV Monetization: Deliver high-quality, tailored ad experiences that keep viewers engaged and advertisers paying more.

With MagicBid’s advanced ad tech and expert support, you can turn your traffic into higher earnings without the guesswork.

Connect with us now to get a free ad revenue evaluation.

Updates
Kashish

Google Lifts Gambling Ad Restrictions: What Publishers Need to Know

Google Lifts Gambling Ad Restrictions: What Publishers Need to Know

After years and years, Google is finally lifting the publisher restriction on gambling partners.

By the end of March 2025, publishers in 18 countries will be allowed to run Ad Manager, AdMob, and AdSense to monetize sports books and gambling platforms

Publishers from approved countries where gambling content is allowed will have access to more revenue opportunities 

What’s Changing?

Google’s gambling policies used to be focused on where the content was created.

Now, the main focus more on where the user is located. If a user is located in an approved country, they can see gambling-related ads and content. 

Publishers still need to make sure that ads and content don’t reach users outside of approved countries

Which Countries Are Approved?

Gambling ad monetization will now be allowed in:

Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Philippines, South Korea, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom, and the United States.

What Publishers Need to Do 

Opportunities:

Publishers from 18 countries will now be able to tap into high-paying gambling advertisers through Google ad platforms 

Geo-Targeting:

Gambling-related ads must be restricted from users outside approved regions to avoid violations. 

Stay Compliant:

In order to avoid legal problems, publishers must ensure that they follow relevant regional regulations. Local gambling laws still apply.

Publishers now have access to a new market that they can use to boost ad revenue while staying compliant with Google’s policy.

Make sure your monetization strategy keeps up with the most recent changes.

How MagicBid Helps You Earn More

Google gambling ad restrictions

If you’re not making the most of your ad space, you’re leaving money on the table.

MagicBid helps web, app, and CTV publishers maximize revenue with smarter ad placement and optimization tools.

  • Web Monetization: Get better ad visibility, higher engagement, and more revenue from every impression.
  • In-App Monetization: Connect with premium advertisers to effortlessly boost fill rates and eCPMs.
  • CTV Monetization: Deliver high-quality, tailored ad experiences that keep viewers engaged and advertisers paying more.

With MagicBid’s advanced ad tech and expert support, you can turn your traffic into higher earnings without the guesswork.

Connect with us now to get a free ad revenue evaluation.

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