SEO Pulse: 10 Big Search Updates You Need to Know (July 8, 2025)
Hey SEO friends! Callan here, back again with your weekly roundup of the most impactful news shaking up the search industry. It’s been a wild few days—Google’s got its eyes on video content, TikTok is making serious search moves, and even Apple’s dipping its toes deeper into local SEO.
Let’s break it all down so you can stay ahead of the curve. Here’s what actually matters this week:
1. YouTube Search Experiments: Chapters Are Now Ranking Signals
What Happened?
YouTube is experimenting with using video chapters as ranking signals in both YouTube and Google search results. That means clear, keyword-optimized chapters could improve a video’s discoverability.
Why It Matters
If you’re creating video content, this is huge. Chapters aren’t just for viewer convenience anymore—they’re SEO assets. Use timestamps and relevant headings that answer user intent. Think like a mini-FAQ for video.
🔗 Source: YouTube Search Updates on Twitter
2. TikTok Tests Search Ads With Dynamic Keyword Targeting
What Happened?
TikTok is rolling out new search ads that auto-target keywords based on user queries, similar to Google Ads. Early tests show these are appearing just under the search bar with “Sponsored” tags.
Why It Matters
TikTok isn’t just a social app anymore—it’s a search engine, especially for Gen Z. If you’re in eCommerce or B2C, it’s time to explore TikTok SEO and search-based ad campaigns. Optimize your video captions with natural language queries and hashtags.
3. Google Adds Support for Vehicle Listings Structured Data
What Happened?
Google quietly updated its documentation to support structured data for vehicle listings. It now allows dealers and marketplaces to show listings directly in search results—complete with pricing, availability, and specs.
Why It Matters
Auto sites can now take up more SERP real estate and boost click-throughs. Add schema markup for each car’s make, model, mileage, and more. Expect this to become the new standard for auto SEO.
🔗 Source: Google Search Central
4. Apple Maps Connect Introduces Post Feature for Local Businesses
What Happened?
Apple is testing “Posts” for local business listings, allowing owners to share updates, promotions, and events—similar to Google Business Profile.
Why It Matters
Apple Maps powers Siri and iPhone Maps results. If your audience uses Apple devices, start optimizing your Maps Connect profile and prepare to leverage posts as a local visibility boost.
🔗 Source: Apple Maps Connect Updates
5. Gemini AI Now Rewriting Meta Descriptions in SERPs
What Happened?
Some SEO experts noticed that Google’s Gemini-powered snippets are replacing original meta descriptions with AI-generated summaries—especially for vague or keyword-stuffed content.
Why It Matters
Your meta description might not be what users see. Focus less on keyword density and more on clarity and usefulness. Use sentence structures that AI can easily understand and summarize without distortion. Here’s the Gemini Guide by Lauren Busby
6. Google Lens Search Traffic Surges—Visual Search Now Mainstream
What Happened?
According to recent data, Google Lens queries are up 30% month-over-month. People are increasingly using images to search—especially for shopping and local discovery.
Why It Matters
If you’re not optimizing for visual search, you’re missing out. Use alt text, compress images for speed, and add schema markup for products and reviews. Infographics and lifestyle images now carry search value.
7. Reddit’s SEO Traffic Skyrockets 800% After Google Deal
What Happened?
Thanks to its licensing deal with Google, Reddit has seen an 800% increase in indexed pages and organic traffic. Google is giving it significant SERP visibility for forum-like queries.
Why It Matters
Community content is having a moment. Consider building Q&A sections, user-generated content (UGC), or integrating forums to capture long-tail and conversational searches.
8. YouTube Shorts Get Dedicated Tab in Google Discover
What Happened?
Google Discover is now surfacing YouTube Shorts in a dedicated feed tab, especially for mobile users browsing entertainment and news content.
Why It Matters
Short-form video isn’t just for TikTok. If you have an educational brand, publishing consistent Shorts could unlock visibility in Discover—one of the highest-CTR traffic sources Google offers.
🔗 Source: Google Discover Blog
9. Yelp Updates Review Algorithm to Combat AI-Generated Content
What Happened?
Yelp says it’s using AI and human review teams to filter out spammy or bot-written reviews. Businesses abusing AI-generated testimonials are being penalized.
Why It Matters
Trust is crucial in local SEO. Focus on authentic, verified reviews—encourage happy customers to write detailed, experience-based feedback. Avoid “review farms” or generic AI templates.
🔗 Source: Yelp Trust and Safety Blog
10. Microsoft Debuts AI-Powered Website Scanner in Bing Webmaster Tools
What Happened?
Bing launched an experimental AI crawler that identifies site structure issues, schema errors, and thin content—all within Bing Webmaster Tools.
Why It Matters
This tool provides free, actionable insights. Use it alongside Google Search Console for a more holistic view of your technical SEO. Great for beginners and pros alike.
🔧 Your Action Plan for the Week
- Add schema to your vehicle or product listings
- Start experimenting with Shorts, TikTok SEO, or visual search optimizations
- Audit your meta descriptions and chapter content on video
- Use Bing’s new AI scan for a quick site health check
- Monitor Yelp or Google reviews for authenticity
Final Thought:
This week’s updates show that SEO is no longer just about links and keywords. It’s about presence—on every platform, every format, every device. Whether it’s TikTok, Shorts, or structured data, the key is to adapt smartly and stay curious.
Got questions or insights of your own? Drop them in the comments—let’s learn together. 🚀
— Callan
📬 [email protected]
Leave a Reply