Episode Summary
This week’s SEO News Roundup covers Google’s new AI visibility reporting in Search Console, Business Profile data moving into Analytics and Gemini, GBP contact-data issues, zero-click search pressure, review reply rejection risks, and post-core-update volatility.
Top Stories
Google adds AI visibility reports to Search Console
Google’s new Search Generative AI performance reports show impressions from AI Overviews, AI Mode, and generative AI features in Discover. The rollout is limited, but it gives site owners a Google-native starting point for AI search visibility. Source 1
Practical takeaway: When the report appears, review which service, location, and informational pages earn AI impressions. Improve entity clarity, concise answers, and original proof on those URLs.
GBP data moves closer to Analytics and Gemini
Google has documented a native Google Business Profile connection for Google Analytics, and Gemini is adding Business Profile tools for reviews, listing details, and Search/Maps performance. Source 2 Source 3
Practical takeaway: Connect eligible profiles when available, keep UTMs in place, and treat GBP actions as core local performance data.
GBP contact fields need another QA pass
Google appears to have added WhatsApp numbers to many Business Profiles in bulk, with some businesses reporting wrong or unreachable numbers. Source 4
Practical takeaway: Verify phone, chat, booking, website, and messaging fields from the customer’s point of view.
Zero-click search pressure keeps rising
SparkToro and Similarweb reported that fewer than one-third of U.S. Google searches sent a click to the open web in early 2026. Source 5
Practical takeaway: Report visibility and outcomes together: GSC queries, GBP actions, calls, forms, directions, bookings, and lead quality.
Review replies can be rejected silently
GMBapi analyzed thousands of rejected Google review replies after Google exposed reply-state data through the GBP API. Duplicate templates, generic AI replies, contact details, hashtags, and bulk timing were common risk patterns. Source 6
Practical takeaway: Use specific human replies and verify that review responses are actually live.
Post-core-update volatility continues
The May 2026 core update completed June 2, but ranking chatter continued through June 8-12. Search Engine Journal also reported Reddit gains across many niches after the update. Source 7 Source 8 Source 9
Practical takeaway: Annotate the update, wait for stable comparisons, and strengthen first-party proof such as reviews, photos, project details, FAQs, and locally specific service content.
Need Help With Local SEO?
Local SEO Partners helps service businesses get more visibility from Google Search, Google Maps, and conversion-focused websites. If you want help turning search traffic into better leads, reach out and we’ll see if we’re a good fit.
Local SEO Partners
(931) 783-1865
info@localseopartners.com
2370 Quinland Lake Road, Suite 101, Cookeville, TN 38506