Stay Informed: Latest Updates on Search - April 2025

Between March and April 2025, Google rolled out a major core update, adjusted its video and JavaScript SEO documentation, and started testing AI-generated overviews in new positions on the SERP. Bing also introduced new features in its Webmaster Tools. These changes could impact search rankings, visibility, and how content is displayed. Here's a quick summary of what you need to know.

1. Google March 2025 Core Update

On March 13, 2025, Google initiated its first core update of the year, marking a significant shift in search rankings. The rollout is expected to span up to two weeks. This update follows the December 2024 core update and has already shown notable volatility in search results. SEOs are advised to monitor their site performance and rankings closely during this period.​

Source: Search Engine Land

2. AI Overviews Testing in Search Results

Image Sourced from Search Engine Roundtable

Google is experimenting with the placement of AI-generated overviews within search results. Instead of appearing at the top, these summaries are being tested in the middle of the search results page. This change could impact click-through rates and user engagement, depending on how users interact with these AI-generated snippets

Source: Search Engine Roundtable

3. Updates to JavaScript SEO Documentation

Google has made minor updates to its JavaScript SEO documentation, notably removing references to dynamic rendering. Dynamic rendering, once a workaround for JavaScript-heavy sites, is now deprecated. Google emphasizes serving consistent content to both users and crawlers, cautioning against cloaking practices.

Source: Search Engine Roundtable

4. Video Structured Data Enhancements

In April 2025, Google updated its Video structured data documentation to specify that the thumbnailUrl property must use one of the supported Google Images file formats. Previously, the documentation didn't include WebP and SVG formats. This change ensures better compatibility and display of video thumbnails in search results.​

Source: Google Search Central Updates

5. Clarification on Key Moments Feature

Google has clarified its guidance on the Key Moments feature in video search results. The search engine attempts to automatically detect segments in videos to display key moments to users. Alternatively, publishers can manually specify timestamps and labels using Clip structured data or by updating the description of a YouTube video. However, implementation of Clip structured data does not guarantee display in search results.​

Source: Google Search Central Updates

6. Bing Webmaster Tools Enhancements

Microsoft has rolled out new features in Bing Webmaster Tools:

• Copilot Feature: Initially available to a limited group, the Copilot feature is now accessible to all users. It offers AI-driven insights to help webmasters optimize their sites.​

• Search Performance Report Comparisons: Users can now compare clicks, impressions, CTR, keywords, and pages across different date ranges directly within the performance reports.

Source: ​The Search Herald

7. Google's Clarification on Indexing API Usage

Google has updated its documentation to clarify that submissions to the Indexing API are subject to spam detection. Attempts to exceed quotas may result in revoked access. This emphasizes the importance of adhering to best practices when using the Indexing API.​

Source: Google Search Central Updates

8. Introduction of ineligibleRegion in Video Markup

Google has added the (ineligibleRegion) property to its video structured data documentation. This property allows publishers to specify regions where a video should not be displayed, providing more control over content distribution.​Source: Google for Developers