This week’s SEO News Roundup covers Google’s new AI visibility reporting in Search Console, broader AI Search controls, the completed May 2026 core update, Google Business Profile data coming to Google Analytics, and why review systems matter more than star ratings alone.

Top Stories

Google adds generative AI performance reports to Search Console

Google introduced dedicated Search Generative AI performance reports showing visibility across AI Overviews, AI Mode, and generative AI features in Discover. The reports focus on impressions, pages, countries, devices, and date trends.

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Google expands AI Search controls and insights for website owners

Google said AI Overviews now reaches more than 2.5 billion monthly active users and AI Mode has passed one billion monthly users, while also testing and responding to calls for more website-owner controls around AI Search visibility.

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Google’s May 2026 core update is complete

Google’s May 2026 core update finished rolling out on June 2 after roughly 12 days, with significant ranking volatility reported near the end of the rollout.

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Google Business Profile data is coming to Google Analytics

Google has documented a native Google Business Profile and Google Analytics link that can bring local metrics such as calls, bookings, direction requests, website clicks, messages, menus, and total profile interactions into GA reporting.

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Reviews are becoming operational infrastructure, not just local SEO polish

Search Engine Journal covered research showing that star ratings alone did not predict small-business performance, while active reputation management correlated more strongly with results. Separately, Google Maps has asked some users whether businesses offer rewards in exchange for reviews.

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