The UK Competition and Markets Authority has proposed requiring Google and Android device makers to present search-engine choice screens when phones or Chrome are first set up, followed by annual prompts. The plan also calls for offering users a choice of AI assistants that meet certain security standards, and for requiring search providers to clearly attribute publisher content shown in results. The proposals build on measures introduced earlier in 2026, including a June 3rd rule letting publishers opt out of AI results.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-23
Robby Stein, Google's vice president of product for Search, will join a fireside chat at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, running October 13-15 at Moscone West in San Francisco. The session, titled 'From MVP to Billions of Users,' will examine how product teams manage the shift from early-stage experimentation to decision-making at massive scale.
techcrunch.com
· 2026-09-21
Google is trialing a new Discover feature called 'Dive Deeper' that generates an AI summary of a topic instead of directing users to a publisher's article or video. The tool, similar to Search's AI Overviews, is currently being tested with video content, with more formats expected in coming weeks. It also surfaces links to related stories, community reactions, and original sources for users who want to dig further.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-09-21
A user query on Google about appropriate teen screen time triggered an AI-generated summary instead of the traditional list of website links. The AI response offered a specific number but immediately qualified it, noting factors like sleep, mood, exercise, and school demands could matter more than raw hours.
fastcompany.com
· 2026-09-20
Brown Brothers Media, run by Justin, Lachlan and Brendan Brown, has been acquiring established online publications covering topics like space travel, parenting and business, then laying off much of their writing staff and replacing them with mass-produced AI-generated articles. The company says its network now draws over 50 million page views monthly, a figure roughly corroborated by third-party analytics firm Similarweb, which estimates about 64.7 million average monthly visitors — putting BBM's reach ahead of outlets like CBS News and Forbes.
futurism.com
· 2026-09-17
Google Search has begun rewriting organic result links from readable URLs into a new google.com/goto?url= format that hides the actual destination inside an encoded, Google-specific parameter. Unlike the older google.com/url redirect wrapper, which kept the target link visible in plaintext, the new format requires a request back to Google's servers to retrieve the real URL from the Location header. As of late August 2026 this behavior appears consistently for logged-out and private browsing sessions, suggesting a wider rollout rather than a small test.
autom.dev
· 2026-09-12
Google is updating Search's AI Mode so it can act as a fantasy football advisor by connecting to Yahoo Fantasy or Sleeper accounts, offering lineup suggestions and free-agent picks based on a user's roster and league. The company is also rolling out a 'Live Game Feed' that shows scores, recaps, play-by-play updates and video highlights when users search for ongoing games, plus carousels for league scores, player stats, win odds and bracket matchups.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-09
Google is rolling out a Live Game Feed in mobile Search that shows play-by-play updates, social commentary, video highlights and AI-generated insights for NFL games, starting with tonight's season opener. Search is also getting a scores carousel and expanded player stats covering categories like passing touchdowns, sacks and yards after catch. Users can now link Yahoo Fantasy or Sleeper accounts to get AI-based lineup suggestions without manually entering data.
theverge.com
· 2026-09-09
Google has signaled it will scale back certain search functionality for European users rather than fully comply with EU antitrust rules, aiming to sidestep potential fines. The company frames this as a response to regulatory demands it considers overly burdensome or conflicting with its business model.
search.slashdot.org
· 2026-09-08
Google is revising how its Search results appear across the European Union, following an €460 million fine from the European Commission for allegedly favoring its own services over competitors. Under the new format, one specialized comparison engine, such as Expedia or Hotels.com, will appear prominently at the top of results, with two others shown with fewer details, while a carousel for hotels, airlines and restaurants will be stripped of features like real-time pricing. Google's own algorithm will still determine the rankings of these vertical search services.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-08
Following a €460 million DMA fine over self-preferencing in travel and shopping searches, Google has altered its European search results to comply with EU rules. Instant hotel and flight pricing and availability are being removed, replaced by links to specialized search engines and a carousel ranked purely by Google's algorithm rather than business partnerships.
arstechnica.com
· 2026-09-08
Google confirmed it is rolling out major changes to how Search functions across the European Union, following a $1 billion fine tied to alleged Digital Markets Act violations. The update forces Google to display results from competing vertical search services, such as Expedia or Booking.com, ahead of its own Flights and Hotels products in categories like travel and dining. New carousels will rank listings using Google's algorithm, but with details like real-time pricing removed.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-09-08
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