AEO Monthly News Updates: November 2025

In this blog, we look back at everything that happened in the month of November 2025. Explore insights that shaped organic search, Ads, and AI, and What It Means for 2026:

• AEO/SEO updates.
• PPC developments and controversies.
• Google, AI, and search ecosystem shifts.

News today moves extremely fast. Almost every alternate day, Google or another major tech company rolls out an update. That is precisely why we also started publishing short, time-sensitive updates on the “TIC blog” to make sure critical information reaches you quickly.

Google Acknowledges AI Spam in Discover: Google executives publicly acknowledged the growing AI spam problem in Google Discover. The issue is not limited just to AI-generated content.

A disturbing Trend on Discover has Emerged:

• Fake news, fake incidents, fake launches.
• AI-generated images supporting false narratives.

Despite this, Discover continues to push traffic toward such sites, often in millions. This problem has existed for months, raising serious questions about Content validation, Authority signals, Abuse prevention.

However, Google spokesperson stated that, “Our robust spam-fighting systems and clear policies help us block the vast majority of spam from appearing in Discover, including new and emerging forms of low-quality or manipulative content.”

Google Ads Updates:

Google Ads Enter “Image Search” (Mobile Only): Google has started displaying ads within Image Search results on mobile devices. These ads:

• Appear alongside normal images.
• Are marked with a “Sponsored” label.
• Include call-to-action buttons like “Visit Website”.

Impact:

• Good news for advertisers using image assets.
• Concerning for publishers who rely on organic image traffic.

This change currently affects mobile search only, but it’s a clear signal of where monetisation is heading.

Brand Inclusion Comes to “Standard Shopping Ads”. On November 12th, Google announced a major quality-of-life update. Brand inclusion was earlier limited to Performance Max & AI Max campaigns are now available inside “Standard Shopping” Ads.

This highlights an interesting trend: While SEOs feel their lives are becoming harder, Google is actively simplifying workflows for PPC professionals. Over time, the line between SEO and PPC roles may blur even further. Additionally, for Shipping & Return Policies, no Merchant Center required.

Google Launches Advisors Inside Ads, Analytics & Search Console. Google launched two new chat-based assistants:

1. Ads Advisor (inside Google Ads).
2. Analytics Advisor (Inside Google Analytics).

These tools:

● Provide very basic insights. ● Target beginners and business owners. ● Do not replace real analysis.

Google has also quietly introduced a basic chatbot inside Search Console, capable of answering simple performance queries. In the future, all these assistants are expected to merge into one Gemini-powered interface, though privacy concerns currently delay this integration.

Google’s Bigger Shift: From Salesman to Broker - Mid-November brought several AI-commerce updates:

• Product discovery inside AI Mode.
• Shopping recommendations via Gemini.
• Agent-based calling and purchasing (US only).
• Chrome AI agents negotiating best deals.

Google is no longer just a search engine directing traffic. It is positioning itself as a broker, facilitating decisions, purchases, and actions.This marks a fundamental revenue-model shift.

Search Console Updates: On November 17th, Google finally accepted a long-standing SEO request. This feature is genuinely life-saving for SEO professionals. Google Search Console now lets you add notes directly on traffic graphs, so you can easily remember why your website’s performance changed, without using external documents. You can now:

• Add annotations directly inside Search Console graphs.
• Track site changes without external notes.

Gemini 3 Launch: On November 18th, Google launched Gemini 3 across:

• Google Search
• AI Mode
• Gemini app
• APIs

Adobe Acquires Semrush: On November 19th, Adobe officially acquired Semrush, including:

• Backlink tools
• Search Engine Land
• Entire Semrush ecosystem

The deal will fully materialise in Q1 2026, pending regulatory approvals. This acquisition could reshape SEO tooling at an enterprise level.

Branded vs Non-Branded Filters in Search Console: On November 20th, Google launched Branded Query Filters. Users often discover brands via AI, then search for them directly on Google. This filter helps you:

• Track brand discovery.
• Understand AI-driven visibility.
• Educate clients on new attribution models.

Branded search growth today often reflects strong SEO and AI visibility, not just traditional branding campaigns.

Conclusion: November–December 2025 wasn’t just busy, it was transformational. Search is evolving from (Query - Click - Website) to (Query - Decision - Action). Google is no longer just a gateway. It is becoming the experience itself. Understanding these shifts early is not optional anymore, it’s survival.

The future of search belongs to brands that adapt early, structure intelligently, and think beyond rankings. With TIC as a strategic partner, businesses can navigate this shift with clarity, confidence, and measurable impact.