DanishFrom algorithmic tremors to AI-driven breakthroughs, has April been marked by new technology and significant changes in the way we work with visibility and digital presence. Whether you work with local SEO, content, or visual communication, there are new developments you should be aware of.
Here are the most important news items you need to include in your strategy:
- Google AI Overviews are being rolled out in Europe and now favor their own search results with new clickable links
- Microsoft launches Bing Copilot Search as a direct competitor to Google’s AI venture
- Google is testing a ‘More from retailer’ feature for expanded product views in search results
- AI-generated Knowledge Panels now include source references for increased transparency
1. OpenAI launches shopping in ChatGPT
OpenAI has just launched new shopping features in ChatGPT, marking a significant advance in AI-powered e-commerce. The new feature allows users to receive personalized product recommendations complete with images and reviews, as well as direct purchase links to product pages. A notable detail is that the results are selected independently, without advertising or commissions to OpenAI, creating a more neutral shopping experience.
The feature is now available to all users, including those on the free version of ChatGPT, and initially focuses on categories such as fashion, beauty, home goods, and electronics. OpenAI announced plans to expand to more product categories in the near future.
Why we should pay attention
As Search Engine Land points out, OpenAI is now diving deeper into the core search competition with ChatGPT, and with the addition of shopping features to ChatGPT Search, it is relevant to consider whether more and more users will switch from Google or other search engines to ChatGPT. With over a billion searches in just one week, this new channel represents a significant opportunity to reach customers who are already in the moment of purchase with specific purchase intent.
2. Google AI Overviews are being rolled out to multiple countries
At the end of March 2025, Google rolled out their AI Overviews in several European countries, including Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and a number of other EU regions. This significant geographical expansion came after months of testing in primarily English-speaking markets and signals that the technology is now considered mature enough for widespread implementation.
The next step in Google’s AI strategy
Google has taken another step in the development of its AI functionality by implementing clickable links in AI Overviews that send users to classic search results rather than directly to third-party sites. The new structure allows users to dig deeper into topics, but also has serious consequences for websites that depend on organic traffic.
Dramatic drops in CTR documented in new studies
New studies reveal significant changes in traffic patterns. Ahrefs has documented a 34.5% drop in CTR for position 1 when AI Overviews appear in search results. This figure alone should be cause for concern for any SEO manager. Amsive’s analysis confirms the trend with an average drop of 15.49% in CTR across positions. Particularly alarming is that the effect is significantly amplified when AI Overviews appear alongside featured snippets, a combination that is becoming increasingly common in search results.
3. Microsoft’s countermeasure: Bing Copilot Search challenges Google’s AI dominance
While Google dominates the search market, Microsoft has just launched an ambitious countermeasure with Copilot Search in Bing – a groundbreaking fusion of traditional search and generative AI. This represents not just an update to Bing’s search functionality, but a fundamental rethinking of how search engines can work in an AI-focused era.
Innovation in the search experience
Copilot Search offers a sophisticated user experience where factual search results are presented alongside context-rich, conversational answers. What is innovative about this approach is that the answers contain direct quotes and source references to relevant web pages. This solves one of the major problems with generative AI: the lack of transparency about the origin of the information.
4. Google’s ‘More from retailer’ boosts e-commerce visibility
E-commerce companies can look forward to potentially greater exposure directly in Google’s search results. A new feature currently being developed by Google will display more products from the same webshop via an expanded product carousel. This ‘More from retailer’ feature represents a significant opportunity for online stores to increase their digital footprint without additional investment in advertising.
How the new product carousel works
The feature works by expanding the traditional product display with a horizontal carousel that presents several related products from the same retailer. This gives consumers a broader overview of the retailer’s range directly in the search results, which can lead to higher engagement and conversion rates. At the same time, it allows e-commerce sites to leverage their full product catalog as an asset in organic search.
E-commerce managers and SEO specialists should focus on ensuring that their structured data is correctly implemented across all product pages. This includes detailed product descriptions, accurate categorizations, high-quality images, and up-to-date stock status. Companies that have already invested in robust product data structures will be in a strong position to leverage this new opportunity from day one.
5. Transparency on the way: AI-generated Knowledge Panels now reveal their sources
At a time when trust in online information is under pressure, Google has taken a significant step towards greater transparency. They have now started including source references in their AI-generated knowledge panels, allowing users to verify the origin of the information. This change marks an important shift in Google’s approach to AI-generated content.
Addressing criticism about lack of traceability
The implementation of source references addresses one of the most persistent criticisms of AI in search results: the lack of traceability and transparency. By clarifying which sources their AI system uses, Google not only gives users better tools for source criticism, but also sends a clear signal about the types of content their algorithms value most highly as authoritative.
The likelihood of being cited as a source in Google’s knowledge panels is now a new success parameter in SEO strategy. Websites that consistently produce factual, in-depth, and well-researched content now have an additional opportunity to gain visibility and authoritative status.
