Google may now ask for your ID to verify your listing
Google is asking some business owners to upload a government ID to verify their Google Business Profile. Review appeals are running late again at the same time.
Read the whole week in one goRank trackers were wrong all week. Check Search Console.
Getting into AI answers
AI answers are losing their label, so tools undercount them
Google appears to be dropping the "AI Overview" label from some of its AI written answers at the top of results. Glenn Gabe spotted unlabelled ones on searches for shows and movies, and Barry Schwartz says that may explain why Semrush is reporting a drop in how often AI Overviews appear.
this has to be a bug in Semrush tracking - I see AIOs everywhere
Who this affects: Anyone watching how often AI answers show up for their keywords.
- Do nothing, the answers are still there even without the label.
Maps and your listing
Google may ask for your ID to verify your business
Google is now asking some owners for a government ID to verify their Google Business Profile (your free listing on Google and Maps), Joy Hawkins reported. Barry Schwartz confirmed verification through government ID upload is live. Separately, Schwartz says review appeals, where you contest a review you think breaks the rules, are delayed again.
Who this affects: Anyone with a Google Business Profile, especially new or recently reverified listings.
- Have a government ID ready if Google asks you to verify.
- Our take: expect slow replies on any review appeal you file.