What you'll learn:

  • Why Google rankings jumped around all July
  • Where to find Search Console's new Generative AI report
  • The AI features (maybe) rolling into Google Business Profile
  • Google's stricter review rules and the AI enforcement now behind them
  • Gmail's quiet crackdown on senders
  • The Google Ads changes
  • And a couple Social updates on Instagram captions, LinkedIn analytics, and Facebook Forum. 

Digital Marketing Q&A: Google's New AI Report, Stricter Review Rules, Gmail Changes + Your Questions Answered

If your rankings did something strange in July, you're not alone, and it probably wasn't your fault. Rank trackers lit up twice last month, Google's own status dashboard stayed silent both times, and some of the movement reversed itself within a week. Meanwhile, Google quietly shipped something genuinely useful: a new Search Console report that shows you, for the first time, how often your pages appear inside AI answers.

That's just the start of what changed. Google Business Profile may be adding AI chat, which makes a complete profile more valuable than it's ever been. Google is using AI to police review rule breakers, and Gmail moved the goalposts for anyone who sends email to a list.

In this session, Patrice walks through six updates worth your attention, what each one actually changed and what to do about it, then answers the questions submitted by participants. The review rules discussion builds on the full system we covered in Make the Most of Your Reviews + Testimonials, worth a watch if you weren't on the live session. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Was there a Google algorithm update in July 2026?

No confirmed update. Rank trackers showed heavy movement around July 11 and again on July 18 and 19, but Google's Search Status Dashboard stayed silent both times. The last confirmed change was the June 2026 spam update, which finished June 26. Some of the July movement reversed on its own within a week, so the best response to a ranking wobble is to check Search Console and wait two weeks before changing anything.

How do I see if my website shows up in AI search results?

Google Search Console now includes a Generative AI performance report that shows how often your pages appear inside AI Overviews and AI Mode answers. Open Search Console, click Performance, and look for the Generative AI option next to the usual Search results report. It's still rolling out, so if you don't see it yet, check back in a few weeks. The report shows impressions only, not clicks or queries.

Is it against Google's rules to ask for reviews with a tablet or kiosk in my store?

Yes. Google's review policy prohibits pressuring customers to leave reviews while they're still on the premises, which includes review kiosks and shared tablets at the counter. The compliant approach is to ask after the visit with a follow-up text or email containing a direct review link, or a QR code on the receipt customers can scan later.

Can I offer customers a discount or gift for leaving a Google review?

No. Incentivized reviews violate Google's policy, and that includes discounts, gifts, loyalty points, and free services. Google also bans asking customers to mention a specific employee by name and screening customers so only happy ones get the review link. Enforcement is now AI-driven, and repeat violations can get a Business Profile restricted or suspended.

Why are my business emails suddenly going to spam in 2026?

Gmail quietly tightened its standards. The spam complaint threshold dropped from 0.3 percent to 0.1 percent, which is one complaint per thousand emails, and Gmail now counts silent indifference, meaning contacts who never open your emails, as a negative signal on your sender reputation. The fix is to email the people who engage and remove or re-engage contacts who haven't opened anything in months.

Do AI tools like ChatGPT actually send customers to small businesses?

Yes, though the volume is still small compared to Google. Visitors who arrive from AI tools tend to convert better because the AI has already recommended the business as a good fit. Getting recommended relies on the same fundamentals that win local search: a complete Google Business Profile, specific service pages, and a steady stream of genuine reviews.

What is changing in Google Ads in August 2026?

Two things worth knowing. On August 17, Google is improving how bidding works for budget-capped campaigns, which should make CPA and ROAS targets more predictable; this happens automatically. Separately, appeals on disapproved ads are now capped at six months, so any old disapproved ad you meant to appeal needs attention before its window closes.