AnalyticsConfirmed01
Google Search Console starts separating Multimodal Search
Search Console is gaining a Web: multimodal search type that separates searches where an image, photo or screenshot was part of the query from conventional text-based web search. This includes experiences such as Google Lens, Circle to Search, image uploads to Google Search and other image-based interactions. Google Search Console Help now documents Web: multimodal as a separate search type. One important limitation is that because these searches primarily use images rather than text, the normal Queries dimension is not available for multimodal traffic.
Business impactBusinesses gain a separate way to see whether their websites receive visibility from image-driven search. This is particularly relevant to contractors, home services, products, fabrication, design and other visually driven categories.
Google Search Console Help ↗
Do this nextOpen Search Console → Performance and check Search type. If Web: multimodal is available, record baseline impressions, clicks, pages, devices and countries. Do not change images simply because a new report exists; first determine whether measurable multimodal traffic is present.
Technical SEOConfirmed02
WordPress 7.1.2 becomes urgent as active exploitation is reported
WordPress 7.1.2 was released on September 22 to address critical-severity vulnerability CVE-2026-87902. WordPress officially recommends immediate updating. Under certain server and theme conditions, an unauthenticated attacker can cause page-template resolution to include a chosen readable local PHP file outside the active theme directories, potentially leading to remote code execution when additional prerequisites are present. Following release of the fix, security researchers have reported movement from probing toward active exploitation attempts against vulnerable installations.
Business impactFor WordPress site owners this is no longer merely a theoretical security advisory. The patch gap between disclosure and attacker activity makes delaying updates on production sites particularly risky.
WordPress News ↗
Do this nextCheck the WordPress version today. If the site remains on a vulnerable release, take a backup, install the patched version and validate the frontend, forms, login, plugins, caching and critical functionality. Review server or security logs for unusual PHP-related requests.
Google SearchObservation03
Google Search rankings show another volatility spike on September 23–24
SEO tracking tools and industry observations show another period of elevated Google Search volatility beginning around September 23 and continuing today. This is not a confirmed Google core update, so the movement should not be described as an official algorithm update. Short-term changes in individual rankings are also insufficient evidence of a site-specific problem.
Business impactSites may see unusual changes in impressions, clicks and positions without corresponding changes to their own content. Reacting to one or two days of data can lead to unnecessary SEO changes.
Search Engine Roundtable ↗
Do this nextRecord a Search Console baseline across the last 7 and 28 days. Monitor clicks, impressions, landing pages and query groups together. Avoid rewriting pages solely because of short-term ranking movement until a persistent pattern becomes visible.
Local SEOObservation04
Google Business Profile tests AI-generated business hours
Google Business Profile is testing an interface that lets a business owner describe operating hours in ordinary text and then uses AI to convert the description into structured business hours for Search and Maps. This is currently an observed test rather than a confirmed global rollout. The test does not itself change Local SEO rules, but it illustrates Google's increasing use of AI as an interface between unstructured owner input and structured business information.
Business impactFor local businesses, accurate hours remain more important than the method used to enter them. Automation can make management easier but also makes verification of generated data essential.
Search Engine Roundtable ↗
Do this nextIf the new interface appears in your Business Profile, carefully verify the generated schedule before saving it. Regardless of access to the test, compare operating hours across GBP, the website and structured data and correct inconsistencies.
Lead GenerationOfficial05
OpenAI provides more detail on ChatGPT Ads matching, bidding and measurement
Updated OpenAI documentation for ChatGPT Ads explains that ad selection considers the context and intent of the current conversation, the landing page, title, ad copy and advertiser-provided context hints. Context hints can describe conversations, topics or keywords but do not behave like traditional exact-match keywords and do not guarantee delivery. ChatGPT Ads supports Views, Clicks and Conversions objectives. For CPC campaigns, OpenAI recommends an initial maximum bid of $3–$5 USD per click, while selection uses a relevance-weighted second-price auction. Ads Manager Beta reports impressions, clicks, spend, CTR, CPC, CPM and conversions.
Business impactConversational advertising is developing into a distinct acquisition model. Landing-page quality and the ability to clearly describe the context in which a service is relevant may become increasingly important alongside traditional keyword-based advertising.
OpenAI Help Center ↗
Do this nextThere is no reason to move budgets away from Google Ads solely because of this development. Instead, prepare future-ready landing pages with clear service definition, user problem, geography, differentiators and conversion action, while ensuring analytics can distinguish ChatGPT traffic and future paid campaigns.