Big increase in AI Overviews during Google update
There was a huge increase in the number of AI Overviews (AIOs) served during Google’s March 2025 core update. New data from BrightEdge shows a staggering 528% spike in AIOs for entertainment queries between 13 March and 27 March. There were similar jumps for searches related to restaurants (+387%) and travel (+381%).
However, these industries triggered fewer AIOs before the latest update, so is it merely a realignment? A previous study found they appear for 48% of all search queries.
EU prepping $1bn fine for X
The EU Commission is finalising a big fine for X after it broke a “landmark law” related to removing illegal content and disinformation. The New York Times reported last week that the fine could amount to around $1bn, citing four people familiar with the matter.
The NYT noted: “The penalties are set to include a fine and demands for product changes, said the people, who declined to be identified discussing an ongoing investigation.”
700m images made since ChatGPT update
OpenAI says its newly upgraded image generator has been a big hit. Since launching on 25 March, around 130m ChatGPT users have created over 700m images. The impressive launch was helped, in part, by viral images of photos generated in a Ghibli style — the famous Japanese animation studio.
CEO Sam Altman says the success came as a surprise. OpenAI has had to delay products and take resources away from other services temporarily to meet the demand for image creation.
TikTok US deal closer to conclusion
The long-running US TikTok saga is finally drawing to a close. Reports claim President Donald Trump has given the green light to a deal that satisfies all parties. It allegedly involves the creation of a new entity called “TikTok America”.
News site The Information said: “TikTok America will be 50% owned by a group of U.S. investors. They will likely include Oracle, BlackRock, and Andreessen Horowitz, among others to be confirmed.”
Google to extract marketing content for branding
Google will start using social media content and other branded images and videos to serve information to users across its services: Search, Shopping, Maps, etc.
A new update for the Merchant Center will extract all the information and visuals from existing marketing content. Google says this will enhance the visibility of a brand’s products and services across the web.
Social media site seven39 only works for 3 hours a day
A new “90s-esque” social media site has launched. Seven39 is switching up the staid approach to online engagement by closing its doors for 21 hours of the day. Users can only log in and post between 7:39 pm to 10:39 pm — Eastern Time in the US.
The site has a tagline that socials are “better when we’re all online together”. It adds: “No endless scrolling. No FOMO. Just 3 hours of fun every evening.”
