Local Memo: Google’s AI Search Shifts, Patent Insights, Index Freshness, and TikTok’s Latest Extension

Kaci McBride

Google Rolls Out “Search Live” in AI Mode

The News Google has officially introduced “Search Live” as part of its AI Mode in Google Labs, enabling users to conduct voice-based, natural conversations with an AI-driven search agent. This feature enhances user experience by remembering previous interactions, providing context-aware responses, and allowing easy transition between voice and text searches with accessible transcripts and direct links to source content.

This is the logo for Google's Search Live AI Mode

What This Means Local search marketing must increasingly prioritize user intent and conversational context. With keyword-focused search becoming less effective, marketers at multi-location brands should invest in content strategies that directly answer customer questions and adapt to evolving conversational trends. This will help brands stay visible and relevant as conversational search grows in popularity.

Google’s AI Mode Patent Insights

The News In a Moz blog post, John Iwuozor explores Google’s recent patent, highlighting how AI Mode might function behind the scenes. AI Mode maintains a persistent “context window,” linking searches across multiple queries rather than treating them as isolated events. It actively references prior interactions—such as clicks, queries, and refinements—to dynamically interpret user intent without needing the user to restate questions. Another key feature is Google’s “query fan-out technique,” introduced at I/O. With this method, AI doesn’t just analyze your initial query—it explores various related topics and additional contextual questions to deliver more robust answers and helpful follow-up suggestions.

A picture from a presentation at Google I/O 2025 explaining query fan-out technique

What This Means These functionalities appear similar across most LLMs, meaning a query like “best business credit cards” followed by “what’s the APR” could be easily linked within the same conversation, rather than treated separately. LLMs, including Google’s AI Mode, commonly use semantic relationships, inferred intent, and topic continuity to offer more useful responses. The query fan-out technique lets AI Mode anticipate customers’ additional questions by understanding the broader context and related queries extending from the initial ask. SEO strategies should therefore focus less on exact keyword matches and more on covering broader topics and related user intents.

Google’s Index Freshness Gives it an Edge in AI

The News Google’s head of AI, Jeff Dean, recently highlighted Google’s advantage when it comes to “index freshness”—how frequently website references are updated. Index freshness has been a significant concern for other LLM providers, like OpenAI. Google’s dedication to keeping its index consistently updated sets it apart, helping users avoid outdated content and frustrating experiences like broken links or 404 pages. A screenshot of a post from X by Google executive Jeff Dean saying "index freshness is something high and many others have worked on for many years"

What This Means Google’s right, and other LLM providers will need to catch up in delivering timely results. SEO professionals have long recognized the importance of Google’s freshness and its commitment to providing real-time, accurate results. This focus on freshness has historically distinguished Google’s general search experience from competitors, a benefit now carrying over to the AI-driven search environment. Multi-location brands that prioritize regular content updates and accurate local information will remain competitive in this new landscape.

TikTok Ban Delayed an Additional 90 Days

The News President Trump extended TikTok’s operational window in the U.S. by another 90 days through executive order, allowing the platform additional time to secure a U.S. partnership. This decision temporarily alleviates uncertainty for app users and marketers alike.

What This Means TikTok remains a viable marketing platform with its significant user base (117 million monthly users in the U.S.). Multi-location brands should continue leveraging TikTok’s reach while closely monitoring regulatory developments. Despite ongoing uncertainty, continued extensions suggest the platform’s sustained relevance, making it worthwhile for local marketing strategies.