June 2025 proved to be one of the most dynamic months in digital marketing this year. From Google’s silent rollout of AI Mode in India to LinkedIn’s new video ad formats, to yet another core update, brands and marketers were met with a flood of changes that directly affect SEO, advertising, and content strategy.
If you’re a performance marketer, SEO professional, or business owner—this is your need-to-know monthly digest, tailored for U.S. markets.
🚨 Google’s AI Mode Quietly Launches in India (After U.S.)
Google AI Mode, which debuted through Search Labs in the U.S., has now been quietly rolled out in India — making it the second country globally to get access.
What’s New:
- AI Mode overlays conversational answers on top of search results, without replacing the traditional layout (yet).
- It supports follow-up prompts, turning searches into mini conversations.
- AI-generated content is getting clickable impressions and click tracking in Search Console starting June 16.
Why It Matters:
Google is grooming users toward AI-first search behavior — and marketers must prepare for a future where ranking means getting included in AI answers, not just the 10 blue links.
🎯 Google Core Update (June 30): The Silent Shakeup
Google launched a fresh core algorithm update on June 30, just 3 months after its March rollout.
No major guidance was released — just the usual reminders:
- Focus on high-quality, user-centered content
- Expect ranking volatility over 1–2 weeks
- Monitor performance changes using GA4 and Search Console
⚠️ Pro Tip: If your traffic dipped suddenly in early July, this update may be why.
📈 Video Ads Now on Google Search & Shopping
On June 3, Google introduced video ads directly inside Search, Image, and Shopping tabs — a feature previously tested by Microsoft Ads.
What It Means:
- Videos now appear where product listings used to be.
- Only Performance Max campaigns are eligible (for now).
- Ads are currently testing in English across U.S. and Canada only.
While this might boost visual engagement, early tests suggest these ads may not yield significantly better conversion rates. Keep expectations realistic.
📲 LinkedIn Launches Three New Video Ad Formats
LinkedIn announced three high-impact video ad types on June 4 — clearly aiming to shake up its ad ecosystem for B2B brands:
1. First Impression Ads
- A full-screen vertical video shown the moment a user opens the LinkedIn app.
- Great for branding and top-of-funnel impact.
2. Top Feed Reserve
- Brands can reserve top feed placements ahead of time, ensuring visibility in the most premium spot.
- Ideal for product launches and big announcements.
3. CTV Ads via Paramount Partnership
- LinkedIn ads will now appear on Connected TVs, thanks to a collaboration with Paramount+.
- Currently U.S.-only and designed for large brands running national campaigns.
⚠️ Smaller advertisers may not benefit right away, but it signals LinkedIn’s move toward omnichannel B2B advertising.
🔐 Google Ads Policy Update: Linked Accounts at Risk
On June 9, Google announced a serious policy change:
If any manager or owner account linked to your Google Ads account violates policy, your account can be suspended — even if your account itself is clean.
What to Do:
- Audit all users with access to your ad accounts
- Revoke access from former employees, old agencies, or inactive managers
- Warn active users not to mix personal activities on the same login
This “guilt by association” policy could severely impact businesses unaware of risky login behaviors.
🧾 AI Mode Tracking Comes to Google Search Console
Starting June 16, Search Console now tracks:
- Impressions and clicks from AI Mode
- Follow-up searches as separate sessions
So if a user interacts twice with your result inside AI Mode, that counts as two separate impressions/clicks.
✅ A major step toward transparent AI engagement reporting — and a metric SEOs need to start monitoring.
🏷️ Google Organization Schema Expanded for Loyalty Features
On June 10, Google updated schema.org to support new properties for:
- Membership programs
- Loyalty benefits
- Special offers exclusive to certain users
What to Implement:
If your brand offers subscriber-only benefits, discounts, or perks:
- Add structured data under
organization > hasMembership - List visible loyalty perks (discounts, VIP access, bonuses)
This helps Google surface perks in branded knowledge panels and differentiates you in AI Mode responses.
❌ 6 Schema Types Deprecated in June
As of June 12, Google no longer supports these schema types in rich results:
- BookAction
- CourseInstance
- ClaimedReview
- EstimatedSalary
- SpecialAnnouncement
- VehicleListing
These won’t trigger errors but won’t contribute to rich snippets either. If you’re using any of these, consider phasing them out or updating your data strategy.
📉 Google Discover Glitch (June 5)
If your Google Discover traffic dropped to zero in early June — don’t panic.
Google acknowledged a temporary reporting bug, not a traffic loss. No action required.
🛒 Google Ads “First Order Promotions” (U.S. Only)
Rolled out on June 23, this new ad feature targets:
Users who have never purchased from your site before.
Brands can now:
- Offer exclusive welcome discounts (without minimum purchase)
- Customize messaging for first-time shoppers
- Set conversion goals specifically for new customer acquisition
Available in U.S. only. Global rollout expected in Q3 2025.
📱 Talk & Listen Feature in Google App (U.S.)
As of June 18, users can now speak and hear search results back in the Google mobile app using “Talk & Listen” mode.
It allows for:
- Back-and-forth voice queries
- AI-driven natural language responses
This feature is U.S.-only and separate from Gemini’s camera-based visual search tools.
📌 Marketers should begin optimizing for voice search intent — not just typed queries.
🎮 Offerwall Launched for Publishers (June 26)
Inspired by mobile game monetization, Google now lets publishers:
Let users watch an ad or fill out a form in exchange for access to premium content.
Great for news/media sites with paywalls looking for an alternative to subscriptions.
📽️ YouTube Ads Update: 30-Second Non-Skippables
As of June 10, all advertisers — not just premium accounts — can now run 30-second non-skippable ads via Standard YouTube Campaigns.
While this offers more flexibility for storytelling, expect:
- Higher CPMs
- Potential viewer irritation
- Need for tight, engaging storytelling
If you’re running high-budget awareness campaigns, this is a feature worth testing.
📊 Final Thoughts: June Was a Game-Changer
From AI tracking to Google Ads policy changes to LinkedIn’s media play — June wasn’t just about small tweaks.
It was about paradigm shifts in visibility, data, advertising, and SEO integration.
If you’re still treating SEO and paid media as separate departments, it’s time to rethink.
Written by Qausain Anwar
Founder, www.branxhq.com
Helping digital-first brands grow with smart SEO, content systems, and full-funnel strategy.
