SEO News Recap (April–May 2026): Google AI Mode in SERPs, How to Build Agent-Friendly Websites & Gemini in Chrome

Jack Chambers-Ward delivers an SEO news recap covering key stories from April 2026 into early May.He highlights Google testing AI Mode directly in the “All” tab, AI Mode’s agentic restaurant bookings, AI Mode side-by-side browsing in Chrome desktop (US), and Google’s Audio Overviews appearing on SERPs beyond Search Labs.He also discusses Google’s official guidance on building agent-friendly websites—how agents use screenshots, raw HTML, and the accessibility tree—and notes Gemini in Chrome rolling out worldwide, potentially boosting Gemini adoption.Google tests AI Mode in the main search tab - https://brodieclark.com/notes/#apr-2026 Google Search Console impressions error - https://xcancel.com/brodieseo/status/2040311550406472112 Agentic restaurant bookings - https://xcancel.com/Google/status/2042626811083853857 AI Mode can open in side-by-side view - https://blog.google/products-and-platforms/products/search/ai-mode-chrome/ Google tests Audio Overviews - https://www.seroundtable.com/google-testing-audio-overviews-wild-41207.html How to build agent-friendly websites - https://web.dev/articles/ai-agent-site-ux Gemini in Chrome - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/nataliawitczyk_yes-gemini-integrated-in-chrome-is-now-rolling-activity-7456789716202508288-He8k/Get your tickets for SearchNorwichXL: https://searchnorwich.org/ Time stamps00:00 Intro01:22 AI Mode hits main search tab05:38 Search Console impressions bug07:35 AI restaurant booking agents11:09 AI Mode adds split-screen mode in Chrome18:47 Audio Overviews on SERPs21:51 How to build agent-friendly websites30:15 Gemini in Chrome goes global38:28 Wrap up