Google Docs Adds Gemini-Powered Audio Playback Feature.

Google is rolling out a new feature for Google Docs, powered by its Gemini AI, that allows users to generate and listen to audio versions of their documents. This update transforms how users interact with their content, offering a new dimension for accessibility, comprehension, and error checking.

This feature enables users to consume documents audibly, which is beneficial for busy individuals, students, and anyone who prefers to listen to information.

How to Use the New Audio Feature in Google Docs:

Google has made the process straightforward, with options for both individual listening and embedding audio for collaboration.

For Listening to the Current Document:

1. Open your Google Doc: Ensure your document contains content.
2. Access the Audio Feature: At the top of your screen, click Tools > Audio > Listen to this tab. An alternative is finding a "Listen to this tab" icon directly in your toolbar.
3. Control Playback: A pill-shaped audio player will appear. This floating window can be moved anywhere on your screen. The player includes controls for:
• Play/Pause: Start or stop the audio.
• Scrubber: Navigate to different parts of the document.
• Playback Speed: Adjust the reading speed (e.g., 0.5x, 1x, 1.5x, 2x).
• Change Voice: Select from various natural-sounding voices, such as Narrator, Educator, Teacher, Persuader, Explainer, Coach, and Motivator.

Credit: Google

For Adding an Audio Button to Your Document:

To allow others to easily listen to your document, you can embed an audio button directly:

1. Open your Google Doc.
2. Insert Audio Button: Go to Insert > Audio buttons > Listen to tab.
3. Customize the Button: The inserted button can be customized in terms of label, color, and size to integrate with your document's design.
4. Quick Insert with @: Typing @Listen to tab directly into your document lets you insert an audio clip quickly in a selected section.

Credit: Google

This significant development follows Google's ongoing commitment to integrate AI into its Workspace suite, expanding how users create and consume content. Complementing this, Google also rolled out an image generation feature in Docs for paid users, further leveraging AI to enhance document creation directly within the platform.

Google Maps Introduces "Tap and Hold to React" Emojis for Image Feedback

Google Maps is rolling out an exciting new feature allowing users to react to images within business listings using a "tap and hold" gesture to select from a range of emojis. This update, currently in testing for some Android users, aims to boost engagement and provide a quick, intuitive way to offer feedback on the visual content of places.

Similar to how users can react to messages in Google Messages, this new functionality in Google Maps presents a small overlay of five distinct emojis when an image is pressed and held: a heart, praying hands, fire, a side-tongue emoji (likely for food-related reactions), and a mind-blown emoji. While tapping an emoji triggers a small animation, the reactions do not yet appear on the images within the UI, indicating the feature is still under development.

This move signifies Google's continued efforts to make its mapping platform more interactive and social. By allowing users to quickly express their sentiments on photos, Google Maps could see increased user participation and richer, more nuanced feedback on places and businesses. While the exact impact on Local Guides and overall listing engagement remains to be seen, this update clearly points towards a future where user reactions play a more prominent role in how businesses are perceived on the platform.

This development is a key indicator of how Google is evolving its core services to foster deeper user engagement and provide more dynamic ways for consumers to interact with local businesses and points of interest. As the feature rolls out more widely, it will be interesting to observe how it influences user behavior and the quality of image feedback on Google Maps.

Also Read- Google Maps Unveils America's Favorite State Parks of Summer 2025.

Google Hit with A$55 Million Fine in Australia for Anti-Competitive Telco Deals.

Key Highlights.

• Google fined A$55 million by ACCC for anti-competitive deals with Australian telcos.
• Fine relates to pre-installation of Google Search on Android phones, stifling competition.
• Marks a significant regulatory action against tech giants' market dominance in Australia.

Google has agreed to pay a significant A$55 million (approximately $35.8 million USD) fine for engaging in anti-competitive practices with major Australian telecommunication companies, including Telstra and Optus. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) brought forth the proceedings, asserting that Google's agreements for the pre-installation of its search engine on Android mobile phones stifled competition in the market.

The landmark settlement, which Google (Alphabet Inc.) has cooperated with and admitted liability for, marks a crucial development in the ongoing global scrutiny of tech giants' market dominance. The agreed-upon penalty will be jointly submitted to the Federal Court for approval.

The ACCC's investigation focused on agreements where Google's search engine was set as the default on Android devices distributed through these telcos. Regulators argued that such arrangements limited consumer choice and hindered smaller search engine competitors from gaining traction in the Australian market.

This fine underscores a broader push by regulatory bodies worldwide to ensure fair competition in the digital economy. For a tech news and blog website focused on Google Updates and News, this ruling highlights the increasing legal challenges faced by the company regarding its market behavior and the proactive stance of international regulators.

The ACCC has consistently voiced concerns over the market power of major digital platforms, and this outcome signals a continued commitment to address practices deemed detrimental to competition and consumer welfare. As the digital landscape evolves, the focus on fair play in search and mobile ecosystems remains a top priority for watchdogs.

Google Ads Opens Doors for Sports Betting in Missouri.

The landscape of online advertising for sports betting is undergoing a significant shift in Missouri. Google Ads has officially announced that it will begin accepting and running advertisements for sports betting from certified, state-licensed entities in Missouri, effective August 15, 2025. This pivotal policy change comes as Missouri prepares for the official launch of legal retail and online/mobile sports betting on December 1, 2025, following the narrow approval of Amendment 2 by voters in November 2024.

This development marks a new era for sports betting operators and advertisers in the Show-Me State, offering unprecedented reach through Google's powerful advertising platform. However, this opportunity comes with stringent requirements and a clear emphasis on responsible advertising.

Google's Evolving Gambling Ad Policies.

Google maintains a nuanced and often strict approach to gambling advertising worldwide, prioritizing responsible practices and adherence to local laws. Generally, Google's policy on gambling and games content requires that:  

• Advertisers only target approved countries where gambling is legal.  
• Landing pages display information about responsible gambling.  
• Ads never target minors or vulnerable individuals.  
• Advertisers obtain a mandatory Google Ads certification before running gambling-related advertisements. This certification is often tied to specific websites and requires proof of fulfilling legal requirements in the targeted area.

While Google is tightening its rules for political advertising in regions like the EU, its measured expansion into regulated sports betting markets like Missouri demonstrates a strategic adaptation to evolving legal frameworks. This approach allows for growth in regulated sectors while maintaining a commitment to user safety and compliance.

Missouri's Sports Betting Landscape.

Missouri officially legalized sports betting when voters approved Amendment 2 in November 2024, permitting both retail and online/mobile sports wagering for individuals aged 21 and older. The Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) is the regulatory body tasked with overseeing the licensing and operation of sports betting.

The official launch of sports betting in Missouri is set for December 1, 2025. The MGC has already begun the process of awarding licenses, with prominent operators like DraftKings and Circa securing untethered sportsbook licenses. Other operators, such as FanDuel and Fanatics Sportsbook, are also actively pursuing licenses, often requiring an in-state partner.

For advertisers, understanding Missouri's specific laws is paramount. The state's regulations will dictate what can be advertised and how, ensuring that all promotions align with legal provisions and responsible gambling initiatives.

Navigating Google Ads Certification for Missouri Sportsbooks.

To leverage Google Ads for sports betting in Missouri, licensed operators must undergo a mandatory certification process. This is not merely a formality but a critical step to ensure compliance and responsible advertising. The certification requirements include:  

• Proof of State Licensure: Advertisers must demonstrate that they are certified, state-licensed entities operating legally within Missouri.  
• Accurate Business Model Identification: During the application process, advertisers must accurately identify their business model, choosing from options such as "Sports betting," "Daily fantasy sports," or "Online casino" (where permitted).
• Policy Adherence: Advertisers must commit to abiding by all of Google's advertising policies, including those related to gambling, as well as all local laws and industry standards.  
• Account Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of the ad account is essential to maintain certification status and ensure ongoing compliance. Falsifying certifications or submitting inaccurate documentation can lead to permanent bans from the platform.

Also Read- Google Unleashes AI & LLMs to Slash Invalid Ad Traffic by 40%.

Advertising Guidelines and Best Practices on Google Ads in Missouri.

Even with certification, sports betting advertisers in Missouri must adhere to specific Google Ads guidelines to ensure their campaigns are compliant and effective:

• Permitted Ad Formats and Content: While the policy allows sports betting advertising across most Google Ads formats, certain restrictions apply. The advertising content must strictly align with permitted gambling activities under Missouri state law. For instance, the policy specifically covers "sports betting" but does not automatically extend to other gambling categories like online casino games or social casino applications unless explicitly permitted and certified.  
• Geographic Targeting: Ads must be geographically targeted to reach only users within Missouri, where sports betting is legal. This is crucial to avoid violations in states where such advertising is prohibited.
• Landing Page Requirements: Destination URLs (landing pages) for sports betting ads must display clear information about responsible gambling. They should not offer gambling services themselves or link to gambling services owned by the advertiser if the destination is primarily an aggregator or informational site.
• Keyword Strategy: Advertisers should conduct thorough keyword research to target relevant terms while avoiding overly aggressive or misleading language. Focusing on compliant, high-intent keywords will maximize visibility among the target audience.

The Impact on the Missouri Market: Opportunities and Challenges

The green light from Google Ads presents significant opportunities for the burgeoning sports betting market in Missouri:

• Increased Visibility: Licensed operators can reach a vast audience of potential bettors through Google's expansive search and display networks.  
• Market Growth: Enhanced advertising capabilities are likely to accelerate the growth of the legal sports betting industry in Missouri, increasing engagement and revenue for both operators and the state.
• Competitive Edge: Compliant advertisers can gain a competitive edge by effectively reaching users actively searching for sports betting options.

However, challenges remain:

• Strict Compliance: The rigorous certification process and ongoing policy adherence demand significant attention and resources from advertisers.
• High Competition: As more operators enter the market, competition for ad space and keywords on Google Ads will intensify.  
• Potential for Violations: Any deviation from Google's policies or Missouri's laws can lead to ad disapprovals, account suspensions, or even permanent bans, underscoring the need for continuous vigilance.

Conclusion: A Regulated Yet Promising Future.

Google Ads' decision to accept sports betting advertisements in Missouri marks a pivotal moment for the state's newly legalized industry. This move not only provides a powerful platform for licensed operators to reach their audience but also reinforces the importance of responsible and compliant advertising practices. As Missouri gears up for its official sports betting launch in December 2025, the synergy between evolving state laws and adaptable advertising policies promises a dynamic and regulated future for the market. For advertisers, success will hinge on navigating these new policies with precision, ensuring both regulatory adherence and effective outreach.

How To Change Language in Gemini App.

Are you looking to switch Gemini to your preferred language? Whether you're using the Gemini app on your Android or iOS device, or accessing it through your web browser, adjusting the language settings is a straightforward process. This guide will walk you through each method, ensuring you can interact with Gemini in the language that suits you best.

Knowing how to change your language settings enhances your overall experience, allowing for more natural conversations and a comfortable interface. Let's dive in!

Understanding Gemini's Language Settings.

It's important to note that Gemini's language settings can be influenced by different factors:

• Gemini Mobile App (Android/iOS): The app usually has its own dedicated language setting, specifically for interacting with Gemini.
• Google Account Language: For the Gemini web interface, and sometimes for the app, the language is often tied to your broader Google Account language preferences.
• Device System Language (especially iOS): On iPhones and iPads, some app settings default to mirroring your device's overall system language.

We'll cover all these scenarios to make sure you find the right solution for you.

Method 1: Changing Language in the Gemini Mobile App (Android)

If you're using the Gemini app on your Android smartphone or tablet, here's how to change its language directly:

1. Open the Gemini App: Launch the Gemini application on your Android device.
2. Tap Your Profile Picture: In the top right corner of the screen, you'll see your profile picture or initial. Tap on it.
3. Go to Settings: From the dropdown menu that appears, tap on "Settings" (often represented by a gear icon).
   
   
   
4. Select Languages: Within the settings menu, look for and tap on "Languages" or "Languages for speaking to Gemini."
   
   
   
5. Choose Your Desired Language: You'll see a list of available languages. Select the one you wish to use (e.g., "English").
   
   
   
6. Restart Gemini (if prompted): The app may prompt you to restart Gemini for the changes to take full effect. Confirm the restart.

Your Gemini app should now display its interface and respond in your chosen language!

Method 2: Changing Language in the Gemini Mobile App (iOS - iPhone/iPad)

For iPhone and iPad users, the Gemini app's language often follows your device's system language settings. While there might not always be a direct in-app language setting, here's how you can influence it:

1. Open iPhone/iPad Settings: Go to your device's main "Settings" app.
2. Tap General: Scroll down and tap on "General."
3. Select Language & Region: Tap on "Language & Region."
   
   
   
4. Add/Reorder Languages:
• If "English" is not already listed, tap "Add Language..." and select "English" from the list.
• If "English" is already listed but not at the top, you can drag and drop it to the top of your "Preferred Languages" list.
  
  
  
5. Confirm Change: Your device will ask if you want to make English your primary language. Confirm this selection.
   
   
   
6. Restart Gemini App: Close the Gemini app completely (swipe up from the bottom and swipe the app card away) and then reopen it.

The Gemini app should now reflect your device's primary language setting.

Method 3: Changing Language for the Gemini Web Interface.

The language is typically linked to your overall Google Account settings if you're accessing Gemini through your web browser at gemini.google.com. Here’s how to change it:

1. Go to your Google Account: You can either visit myaccount.google.com directly or, while on gemini.google.com, click your profile picture in the top right corner and then select "Manage your Google Account."
   
   
   
2. Navigate to Personal Info: On the left-hand navigation pane, click "Personal info."
   
   
   
3. Find Language Settings: Scroll down to the "General preferences for the web" section. You'll see an option for "Language." Click on it.
   
   
   
4. Select your language:
• Click on your current language.
• A list of languages will appear. Choose "English."
• If English isn't listed, click "Add another language" to search for and add it.
  
  
  
5. Confirm and Refresh: Once selected, your Google Account language will update. You may need to refresh the Gemini web page (gemini.google.com) for the changes to take effect.

Troubleshooting Tips

• Restart the App/Browser: If the language doesn't change immediately, try completely closing and reopening the Gemini app or refreshing your web browser.
• Check for Updates: Ensure your Gemini app is updated to the latest version, as older versions might have different settings or bugs.
• Clear Cache (Android App): For Android users, if issues persist, you can try clearing the app's cache (Go to Phone Settings > Apps > Gemini > Storage > Clear cache).
• Verify Google Account Sync: Make sure your Google Account is properly synced across your devices.

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Google Phone App Rolling Out Customizable "Calling Cards" for Contacts

The way you see and present your contacts during calls is getting a stylish upgrade. Google is now widely rolling out "Calling Cards" to the Google Phone and Contacts apps, allowing users to personalize the incoming and outgoing call screens with custom images, fonts, and colors for each contact. This highly anticipated feature, similar in concept to Apple's Contact Posters, offers a fresh visual experience and deeper personalization for your Android device

For years, the call screen remained a largely static interface, often displaying just a small profile picture and a name. As smartphones became increasingly personal, a desire grew for more vibrant, customizable interactions. "Calling Cards" directly addresses this need, moving beyond simple caller ID to offer a full-screen, dynamically designed display that reflects your unique relationship with each person in your contact list.

What Are Google Phone Calling Cards?

"Calling Cards" are essentially enhanced profile displays that appear full-screen when you receive or make a call. Unlike some other platforms that focus on customizing your own outgoing display for others, Google's implementation puts the power of personalization in your hands for the contacts in your phone. This means you can decide how each individual contact appears on your device's call screen, making interactions more visually engaging and recognizable.

Key Features and How They Work:

• Customizable Visuals: When adding or editing a contact, or upon opening an existing contact's page, you'll see a prompt to "Try adding a calling card." You can choose an image from your camera, gallery, or seamlessly integrate with Google Photos to select the perfect picture.
• Font and Color Customization: Beyond just a picture, the editor allows you to select a specific font and color for the contact's name, which appears prominently on the Incoming Call screen. Options include a wide array of colors like Autumn Orange, Blush Pink, Royal Blue, and even a "Smart Color" option that adapts to the chosen image.
• Seamless Integration: The Calling Card image can also double as the contact's standard profile picture and will appear as a banner photo in the Google Contacts app, ensuring a consistent visual experience across your communication tools.
• Material 3 Expressive Design: This feature aligns with the recent Material 3 Expressive redesign seen in Google's Phone and Contacts apps, contributing to a more modern and cohesive user interface.
• Wide Rollout: While initially spotted in beta versions (specifically Phone by Google 188 beta and Contacts 4.61), this feature is now rolling out widely to users.

Credit: 9to5Google

Enhancing Your Calling Experience.

The introduction of Calling Cards in the Google Phone app marks a significant step towards more personalized and aesthetically pleasing mobile communication. Instead of generic caller ID screens, you'll be greeted by vibrant, custom visuals that make recognizing callers at a glance even easier and more delightful. This update caters to users who value both functionality and a personalized visual experience on their devices.

Availability.

The "Calling Card" feature is currently rolling out to users, particularly those on the beta channels of the Google Phone and Google Contacts apps. Users can expect to see the option appear in their apps over the coming days as the rollout progresses.

Adding Table of Content (TOC) in Blogger.

Creating engaging and easily navigable content is important for any blogger. Long, informative articles can be a treasure trove of information, but without proper organization, they can overwhelm readers and hinder their experience. This is where the Table of Contents (TOC) comes into play, acting as a roadmap that guides your audience through your blog posts.

Adding a table of contents isn't a built-in feature for Blogger users, like on some other platforms. However, fear not! This comprehensive guide will walk you through both manual and, more importantly, automatic methods to seamlessly integrate a TOC into your Blogger blog, significantly enhancing user experience and boosting your search engine optimization (SEO).

What is a Table of Contents (TOC)?

A Table of Contents (TOC) is a list of the main sections or topics within a document, book, or webpage, usually found at the beginning. It helps readers quickly see what's covered and jump directly to specific parts. Think of it as an interactive outline or a roadmap for the content.

Simple Definition

A Table of Contents is an organized list of headings and subheadings that shows what's in a document and where to find it. Each item in the list is typically a clickable link that jumps you to that section.

Why Should You Add a Table of Contents in Blogger?

I know you guys are more interested in the "how" section of this article, but it is also important to understand "why" TOC should be part of your long blog post and how it can improve user experience and SEO.

Here are some key benefits of a Table of Contents (TOC):

1. Improved User Experience (UX): A TOC allows readers to quickly scan the content and jump directly to the sections that interest them most. This saves time, reduces frustration, and keeps them engaged with your article. Think of it as providing instant access to the information they're looking for.
2. Enhanced SEO: Search engines like Google love well-structured content. A table of contents helps them better understand the hierarchy and key topics covered in your post. This can lead to:
• Improved Crawlability: Search engine bots can more easily navigate and index your content.
• Rich Snippets (Jump Links): Google may display jump links (links to specific sections within your article) directly in the search results, increasing your click-through rate (CTR).
• Keyword Optimization: The headings in your TOC often contain relevant keywords, further signaling to search engines the topic of your post.
3. Reduced Bounce Rate: When users can quickly find the information they need, they are more likely to stay on your page and explore further, thus reducing your bounce rate – a positive signal for search engines.
4. Increased Time on Page: By making your content more digestible and navigable, you encourage readers to spend more time on your page, another crucial metric for SEO.

Okay! Now that we are both aware of the benefits of using TOC, not implementing this in our blog post will be unfair for our long informative articles. Let's learn different approaches to implement this, and later you can decide which one suits best for your needs.

How To Add a Table of Contents in Blogger.

There are generally two approaches to adding a table of contents in Blogger:

1. Manual Table of Contents: This method involves manually identifying your headings, adding unique IDs to them in the HTML editor, and then creating a list of links that point to these IDs. While straightforward, this can be time-consuming, especially for long articles, and requires manual updates if you change your headings.

2. Automatic Table of Contents: This more efficient approach utilizes JavaScript code to automatically scan your post for headings (H2, H3, etc.) and generate a linked table of contents. This method is dynamic – if you change your headings, the TOC updates automatically.

Key Note:

While the manual TOC has its place for very short, static pages, for the vast majority of blog posts and content-rich websites, the automatic TOC is undeniably superior in terms of overall performance.

Method 1: Creating a Manual Table of Contents.

The manual TOC relies on a fundamental HTML concept called anchor links. These links allow you to jump to a specific part of the same web page. To make this work, you need two things:

1. An ID for the target element: A unique identifier (id) attached to the heading or section you want to link to.
2. A link pointing to that ID: An <a> tag with its href attribute set to # followed by the target element's id.

Step-by-Step Guide: Manually Adding TOC in Blogger.

Step 1: Open Your Blog Post in HTML View.

Go to your Blogger dashboard and click on "Posts" in the left sidebar. Either create a "New Post" or open an existing post you want to add a TOC to. 

In the post editor, you'll see two views: "Compose view" (the visual editor) and "HTML view" (the code editor). Click on the "HTML view" tab/button. This is crucial, as you'll be editing the underlying code.

Step 2: Add Unique IDs to your headings.

Now, you need to identify the headings (e.g., H2, H3, H4) in your post that you want to include in your TOC. For each of these headings, you'll add a unique id attribute.

• Locate your headings: Scroll through the HTML view and find your heading tags (e.g.,<h2>, <h3>, <h4>).
• Add an id attribute: Inside the opening tag of each heading, add id="your-unique-id".
• Each id must be unique within that entire blog post.
• IDs should contain only letters, numbers, hyphens (-), and underscores (_). Avoid spaces or special characters.
• Make them descriptive but concise (e.g., id="introduction", id="step-one", id="benefits-of-x").

Step 3: Create a Table of Contents List.

With your headings now uniquely identified, proceed to build the Table of Contents list itself, typically placed at the top of your post. You can achieve this by typing out your desired heading titles as a bulleted or numbered list in the "Compose view." 

For each list item, select the text, click the "Link" icon in the editor, and in the URL field, type a hashtag (#) followed directly by the exact ID you assigned to that corresponding heading in Step 2 (e.g., #introduction for the "Introduction" section). Repeat this linking process for every item in your TOC until all sections are correctly connected. 

Or you can use the below sample code:

Example: Paste this code where you want to add the TOC in the post with updated ID and Headings.

<div class="toc-container">
  <h4>Table of Contents</h4>
  <ul>
    <li><a href="#introduction">Introduction</a></li>
    <li><a href="#key-features">Key Features</a></li>
    <li><a href="#setting-up">Setting Up</a></li>
    <li><a href="#troubleshooting">Troubleshooting</a></li>
  </ul>
</div>

Note: The div with toc-container and h4 for "Table of Contents" are added for structure, but the core is the ul and li with anchor links.

Step 4: Style Your Table of Contents (Optional but Recommended)

To ensure your manually created Table of Contents looks appealing and seamlessly integrates with your blog's overall design, you can apply custom CSS. This step allows you to control its visual appearance, from fonts and colors to spacing and borders.

To begin, navigate to your Blogger dashboard. From there, locate and click "Theme" in the left sidebar, then click the "Customize" button.

Within the customization options, find and select "Advanced," which will then present you with the choice to "Add CSS." This is the dedicated area where you will paste your custom styling code. After inserting your CSS, click "Save" to apply the changes to your blog's theme.

Example CSS (you can adjust colors, fonts, margins, etc.):

.toc-container {
  border: 1px solid #ddd;
  padding: 15px;
  margin: 20px 0;
  background-color: #f9f9f9;
  border-radius: 5px;
}

.toc-container h4 {
  font-size: 1.1em;
  color: #333;
  margin-top: 0;
  margin-bottom: 10px;
}

.toc-container ul {
  list-style-type: none; /* Removes default bullets/numbers */
  padding-left: 0;
  margin-bottom: 0;
}

.toc-container li {
  margin-bottom: 8px;
}

.toc-container a {
  text-decoration: none;
  color: #007bff; /* Example link color */
  transition: color 0.3s ease;
}

.toc-container a:hover {
  color: #0056b3; /* Example hover color */
  text-decoration: underline;
}

Step 5: Preview and Publish Your Post.

Click the "Preview" button in the Blogger post editor to see how your TOC looks and if the links work correctly. If everything looks good, click "Publish" (or "Update" for an existing post).

The manual method is a good way to understand how anchor links work and is suitable for occasional, shorter posts where you need precise control. However, for a scalable and efficient solution, an automatic TOC is generally preferred.

Method 2: Implementing an Automatic Table of Contents.

This method is recommended for most Blogger users as it automatically generates the TOC based on your post's headings, saving you significant time and effort in the long run. It involves adding a bit of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to your Blogger theme.

Step-by-step Guide: Automatic Table of Contents.

Step 1: Prepare your blog post headings.

Before adding any code, ensure your blog posts are structured correctly using Blogger's heading options. The automatic script will rely on these.

When writing your posts in "Compose view," always use the built-in heading styles (e.g., "Heading," "Subheading," "Minor heading") for your main sections and sub-sections. These correspond to HTML tags like <h2>, <h3>, <h4>, etc.

Step 2: Add the HTML placeholder for the TOC.

This is where your Table of Contents will actually appear in your blog posts. You'll add a simple div element.

1. Open or Create a Post: Go to your Blogger dashboard, then "Posts," and open the post where you want the TOC to appear.
2. Switch to HTML View: In the post editor, click on the "HTML view" tab/button.
3. Insert the Placeholder: Decide where you want your TOC to show up. The most common and effective place is right after your introductory paragraph, before the first main heading (<h2>).

Note: This check ensures the script only runs if you've placed the code in your post, preventing errors on pages without a TOC.

Paste the following HTML Code:

<div id="blog-toc-container"></div>

Step 3: Add the Custom CSS for Styling the TOC.

From the Blogger dashboard, click on Theme > Customize > Advanced and select the "Add CSS" option from the drop-down. Copy the following CSS code and paste it into the "Add CSS" box. You can modify the values (colors, padding, margins, etc.) to match your blog's design.

CSS Code:

/* Table of Contents Styling */
#blog-toc-container {
  background: #fdfdfd; /* Light background for the box */
  border: 1px solid #e0e0e0; /* Subtle border */
  padding: 20px;
  margin: 25px 0; /* Space above and below the TOC */
  border-radius: 8px; /* Slightly rounded corners */
  box-shadow: 0 2px 5px rgba(0,0,0,0.05); /* Soft shadow */
}

#blog-toc-container .toc-title {
  font-size: 1.25em; /* Larger title font */
  font-weight: 700; /* Bold title */
  color: #333;
  margin-bottom: 15px; /* Space below title */
  text-align: center; /* Center the title */
}

#blog-toc-container ul {
  list-style: none; /* Remove default list bullets/numbers */
  padding-left: 0;
  margin: 0;
}

#blog-toc-container li {
  margin-bottom: 8px; /* Space between list items */
  line-height: 1.5;
}

#blog-toc-container a {
  text-decoration: none; /* Remove underline from links */
  color: #007bff; /* Link color */
  font-weight: 500;
  transition: color 0.3s ease; /* Smooth hover effect */
}

#blog-toc-container a:hover {
  color: #0056b3; /* Link hover color */
  text-decoration: underline;
}

/* Indentation for subheadings */
#blog-toc-container ul ul {
  margin-left: 5px; /* Indent for H3 */
  padding-left: 5px;
}

#blog-toc-container ul ul ul {
  margin-left: 5px; /* Indent for H4 */
  padding-left: 5px;
}

Click "Save" at the bottom right of the theme customizer.

Step 4: Add the JavaScript for Generating the TOC.

This code finds headings and creates a TOC dynamically.

1. From the Blogger dashboard, click on Theme in the left sidebar and select "Edit HTML" from the drop-down.
2. Locate the </body> Tag: Carefully scroll down to the very end of your theme's HTML code and find the closing </body> tag. Press Ctrl+F to find the exact keyword.
3. Paste the following JavaScript code just before the </body> tag and click on the Save icon. This ensures the entire page content is loaded before the script tries to find the headings. 

JavaScript Code:

<script>
//<![CDATA[
document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() {
    const tocContainer = document.getElementById('blog-toc-container');

    if (tocContainer) { // Ensure the TOC container exists on the page
        const postBody = document.querySelector('.post-body, .blog-post-body'); // Adjust based on your theme's content selector
        if (!postBody) {
            console.warn("Could not find post body. TOC generation aborted.");
            return;
        }

        const headings = postBody.querySelectorAll('h2, h3, h4'); // Select heading levels to include

        if (headings.length > 0) {
            let tocHtml = '<div class="toc-title">Table of Contents</div><ul class="toc-main-list">';
            let currentH2 = null;
            let currentH3 = null;

            headings.forEach((heading, index) => {
                // Generate a unique ID for the heading if it doesn't have one
                const headingId = heading.id || 'section-' + (index + 1);
                heading.id = headingId; // Assign the ID back to the heading

                const headingText = heading.textContent.trim();
                const tagName = heading.tagName.toLowerCase(); // h2, h3, h4

                if (tagName === 'h2') {
                    if (currentH2) { // Close previous h2's ul if open
                        if (currentH3) {
                            tocHtml += '</ul>'; // Close h3 ul
                            currentH3 = null;
                        }
                        tocHtml += '</ul>'; // Close h2 ul
                    }
                    tocHtml += `<li><a href="#${headingId}">${headingText}</a><ul class="toc-h2-list">`;
                    currentH2 = headingText;
                    currentH3 = null; // Reset H3 for new H2
                } else if (tagName === 'h3') {
                    if (!currentH2) { // If an H3 appears before any H2, handle it (e.g., skip or add to main list)
                        // Optional: You could add it to the main list or skip
                        // For simplicity, we'll ensure it's nested under an H2 or add to top level if no H2
                         tocHtml += `<li><a href="#${headingId}">${headingText}</a></li>`;
                    } else {
                        if (!currentH3) {
                            tocHtml += `<ul class="toc-h3-list">`;
                            currentH3 = headingText;
                        }
                        tocHtml += `<li><a href="#${headingId}">${headingText}</a></li>`;
                    }
                } else if (tagName === 'h4') {
                    if (!currentH3) { // If H4 appears without H3, try to nest under H2, or add to top
                        if (!currentH2) {
                            tocHtml += `<li><a href="#${headingId}">${headingText}</a></li>`; // Add to main list if no H2/H3
                        } else {
                            tocHtml += `<ul class="toc-h3-list"><li><a href="#${headingId}">${headingText}</a></li></ul>`; // Create temporary H3 list
                        }
                    } else {
                         tocHtml += `<ul class="toc-h4-list"><li><a href="#${headingId}">${headingText}</a></li></ul>`; // H4s usually don't nest further
                    }
                }
            });

            // Close any open lists at the end
            if (currentH3) {
                tocHtml += '</ul>';
            }
            if (currentH2) {
                tocHtml += '</ul>';
            }
            tocHtml += '</ul>'; // Close the main list

            tocContainer.innerHTML = tocHtml;
        } else {
            tocContainer.style.display = 'none'; // Hide container if no headings found
        }
    }
});
//]]>
</script>

Key Points.

• You may need to inspect your blog's HTML (right-click on a post, "Inspect" or "View Page Source") to find the exact class name or ID of the div that contains your main post content. If neither of these works for your theme, replace it with the correct selector (e.g., #main-post-content if your content div has an ID).
• headings Selector: postBody.querySelectorAll('h2, h3, h4'); determines which heading levels will be included in your TOC. If you only use H2 and H3, you can remove h4.

Step 5: Test Your Automatic Table of Contents.

Go to any blog post where you've added the <div id="blog-toc-container"></div> placeholder and view it in your browser. The user can now easily navigate to different sections of the blog post.

⚠️ Troubleshoot

TOC not appearing? Double-check the postBody selector in the JavaScript matches your theme, and ensure the <div id="blog-toc-container"></div> is present in the post. Also, check for JavaScript errors in your browser's console (right-click, Inspect, Console tab).

Conclusion

The automatic Table of Contents is the clear winner for most modern websites and blogs for performance, efficiency, and sanity. It offers superior scalability, drastically reduces maintenance, and, when implemented correctly, can contribute positively to your page load speed. Invest a little time upfront in setting up a robust automatic TOC script, and you'll reap the performance and productivity benefits for years to come.