SEO Daily News Recap for Thursday, January 8, 2026
Organic SEO & Search News
YouTube Updates Search Filter Terms and Functions – The changes are mostly just wording updates.
Google’s John Mueller on SEO vs. GEO: Focus on audience behavior – AI isn’t going away, but Mueller says strategy beats semantics. Focus on how users really find and engage with your site.
Where affiliates can get traffic beyond Google search – As organic search sends fewer visitors to publishers, affiliates are finding traffic through communities, courses, and partnerships.
Google Vehicle Ads With Call Assets – Google seems to be testing showing call assets on Vehicle Ads within Google Search.
Paid Search & Platform Innovations
Google Ads API tightens conversion data rules – Advertisers who don’t migrate to the Data Manager API risk broken conversion tracking when Google tightens Ads API data rules in 2026.
Microsoft launches Copilot Checkout and Brand Agents – These new agentic experiences were showcased at the NRF 2026 conference.
Microsoft Hiring Senior Product Manager To Fight Spam On Bing & Copilot – Microsoft is hiring a “very” Senior Product Manager who will initially work on fighting spam across Bing and Copilot.
General Digital Marketing
Looking Ahead to a Year of Smarter Trend-Spotting – 2025 was power-packed with impactful updates to the Exploding Topics app.
7 Digital Marketing Trends to Watch for in 2026 – In the final post of our 2026 planning series, we look at some evolving industry shifts, including sharing behavior and emerging platforms.
TikTok Announces New Partnership with FIFA World Cup – Sports are clearly a big focus for TikTok in 2026.
WhatsApp Tests Usernames as Primary Connection Display – WhatsApp is preparing users for the switch to usernames, as opposed to phone numbers.
Dive into our detailed sections for more insights and updates.
Organic SEO & Search News
SEO Daily News and Algorithm Updates
YouTube Updates Search Filter Terms and Functions
The changes are mostly just wording updates.
Source:
Social Media Today – Latest News
X Faces Bans in Several Regions Over Grok-Produced Images
Grok is reportedly producing over 6.5k sexualized images every day.
Source:
Social Media Today – Latest News
TikTok Announces New Partnership with FIFA World Cup
Sports are clearly a big focus for TikTok in 2026.
Source:
Social Media Today – Latest News
YouTuvbe Updates Search Filter Terms and Functions
The changes are mostly just wording updates.
Source:
Social Media Today – Latest News
Daily Search Forum Recap: January 8, 2026
Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today…
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Search Engine Roundtable
Tailwind CSS Lets Go Of 75% Of Engineering Team After 40% Traffic Drop To Docs From Google
Adam Wathan the creator of Tailwind CSS posted that he had to let go of 75% of his engineering team because of AI. He said traffic to the Tailwind help documentation is down 40% and that is where most people learn about his solution and then buy commercial products. He added his revenue is down 80%.
Source:
Search Engine Roundtable
SEO Tools and Data Analysis
Looking Ahead to a Year of Smarter Trend-Spotting
2025 was power-packed with impactful updates to the Exploding Topics app. A migration to Semrush, a supercharged API, an all-new TikTok Insights add-on, + more!
Source:
Unknown Source
Local SEO
Don’t Create Separate Google Business Profile For Department Listings
Greg Gifford, a veteran automotive and local SEO, published a hard warning to vendors suggesting that they tell automotive dealerships to set up separate Google Business Profile department listings for separate services. He said, do not, do not, do this and that it can lead to your Google Business Profiles being suspended and removed from Google Search and Google Maps.
Source:
Search Engine Roundtable
AI and Machine Learning in SEO
Assessing the Safety of AI Projects [Infographic]
A look at how each of the major AI projects stacks up on safety and risk management.
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Social Media Today – Latest News
7 hard truths about measuring AI visibility and GEO performance
From probabilistic answers to off-site signals, AI visibility works differently than SEO. These seven truths explain how and why.
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Search Engine Land
Career Development and Industry Trends
7 Digital Marketing Trends to Watch for in 2026
In the final post of our 2026 planning series, we look at some evolving industry shifts, including sharing behavior and emerging platforms.
Source:
Social Media Today – Latest News
7 Digital Marketing Trend Predictions for 2026
In the final post of our 2026 planning series, we look at some evolving industry shifts.
Source:
Social Media Today – Latest News
Microsoft Hiring Senior Product Manager To Fight Spam On Bing & Copilot
Microsoft is hiring a "very" Senior Product Manager who will initially work on fighting spam across Bing and Copilot. Fabrice Canel said this is a "very" senior PM role and the job description says the "initial focus on reducing Spam in Copilot, Bing, MSN and Ads."
Source:
Search Engine Roundtable
E-commerce and Affiliate SEO
Where affiliates can get traffic beyond Google search
As organic search sends fewer visitors to publishers, affiliates are finding traffic through communities, courses, and partnerships.
Source:
Search Engine Land
Microsoft launches Copilot Checkout and Brand Agents
These new agentic experiences were showcased at the NRF 2026 conference.
Source:
Search Engine Land
User Experience and SEO Optimization
WhatsApp Tests Usernames as Primary Connection Display
WhatsApp is preparing users for the switch to usernames, as opposed to phone numbers.
Source:
Social Media Today – Latest News
Google’s John Mueller on SEO vs. GEO: Focus on audience behavior
AI isn’t going away, but Mueller says strategy beats semantics. Focus on how users really find and engage with your site.
Source:
Search Engine Land
Google’s John Mueller On If You Should Invest In GEO
John Mueller, a Google Search Analyst, responded to a question on Reddit named Is SEO still enough, or do we need to start thinking about GEO too? In short, John said you should look at the "full picture, and prioritize accordingly."
Source:
Search Engine Roundtable
Paid Search & Platform Innovations
Paid Search and Advertising
Google Ads API tightens conversion data rules
Advertisers who don’t migrate to the Data Manager API risk broken conversion tracking when Google tightens Ads API data rules in 2026.
Source:
Search Engine Land
Google Vehicle Ads With Call Assets
Google seems to be testing showing call assets on Vehicle Ads within Google Search. So on the Vehicle Ads there is a way to call the dealer or seller, like you see on some other ads.
Source:
Search Engine Roundtable
Google Ads for niche markets: What actually works in 2026
Niche markets don’t generate enough data for standard Google Ads playbooks. Learn how to use signals and automation when search volume is low.
Source:
Search Engine Land
Job Postings
Job Postings
1/8/2026
SEO Specialist ~ Parker Waichman LLP ~ In-office (USA) ~ Port Washington, NY, United States
Job Description If you are a very experienced and very successful SEO specialist, we are looking for you! Long Island-based national law firm is seeking such a person, full-time, to join our team. We need someone who is very passionate about SEO and Digital Marketing and can bring our relevant website pages to the top […]
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In-house SEO jobs – SEOjobs.com
Job Postings
1/8/2026
Director, Digital Content Marketing ~ Shriners Children’s ~ $96,760-$145,140 ~ In-office (USA) ~ Tampa, FL, United States
Overview For more than a century, Shriners Children’s has delivered The Most Amazing Care Anywhere, providing world-class pediatric specialty care regardless of a family’s ability to pay. Today, we are reimagining how families, donors, providers, and communities discover and engage with our mission across digital platforms. We’re seeking a Director of Digital Content Marketing to […]
Job Postings
1/8/2026
MARKETING SPECIALIST – SEO ~ Micro Center Inc ~ In-office (USA) ~ Hilliard, OH, United States
Job Description MICRO CENTER is the nation’s leading computer and electronic device big box retailer! Our technology superstore has an industry-leading 40,000+ selection of premier computer products and the most knowledgeable staff in the business. Passion, Energy & Commitment describe life at Micro Center. We are passionate about customer service and developing long-term customer relationships. […]
Source:
In-house SEO jobs – SEOjobs.com
Job Postings
1/8/2026
SEO, GEO &Content Strategist ~ Stratabeat ~ USD $85,000 ~ Remote (US/CAN/LatAM)
Do you like to think big? Do you want to help transform B2B brands and accelerate their growth? Do you want to work for a company that encourages strategic thinking? Do you want your ideas not only heard but also acted upon? If so, let’s talk! You’ll fit in if you… Are insatiably curious Strive […]
Source:
SEO Agency Jobs – SEOjobs.com
Job Postings
1/8/2026
Senior Manager, Content Marketing ~ Maven Clinic ~ $140,000-$160,000 ~ Hybrid (New York, NY, United States)
Job Description Maven is the world’s largest virtual clinic for women and families on a mission to make healthcare work for all of us. Maven’s award-winning digital programs provide clinical, emotional, and financial support all in one platform, spanning fertility & family building, maternity & newborn care, parenting & pediatrics, and menopause & midlife. More […]
Source:
In-house SEO jobs – SEOjobs.com
