Daily Search Forum Recap: January 19, 2026

01/19/26
Source: Search Engine Roundtable by barry@rustybrick.com (Barry Schwartz). Read the original article

TL;DR Summary of Key Updates in Search and AI Technologies

OpenAI will soon test ads in ChatGPT on free and low-cost tiers, clearly labeled and separate from AI responses. Google’s Gemini 3 Pro now powers AI Overviews for complex queries, enhancing search experiences. Google is actively appealing the search monopoly ruling and warns against using free subdomain hosting due to spam risks. Additionally, comment link spam has no impact on SEO or site rankings, according to Google.

Optimixed’s Overview: Essential Developments in AI, Search Policies, and SEO Best Practices

OpenAI’s Advertising Experiment in ChatGPT

OpenAI announced plans to introduce ads in ChatGPT responses within the next few weeks. These ads will appear on the free ChatGPT version and the low-cost subscription tier called ChatGPT Go. Importantly, ads will be displayed underneath the main AI-generated answers and will not influence the content of the responses. Advertisers will not have access to user conversations, and all ads will be clearly labeled to maintain transparency.

Google’s Gemini 3 Pro Enhances AI Overviews

Google has upgraded its AI-powered search tools by integrating Gemini 3 Pro to power AI Overviews, especially for complex queries. This advancement follows an earlier announcement about Gemini 3 Pro supporting AI Mode. The inclusion of Gemini 3 Pro aims to improve the accuracy and depth of AI-generated summaries and insights within Google Search.

Legal and Hosting Warnings from Google

  • Search Monopoly Appeal: Google is appealing a ruling that declared it an illegal search monopoly and has requested a pause on imposed remedies during the appeal process.
  • Free Subdomain Hosting Risks: Google’s John Mueller cautions website owners against using free subdomain hosting services. Such platforms tend to attract spam and low-quality content, which can harm site credibility and SEO.
  • Comment Link Spam: Mueller also emphasized that spammy links in comment sections neither help nor harm a website’s search rankings, as Google disregards these links entirely.

Additional Industry Insights

The search and AI landscape continues to evolve rapidly, with ongoing lawsuits involving major publishers and tech companies over ad practices and copyright issues. Meanwhile, Google maintains engagement with educational programs and government relations to shape future policies. SEO professionals and digital marketers should stay informed about these changes to adapt strategies effectively.