SEO Daily News Recap for Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Organic SEO & Search News
Organic search traffic is down 2.5% YoY, new data shows – SEO isn’t dead. New data confirms it: traffic grew at the largest sites, and the sharpest declines were felt by the top 100 to 10,000 sites.
Does llms.txt matter? We tracked 10 sites to find out – We analyzed llms.txt across 10 websites. Only two saw AI traffic increases — and it wasn’t because of the file.
How to Rank in AI Overviews: What Actually Works (Based on Data, Not Speculation) – Learn how to rank in AI Overviews with data-backed strategies—from optimizing content for fan-out queries to better matching searcher intent.
Google Shopping API cutoff looms, putting ad delivery at risk – Advertisers must migrate to Google’s new Merchant API or risk Shopping and Performance Max campaigns stopping altogether.
Daily Search Forum Recap: January 20, 2026 – Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today, through the eyes of the Search Engine Roundtable and other search forums on the web.
Paid Search & Platform Innovations
Google AI Mode is testing lighter font colors for product pricing and inventory – Google AI Mode prompts for query fan out is live. Google AI Overviews can show answers with strikethroughs. And more advertiser may be trying out Microsoft Advertising this year.
Google AI Mode Showing Product Inventory & Pricing In Light Font – Google AI Mode is showing really light colored fonts for product pricing and inventory when you click on a product.
More Advertisers To Add Microsoft Advertising To Marketing Mix – Navah Hopkins, the Microsoft Advertiser Ads Liaison, asked on LinkedIn if you will be adding Microsoft Advertising part of your marketing mix in 2026?
Google AI Mode Prompting To Narrow Your Query – Back in May, Google announced updates to shopping in AI Mode. One of those announcements is to help you narrow down your AI Mode results for shopping queries using query fan-out.
General Digital Marketing
FTC Announces Appeal in Meta Antitrust Case – Meta will have to defend itself once again.
X Publishes AI-Powered Algorithm Code – X has tried to simplify its algorithm ranking, with mixed results.
Meta Adds More Languages to AI Translations for Reels – More ways to reach potentially millions more viewers with your Reels clips.
Dive into our detailed sections for more insights and updates.
Organic SEO & Search News
SEO Daily News and Algorithm Updates
FTC Announces Appeal in Meta Antitrust Case
Meta will have to defend itself once again…
Source:
Unknown Source
Meta Looks to Establish Definitive Rules on Banning Public Figures
Meta’s called on its Oversight Board to help it establish clearer parameters and penalties.
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Social Media Today – Latest News
YouTube Updates Video Management Options on Mobile
The latest updates to YouTube’s mobile upload and management options.
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Social Media Today – Latest News
TikTok Still Faces Expulsion From the U.S.
With two days to go before its next deadline, details are yet to be confirmed about TikTok’s US sell off.
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Social Media Today – Latest News
Organic search traffic is down 2.5% YoY, new data shows
SEO isn’t dead. New data confirms it: traffic grew at the largest sites, and the sharpest declines were felt by the top 100 to 10,000 sites.
Source:
Search Engine Land
How to Rank in AI Overviews: What Actually Works (Based on Data, Not Speculation)
Learn how to rank in AI Overviews with data-backed strategies—from optimizing content for fan-out queries to better matching searcher intent.
Source:
General SEO – SEO Blog by Ahrefs
Daily Search Forum Recap: January 20, 2026
Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today, through the eyes of the Search Engine Roundtable and other search forums on the web.
Google does not endorse LLMs.txt files for Google Search. Google AI Mode is testing lighter font colors for product pricing and inventory. Google AI Mode prompts for query fan out is live. Google AI Overviews can show answers with strikethroughs. And more advertiser may be trying out Microsoft Advertising this year.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
Google Search Team Does Not Endorse LLMs.txt Files
Yep…
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Search Engine Roundtable
Google Does Not Endorse LLMs.txt Files
Yep, back on comments from Google on the LLMs.txt file. Another question came up on Bluesky asking if the fact that some Google properties still have the LLMs.txt files up, if that is some sort of endorsement from Google. John Mueller from Google said, simply, "no," it is not an endorsement.
Source:
Search Engine Roundtable
Google AI Overviews With Font Strikethrough
Here is a weird one – one person named Kunjal Chawhan spotted a Google AI Overview that had an HTML font strikethrough in the text. So it looks like Google is offering an answer, but it’s struck through as a false answer…
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Search Engine Roundtable
Technical SEO
Does llms.txt matter? We tracked 10 sites to find out
We analyzed llms.txt across 10 websites. Only two saw AI traffic increases — and it wasn’t because of the file.
Source:
Search Engine Land
Google AI Mode Showing Product Inventory & Pricing In Light Font
Google AI Mode is showing really light colored fonts for product pricing and inventory when you click on a product. This differs from the normal font type in the main Google Search results interface.
Source:
Search Engine Roundtable
SEO Tools and Data Analysis
Starting today anyone can analyze any (describable) audience in SparkToro – SparkToro
Until now, if you wanted to research an audience with SparkToro, you needed to choose a particular website, a search keyword, or a URL to analyze…. No
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SparkToro
International SEO
Meta Adds More Languages to AI Translations for Reels
More ways to reach potentially millions more viewers with your Reels clips.
Source:
Social Media Today – Latest News
AI and Machine Learning in SEO
X Publishes AI-Powered Algorithm Code
X has tried to simplify its algorithm ranking, with mixed results.
Source:
Social Media Today – Latest News
Why LLM-only pages aren’t the answer to AI search
Creating pages only machines will see won’t improve AI search visibility. Data shows standard SEO fundamentals still drive AI citations.
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Search Engine Land
7 real-world AI failures that show why adoption keeps going wrong
From illegal trades to chatbot lawsuits, these examples reveal the operational, legal, and reputational risks behind failed AI deployments.
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Search Engine Land
ChatGPT apps are about to be the next big distribution channel: Here’s how to build one
A step-by-step guide to jumping in and building your first ChatGPT app
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Lenny’s Newsletter
Google AI Mode Prompting To Narrow Your Query
Back in May, Google announced updates to shopping in AI Mode. One of those announcements is to help you narrow down your AI Mode results for shopping queries using query fan-out. Well, here is an example of that where Google AI Mode is prompting you to narrow down the options.
Source:
Search Engine Roundtable
Yext’s Visibility Brief: Your guide to brand visibility in AI search
Explore insights on how to lead, adapt, and grow in a world where AI agents decide which brands surface, and which disappear.
Source:
Search Engine Land
ChatGPT apps are about to be the next big distribution channel: Here’s how to build one
A step-by-step guide to jumping in and building your first ChatGPT app
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Lenny’s Newsletter
Content Marketing and Strategy
Every Marketer Says You Need "Taste". Here’s What That Actually Means
AI makes content creation free. That means taste—knowing what’s worth making—is now your only differentiation. Here’s how to develop it.
Career Development and Industry Trends
SEO in 2026: What will stay the same
Hype cycles come and go. But real SEO gains still depend on trust, crawlable data, and meeting user needs — not chasing the latest novelty.
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Search Engine Land
9 of the Best PR & Communications Conferences & Events to Attend in 2026
We’ve rounded up 9 of the best PR and communications conferences and events to attend in 2026.
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Digitaloft
Paid Search & Platform Innovations
Paid Search and Advertising
Google Shopping API cutoff looms, putting ad delivery at risk
Advertisers must migrate to Google’s new Merchant API or risk Shopping and Performance Max campaigns stopping altogether.
Source:
Search Engine Land
More Advertisers To Add Microsoft Advertising To Marketing Mix
Navah Hopkins, the Microsoft Advertiser Ads Liaison, asked on LinkedIn if you will be adding Microsoft Advertising part of your marketing mix in 2026? The poll had over 200 responses, with most saying it is already included in that mix but 36% saying they will be adding it to the mix.
Source:
Search Engine Roundtable
Job Postings
Job Postings
1/20/2026
SEO Analyst ~ NetReputation.com ~ $50,000-$85,000 ~ Remote (WW)
We are a fast-growing digital marketing agency specializing in online reputation management, review management, SEO, and content services. Our mission is to help individuals and brands take control of their digital presence through ethical, strategic, and forward-thinking solutions. Base Pay Range $50,000.00/yr – $80,000.00/yr The Role We are seeking an SEO Strategist or SEO Analyst […]
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SEO Agency Jobs – SEOjobs.com
Job Postings
1/20/2026
SEO Specialist ~ Amsive LLC ~ $65,000-$85,000 ~ Remote (USA)
Who We Are At Amsive, we’re more than just a performance marketing agency; we’re a team that thrives on collaboration and innovation. We offer a supportive environment where personal growth is just as important as professional development. We’re a team of passionate individuals ready to tackle challenges, learn from one another, and drive results. We […]
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SEO Agency Jobs – SEOjobs.com
Job Postings
1/20/2026
SEO Specialist (German speaking) ~ WIS ~ ~45k per annum ~ Remote (WW)
Join a leading affiliate in the iGaming industry as a SEO Specialist! WIS – who? Web International Services (WIS) is a lead generation company operating within the iGaming sector since 2012. Our mission is to provide players with top-notch data and reliable information through our one-stop-shop portals to enrich their betting experience. Our people are the experts […]
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In-house SEO jobs – SEOjobs.com
Job Postings
1/20/2026
SEO Manager (Contract) ~ Brand Poets ~ $60,000-$90,000 ~ Remote (USA)
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Manager About Brand Poets Brand Poets is a boutique, award-winning brand strategy and creative agency headquartered in Miami, Florida. With a growing global team and a mission to elevate brands through clarity, creativity, and purpose-driven storytelling, we’re now expanding into SEO services to bring measurable digital performance to our clients’ brands. […]
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SEO Agency Jobs – SEOjobs.com
Job Postings
1/20/2026
Growth Account Executive, GEO & AI Search ~ Textbroker ~ 4000 Euro ~ Hybrid in-office (DE)
Sario Marketing GmbH Textbroker has 20+ years of experience as market leading service provider in the areas of content strategy and creation, localization, editing, and automation. Your Role Talk to companies that feel their SEO is losing impact and explain how AI Search, GEO & AI visibility really work (without buzzwords) Design and execute sales strategies that consistently outperform targets Take full […]
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SEO Agency Jobs – SEOjobs.com
Job Postings
1/20/2026
SEO Manager ~ Big Health ~ £40,000-£50,000 ~ Remote (UK)
Our Mission At Big Health, our mission is to help millions back to good mental health by providing fully digital, non-drug options for the most common mental health conditions. Our FDA-clear digital therapeutics—SleepioRx for insomnia and DaylightRx for anxiety—guide patients through first-line recommended, evidence-based cognitive and behavioral therapy anytime, anywhere. Our digital program, Spark Direct, […]
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In-house SEO jobs – SEOjobs.com

























