Same URL in AI Overviews and blue links counts as one Google Search Console impression

Google’s John Mueller confirms that when a URL appears in an AI Overview and as a blue link on the SERP, it won’t count as two impressions.

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Search Engine Land

Daily Search Forum Recap: January 21, 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 is brewing again – we got more search volatility kicking into gear. Some more legal docs disclose maybe more details about Google’s search signals. Gemini has a new "answer now" button to skip the wait. Ads are not coming to the Gemini app…

Source:
Search Engine Roundtable

January 2026 Google Update: What we’re seeing so far – Lily Ray

Google has confirmed the official rollout of the January 2026 Google Update, a broad algorithm update that appears to further refine how originality, usefulness, and site-level trust are assessed inContinue readingJanuary 2026 Google Update: What we’re seeing so far

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Lily Ray

Google Search Monopoly Appeal Legal Docs On Search Factors

As you know, Google has appealed its search monopoly ruling and with that, filed a number of new documents with the court. One is an affidavit of Elizabeth Reid, Google’s Vice President and Head of Search. The other is of Jesse Adkins Director of Product Management for Search Syndication and Search Ads Syndication.

Source:
Search Engine Roundtable

Google Adds "Answer Now" Link To Gemini App

Google added an "Answer now" link or button to the Gemini app. Clicking "Answer now" will stop Google’s Gemini from thinking and then give you an answer right away using Gemini 3 Flash model.

Source:
Search Engine Roundtable

Google Search Ranking Volatility Heats Up Again January 21

Last week,I reported on January 15th of a Google Search ranking update with a lot of heated volatility. Truth is, it went through the weekend, but now it is spiking back up again as of yesterday and today – January 20th and 21st.

Source:
Search Engine Roundtable

The local SEO gatekeeper: How Google defines your entity

Google won’t rank what it can’t confidently identify. See how business names and primary categories determine local search eligibility.

Source:
Search Engine Land

Minnesota SEO Consultant Launches Donation-for-Consulting Initiative to Support Locals Impacted by ICE Activity » Nick LeRoy Consulting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Source:
Blog – Nick LeRoy Consulting

Google Local Service Ads Verified Section With Passed License Check, Number Of Recent Bookings, etc

Google is testing adding to the verification section of the Local Service Ads detail screen various details and qualifiers. These details and qualifiers include attributes such as Passed License Check" , "Number Of Recent Bookings", "Passed Background Check" And "Has Business Insurance."

Source:
Search Engine Roundtable

International SEO in 2026: What still works, what no longer does, and why

AI-mediated search introduces new risks for international SEO. See how semantic collapse and freshness drift shape global visibility.

Source:
Search Engine Land

Meta Announces Funding Grants for Research Into AI Glasses Use

Meta’s looking for uniwue, valuable use cases for its AI glasses.

Source:
Social Media Today – Latest News

OpenAI moves on ChatGPT ads with impression-based launch

ChatGPT ads are coming soon, offering advertisers early access to a new impression-based placement inside conversational AI.

Source:
Search Engine Land

How digital marketing agencies are adapting to AI search

Ten agencies explain how they retooled SEO, metrics, and client strategy as AI answers cut clicks, shorten journeys, and reward brand authority.

Source:
Search Engine Land

Nick LeRoy turns SEO consulting into fundraiser for Minnesota immigrant support

Consulting hours become donations as a well-known SEO turns outrage over ICE raids into rapid financial support for impacted families.

Source:
Search Engine Land

YouTube’s CEO Outlines Key Areas of Focus for 2026

AI, CTV and creators are high on the agenda for YouTube CEO Neal Mohan.

Source:
Social Media Today – Latest News

X Adds Starter Packs to Help Users Find Relevant Creators

Which is the same feature that Bluesky and Threads also have.

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Social Media Today – Latest News

Instagram Tests Changing ‘Following’ Display to ‘Friends’

The change puts more emphasis on mutual follows, which could alter the dynamics of the app.

Source:
Social Media Today – Latest News

75% of ChatGPT users rely on ‘keywords’ for local services: New data

New data shows people use ChatGPT to find local healthcare and aesthetics providers through short prompts, keywords, and limited follow-up.

Source:
Search Engine Land

How to Make Every Click Count with Search Experience Optimization

Go beyond rankings with Search Experience Optimization (SXO). Learn how to use user behavior data to improve clicks, engagement, and conversions.

Source:
moz (en-US)

TikTok Adds More Control Options to Smart+ Campaigns

Some new options for your AI-powered TikTok campaigns.

Source:
Social Media Today – Latest News

Meta Announces Global Expansion of Threads Ads

More options for your Meta ad placements.

Source:
Social Media Today – Latest News

TikTok Launches New Ad Options for Streaming Providers

New ways for entertainment brands to connect with TikTok’s audience.

Source:
Social Media Today – Latest News

Meta expands Threads ads to all users globally

Meta will roll out Threads ads worldwide next week, giving advertisers new ways to reach more than 400 million users.

Source:
Search Engine Land

Google rules out ads in Gemini — for now

Google’s repeated stance against ads in Gemini suggests conversational AI monetization will remain limited — and cautious — for now.

Source:
Search Engine Land

Google Ads Still Not Coming To Gemini; Even After OpenAI’s ChatGPT Ad Announcement

Demis Hassabis, Google DeepMind CEO, said at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, that Google does not have "any plans" to bring ads to Gemini. This comes even after OpenAI announced ads are coming to ChatGPT.

Source:
Search Engine Roundtable

SEO Specialist ~ Toptal ~ $60,000-$80,000 ~ Remote (USA)

About Toptal Toptal is a global network of top talent in business, design, and technology that enables companies to scale their teams, on-demand. With $200+ million in annual revenue and team members based around the globe , Toptal is the world’s largest fully remote workforce . We take the best elements of virtual teams and […]

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In-house SEO jobs – SEOjobs.com

Content Editor (SEO-First, AI + Tech) ~ Windscribe VPN ~ $60,000 CND ~ Toronto or Remote (CAN)

Location: Remote or Toronto HQ (must overlap with EST hours) Windscribe (the biggest VPN company in Canada) is looking for a razor-sharp SEO-first Content Editor to join our Growth Team. You’ll be the final boss standing between the internet and content that is boring, inaccurate, generic… or invisible on Google. You’ll primarily be editing AI-assisted […]

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In-house SEO jobs – SEOjobs.com

SEO Specialist ~ Webtek Digital Marketing ~ $50,000-$70,000 ~ Remote (USA)

Overview Webtek Interactive is a fast-growing, full-service digital marketing agency with offices in Salt Lake City, UT and Austin, TX, and the parent company to Webtek Medical Marketing. We offer SEO, PPC, Social Media, Design, Development, Content Creation, Video Production, Conversion Rate Optimization, and more. We are adding top SEO and PPC talent to expand […]

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SEO Agency Jobs – SEOjobs.com

Head of Product Content Marketing ~ LogRocket ~ $130,000-$180,000 ~ In-office (USA) ~ Boston, MA, United States

About LogRocket LogRocket and its Galileo AI product assistant are designed to 10x the speed of product delivery teams. It’s the first system that gives all teams across the product delivery cycle complete, proactive visibility into their customer experience from the user’s point of view. Spanning the entire stack of product tools, Galileo AI and […]

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In-house SEO jobs – SEOjobs.com