Ireland and Spain Launch Investigations Into X’s Grok

Various other nations have also launched investigations into the artificial intelligence chatbot.

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Social Media Today – Latest News

Daily Search Forum Recap: February 17, 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 says that enabling a way to opt out of just AI Overviews is a "huge engineering project." Google has this about the results tab in Google Ads recommendations. Google AI Mode ask about feature shows up more often. Google is testing links in recipe AI Overviews. Google AI Overviews are blue and then turn gray on click…

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Search Engine Roundtable

Google AI Overviews With Blue Links Before Click & Gray After Click

Did you know that the Google AI Overviews link citation paperclip icons are blue before you click to see more of the overviews and then after you click on them, that icon turns to a gray color.

Source:
Search Engine Roundtable

How to Validate a Product Idea in 6 Steps

Proper product idea validation can be the deciding factor between launching a successful product and one that loses money. These six steps will keep you profitable.

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Unknown Source

Google AI Mode Ask About Feature Now Works On Overlay

Google AI Mode has this feature where you can ask about a specific product, it is called "Ask about." Now when you hover over a product, the "Ask about" will overlay so you can more easily trigger the feature.

Source:
Search Engine Roundtable

Google launches more visible links in AI Overviews and AI Mode

These links appear as pop ups as you hover your mouse over them.

Source:
Search Engine Land

Google shifts Lookalike to AI signals in Demand Gen

Google is turning Lookalike audiences into AI signals that expand reach and could significantly change campaign performance.

Source:
Search Engine Land

Meta adds Manus AI tools into Ads Manager

Meta is embedding Manus AI into Ads Manager, giving advertisers built-in AI tools to streamline reporting, research, and campaign optimization.

Source:
Search Engine Land

Airbnb says traffic from AI chatbots converts better than Google

Early data suggests chatbot referrals bring higher-intent guests as Airbnb bets on conversational search and deeper AI integration.

Source:
Search Engine Land

Why AI optimization is just long-tail SEO done right

LLMs still rely on search, shifting SEO from head terms to the long tail. Here’s how to use AI to uncover real customer questions and win.

Source:
Search Engine Land

Google’s Jeff Dean: AI Search relies on classic ranking and retrieval

Behind the AI interface, a staged system narrows tens of thousands of documents to a few, showing that visibility hinges on classic signals.

Source:
Search Engine Land

Rand Fishkin proved AI recommendations are inconsistent – here’s why and how to fix it

AI outputs vary because confidence varies. Corroboration and entity optimization turn inconsistent AI visibility into consistent presence.

Source:
Search Engine Land

Google Search Console AI-powered configuration rolling out

This is now live for all users, so check it out.

Source:
Search Engine Land

How to do AI analysis you can actually trust

Four prompting techniques to prevent AI’s most common mistakes

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Lenny’s Newsletter

How to do AI analysis you can actually trust

Four prompting techniques to prevent AI’s most common mistakes

Source:
Lenny’s Newsletter

Google Testing Links In Recipe AI Overviews

Google seems to be testing links in AI Overviews, that link to more AI Overview responses. These recipe AI Overviews linked to entities that then load a hybrid knowledge panel with an AI Overviews.

Source:
Search Engine Roundtable

Google Says Opting Out Of AI Overviews Is A Huge Engineering Project

A few weeks ago, we reported Google was exploring ways to allow sites to opt out of showing up in Google’s AI features, like AI Mode and AI Overviews. Google’s Sulina Connal said at the FT Strategies News in the Digital Age conference that this is a "huge engineering project."

Source:
Search Engine Roundtable

How to create a persona GPT for SEO audience research

Build persona-based GPTs to pressure-test your content, surface gaps, and align SEO with real audience intent – without replacing interviews.

Source:
Search Engine Land

Reddit Reveals the Latest Trends Driving Brand Engagement

Nostalgia-driven storytelling and niche-inspired campaigns can help brands and users create more effective engagement in 2026, according to the platform.

Source:
Social Media Today – Latest News

Digital Agency New Business Still a Concern, Referrals Still Rule for Lead Gen and Are Sales Pipelines Finally Recovering? – SparkToro

Recently, Rand and I released the results of the State of Digital Agencies survey for 2025. Our goal of this annual survey is simple – get a temperate

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SparkToro

Snapchat Introduces Subscription Model for Its Most Popular Creators

The program will allow users with large followings to monetize content and set up customized monthly pricing tiers.

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Social Media Today – Latest News

TikTok Shop Rolls Out New Tools Including Expanded Chatbot Access

Additional merchant features include an easier way to send out product samples and new Creator Picks tags.

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Social Media Today – Latest News

TikTok Joins European Advertising Standards Alliance

The move comes as the platform looks to reassure regulators that its business practices are aligned with wider regulatory expectations.

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Social Media Today – Latest News

YouTube Reveals the Top Ad Campaigns for Super Bowl 60

Some of the most popular promotions built pre-game momentum and engaged with creator talent to capture viewer attention.

Source:
Social Media Today – Latest News

TikTok launches AI-powered ad options for entertainment marketers

TikTok’s new AI-powered ads let entertainment marketers deliver personalized content that boosts engagement and conversions.

Source:
Search Engine Land

About The Results Tab In Google Ads Recommendations Help Document

There is a new Google Ads help document named About the Results tab in Google Ads Recommendations. It explains that in the Results tab, you can now view the performance impact after you apply them.

Source:
Search Engine Roundtable

Google Ads adds beta data source integrations to conversion settings

Google Ads now lets advertisers connect external data to conversions, improving measurement and performance.

Source:
Search Engine Land

E-Commerce & Marketing Assistant (SEO, Website, Email)

About the Role Zarifa USA is adding a flexible, resourceful teammate to help with everything from content writing and design work to website tweaks, email campaigns, and customer support. You don’t need to know it all on day one—bring curiosity, initiative, and solid Photoshop skills, and we’ll provide structured, on‐the‐job training so you can grow […]

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In-house SEO jobs – SEOjobs.com

Marketing Coordinator – Content Strategist

Job Description Korwitts Chiropractic is looking for an on-site creative, driven, and tech-savvy part-time marketer who knows how to turn content into attention—and attention into booked appointments. This role is ideal for someone who lives and breathes online marketing (with an additional interest in on-site/community marketing), someone who understands how to make content travel to […]

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In-house SEO jobs – SEOjobs.com

Research & Insights Strategist

Position Overview: Alan Gray LLC is seeking a strategic, research-driven professional to join our company as a Research & Insights Strategist, reporting directly to the COO. In this role you will drive industry intelligence, thought leadership and competitive positioning across the insurance and reinsurance landscape, helping transform these insights into actionable go-to-market activities. The ideal […]

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In-house SEO jobs – SEOjobs.com

Quietly Relentless Backlink Outreach Specialist

This Role in One Sentence Turn competitor backlink lists into clean outreach campaigns—find contacts, send smart messages, track replies tightly, and keep decisions fast. Is This You? You like tidy spreadsheets and clear notes more than big talk. You follow up without getting weird about it. You notice patterns fast (and write them down). You […]

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SEO Agency Jobs – SEOjobs.com

Low-Ego • High-Impact AI SEO Content Writer & Researcher

This Role in One Sentence Turn search intent into clean keyword maps, use AI to draft efficiently, then edit with precision until the content actually ranks. Is This You? You care more about search results than word count. You use AI to move faster—but never let it publish sloppy work. Structure, clarity, and consistency matter […]

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SEO Agency Jobs – SEOjobs.com

Content Marketing Brand Specialist

Content Marketing & Brand Specialist (ATL) Meaningful connections. Measurable results. Alloy delivers precision storytelling and experiences for imaginative tech brands. Our global team has deep industry expertise that covers all facets of the customer journey, from engaging creative experiences built with innovative technology to full communication strategies backed by measurable performance marketing. Our cross-channel solutions […]

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SEO Agency Jobs – SEOjobs.com