Yoast’s January 2026 SEO Update is part of our monthly webinar series covering the latest developments in search and AI. In each session, we review the most important news stories from the last month and examine what they mean for your search strategy. Hosted by Carolyn Shelby and Alex Moss, this month’s update looks at key industry changes and practical insights to stay competitive. Below you will find a summary of the topics discussed and what they mean for your strategy.
Here is the summary video on YouTube
Watch the full recap on YouTube to hear Carolyn and Alex dive deeper into these topics, answer audience questions, and provide additional examples of how these changes might impact your work.
SEO and AI news from January 2026
SEO is shifting from rankings to selection
Microsoft is current Guide to AEO (Agentic Engine Optimization) and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) highlights a big change: the goal is not just to rank, but to be chosen through AI and users. Tools like Gemini and ChatGPT don’t just match keywords; They evaluate brand authority, structured data and real-world mentions. If your content isn’t clear, well-organized, or trustworthy, AI may miss it, even if it performs well in traditional search. To stay competitive, focus on structured data, fast-loading pages, and strong brand signals.
The spy trade is on the rise
Googles Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) is an open source framework designed to support AI in processing purchases. This means that AI could not only recommend products but also purchase them for users. For companies, optimization for AI “selection” is now just as important as ranking. If you sell products, emphasize product schemas, fast loading times, and strong brand presence to ensure the AI chooses you.
Google’s core updates continue to transform publishing
The December 2025 core update This hits news publishers hard, especially those based on prediction-based content (like “2026 Oscar Predictions”). Google prefers original, reliable reporting over speculative or AI-generated content. If you are in publishing, EEAT (Experience, Expertise, Authority, Trustworthiness) remains crucial.
YouTube is a growing force in AI search
Gemini now includes YouTube videos in its responses, even for non-video queries. If you’re not repurposing content for YouTube, you’re missing an opportunity. Optimize video titles, descriptions, and transcripts to help AI find and cite your work.
New tools are changing the way we work
Anthropics Claude CoWork can organize files and automate tasks, while open source tools like Moltbot (formerly Clawdbot) enables the local execution of AI agents. These tools are not just novelties, but signs of how quickly AI is being integrated into workflows. For SEO, remaining adaptable and testing new tools will be crucial.
Yoast helps make AI work for everyone
Yoast is built on Microsoft’s NLWeb framework to help AI systems better understand web content. The goal is to ensure that small publishers and businesses aren’t left behind as AI-powered discovery increases. If you use WordPress, Yoast SEO’s existing tools – like schema markup and readability checks – already support this effort. We’ve also added Gemini and Perplexity to our AI Brand Insights tool so you can track how AI models perceive your brand.
What to focus on in 2026
- Structure your content so that AI can parse it easily (schema markup helps)
- Build brand authority Across all channels – social media, PR, email and YouTube – all signals send AI notifications
- Understanding agent trading if you sell products. Fast, well-structured pages help the AI “select” you.
- Avoid AI-generated slop. AI can help create content, but there is no substitute for human insights and expertise
Sign up for the next Yoast SEO update
The next Yoast SEO update is online February 24, 2026, 4:00 p.m. CET (10:00 a.m. EST). Register to join the live discussion or receive the recording. Don’t miss it!