Google Search Ranking Volatility Hits January 15-16
I am seeing new signs of yet more Google Search ranking volatility and a possible tweak to the ranking search algorithm. Something kicked off yesterday, January 15th, that the third-party tools picked up on. With this update, there is limited chatter, unlike the previous unconfirmed Google Search ranking update.
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Daily Search Forum Recap: January 19, 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. OpenAI will be testing ads in ChatGPT very soon. Google's Gemini 3 Pro now powers some AI Overviews...
Google AI Overviews Powered By Gemini 3 Pro For Complex Queries
Google announced late on Friday that Gemini 3 Pro is now powered Google AI Overviews for complex queries. Google actually said this last November, but then edited its story to say it was just AI Mode that was powered by Gemini 3 Pro and not AI Overviews. Now both AI Overviews and AI Mode can use Gemini 3 Pro.
Search Video Recaps
Google Is Appealing Its Search Monopoly Ruling & Asks To Pause Remedies
Google is appealing the ruling that it is an illegal search monopoly - which surprises no one. Plus, Google asked the court to pause the remedies during the appeal phase.
Google Warns On Hosting With Free Subdomain Hosts
Google's John Mueller once again warned about hosting your website on free subdomain hosting service because they are magnets for a "lot of spam & low-effort content."
OpenAI Will Soon Test Ads On ChatGPT
OpenAI announced on Friday it will begin testing ads in the ChatGPT responses in the coming weeks. The ads will show on the free product and low-cost subscription tier, ChatGPT Go. The ads will show under the main response and not influence the answers ChatGPT gives you. Advertisers will not get conversations with ChatGPT. The ads will be clearly labeled as ads.
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Google: Comments Link Spam Has No Effect On SEO/Search
Jan 19, 2026Daily Search Forum Recap: January 16, 2026
Jan 16, 2026Search News Buzz Video Recap: Google Personal Intelligence, Universal Commerce Protocol, Apple Picks Gemini & Ongoing Search Volatility
Jan 16, 2026Google To Prioritize Removing Prediction News Content From Search & News
Jan 16, 2026Google AI Overview Local Pack Leading To Huge Drops In Visibility
Jan 16, 2026Microsoft Advertising Adds Share Of Voice Metrics, Asset Group-Level URL Options, Customer Acquisition Goals...
Jan 16, 2026Google Ads Campaign Total Budgets Live As An Open Beta
Jan 16, 2026Google Ads Manual CPC Bid Selection Streamlined
Jan 16, 2026Google Ads A/B Tests Product Titles & Images For Shopping Ads
Jan 16, 2026Picture of the Day
