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.
Latest Articles
Daily Search Forum Recap: January 20, 2026
Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today...
Google AI Overviews With Font Strikethroughs
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...
Search Video Recaps
Google AI Mode Fan-Out Prompts 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.
Google Search Team 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.
Poll: 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.
Archives
Google AI Mode Shows Product Inventory & Pricing In Light Font Color
Jan 20, 2026Daily Search Forum Recap: January 19, 2026
Jan 19, 2026Google AI Overviews Powered By Gemini 3 Pro For Complex Queries
Jan 19, 2026Google Is Appealing Its Search Monopoly Ruling & Asks To Pause Remedies
Jan 19, 2026Google Warns On Hosting With Free Subdomain Hosts
Jan 19, 2026OpenAI Will Soon Test Ads On ChatGPT
Jan 19, 2026Google: 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, 2026Picture of the Day
