This week, yep, we had another story on Google Search ranking volatility. I posted the Google webmaster report for January 2026. Google Discover seems to be showing too many posts from X. Google does personalize some AI Overviews and AI Mode responses. Tailwind CSS had to let go of 75% of its engineers after a 40% drop to its documentation because of AI Search and Google. Google Search Console may be missing links in its links report. Danny Sullivan said don’t turn your content into bite-sized chunks for LLMs. Danny Sullivan and John Mueller spoke about hiring an AEO/GEO and buying AI optimization tools. Google’s John Mueller talks about if you should invest in GEO. Google Merchant Center updated its multi-channel product rules. Google Vehicle Ads can now show call assets. Google Ads to allow ads for prediction markets. Google is hiring a Chief of Staff for Search Intelligence. Google is hiring an AI Answer search quality engineer. Microsoft is hiring a very senior product manager to fight spam on Bing and Copilot. Microsoft launched Copilot Checkout and Brand Agents. Microsoft is testing a larger Ask Copilot button and a redesigned Bing home page. That was the search news this week at the Search Engine Roundtable.
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Search Topics of Discussion:
- 0:00 - Introduction
- 2:15 - Google Search Ranking Volatility January 6th With AdSense Earnings Drops
- 2:56 - January 2026 Google Webmaster Report
- 3:30 - Google Discover Show X Posts Too Often?
- 4:00 - Google Personalizing Some AI Overviews & AI Mode Answers
- 5:03 - Tailwind CSS Lets Go 75% Of Engineers After 40% Traffic Drop From Google
- 6:33 - Google Search Console Links Report Missing Data?
- 7:03 - Google: Don't Turn Your Content Into Bite-Sized Chunks
- 7:42 - Google Talks On Hiring A GEO/AEO/SEO & Buying AI-Optimization Tools
- 8:32 - Google's John Mueller Answers If You Should Invest In GEO
- 9:08 - Google Merchant Center Updates Multi-Channel Products Rules
- 9:37 - Google Vehicle Ads Gains Call Assets
- 9:55 - Google Ads To Allow Ads For Prediction Markets
- 10:26 - Google Hiring Search Intelligence Chief of Staff
- 10:50 - Google Hiring AI Answers & Search Quality Software Engineer
- 11:10 - Microsoft Hiring Very Senior PM To Fight Spam On Bing & Copilot
- 11:36 - Microsoft Agents: Copilot Checkout & Brand Agents
- 12:06 - Microsoft Tests Larger Ask Copilot Button On Bing Home Page
- 12:17 - Microsoft Bing Tests New Home Page Design Promoting Copilot
- 12:26 - Conclusion
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