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Daily SEO Brief

Thursday, January 22, 2026

16 articles published

Final brief

What You Need to Know

On January 22, 2026, several significant developments in the SEO and digital marketing landscape were reported. These include a critical vulnerability in a popular WordPress plugin, Google's insights into the risks of disclosing its search data, and innovative enhancements in AI-driven commerce strategies.

Must-Read Highlights

1

A security vulnerability in the Photo Gallery by 10Web plugin allows unauthorized users to delete image comments, impacting over 200,000 installations. Site owners are advised to update or disable the comments feature.

10Web WordPress Photo Gallery Plugin Vulnerability
2

Google warns that mandatory disclosure of its search index and ranking data could expose proprietary systems and significantly weaken its efforts against spam, according to an affidavit by Elizabeth Reid.

Google outlines risks of exposing its search index, rankings, and live results
3

Even though SEO traffic may appear flat, successful campaigns can yield high conversion rates. Broader metrics beyond just organic traffic should be considered to measure true SEO success.

How to explain flat traffic when SEO is actually working
4

Businesses are increasingly blocking AI training systems, which may affect their visibility in AI outputs, while AI assistants like ChatGPT are expanding access to more websites.

More Sites Blocking LLM Crawling – Could That Backfire On GEO?
5

Google has introduced a new Personal Intelligence feature that connects user data from Gmail and Photos to AI Mode in Search, personalized responses may shift content visibility.

Google Launches Personal Intelligence In AI Mode

All Articles from This Day

10Web WordPress Photo Gallery Plugin Vulnerability via @sejournal, @martinibuster
SEJ
Jan 22, 2026•Roger Montti
CRITICAL UPDATE

10Web WordPress Photo Gallery Plugin Vulnerability via @sejournal, @martinibuster

AI Analysis
  • ●A security vulnerability in the Photo Gallery by 10Web plugin allows unauthenticated users to delete image comments, affecting over 200,000 installations.
  • ●The flaw is due to a missing capability check in the delete_comment() function, enabling unauthorized data modification on sites that utilize the comments feature.
  • ●Site owners are advised to update the plugin to version 1.8.37 or later to mitigate the risk, or alternatively, disable the comments feature until a patch can be applied.
Why it matters: The article discusses a critical security vulnerability in a widely-used WordPress plugin that could lead to unauthorized data modification, necessitating immediate action from site owners.
WordPress SecurityPlugin VulnerabilityPhoto Gallery by 10WebData ProtectionCybersecurity
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Google outlines risks of exposing its search index, rankings, and live results
SEL
Jan 22, 2026•Danny Goodwin
CRITICAL UPDATE

Google outlines risks of exposing its search index, rankings, and live results

AI Analysis
  • ●Google warns that court-ordered sharing of its search index and ranking data could expose proprietary systems, enabling competitors to bypass Google's indexing and analysis efforts.
  • ●The release of Google's spam scores and user-side search data could significantly weaken its ability to combat spam and maintain user safety, leading to an influx of low-quality content in search results.
  • ●Elizabeth Reid's affidavit highlights the long-term investment and engineering efforts that have gone into developing Google's search index, emphasizing the risks posed by mandated data disclosures.
Why it matters: This article discusses critical legal implications regarding Google's data that affect SEO practices, user experience, and the integrity of search results.
GoogleSearch IndexAntitrustSpam PreventionSEO
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How to explain flat traffic when SEO is actually working
SEL
Jan 22, 2026•Adam Heitzman
High Importance

How to explain flat traffic when SEO is actually working

AI Analysis
  • ●Flat SEO traffic doesn't indicate failure; successful campaigns may show low traffic but high conversion rates.
  • ●AI Overviews significantly reduce click-through rates but allow for brand exposure, making it critical to rethink organic traffic as a primary KPI.
  • ●Focus on broader metrics, such as direct traffic and branded search volume, to measure SEO success more accurately.
Why it matters: The article addresses the impact of AI on SEO metrics and emphasizes the need to adapt reporting strategies, making it an important update for SEO professionals.
AI OverviewsSEO MetricsOrganic TrafficStakeholder CommunicationConversion Rates
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More Sites Blocking LLM Crawling – Could That Backfire On GEO? via @sejournal, @martinibuster
SEJ
Jan 22, 2026•Roger Montti
High Importance

More Sites Blocking LLM Crawling – Could That Backfire On GEO? via @sejournal, @martinibuster

AI Analysis
  • ●Hostinger's analysis shows that businesses are increasingly blocking AI training systems while allowing AI assistants like ChatGPT to access more websites.
  • ●AI assistant crawlers have expanded their reach, with OpenAI’s SearchBot increasing coverage from 52% to 68% of sites, while traditional search engine crawlers' access remains stable.
  • ●Blocking AI training bots may limit a business's visibility and control over how information about them is represented in AI outputs, potentially impacting search and discovery.
Why it matters: This article addresses a significant trend in SEO regarding AI access to websites, highlighting the implications for businesses' online visibility and their relationship with AI technologies.
AI in SEOBot CrawlersHostinger AnalysisParametric KnowledgeWeb Crawling Trends
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Shopify Shares More Details On Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) via @sejournal, @martinibuster
SEJ
Jan 22, 2026•Roger Montti
High Importance

Shopify Shares More Details On Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) via @sejournal, @martinibuster

AI Analysis
  • ●Shopify's Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) enables agentic AI shopping, allowing brands to control how their products are recommended by AI agents based on consumer preferences.
  • ●UCP is designed to enhance product discovery beyond traditional advertising and search methods, positioning Shopify as a key player in personalized online commerce.
  • ●The introduction of an Agentic plan allows non-Shopify brands to leverage Shopify's infrastructure for product syndication and visibility in AI shopping environments.
Why it matters: The article discusses a significant development in AI and ecommerce, which has implications for how brands may interact with consumers and could impact SEO strategies moving forward.
AI CommerceUniversal Commerce ProtocolShopifyEcommerce InnovationPersonalized Recommendations
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When Platforms Say ‘Don’t Optimize,’ Smart Teams Run Experiments via @sejournal, @DuaneForrester
SEJ
Jan 22, 2026•Duane Forrester
High Importance

When Platforms Say ‘Don’t Optimize,’ Smart Teams Run Experiments via @sejournal, @DuaneForrester

AI Analysis
  • ●The article emphasizes the importance of experimentation and measurement in understanding the impact of large language models (LLMs) on SEO and user interactions with content.
  • ●It argues that the current SEO guidance may overlook the complexities of modern search experiences, where user behavior and content consumption are changing.
  • ●Professionals are encouraged to conduct their own tests and share findings to contribute to a more substantial understanding of the evolving SEO landscape.
Why it matters: The article presents insights on the impact of LLMs on SEO practices and encourages practical experimentation, making it a valuable read for SEO professionals navigating evolving search dynamics.
SEOLLMSearch AlgorithmsContent StrategyDigital Marketing
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A Breakdown Of Microsoft’s Guide To AEO & GEO via @sejournal, @martinibuster
SEJ
Jan 22, 2026•Roger Montti
High Importance

A Breakdown Of Microsoft’s Guide To AEO & GEO via @sejournal, @martinibuster

AI Analysis
  • ●Microsoft's guide emphasizes the shift from traditional SEO to focusing on Agentic Engine Optimization (AEO) and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) for success in AI-driven search and shopping.
  • ●AEO aims to improve content clarity and retrieval for AI, while GEO enhances trust and persuasiveness, requiring collaboration across various organizational teams.
  • ●The guide indicates that while SEO remains foundational, the new competition lies in how well content can influence AI recommendations rather than just driving clicks.
Why it matters: This article provides important insights on the emerging concepts of AEO and GEO, which are critical for SEO professionals adapting to AI-driven search environments.
AEOGEOAI SearchSEO EvolutionMicrosoft Guidelines
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Google brings Personal Intelligence to AI Mode in Google Search
SEL
Jan 22, 2026•Barry Schwartz
High Importance

Google brings Personal Intelligence to AI Mode in Google Search

AI Analysis
  • ●Google has rolled out a new Personal Intelligence feature in AI Mode for Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers, connecting Google services like Gmail and Photos for personalized search results.
  • ●Users can opt in to this Labs experiment to experience personalized search capabilities that may eventually become a standard feature in Google Search.
  • ●As search results become increasingly personalized, tracking and measuring website citations for different users may become more challenging for SEO professionals.
Why it matters: This article discusses a significant update to Google's search capabilities that could impact how SEO professionals approach personalization and search ranking.
Google SearchAI FeaturesPersonalized SearchSearch Engine UpdatesSEO Strategies
Read Source
Google Launches Personal Intelligence In AI Mode via @sejournal, @MattGSouthern
SEJ
Jan 22, 2026•Matt G. Southern
High Importance

Google Launches Personal Intelligence In AI Mode via @sejournal, @MattGSouthern

AI Analysis
  • ●Google is introducing Personal Intelligence, a new feature that connects users' Gmail and Google Photos to AI Mode in Search for personalized responses.
  • ●The feature is currently in a Labs rollout for AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers and aims to enhance search by using individual context from users' data.
  • ●Implications for SEO include potential shifts in content visibility, as personalized responses may address queries without directing users to external content sites.
Why it matters: The introduction of Personal Intelligence by Google represents a significant change in how search personalization may affect possible content visibility and traffic for publishers.
GoogleSEOPersonal IntelligenceAI ModeSearch Engine Updates
Read Source
Google’s Demand Gen gets more shoppable — and more measurable
SEL
Jan 22, 2026•Anu Adegbola
Good to Know

Google’s Demand Gen gets more shoppable — and more measurable

AI Analysis
  • ●Google's Demand Gen updates enhance video ads, enabling direct shopping and improved measurement across YouTube and Google.
  • ●Shoppable CTV allows consumers to buy products directly from YouTube ads, while attributed branded searches provide insights into campaign effectiveness.
  • ●Travel feeds connect with the Hotel Center to create dynamic ads, offering real-time pricing and availability, thereby optimizing ad performance.
Why it matters: The article discusses updates to Google's Demand Gen features which are useful for PPC advertisers, but do not directly relate to critical SEO algorithm changes or vulnerabilities.
Google Demand GenPPC AdvertisingShoppable AdsVideo MarketingTravel Marketing
Read Source
Google adds cross-campaign testing with new Mix Experiments beta
SEL
Jan 22, 2026•Anu Adegbola
Good to Know

Google adds cross-campaign testing with new Mix Experiments beta

AI Analysis
  • ●Google has introduced Campaign Mix Experiments (beta), allowing advertisers to test various campaign types and budgets together in one experiment.
  • ●Advertisers can create up to five experiment arms, customize traffic splits, and test different budget allocations, bidding strategies, and campaign interactions.
  • ●This development emphasizes the importance of understanding how multiple campaigns perform collectively rather than in isolation, promoting more informed financial decisions in advertising.
Why it matters: While the new features for Google Ads enhance campaign management and testing, they do not have a direct and immediate impact on core SEO practices or broader algorithm changes.
Google AdsCampaign TestingPPCMarketing StrategyAdvertising Tools
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Why Demand Gen works best alongside Performance Max for ecommerce
SEL
Jan 22, 2026•Ayisha Yousef
Good to Know

Why Demand Gen works best alongside Performance Max for ecommerce

AI Analysis
  • ●Demand Generation (Demand Gen) campaigns offer greater creative flexibility and audience control compared to Performance Max, making them ideal for eCommerce brands.
  • ●Using Demand Gen in conjunction with Performance Max enhances the customer journey by building awareness and interest before users actively seek products.
  • ●Advertisers can tailor their creative assets strategically for both campaigns to improve conversions and maintain brand consistency.
Why it matters: While it provides useful insights for PPC strategy, it lacks immediate relevance to broader SEO and algorithmic changes affecting search rankings.
Google AdsPPCDigital MarketingeCommerceAdvertising Strategies
Read Source
56% Of CEOs Report No Revenue Gains From AI: PwC Survey via @sejournal, @MattGSouthern
SEJ
Jan 22, 2026•Matt G. Southern
Good to Know

56% Of CEOs Report No Revenue Gains From AI: PwC Survey via @sejournal, @MattGSouthern

AI Analysis
  • ●56% of CEOs report no financial returns from AI investments in the past year, indicating a slow adoption of AI in business.
  • ●Only 22% of organizations are applying AI to demand generation, suggesting ongoing challenges in scaling AI for effective customer acquisition.
  • ●PwC emphasizes the need for companies to build solid AI foundations before expecting meaningful returns, including strategic roadmaps and responsible AI practices.
Why it matters: While the insights on AI adoption and its impact on revenue are relevant, they do not constitute immediate critical updates or changes to SEO practices.
AI in MarketingCEO InsightsBusiness StrategyPwC SurveyDigital Transformation
Read Source
Five Things To Do That Will Increase Authoritativeness And Earn Links via @sejournal, @martinibuster
SEJ
Jan 22, 2026•Roger Montti
Good to Know

Five Things To Do That Will Increase Authoritativeness And Earn Links via @sejournal, @martinibuster

AI Analysis
  • ●Establish your authoritativeness by showcasing awards, media mentions, and publications to inspire trust in outreach emails.
  • ●Utilize a concise 'bona fides' statement early in your communications to improve response rates for link-building efforts.
  • ●Consider publishing articles in both online and offline reputable outlets to enhance credibility and increase chances of obtaining links.
Why it matters: While the article provides useful tactics for link building, it does not address recent major updates or vital changes in SEO practices.
Link BuildingOutreach StrategyAuthority SignalsSEO TacticsContent Marketing
Read Source
Ask A PPC: What Is The PPC Manager’s Role In The AI Era? via @sejournal, @navahf
SEJ
Jan 22, 2026•Navah Hopkins
Good to Know

Ask A PPC: What Is The PPC Manager’s Role In The AI Era? via @sejournal, @navahf

AI Analysis
  • ●PPC management is evolving as AI automates execution, freeing humans to focus on strategic decision-making and creativity.
  • ●Consolidation of PPC campaigns is essential for effective data utilization, allowing AI algorithms to learn and optimize performance.
  • ●Data cleanliness is critical; accurate first-party data is necessary for AI-driven platforms to align business goals with ad placements effectively.
Why it matters: While the article discusses important shifts in PPC management due to AI, it does not present critical updates or changes that fundamentally alter SEO techniques or practices.
PPC ManagementAI in MarketingDigital AdvertisingData StrategyKPI Management
Read Source
What 75 SEO thought leaders reveal about volatility in the GEO debate [Research]
SEL
Jan 22, 2026•Kelsey Libert
Good to Know

What 75 SEO thought leaders reveal about volatility in the GEO debate [Research]

AI Analysis
  • ●The article analyzes the frequency and sentiment of AI-related SEO discussions among 75 thought leaders on LinkedIn, highlighting volatility in terminology usage surrounding the GEO debate.
  • ●Despite the rising discourse around AI-driven search terms, traditional 'SEO' remains the most represented term in LinkedIn headlines among industry leaders.
  • ●The article emphasizes the importance of creating well-structured content hubs and off-site authority signals to strengthen brand trust and improve search ranking consistency.
Why it matters: The article provides insights into current trends and sentiment in AI-related SEO, which is good to know but does not present critical updates or changes that directly impact SEO rankings.
AI SEOSEO TrendsContent StrategyVolatility in SEOGEO Debate
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