The January 2026 SEO Update by Yoast is part of our monthly webinar series covering the latest developments in search and AI. In each session, we review the most important news from the past month and explore what it means for your search strategy. Hosted by Carolyn Shelby and Alex Moss , this month’s update looks at key industry shifts and practical takeaways for staying competitive. Below is a recap of the topics discussed and what they mean for your strategy. Here’s the recap 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 could affect your work. SEO and AI news from January 2026 SEO is shifting from rankings to selection Microsoft’s recent guide on AEO (Agentic Engine Optimization) and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) highlights a major change: the goal isn’t just to rank, but to be chosen by AI and users.…