Google Discover changes, ChatGPT ads & AI search evolution | February 2026 SEO Update

Is your site ready for the shift from ranking to AI-driven retrieval? Join Carolyn Shelby and Alex Moss for the February 2026 edition of the SEO Update by Yoast, including insights into the latest Google Discover update, the evolution of AI search, and how ads in AI platforms from OpenAI are reshaping the future of organic visibility. Topics: 00:00 - Introduction 04:04 - Search engines expand AI reporting and website controls 09:34 - Debate grows over markdown, AI agents, andthe future of machine-readable content 17:36 - Is Google finally cracking down on self-promotional listicles? 20:55 - Building toward a sustainable content economy for the agentic web 25:42 - Meta AI redies Avacado, Manus agent and OpenClaw integration 29:08 - ChatGPT rolls out ads​ 36:08 - WebMCP is available for early preview​ 41:12 - Bing Webmaster Tools rolls out AI performance report (with new design) 43:11 - Google AI mode launches UCP-powered checkout 44:38 - OpenClaw, OpenAI and the future​ 47:02 - also in the news... 50:08 - Yoast news 52:35 - Q&A ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topics & Sources 🤓 → http://yoa.st/update-february-2026 Sign up for the March 2026 SEO update! 😎 → https://yoa.st/55p Join the SEO for beginners webinar 📚 → https://yoa.st/55q Register for the Introduction to Yoast SEO webinar 🤩 → https://yoa.st/55r Sign up for the SEO webinar newsletter 🤩 → https://yoast.com/yoast-seo-webinar-newsletter-signup/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 🚀 Stay Connected: 👉🏼 Instagram: Yoast - SEO for everyone! (@yoast) • Instagram profile 👉🏼 TikTok: Yoast | SEO starts with Yoast on TikTok 👉🏼 Reddit: r/yoastseo 👉🏼 Threads: Yoast - SEO for everyone! (@yoast) • Threads, Say more 👉🏼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/1414157 📝 Visit our website and blog for in-depth SEO articles, tutorials, and t