Google Search updates, algorithm changes, and their impact on UK business visibility.
Ahrefs data from 4 February 2026 shows AI Overviews reduce clicks by 58% for top-ranking pages, up from 34.5% last year. Position 1 CTR dropped 78% in two years. Three independent studies confirm it. But brands cited inside the AI Overview earn 35% more clicks than organic results below.
Google's John Mueller called creating markdown pages for AI "a stupid idea." Bing's Fabrice Canel called it cloaking. They're right about content mirrors, but AI discovery files are different, and the distinction matters for every UK business.
An "SEO expert" on LinkedIn told his followers to create "Top 10 [Service] in [City]" pages and rank themselves first. His followers loved it. Google's spam policies don't. Here's why self-referencing listicles now trigger penalties, and what to do instead.
Google released its first-ever Discover-specific core update on 5 February 2026. It boosts local content, cracks down on clickbait, and rewards topic expertise. The local relevance change is good news for UK businesses, and with the global rollout weeks away, there's time to prepare.
Britain's CMA proposed conduct requirements on 28 January that would let publishers opt out of AI Overviews without losing search visibility. The first use of Digital Markets Act powers also requires fair ranking and proper attribution. Consultation closes 25 February, but for most small businesses, the real question is not whether to opt out.