What Google's new AI Mode links mean for brand websites
Google moved inline links higher in AI Mode and AI Overviews on 15 October 2026 and is testing an official websites section, so brand task pages matter more.
AI briefing
What Google Ads channel prioritisation means for paid teams
Google Ads added channel prioritisation and budget allocation on 14 October 2026. Search campaigns using Display change in February 2027, so audit them now.
What Bing's Topics Portfolio means for AI search content plans
Bing added Topics Portfolio to Webmaster Tools on 13 October 2026. It lists the AI answer queries where other sites get cited and yours does not.
What ChatGPT's GPT-6 Intelligent UI means for marketing teams
OpenAI put GPT-6 and Intelligent UI into ChatGPT on 7 October 2026, so answers now arrive as comparisons, maps and tools. Brand calculators face a new rival.
What ChatGPT's new ad measurement tools mean for paid teams
OpenAI added ten attribution partners and a visual ad format test to ChatGPT Ads on 5 October 2026. Its geo-lift work is early, so test incrementality yourself.
AI Overviews hit 82% of tracked brand searches in September
DemandSphere data published 1 October 2026 shows AI Overviews on over 80% of tracked brand searches, up from 26%. Check what Google says about your brand.
Lightspeed's AI shopping study and what smaller brands should do
A Lightspeed study published 29 September 2026 found AI assistants picked national chains over smaller rivals up to 94% of the time. Here is how to respond.
What OpenAI's dots and ChatGPT plugins mean for marketing teams
OpenAI opened ChatGPT to native brand plugins and launched always-on dots agents at DevDay on 29 September 2026. Brands need a plugin plan and agent rules.
What Adobe's AI shopping forecast means for Black Friday
Adobe forecast on 28 September 2026 that AI referrals to US retail sites will rise 130% this holiday season. UK brands should measure them before Black Friday.
What Google's Lens data in Search Console means for SEO teams
Google added a multimodal filter to Search Console on 24 September 2026, so brands can see which pages Lens and Circle to Search visitors land on.
What ChatGPT Ads on Shopify means for UK ecommerce brands
OpenAI's ChatGPT Ads app for Shopify began reaching merchants outside the US on 23 September 2026, and the UK already has self-serve access.
What the CMA's AI choice screen plan means for UK marketers
The CMA wants AI assistants like ChatGPT on Google's UK Android and Chrome choice screens, with a yearly prompt, and that raises the value of AI citations.