Recap of the February 2026 SEO Update by Yoast

The February 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 how it affects your search strategy.

Hosted by Carolyn Shelby and Alex Moss, this month’s update focused on AI-driven shifts in search, emerging agentic workflows, and Google’s latest core updates. Below is a recap of the topics discussed and what they mean for your strategy.

Watch the full recap on YouTube to hear Carolyn and Alex dive deeper into these topics, answer audience questions, and share real-world examples.

SEO and AI news from February 2026

Search engines expand AI reporting and website controls

Google and Bing introduced new tools for publishers to manage AI interactions. Bing’s AI Performance Report shows how often Copilot cites your site, including citation counts and queries. Google now allows publishers to control AI access via robots.txt using Google-Extended.

Actionable takeaway:

• Monitor AI citation reports in Bing Webmaster Tools to track visibility
• Review your robots.txt and AI access settings to align with your strategy

Debate over Markdown, AI agents, and machine-readable content

OpenAI launched the Codex app, enabling users to manage multiple AI agents for complex tasks. WordPress co-founder Matt Mullenweg proposed making content available in Markdown format to improve AI comprehension, while Cloudflare introduced a Markdown-based approach for AI bots. However, Google’s John Mueller dismissed Markdown files as increasing crawl load.

Actionable takeaway:

• Simplify your site’s structure to make content more accessible to AI agents
• If your site is overly complex, explore Markdown or structured data alternatives, but prioritize fixing underlying issues first

Is Google cracking down on self-promotional listicles?

Lily Ray identified a pattern of sites losing visibility due to self-promotional listicles (e.g., “Top 20 SEO Agencies in the US,” with the publisher ranked #1). Google appears to be penalizing manipulative tactics.

Actionable takeaway:

• Avoid self-serving listicles. If creating comparison content, use objective criteria and transparent methodology

Microsoft’s vision for a sustainable agentic web

Microsoft outlined its approach to agentic search, emphasizing structured data, concise content, and publisher compensation for AI-driven traffic. The shift from human clicks to AI-driven retrieval was highlighted as a major trend.

Actionable takeaway:

• Optimize for machine-readable actions (e.g., structured data, clear CTAs)
• Prepare for AI-driven monetization models (e.g., compensation for citations)

Meta’s Avacado agent and OpenClaw integration

Meta is testing Avacado, a new AI agent integrating OpenClaw and Manus for workflow automation. This reflects a broader push toward omnichannel AI interactions.

Actionable takeaway:

• Ensure consistent messaging across all platforms (website, social, email) to reinforce AI comprehension

ChatGPT rolls out ads

ChatGPT began serving ads to free users, with OpenAI charging advertisers based on ad impressions rather than clicks. The move mirrors traditional search ad models but raises concerns about user experience.

Actionable takeaway:

• Monitor how AI-driven ad placements impact user engagement and brand visibility

WebMCP is a new protocol for AI agents

Chrome introduced WebMCP, a protocol that enables AI agents to interact with websites via machine-readable actions (e.g., form submissions). Early adoption is limited, but it signals a shift toward agent-first web design.

Actionable takeaway:

• Audit your site’s underlying code for clarity (e.g., semantic HTML, structured data)
• Proceed cautiously. WebMCP is experimental and could pose security risks if misconfigured

Bing Webmaster Tools launches AI Performance Report

Bing’s AI Performance Report now shows how often Copilot cites your site, including queries and cited pages. The tool bridges traditional SEO metrics with AI-driven search.

Actionable takeaway:

• Set up Bing Webmaster Tools if you haven’t already
• Compare Bing’s AI data with Google Search Console to identify gaps

Google AI Mode introduces UCP-powered checkout

Google’s AI mode now supports UCP-powered checkout, allowing agents to complete purchases on behalf of users. Early adopters include Etsy, Wayfair, and Walmart.

Actionable takeaway:

• If you’re in e-commerce, prioritize structured product data and fast load times to capitalize on agentic commerce

OpenClaw, OpenAI, and the future of AI agents

The rise of OpenClaw and OpenAI’s advancements underscores a shift toward websites exposing capabilities (not just pages) to AI agents. Early experiments show agents interacting with sites via machine-readable actions.

Actionable takeaway:

• Focus on clear site structure and consistent data to ensure reliable AI interpretation

What to focus on in 2026

The February SEO Update by Yoast highlighted four key priorities:

1. Optimize for AI-driven search: Use structured data and markdown to improve AI comprehension
2. Build brand authority across channels: Ensure consistent messaging for AI agents to reinforce
3. Prepare for agentic commerce: Prioritize structured product data and fast load times
4. Avoid low-quality AI content: Google is cracking down on manipulative tactics like self-promotional listicles

Sign up for the next SEO Update by Yoast

The next SEO Update by Yoast is on March 24, 2026, at 4 PM CET / 10 AM EST. Sign up here to join the live discussion or receive the recording.