Mark Williams-CookDirector, Candour · SEO and AI expert

SEO updates you ✨NEED✨ to know: 18th May 2026 #seo

18 May 2026 · 1 min

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Google released a guide debunking myths about optimizing content for AI search, added an AI assistant traffic channel to Analytics, and clarified that spam policies cover AI-generated content. Google is also testing direct hotel-booking links in AI mode and rolling out new suggest-option icons that open AI-generated overviews.

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SEO updates you need to know for the 18th of May. Google dropped a guide on optimizing for AI search, including dispelling some myths around chunking LLMs.txt and markdown files. Google Analytics 4 has introduced a way to see how much traffic you're getting from AI assistants such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude via their new AI assistant channel. Google has been testing direct links to book at hotels within their AI mode. Google has updated its documentation clarifying that its spam policies do apply to generative AI search. So if you try and trick it, you'll also get penalized. Some Google suggest options now have a little magnifying and AI glass icon, which takes you directly to an AIO for that query. There was an error reporting clicks and impressions for Google Discover mode between the 7th and 8th of May. This hasn't affected your actual traffic, it's just a reporting error. If you never want to miss these updates, you can get them via email at coreupdates.com.