Here are five key small business technology updates from this week and why they matter to your business. Did you miss them?

This Week in Small Business Technology News

Small Business Technology News #1

WordPress launches a new plugin to help businesses show up in AI search

As AI search tools like ChatGPT and Gemini now have over 700 million weekly users, regular SEO is no longer enough. A new WordPress plugin called LovedByAI has been launched to help small businesses appear in AI search results.

LovedByAI helps business owners find problems in their website content that make it hard for AI to understand. It also automatically formats data (like business details and services) so AI systems can read it clearly. The plugin includes tools to track visibility and performance, similar to expensive enterprise software, but made affordable for small businesses.

The main goal is to help non-technical website owners prepare their sites for AI search without hiring developers or paying high monthly fees.
(Source: EIN Presswire)

Why this matters for your small business:

Many businesses depend on Google for website traffic and sales. But AI search is changing how people find information. While Google still leads today, more people now use AI tools to get answers instead of clicking websites.

As a result, many websites are seeing less traffic. Even though AI users may be better-quality leads, overall visits are dropping. This creates a big opportunity for smart tools and new SEO strategies to help businesses stay visible as AI search grows, especially heading into 2026.

Small Business Technology News #2

ChatGPT could change advertising without users noticing

Fast-growing AI tools like ChatGPT may completely change online advertising. With about 800 million weekly users, OpenAI is testing ways to add ads directly into conversations.

A tool called ChatGPT Atlas, launched in 2025, can already help users shop by remembering past searches and browsing history. In Agent Mode, it can suggest products, find items again, and even add them to shopping carts.

OpenAI’s CFO has confirmed the company is considering advertising. Early tests showed users don’t like obvious ads, so OpenAI is now exploring more subtle and blended ad formats. In the future, ads may feel more like helpful suggestions and be harder to spot.
(Source: Tech Xplore)

Why this matters for your small business:

This is only one possible approach, and it will likely change. Other AI companies will also test their own ad models. For advertisers, the next few years will be unpredictable.

The good news is that AI advertising could reduce Google’s control over online ads. This may create more options and lower-cost advertising opportunities for small businesses.

Small Business Technology News #3 – How marketers rate AI and video tools in 2025

Generative AI tools improved very fast this year. A Digiday report shows which AI tools worked well and which did not.

Google’s Nano Banana image generator was rated the best. Marketers like it because the images look very real and do not have the “too perfect” AI look.

Google’s VEO, a text-to-video AI tool, also got very high ratings. It creates consistent characters, strong visuals, and follows prompts well. Many marketers said it was easy to use in their creative work.

Some tools received a “B” grade. OpenAI’s video tool Sora was praised for movie-style visuals, lighting, and steady scenes. However, marketers said Google VEO was easier to use in daily work. Many teams use several AI tools together. As one expert said, consistency is the most important thing.

Source: Digiday

Why this matters for your small business

AI image and video tools are impressive and improving quickly. They are much better than before and fun to use. However, most are still not fully ready for everyday business use.

In the near future, these tools will become more accurate, reliable, and easier to use. They will also need less technical skill, which will make them more useful for small business owners.

Small Business Technology News #4 – Inbox zero for 2026: Free up Gmail space without deleting emails

Jason Chun from CNET shared a smart way to free up Gmail storage and get back the full 15 GB, without deleting old emails.

Why this matters for your small business

Chun created a second free Gmail account instead of paying for more storage.

Here’s how it works:

  • Back up old emails using Google Takeout

  • Download them to a computer or external hard drive

  • Delete the emails after the transfer is complete

  • Move old emails to the new account using POP settings

Chun says the process is easy and usually fast, even if you move many emails. He also provides step-by-step instructions.

Small Business Technology News #5 – 10 ecommerce trends shaping online retail in 2026

Brian Warmoth from Digital Commerce 360 shared 10 ecommerce trends expected in 2026. These trends are based on what happened in 2025, including tariffs and changes in customer behavior.

Why this matters for your small business:

One important trend is the growth of agentic commerce. This means AI assistants are no longer just answering questions. They can now help with tasks like checking out, doing research, and creating shopping lists. By 2026, these AI tools may also work with other apps and platforms.

This is especially useful for businesses targeting younger customers. According to Warmoth, Gen Z is more comfortable using virtual shopping assistants. Younger shoppers are leading the way in using AI to find and buy products, while businesses are learning how shopping behavior differs by age group.

Each week, I share five small business technology news stories and explain why they matter to your business.

Published: 5th January 2026

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