SMB Marketing Weekly: Jan 6-13, 2026

Welcome to the first SMB Marketing Weekly of 2026. Here is what happened in the marketing world this past week that matters for your small business.

Google rolled out an updated display format for the Services section in Google Business Profiles. Businesses that maintain a complete and detailed services list are now seeing a structured menu-style layout directly in search results, giving potential customers a clearer picture before they even click through. If you have not updated your services list recently, now is the time.

Log in to your Google Business Profile and review your services section. Add pricing where possible — Google has indicated that profiles with pricing information get higher engagement.

2. Gmail and Yahoo Tighten Email Authentication Requirements Again

Building on 2024’s bulk sender rules, Gmail and Yahoo announced stricter enforcement of DMARC, DKIM, and SPF authentication starting this month. Small businesses sending marketing emails without proper authentication risk having messages sent directly to spam. Most reputable email marketing platforms handle this automatically, but if you are using a custom domain, verify your DNS records immediately.

3. Instagram Tests In-App Scheduling for Business Accounts

Instagram is rolling out native post scheduling directly within the app for business and creator accounts. While third-party tools have offered this for years, native scheduling removes one more barrier for small business owners managing their own social media. The feature is expected to be widely available by the end of January.

4. New Study: 78% of Consumers Check Reviews Before Visiting a Local Business

A January 2026 survey from BrightLocal confirms what most business owners already suspect: reviews are the first thing consumers check. The study found that 78% of consumers read reviews before visiting a local business, up from 75% last year. More importantly, 62% said they would not consider a business with fewer than 10 reviews. Building a consistent review generation system should be a top priority this year.

5. Meta Launches Simplified Ad Manager for Small Businesses

Meta announced a streamlined version of Ads Manager designed specifically for small businesses with monthly budgets under $2,000. The simplified interface focuses on three campaign objectives — local awareness, lead generation, and website traffic — and uses AI to handle audience targeting and bid optimization automatically. Early testers report a significantly easier setup experience compared to the full Ads Manager.

The Takeaway

This week’s news reinforces a clear theme for 2026: the platforms are making it easier for small businesses to compete, but only if you keep your foundations in order. Clean up your Google profile, verify your email authentication, and make sure your review pipeline is active. These small actions compound over time.

Need help keeping track of leads and follow-ups as you implement these changes? SMBcrm is built specifically for small businesses that want a simple, affordable way to manage customer relationships.