SMB Marketing Weekly: Feb 10-17, 2026
Here is your weekly roundup of the marketing news that matters most for small business owners. We cut through the noise so you can focus on what is actionable.
Google Tests “Neighborhood” Labels in Local Search Results
Google has been spotted testing a new “Neighborhood” label in local search results and Google Maps for select U.S. cities. The labels identify the specific neighborhood a business is located in (for example, “Capitol Hill” in Seattle or “Wicker Park” in Chicago), giving searchers more geographic context before clicking.
Why it matters: If this rolls out broadly, businesses in well-known neighborhoods could see a visibility boost. Make sure your Google Business Profile includes accurate address information and that your website mentions your neighborhood naturally in your content. This is another signal that hyper-local SEO is becoming increasingly important.
Meta Simplifies Ad Campaign Setup for Small Businesses
Meta announced a streamlined ad creation flow in Ads Manager specifically designed for businesses spending under $1,000 per month. The simplified interface reduces the number of steps to launch a campaign from twelve to five and uses AI to suggest targeting, placements, and creative variations based on your business type and objective.
Why it matters: Facebook and Instagram ads have been notoriously complex for small business owners without marketing expertise. This update lowers the barrier significantly. If you have been hesitant to try paid social advertising, this is a good time to experiment with a small budget. Even $5-10 per day can help you test what messaging resonates with your audience.
Major Email Providers Expand Sender Verification Requirements
Following Google and Yahoo’s 2024 sender requirements, Microsoft has announced that Outlook and Hotmail will begin enforcing similar DMARC and authentication standards starting April 2026. Senders who fail to authenticate their domain will see significantly reduced deliverability to Microsoft email addresses.
Why it matters: If you send marketing emails and have not set up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records for your domain, you are running out of time. Check with your email platform’s documentation for setup instructions — most make it straightforward. This is not optional anymore. Unauthenticated senders will effectively be unable to reach a large portion of email users.
Canva Launches Free “Business Starter” Tier
Canva has introduced a new “Business Starter” plan that gives small businesses free access to a curated set of brand templates, a simplified brand kit, and basic social media scheduling for up to three platforms. The tier is limited compared to Canva Pro but includes features that were previously paywalled.
Why it matters: For small businesses that cannot justify a monthly design tool subscription, this is a solid option for creating consistent, professional-looking social media graphics, flyers, and email headers. The built-in scheduling feature, while basic, could eliminate the need for a separate scheduling tool if you are just getting started.
TikTok Announces $50M Small Business Grant Program
TikTok has launched a grant program offering $2,500 in ad credits and one-on-one marketing coaching to 20,000 small businesses in the U.S. and Canada. Applications open March 1, 2026, and the program is targeting businesses with fewer than 50 employees that have not previously advertised on TikTok.
Why it matters: Even if you are skeptical about TikTok for your business, free ad credits and coaching remove the financial risk of testing the platform. Short-form video continues to grow as a discovery channel, and many local businesses — restaurants, retailers, service providers — have found success reaching new audiences on TikTok. Applications are expected to be competitive, so prepare your submission early.
That is the week in small business marketing. Focus your energy on the items that align with your current priorities — you do not need to act on everything at once. We will be back next week with more.