Welcome back to News from The EDGE! TikTok has been ordered by the U.S. Government to sell the platform to a U.S. company within 9 months or face a ban in the states. TikTok plans to contest the U.S. ban, claiming the bill signed into law by President Joe Biden is unconstitutional. In Google news, the March 2024 Core Update is complete. This update dwindles the importance of links, prioritizing content quality, trustworthiness, and depth as primary ranking factors. Also, internal troubles are hitting Google hard as they continue to face increasing competitive pressure with declining resources in several divisions. We had to cut this week short, so be sure to find this week's AI Tools, AI News, and Barry Blasts in our newsletter! Join us this first week of May as we spring into what’s happening around the SEO world on episode 679 of the EDGE of the Web!

News from the EDGE:

[00:03:48] Bill requiring TikTok sale or ban becomes law in U.S.

[00:13:29] Google March 2024 Core Update Officially Completed A Week Ago

[00:20:46] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: Site Strategics

[00:22:26] Google Warns Of “New Reality” As Search Engine Stumbles

[00:30:41] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: InLinks

This week's guest is Michel Fortin, VP of Growth Marketing at Musora Media. 

In that role, Michel leads digital marketing and optimization strategies such as auditing and improving the marketing funnel performance, expanding visibility, and increasing traffic. Michel has over 30 years of experience constructing a revolutionary outlook on mass AI virtualization. Discover how Moore’s Law is shaping projections for the exponential growth of AI and how SEOs must transition to a high-tech, high-touch role to adapt to the future. Understand the possibilities of augmented virtuality and how it may carve the future of SEO. There’s plenty to oversee as AI continues to advance. Learn how to sculpt this new technology and nurture it into full maturity this week on The EDGE of the Web!  

Key Segments:

[00:03:33] Introducing Michel Fortin

[00:04:58] What’s Michel Been Up To Since His Last Appearance? 

[00:06:53] How Michel’s Background in Music Ties to SEO

[00:09:12] The Application of Moore’s Law to Artificial Intelligence 

[00:17:16] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor: Site Strategics

[00:18:11] Where Does the ‘Human Element’ Fit Into an Artificial Intelligence World? 

[00:23:50] EDGE of the Web Sponsor Wix

[00:25:01] What is Augmented Virtuality?

Local SEO specialist, Joy Hawkins, returns for her second interview segment this week. Joy shares the recent landscape of local SEO, including some big shifts in the space that you need to know! Discover the possibilities of LSAs and videos, learning how they can shoot you up on the SERP. We discuss the rise of AI and where the user fits into this sea of content. To wrap things up, Joy shares what all SEOs should be keeping top of mind… crisis management! Get ready to score with your local SEO as we share the best local tactics and look into how AI is joining the scene this week on the EDGE of the Web! 

Key Segments:

[00:03:27] Reintroducing Joy Hawkins

[00:08:38] Were There Any Major Changes in Local SEO in 2023? 

[00:10:52] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor: Site Strategics

[00:14:06] What Makes Local Service Ads Unique? 

[00:16:10] Steer Clear of This LSA Scam!

[00:20:20] Should Google Be Increasing Their Customer Support Network 

Without AI? 

[00:22:58] EDGE of the Web Sponsor Wix

[00:24:40] Joy’s Thoughts On The Rise of AI 

[00:30:52] How Should SEOs Be Focusing on UX?

[00:33:33] EDGE of the Web Sponsor Riverside.fm

[00:35:16] Have Google Updates Favored User Generated Content? 

[00:35:59] Implementing Crisis Management For Negative Online Mentions

[00:37:06] Can Video Boost Your Local SEO?

Thanks to Our Sponsors!

Site Strategics: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/site  

Wix: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/wix

Follow Our Guest

Twitter:https://twitter.com/JoyanneHawkins

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joyhawkins/?originalSubdomain=ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sterlingskyinc/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2824225650936424YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SterlingSkyInc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sterlingskyseo

Resources

Sterling Sky

Core Updates, Forums, and More Webinar

Local Search Forum

Top Google contributor and owner of Sterling Sky, Joy Hawkins, joins the EDGE this week. Joy has been a renowned SEO speaker and influencer since 2006 and has been growing a top local SEO agency since 2017. How does local SEO differ from traditional SEO? Listen in as Joy shares her industry experience and delivers tactical strategies for executing premier-level local SEO. Google has been growing a much deeper focus on niche markets and authenticity factors. Learn how to leverage this shift to niche-level queries for your clients. Get ahead of the algorithm as we uncover the best local SEO strategies you should be following this week on the EDGE of the Web!

Give our new sponsor a try! Riverside.fm has a special deal for our listeners!  Use our link and the code "Edgeoftheweb" for a 15% discount of their podcast recording service!

Key Segments:

[00:03:57] Introducing Joy Hawkins

[00:05:40] Joy’s Backstory in the Industry

[00:06:53] Taking the Role of an Educator in the Space 

[00:08:15] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor: Site Strategics

[00:09:29] SEO vs. Local SEO 

[00:13:24] Valuable Tactics in Local SEO

[00:18:13] EDGE of the Web Sponsor Riverside.fm

[00:20:18] Why User-Generated Content is Such a Major Factor in Today’s SEO

[00:24:27] How Do We Know That Citation Platforms Aren’t Being Indexed on Google?  

[00:25:59] Entering Into Niche Markets 

[00:31:57] EDGE of the Web Sponsor Wix

[00:33:08] Why do Operating Hours Affect Rankings? 

[00:37:37] Local SEO Recommendations For a Small Budget

Thanks to Our Sponsors!

Site Strategics: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/site  

Wix: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/wix

Riverside: https://edgeofthewebradio.com/riverside

Follow Our Guest

Twitter:https://twitter.com/JoyanneHawkins

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joyhawkins/?originalSubdomain=ca

Welcome back for another week of news from the EDGE! Google is jumping into the CRM market as it plans to acquire HubSpot for $34 billion. Some experts speculate this will spark even more challenges for Google concerning antitrust regulations. New fake AI-generated law firms are accusing people of copyright infringement at a mass scale… and the true motive may surprise you. Should you be labeling your AI content? Tech giants Google, YouTube, Meta, and TikTok are urgently pushing for users to label their AI content! Plus, many fear the potential influence China may have on the 2024 election through widespread AI misinformation. Things are moving around in the SEO space; here’s everything you need to stay ahead here on the EDGE of the Web!

News from the EDGE:

[00:03:27] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: Site Strategics

[00:08:48] Is Google Eyeing HubSpot for Acquisition?

[00:11:54] Data Reveals Shortcomings in Privacy Tools

[00:15:15] Shady SEO: Fake Law Firms Use Fake DMCA Threats for Gains

AI Blitz:

[00:23:48 ] Labeled: A New Wave Of AI Content Labeling Efforts

[00:32:40] Microsoft: China plans to disrupt elections with AI-generated disinformation

AI Tools:

[00:34:24] Fix your blurry photos using AI

[00:35:43] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: InLinks

Barry Blast from Search Engine Roundtable:

[00:37:50] Google SGE Testing Tabs In AI Overviews

[00:40:33] Google: Ad Strength Is Not Used In Ad Auction

[00:42:15] Microsoft's Fabrice Canel: SEOs Don't Realize Bing Search Usage

Thanks to our sponsors!

Site Strategics https://edgeofthewebradio.com/site    

Inlinks https://edgeofthewebradio.com/inlinks

Follow Us:

Twitter: @ErinSparks

Twitter: @MordyOberstein

Twitter: @TheMann00

Twitter: @EDGEWebRadio

Resources 

• Is Google Eyeing HubSpot for Acquisition?
• Data Reveals Shortcomings in Privacy Tools
• Shady SEO: Fake Law Firms Use Fake DMCA Threats for Gains

• Labeled: A New Wave Of AI Content Labeling Efforts
• Will AI Replace SEO Specialists?
• Microsoft: China plans to disrupt elections with AI-generated disinformation
• Driver AI explains millions of lines of code in minutes instead of months
• AI infrastructure for customer support
• Fix your blurry photos using AI
• Google SGE Testing Tabs In AI Overviews
• Google: Ad Strength Is Not Used In Ad Auction
• Microsoft's Fabrice Canel: SEOs Don't Realize Bing Search Usage

#StandwithUkraine edgeofthewebradio.com/ukraine

Welcome back to the OG webmaster, Simon Cox, for his second interview segment. Simon began his career in commercial graphic design. In this episode, Simon connects the dots between certain artistic frameworks and principles that can be applied to your SEO strategy. How does the emergence of AI imagery affect SEO as a whole? We investigate how users and engines alike perceive AI imagery compared to human-generated imagery and how you can leverage the ‘human touch’ to your advantage. Join us this week as we discover what AI design really means for SEO moving forward here on the EDGE of the Web!

Give our new sponsor a try! Riverside.fm has a special deal for our listeners!  Use our link and the code "Edgeoftheweb" for a 15% discount of their podcast recording service!

Key Segments

[00:04:28 ] Reintroducing Simon Cox 

[00:05:25] What Kind of Art Did Simon Work With Early on in His Career? 

[00:08:58] Can Artistic Principles be Applied to SEO? 

[00:12:22] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor: Site Strategics

[00:13:09] Building a Visual Design That Compliments User Expectations

[00:16:41] How is AI Imagery Perceived Differently Than Authentic Imagery? 

[00:21:27] EDGE of The Web Sponsor: Riverside

[00:23:45] Does AI Hurt The Integrity of SEO? 

[00:31:06] What Can We Do to Grow The Reputation of SEOs? 

[00:33:07] EDGE of The Web Sponsor: Wix

[00:34:21] Simon Cox SEO Pro Tip

Thanks to Our Sponsors!

Site Strategics: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/site

Wix: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/wix

Riverside: https://edgeofthewebradio.com/riverside 

Follow Our Guest

Twitter: https://twitter.com/simoncox 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonmcox/?originalSubdomain=uk Mastodon: @[email protected]

Resources

https://www.simoncox.com/ 

https://www.wix.com/seo/learn/experts/simon-cox 

https://www.coxand.co.uk/

Erin Sparks is back behind the Digital News Desk this week to deliver a groundbreaking news flash - Google greenlights Microsoft's 53% acquisition, handing over a majority stake to Bill and the crew.

Did we get ya? Happy April Fools from all of us at EDGE of the Web!

This week we investigate a new lawsuit against Facebook and Instagram as allegations pile up claiming the social platforms are allegedly delivering ads to bot accounts and inflating ad viewership metrics to their advertisers. Google STILL has not announced a launch date for SGE; here’s the scoop. Plus, OpenAI released a new feature opening a whole new spectrum of possibilities. Kick-off this April right and tune in for what is and isn't happening in SEO right here on the EDGE!

News from the EDGE:

[00:07:16] Facebook and Instagram Accused of Bilking Advertisers in $7 Billion Lawsuit

[00:09:24] YouTube Asks Creators: Hold Onto Your Videos!

[00:15:40] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: Site Strategics

[00:18:23] Small Website Tweaks Might Not Move the Google Search Needle

AI Blitz:

[00:20:29] Google still has not announced a launch date for SGE

[00:26:21] Google starts testing AI overviews from SGE in main Google search interface

[00:26:40] OpenAI just unveiled Voice Engine

AI Tools:

[00:29:28] Delfiny AI - Talk to AI Marketing Assistant for Your Digital Ads

[00:30:47] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: InLinks

Barry Blast from Search Engine Roundtable:

[00:32:08] SEOs, Please Don't Remove Contact Us & About Us Pages

[00:35:43] Google: Fixing A Helpful Content Site Isn't About Where Measuring Against The Previous Version Of That Site

Thanks to our sponsors!

Site Strategics https://edgeofthewebradio.com/site    

Inlinks https://edgeofthewebradio.com/inlinks

Follow Us:

Twitter: @ErinSparks

Twitter: @MordyOberstein

Twitter: @TheMann00

Twitter: @EDGEWebRadio

Resources 

• Facebook and Instagram Accused of Bilking Advertisers in $7 Billion Lawsuit
• YouTube Asks Creators: Hold Onto Your Videos!
• Small Website Tweaks Might Not Move the Google Search Needle
• Google still has not announced a launch date for SGE
• Google starts testing AI overviews from SGE in main Google search interface
• OpenAI just unveiled Voice Engine
• Adobe GenStudio: 3 key questions answered
• Talk to AI Marketing Assistant for Your Digital Ads
• New Google Shopping & Maps Search Features
• SEOs, Please Don't Remove Contact Us & About Us Pages
• Google: Fixing A Helpful Content Site Isn't About Where Measuring Against The Previous Version Of That Site

#StandwithUkraine edgeofthewebradio.com/ukraine

Joining the EDGE this week is web development Swiss Army Knife: Simon Cox. Simon is a pioneer in website development with almost 30 years of full-scale web construction, management, consulting, and optimization under his belt. Learn how to acclimate to industry advancements as Simon shares his experience adapting to rapid technology expansion. Listen to the wonderful insights and get to know one of the founding fathers of web design and technical SEO. We travel back in time to reminisce over what has shaped the industry and how it became what it is today here on the EDGE of the Web! 

Key Segments:

[00:02:43] Introducing Simon Cox

[00:04:08] Simon’s Career Story

[00:09:54] Changes in SEO Since The ‘Early Days’

[00:13:09] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor: Site Strategics

[00:13:58] Keeping an Eye on Accessibility

[00:15:17] How Did Simon Stay up to Date With Evolving  Technology During the Rapid Expansion Era of the Internet? 

[00:23:08] Considerations Before Offering SEO Services to an Agency

[00:28:41] Lessons Learned From Consulting For Agencies

[00:31:33] EDGE of The Web Sponsor: Wix

[00:32:45] Staying Ethical in SEO 

Thanks to Our Sponsors!

Site Strategics: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/site  

Wix: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/wix

Mastodon: https://mastodon.social/@simoncox

Follow Our Guest

Twitter: https://twitter.com/simoncox

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonmcox/?originalSubdomain=uk

Resources

https://www.simoncox.com/

https://www.wix.com/seo/learn/experts/simon-cox

https://www.coxand.co.uk/

Erin was off fighting crime this week, but you need not worry because the great Mordy Oberstein and Jacob Mann took the stage for this segment. Plenty of Google this week. Study shows Google AI summaries do, in fact hurt search traffic. Google finds a new ally in Disney to expand real-time ad exchange, meaning that marketers will have broader access to ad inventory across Disney Plus and Hulu. Recent news shows that the U.S. is further behind China in AI research & development than you would have imagined. Plus, Google has an all-new filter tab. Don’t miss out on what’s happening in the SEO world this week, as always, right here on the EDGE of the Web!

We’re bringing back the EDGE Newsletter!  Join us to catch these headlines and many of the others that didn’t make it to the show but were really interesting!  Your News(letter) from the EDGE awaits here!

News from the EDGE:

[00:08:13] A new study finds that Google’s AI summaries may hurt searches for brands and products

[00:13:03] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: Site Strategics

[00:15:10] Disney teams with Google to boost ad reach

[00:19:53] Google Update Unleashes Ranking Rollercoaster: Prepare for Volatility

AI Blitz:

[00:25:51] Study finds that China produced almost 50% of the world's top AI researchers, compared to ~18% from the US, thanks to China's heavy investment in AI education

[00:28:27] Justice Department Risks Picking the Wrong Fight With Apple

AI Tools:

[00:31:02] AI-powered History Teacher

[00:32:49] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: InLinks

Barry Blast from Search Engine Roundtable:

[00:34:10] Report: No Site Hit By The September Helpful Content Update Recovered Yet

[00:37:46] Microsoft Buying Ads On Google Search To Drive More Searches On Bing

[00:41:15] Google Tests Products & Product Sites Search Bar Filter Tabs

Thanks to our sponsors!

Site Strategics https://edgeofthewebradio.com/site    

Inlinks https://edgeofthewebradio.com/inlinks

Follow Us:

Twitter: @ErinSparks

Twitter: @MordyOberstein

Twitter: @TheMann00

Twitter: @EDGEWebRadio

Resources: 

• Google SGE a top threat to brand and product terms
• Disney announces Google partnership as it expands ad platform
• Turbulence ahead: The wrath of the March 2024 core update is not linear 
• Study finds that China produced almost 50% of the world's top AI researchers, compared to ~18% from the US, thanks to China's heavy investment in AI education
• Justice Department Risks Picking the Wrong Fight With Apple
• AI-powered History Teacher
• ZeroTrusted AI
• Report: No Site Hit By The September Helpful Content Update Recovered Yet
• Microsoft Buying Ads On Google Search To Drive More Searches On Bing
• Google Tests Products & Product Sites Search Bar Filter Tabs

#StandwithUkraine edgeofthewebradio.com/ukraine

Welcome back to seasoned marketing analyst, strategist, educator, and owner of BEAST Analytics, Brie Anderson, for her second interview segment. The last episode was all about setting the stage. This week, Erin and Brie will take you through the rehearsal process necessary to rock out a live GA4 performance!

Learn to develop a rehearsal plan of analyzation tactics so that you can steer your content in the right direction come showtime. Now you’ve taken the stage! Get ready to execute an analytical symphony that springs the audience to their feet this week on the EDGE of the Web!

[00:03:21] Introducing Brie Anderson

[00:04:06] Brie’s GA4 Session at Brighton SEO 

[00:06:05] Testing GA4 Before the ‘Show’ 

[00:11:22] Can You Set Up GA4 Tracking to Expand Behavioral Analysis?

[00:16:12] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor: Site Strategics

[00:17:14] What to Actually Do With All This Data

[00:19:58] Is Multi-Touch Reporting in GA4? What About Assisted Conversion Reporting? 

[00:23:18] Benchmarks of User Experience 

[00:29:00] EDGE of The Web Sponsor: Wix 

[00:30:11] Mapping Out The User Journey

[00:38:40] Brie’s Experience From Developing Educational Courses

[00:41:11] Final Pro Tip From Brie Anderson

Thanks to Our Sponsors!

Site Strategics: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/site  

Wix: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/wix

Follow Our Guest

Twitter: https://twitter.com/brie_e_anderson?lang=en

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brieeanderson/

Resources: 

BEAST Analytics

GA4SEO - BEAST Analytics 

UTM Generator Google Sheet

TikTok is potentially looking at a ban in the U.S if they don’t adhere to federal guidelines within 6 months… What drawbacks could this have for marketers? Interested in targeting the whole world on Google Ads? Not so fast!

Aaaaaaaaand, it’s core update time! That’s right, the first 2024 core update is upon us with Google releasing major enhancements in search quality. Early reports saying the update targets manipulation at scale to reduce unhelpful content by a whopping 40%. We’ll keep you updated in the coming weeks but here’s everything we know now. 

We’re bringing back the EDGE Newsletter!  Join us to catch these headlines and many of the others that didn’t make it to the show but were really interesting!  Your News(letter) from the EDGE awaits here!

News from the EDGE:

[00:04:50] Here we go again…Is TikTok about to get BANNED in the US?

[00:09:26] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: Site Strategics 

[00:10:02] Are Google Ads about to screw up your targeting at the country level?

[00:13:06] You know what we’ve been needing around here… A COOOOOOORE UPDATE

AI Blitz:

[00:27:03] Google engineer stole AI tech for Chinese firms

[00:28:26] Researchers create self-spreading AI malware

AI Tools:

[00:29:54] Suno - Make a song with a prompt

[00:32:33] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: InLinks

Barry Blast from Search Engine Roundtable:

[00:33:09] Google: We Still Try To Avoid Overlapping Algorithmic Updates

[00:35:18] Google Maps Hides Views Counts On New Reviews

[00:36:25] Does Google Search Know What Is Reliable Information

Thanks to our sponsors!

Site Strategics https://edgeofthewebradio.com/site    

Inlinks https://edgeofthewebradio.com/inlinks

Resources: 

Here we go again…Is TikTok about to get BANNED in the US? 

Are Google Ads about to screw up your targeting at the country level?

Core Update

Core Update

Core Update

Google engineer stole AI tech for Chinese firms

Make a song with a prompt

Content & SEO GPT

Researchers create self-spreading AI malware

Google: We Still Try To Avoid Overlapping Algorithmic Updates

Google Maps Hides Views Counts On New Reviews

Does Google Search Know What Is Reliable Information

Follow Us:

Twitter: @ErinSparks

Twitter: @MordyOberstein

Twitter: @TheMann00

Twitter: @EDGEWebRadio

#StandwithUkraine edgeofthewebradio.com/ukraine