Mordy’s back with the EDGE after his holiday and throws out hot takes and Captain Obvious moments on the show. We cover the news of the week: AI Overviews that are rolling out in 100+ countries (except for those in the EU, oddly), Google’s perspective on Core Web Vitals and ranking, and the communication from Google about content that starkly differs from the rest of the domain - it ain’t gonna fair well, folks!

Check out our jump into AI News and Tools with this episode—seriously concerning and seriously funny information—the polls of the AI space.

Also - last chance to get BrightonSEO US tickets! Go to https://edgeofthewebradio.com/brightonseo to enter into the weekly giveaway! 

News from the EDGE:

[00:02:15] Last Change for BrightonSEO Tickets

[00:06:37] Moryd’s Hot Take on the Semrush purchase of Search Engine Land

[00:09:30] Google Rolls Out AI Overviews in 100+ Countries

[00:13:34] What Does John Mueller Say About Core Web Vitals and Ranking?

[00:15:54] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: Site Strategics

[00:17:15] Google Also Says: Stay in Your Lane

AI News:

[00:27:28] Researchers say an AI-powered transcription tool used in hospitals invents things no one ever said

[00:31:17] Meta is reportedly working on its own AI-powered search engine, too

AI Tools:

[00:34:57] AI pricing generator for your product or SaaS.

[00:37:29] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: InLinks

Barry Blast from Search Engine Roundtable:

[00:38:46] Google To Sunset Call Ads; Migrating To Responsive Search Ads

[00:40:51] Google Search Console Performance Report Showing Almost No Data Today

[00:42:27] Google: AI Is Not Going Away, So Don't Be Left Behind

Thanks to our sponsors!

Site Strategics https://edgeofthewebradio.com/site

Inlinks https://edgeofthewebradio.com/inlinks

Follow Us:

X: @ErinSparks

X: @MordyOberstein

X: @TheMann00

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Britney Muller rejoins the EDGE to weigh in on the progress of AI and LLMs for use in marketing, the over-hyped announcements to Google's transformative papers, and the ethical dilemmas in AI development.

Discover how emergent properties of AI models are often misunderstood and why ethical integrity is paramount in technology communication. Plus, get an inside scoop on Google's AI controversies and the practical uses of AI technology in everyday tasks. 

Britney underscores the need for human oversight in AI projects to guarantee content quality. She mentions significant academic contributions and controversies in the AI field, including the firing of researchers like Margaret Mitchell and Dr. Timnit Gebru.

Always a wealth of info, Muller is seeing the confirmation of her commitment to machine learning that she started over 5 years ago. You can check out what she said back then in Episode 309 in 2019: How to Use Machine Learning for SEO w/Britney Muller

Key Segments:

[00:05:08] Introduction and Tribute to AI Pioneers

[00:10:00] AI Timeline from 2019 to 2024

[00:11:38] The Language of AI Releases

[00:14:31] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor: Site Strategics

[00:16:00] Ethical Challenges and Controversies in AI

[00:21:16] The Importance of Human Oversight in AI

[00:30:36] The Human-Centered Approach to AI

[00:32:34] EDGE of The Web Sponsor: Wix Studio

[00:38:30] Guidance to SEO Professionals

Thanks to Our Sponsors!

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

Wix: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/wixstudio

Follow Our Guest

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We’re back from Tech SEO Connect!

And we brought Mark Williams-Cook to pinch-hit for Mordy while he was on holiday….and last minute, so there’s that.

We dialed into some things that we missed while we were away. For starters, the Semrush buyout of Search Engine Land is huge news, and we have even bigger news! Marc Sirkin, Danny Goodwin, and Barry Schwartz will be on the show soon to discuss the event.

Matt Mullenweg seems to be melting down about First Amendment claims against WP Engine. The WordPress community seems to be up in arms, at least in our “bubble.” Deep dive there!

Google's leadership shuffle and what Kevin Indig had to say about it. 

AI News and a really cool, we think, AI Tool for this episode. Check it out.

Plus, hear about our media partnership with Brighton SEO USA and your chance to snag a ticket to the event in San Diego. Go to https://edgeofthewebradio.com/brightonseo!

News from the EDGE:

[00:04:19] Mullenweg Criticized for 1st Amendment Claims

[00:12:36] Wrong Direction: Google’s Leadership Shakeup Long Time Coming

[00:23:27] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor: Site Strategics

[00:24:40] Semrush Acquires Search Engine Land

AI Blitz:

[00:34:08] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: Inlinks

[00:34:59] Google’s AI Fails At 43% Of Finance Queries, Study Finds 

[00:37:34] Penguin Random House Protects Its Books from AI Training Use

AI Tools:

[00:41:48] Lumona

Barry Blast from Search Engine Roundtable:

[00:43:32] Expandable Google Knowledge Panels On Desktop Search

Thanks to our sponsors!

Site Strategics https://edgeofthewebradio.com/site

Inlinks https://edgeofthewebradio.com/inlinks

Follow Us:

X: @ErinSparks

X: @thetafferboy

X: @TheMann00

X: @EDGEWebRadio

In this episode of EDGE of the Web, Erin welcomes the talented Akvile DeFazio to discuss the exciting world of AI in marketing. Akvile shares advice for small businesses looking to harness the power of AI, emphasizing the importance of beginner AI courses and webinars. Akvile shares her thoughts about the dynamic nature of marketing, the intricate balance between AI tools and human creativity, and the necessity of human oversight in AI-generated content.

Akvile also announces her upcoming free webinar on Black Friday and Cyber Monday ad strategies, co-hosted with Mikhail Alfon on September 10. She provides an engaging look at AI's evolving role in advertising, discussing creative tools like Canva's plugin with ChatGPT, and emphasizing the importance of strategic thinking and empathy in crafting impactful ads.

[00:10:37] AI Exploits Human-Like Errors For Authentic Advertising

[00:13:30] Creative Tools For Marketing

[00:14:17] Exploring AI Tools For Creative Design Solutions

[00:16:01] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor: Site Strategics

[00:17:10] AI Prompts Transforming Artistic Creation And Education

[00:25:57] AI Emotion Synthesis Needs Stringent Governance Controls

[00:27:73] Ensure Cultural Accuracy With Inclusive, Checked Messaging

[00:31:53] Beginner AI Resources

[00:33:27] EDGE of The Web Sponsor: Wix Studio

[00:34:46] Upcoming Webinar Announcement

Thanks to Our Sponsors!

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

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

Erin Sparks interviews Akvile DeFazio, founder and president of Akvertize Inc., an award-winning agency specializing in paid social media advertising. Akvile shares her rich experience managing social media adverts across various sectors, including e-commerce, events, and apps, leveraging platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and TikTok.

Key discussion points include:

• Ad Strategies and Targeting
• Changes in Consumer Behavior
• Importance of Conversion Tracking
• AI and Advertising
• User Experience
• Meta Ads for E-commerce
• Advertising Landscape Changes

Akvile also shares the importance of mentorship, ongoing learning, and adaptation in the ever-changing landscape of digital marketing. Listen about her own journey, the role mentors played in her success, and her commitment to paying it forward by mentoring college students.

We sure to check her presentation out at BrightonSEO US in November!

Hey! BrightonSEO US is THE event where the brightest minds in the industry share their insights, and we’re giving YOU a chance to be part of it—for FREE! Go to the link https://edgeofthewebradio.com/brightonseo to enter into the weekly raffle! 5, 2-day tickets are available each week! Join us in November!

Be sure to RateThePodcast/EDGE! We would love to hear from you about this episode!

Key Segments:

[00:12:59] Social Media Targeting Changed Due to Privacy Regulations

[00:16:40] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor: Site Strategics

[00:17:41] Paid Social: Effective with AI-driven Features Evolving

[00:20:03] Expand Ad User Experience; Ensure Seamless Journey

[00:21:57] Facebook Excels in Advertising, Discovery, and Shopping

[00:27:16] Use Facebook's Data for Optimal Audience Targeting

[00:29:49] EDGE of The Web Sponsor: Wix Studio

[00:33:22] Consumers Buying Earlier, Reducing Bottom-funnel Ad Spend

[00:34:21] Trusting in the Black Box

Thanks to Our Sponsors!

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

Wix: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/wixstudio

Follow Our Guest

Twitter: https://x.com/AkvileDeFazio

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

Yes, sometimes it happens. We don’t get through all of the news prepped. Mordy, Erin and Jacob take on the WordPress vs WP Engine scenario with a bit of fervor that really tanked the rest of the news, honestly. Which side do you fall on, the WordPress argument is that WP Engine hasn’t been “contributing” their fair share, so they banned all customers of WP Engine from updating or adding plugins from the WordPress library. WP Engine, however, seems to have to pay to play as a WordPress hosting environment. Customers, unaware of the WordPress requirements, are caught up in the mix. Seems like an unfair and very heavy-handed approached to an internal licensing issue.

Forbes was also subject of the news this week - did ONE article affect the visibility of Forbes? Seems that the timing was a bit ‘sus’. Check out the show to get a deeper dive than regular on three articles.

The third? Governor Gavin Newsom just vetoed some major AI safety legislation. Not playing to big tech business in the state, right?

News from the EDGE:

[00:07:36] WordPress Gives WP Engine Users A Reprieve

[00:18:09] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: Site Strategics

[00:19:42] Did Google Hit Forbes Advisor With A Search Penalty?

AI News:

[00:28:04] Newsom vetoes pioneering AI safety legislation

Thanks to our sponsors!

Site Strategics https://edgeofthewebradio.com/site

Inlinks https://edgeofthewebradio.com/inlinks

Follow Us:

X: @ErinSparks

X: @MordyOberstein

X: @TheMann00

X: @EDGEWebRadio

#StandwithUkraine edgeofthewebradio.com/ukraine

What is the future of Large Language Models and Search?

Kristine Schachinger, SEO consultant at Sites Without Walls, joins us for another episode to discuss the intricacies of Navboost and its ramifications for SEO. Drawing insights from the recent Google versus DOJ court documents, she unpacks this misunderstood “ranking signal.”

Continuing the conversation, Kristine shares the concept of “summarization engines” in replacement of AI Search - as she weighs into what the future of search may be and most likely won’t be. Large language models aren’t all what they are cracked up to be. What is the real scenario, with worsening quality, exploding costs, and unsustainable investments?

[00:05:52] Ensuring Factual Information To Protect Clients.

[00:10:24] Google's Monopoly Deemed Illegal; Future Uncertain.

[00:14:17] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: Site Strategics

[00:18:36] Could AI Become The Default Search Engine?

[00:22:09] Language Models: Quality, Costs, Investment.

[00:27:40] AI Models Decentralized

[00:34:06] EDGE of The Web Sponsor: Wix Studio

Thanks to our sponsors!

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

Wix: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/wix

Follow Our Guest

Twitter: https://x.com/schachin

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kschachinger-seo

Is Generative AI causing seismic shifts in the search engine landscape? Surveys by The Information and Barry Schwartz reveal users are “turning away” from traditional search engines like Google, but how far are they actually turning? 

A slew of news from the digital marketing space, including AI-powered video ads on Amazon, Google's Merchant Center Next is pushing for optimized structured data, and a great Kevin Indig article studying over ½ million AI Overviews. Plus, hear about our media partnership with Brighton SEO USA and your chance to snag a ticket to the event in San Diego.

And Mordy crapped on our lawn…..again.

Barry Blast from Search Engine Roundtable:

[00:06:36] 55% Are Using Traditional Search Like Google Less Since Gen AI Products

[00:09:15] Google Search Ranking Volatility Continue With Big Movement Again 9/18

[00:12:06] Google Search Ranking Increases During Core Update Wiped Out Post Update

[00:17:54] EDGE of the Web Ranking: SE Ranking

News from the EDGE:

[00:20:02] New Data Shows That X is Losing Users in the US and UK

[00:22:11] Amazon Ads launches AI-powered video

[00:24:09] Preparing For The Feedless Future With Google Merchant Center Next

[00:25:51] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor: Site Strategics

Captain Obvious

[00:27:30] Google Shows How To Use Alt Text For SEO

AI Blitz:

[00:29:51] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: Inlinks

[00:30:45] HubSpot Rolls Out AI-Powered Marketing Tools

[00:31:97] AI On Innovation: Analysis Of +546,000 AI Overviews

AI Tools:

[00:36:35] Dynamic Node Map from content

Thanks to our sponsors!

Site Strategics https://edgeofthewebradio.com/site

SR Ranking: https://edgeofthewebradio.com/seranking

Inlinks https://edgeofthewebradio.com/inlinks

Follow Us:

X: @ErinSparks

X: @MordyOberstein

X: @TheMann00

X: @EDGEWebRadio

Anastasia Kotsiubynska, Head of SEO at SE Ranking, joins the EDGE to discuss the latest SE Ranking AI Overview studies. This episode focuses on the impact of AI overviews in Google's search results and what this means for SEO strategies.

Anastasia sheds light on how these AI overviews have changed over the last five months since their release in April 2024. While this technology offers impressive efficiency, it also poses significant challenges, such as a potential 25% drop in organic traffic by 2026 due to the "zero-click" trend.

With over 100,00 keywords analyzed, the findings are compelling: a 5% increase in AI overview usage from June to August, with 12% of searches now triggering these overviews. Additionally, approximately 56% of links in AI overviews match the top 100 organic links, while 73% match the top 10, raising concerns about content accuracy and reliability. The research also highlighted that 46% of relationship queries, 33% of food and beverage queries, and 23% of business queries trigger AI overview responses. Notably, high niche environments, such as healthcare and legal sectors, see AI overview and ads triggered simultaneously 65% of the time, spotlighting the growing complexity of search results.

Anastasia provides actionable strategies for adapting to these changes, emphasizing the need for continuous analysis and staying informed. This episode is essential for anyone looking to navigate the complex landscape of modern SEO.

Key Segments:

[00:04:36] Introducing Anastasia Kotsiubynska

[00:09:11] The SE Ranking AI Overview Studies

[00:10:08] AI Overviews Threaten Organic SEO Visibility Significantly

[00:14:32] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: SE Ranking

[00:20:05] 5% Growth of AIO For 100,000 Keywords Is Huge

[00:24:15] Reddit And Quora Links Absent In AI Overviews

[00:26:38] EDGE of The Web Sponsor: Wix 

[00:36:40] AI In Legal, Healthcare Risky, Needs Barriers

[00:39:01] AI's Role in Sensitive Inquiries Raises Concerns

[00:45:08] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor: Site Strategics

[00:56:28] Clients Want Metrics On AI Overview's Traffic Impact

Thanks to Our Sponsors!

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

SE Ranking: https://edgeofthewebradio.com/seranking 

Wix: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/wix

Follow Our Guest!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasia-kotsiubynska/ 

Resources:

1. Mar 04, 2024: Inside Google’s SGE: Uncovering the Beta Version of AI-driven Search
2. Feb 26, 2024: SGE Snippet Research: We Analyzed 100K Keywords to See Google’s AI in Action
3. Jun 19, 2024:. AI Overviews Research: Comparing pre and post-rollout results on 100K keywords
4. Aug 07, 2024:. AI Overviews Research: Analyzing sources in Google’s AI-generated answers
5. Sep 16, 2024: AI Overviews Research: Google Ads in the AIO-inclusive SERPs: https://seranking.com/blog/ai-overviews-and-ads-research/

Dissecting Google's latest moves in the advertising world, from expanding its ad opportunities to embracing dynamic pricing on YouTube. Also, Google's all-new updates on its indexing API, which now comes with a big dose of spam-detection rigor. Who knew indexing could be this thrilling?

Have you ever wondered if AI could help rake in millions with fake music? Well, a certain North Carolinian named Michael Smith did just that and found himself $10 million richer—but now he’s about to face the music.

Plus: a debate on whether AI can truly capture the essence of human dialogue or if it's just treating us like gullible toddlers.

Join us for some good vibes—or, as Mordy might say, forget the vibes and tune in for the tangible, substantial, and downright entertaining breakdown of the latest web trends. Stay safe, stay well, and avoid being a piece of vibing cyber driftwood.

News from the EDGE:

[00:02:31] Google Expands Ad Opportunities with YouTube First Position Availability

[00:05:29] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: SE Ranking

[00:07:16] Google Indexing API Now Enforces Rigorous Spam Detection for Submissions

[00:09:47] How Google Managed to Charge Publishers Higher Fees Than Competitors

Captain Obvious: 

[00:13:29] Brands and their “Good Vibes”

[00:17:43] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: Inlinks

AI Blitz:

[00:19:06] AI and bots allegedly used to fraudulently boost music streams

AI Tools:

[00:21:50] Google Illuminate

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

Barry Blast from Search Engine Roundtable:

[00:32:23] Google Reviews Restrictions For Business Profile Policy Violations

[00:33:23] Google Asks On Social If You Will Use Gemini AI For SEO

Thanks to our sponsors!

Site Strategics https://edgeofthewebradio.com/site

Inlinks https://edgeofthewebradio.com/inlinks

Follow Us:

X: @ErinSparks

X: @MordyOberstein

X: @TheMann00

X: @EDGEWebRadio

#StandwithUkraine edgeofthewebradio.com/ukraine

In episode 714 of EDGE of the Web, Kristine Schachinger shares her thoughts about the recent leak of Google's internal documents and its implications for SEO professionals. With 2500 pages of documentation now public, the SEO community is abuzz with speculation, curiosity, and anger. We cover the ground around the role of user engagement and click signals, addressing misconceptions and the importance of long-term data and context in Google's ranking algorithms.

Key Segments:

[00:03:38] Introducing Kristine Schachinger

[00:07:59] Massive Google Search Algorithm Leak Shocks Community

[00:11:46] Read Foundational Texts First, Not Document Fragments

[00:15:54] DOJ Documents Differ From Community Claims about SEO

[00:19:32] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: SE Ranking

[00:22:40] Rankbrain Uses User Engagement To Determine Relevance

[00:29:02] How Do You Optimize Toward Navboost

[00:33:37] EDGE of The Web Sponsor: Wix

Thanks to Our Sponsors!

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

SE Ranking: https://edgeofthewebradio.com/seranking 

Wix: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/wix

Follow Our Guest

Twitter: https://x.com/schachin 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kschachinger-seo