Holla!

Time to shimmy into this week’s digital marketing news!

• Based on a survey of 371 professionals in 52 countries, the State of SEO 2026 report covers what’s working in SEO today and where the industry is headed. Some highlights include:
  • 58% of SEO teams are considered to be “Hybrid Strategists” in the use of AI to enhance human-created content vs. “AI-Heavy Adopter” (22%) who are all in on AI automation. “Authority Builders” (49%) are not using AI as they focus on E-E-A-T and human expertise. DBE is in the Hybrid Strategists group as we focus on E-E-A-T while leveraging AI to enhance human-created content.
  • Top SEO activities with the greatest positive impact include: original content creation 📝, content updates 🔃, technical SEO enhancements⚙️, keyword optimization🗝️, and internal linking strategy 🔗.
  • 37% are working to increase organizational cross-functional collaboration and integration to enhance SEO success.
  • 65% of the respondents do not expect cuts in SEO spending next year due to its proven results in increased organic traffic.

Note: the article includes a link to download the full, 31-page e-book (wow-za).

• 📢 HIRING: Google Anti-Scraping Engineering Analyst. What could this possibly mean for our beloved SEO ranking tools? Welp, this role is to prevent automated search scraping through tools that don’t use APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). Some tools may see disruption, but reputable tools should be able to hold their ground.

• Another anti-spam update rolled out on Google… what’s the verdict? Same as always, some saw recoveries from the last spam update, others were hit with declines in visibility.

• In the age of AI answers, how can content marketing evolve beyond the click? Two thoughts worth considering:
  • Optimize for “fan-out queries” to capture how searchers often need more information or to do more related searches before finalizing buying decisions.
  • Take a problem/solution approach to content that connects searchers with what they need in ways AI bots may not deliver in their synthesized responses.

• “Generative engine optimization (or whatever the new acronym is for optimizing for AI search experiences) is the same core work SEOs have always done: creating unique, valuable content for people and providing a great page experience” was Danny Sullivan’s take in a recent keynote he delivered. While we agree that SEO and SAIO optimization strategies are complementary, a SAIO tactical approach includes ways to optimize more specifically for AI search bots.

• How do people really use ChatGPT? Fourth Mind has a great LinkedIn overview of the recent Harvard, Duke, and OpenAI report. Quick overview:
  • Non-work usage is going up.
  • Almost half of messages are “Asking” (decision support), vs. 40% “Doing” (task execution).

As more people figure out how to use AI for their benefit, I wonder how our skills will shift to suit the tools at our disposal.

• CLAUDE DATA UPDATE: Claude will be offering users the choice for the bot to use their data in training. Current Claude users (even those with free accounts) have to select an option by September 28, 2025. You can update your preferences at any time.

• Two key findings of a survey of marketing and advertising professionals reveal turnaround shifts in perceptions regarding AI:
  • 58.6% now believe AI will lead to substantial job losses in their field.
  • 59.3% now believe AI is not overhyped.

Buried at the bottom of the detailed write-up is this nugget: “91% believe that AI will radically transform digital advertising within the next 3-5 years.”

• A/B testing for YouTube titles? Yes please!

K9s For Warriors gives highly-trained Service Dogs to military veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury and/or military trauma. Many of the dogs come from high-kill rescue shelters and are paired with a military veteran to help in the healing journey. They are truly making a positive impact on so many lives. Please consider checking them out and donating: K9s For Warriors.

We are hideously over-connected and astoundingly under-connected simultaneously.

World events are continuously delivered to your mental mailbox, but you never got around to reading through the last delivery.

With instantaneous connection to a world beyond our control, we forget our interrelation and interdependence with our environment, and ultimately ourselves.

When the virtual world is overstimulating, draw your awareness back to the moment: the Earth beneath your feet, the person across from you. Pause and process.

Best Wishes 🌠,

Natalie

Friendly reminder that plants need water. So do you. Go hydrate.

Oh, and here’s how to properly water your indoor plants, compliments of @blossomeffect.