Hey y’all!

Come sit… we’ve got some digital marketing news to talk about.

• Google Search Console (GSC) has been reporting inflated impression data since May 13, 2025. Clicks and other metrics weren’t impacted, but you should watch your click-thru rate in addition to impressions in the coming weeks as they fix it.

• SEO platforms were the most replaced marketing tool in 2025. AI capabilities, cost pressures, and the changing needs in a shifting search landscape were the main drivers. The AI capabilities being integrated into SEO platforms include content generation and optimization, SERP analysis and intent modeling, and workflow automation. Two thoughts:
  • These AI capabilities are tactical and can not replace the need for a strategic approach to optimizing for traditional search and AI search engines; and 
  • Relying on solely AI to create content can actually be counter-productive to search visibility.

For my technical SEOs: Llms.txt, a Markdown file to help large language models (LLMs) understand and use website content, has limitations including the manual maintenance updates and the lack of relationship model. Duane Forrester in SEJ suggests having four layers of a machine-readable content stack on top of llms.txt.

• Improve AI content generation prompts by including more strategic directives with clearer direction on the desired output. One of the checkpoints offered for managing content is a “Human-in-the-loop (HITL)” protocol that is required at the strategic start and the editorial finish. Full guidance in this Martech article.

• Speaking of HITL, Tom Fishburne takes an ironic look at the concept. Some thought-provoking data included: “only 17% of workers believe AI is reliable without human oversight, 64% expect the need for human review to increase, and 20% said AI made customer situations worse.”

• The use of AI in marketing is “quickly becoming another test of brand values” that requires addressing, according to Quick Study’s recent survey of US customers. The use of AI needs to be justified and used in a way that morally aligns with your customers.

Protecting and preserving our nation’s national parks is their goal. With over 1.9 million members outside the organization, they advocate for conservation on the ground, in the courtroom and on Capitol Hill. Learn more about what they do: National Parks Conservation Association.

You finally made it. 

Stress that’s been perched on your shoulders like a spikey-toed hawk makes its long-awaited departure. While that stressful situation flaps away, something in you lets go….

A little cold snowballs into an achy, energy-draining ailment. 

Or a pain arises in a part of your body, as random as a bingo drawing.

This is called the “Let-Down” effect, and it happens right after something stressful unwinds. Your body tells you, “That was tough — I need a rest so urgently that I’m making you stay still for a while.”

While we may not fully prevent a let-down, taking care of ourselves amidst the inclement time may be key to preventing major bodily upheaval.

You got this 😎

Natalie

Did you catch the title reference?

Here are some of the show’s greatest moments!