Howdy y’all,

Welcome to the digital marketing rodeo! 🤠

YouGov’s 2026 U.S. Web Search and AI Report surveyed independent sources and users about how they are using traditional and AI search. (Repeat: these were real people surveyed instead of search engine marketers.) DBE uncovered some interesting data and its implications on SEO and SAIO.

• How Google May ‘Understand’ Unique Content explains how Google’s patented “information gain score” is assigned to a webpage based on how much new information it adds beyond the previous webpages a user has already seen on the same topic. The more new information = the higher the information gain score and chance for gaining search visibility. The article reinforces several ways to differentiate and raise your score including using original data, first-hand experience, interviews, and proprietary awareness. 

• The MLB All-Star game was last week. There was also a report that ChatGPT Ads aren’t going to be the industry all-star Open AI thought they would be. Emarketer projections show ChatGPT will fall 90% short of its $100 billion target for ad revenues by 2030. 

• Conducting a long A/B test on your website won’t trigger SEO penalties, according to John Mueller. Test away, fam!

• Popular belief: Gen Z has a short attention span. Actually no, according to AdWeek. They are just very decisive about where they spend their time. My favorite observation: “Dig the rabbit hole, don’t build the billboard.” Gen Z responds to “in-person” and “low-pressure environments” where they can “follow their curiosities and find community.” Again, it all comes down to authentic connection that can be found outside a curated algorithm.

• Only 12% of designers are “very confident” in pricing their work, according to The Design Pricing Transparency Project survey. The best way to figure out pricing is to talk to others in the industry. That’s what this report does… might be worth checking out if you’re a freelance designer. (Note you have to subscribe to Fast Company see the full report.)

• Do people actually pay attention during podcast ads? 52% skip or tune it out, while 4% stop listening entirely. Yet, 51% of media consumers say they’ve taken action after hearing a podcast/radio/streaming audio ad. This tells me it comes down to the presentation and story. Is the podcaster actually saying the ad? (Lots of people will tune out a different voice.) Does the podcaster sound like they don’t believe in the offer? (Many trust the podcaster but that doesn’t mean the BS detector goes offline completely.)

Wildfires are impacting so many people across the U.S and Canada. Firefighters Without Borders equips firefighters with emergency response training and fire response equipment across Canada and the world. See what they do: Firefighters Without Borders.

Perfectionism itself isn’t a toxic trait.

Like many things in life, the approach makes the difference. Psychotherapist Katherine Morgan Schafler describes the difference between adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism in her book, The Perfectionist’s Guide to Losing Control. 

In very simple terms…

• Maladaptive perfectionism measures one’s worth solely through success.
• Adaptive perfectionism finds joy in pursuing purpose, with high levels of discipline, motivation, and resilience.

Schafler also delves into different types of perfectionists and how they can hone their strengths in positive, self-compassionate ways.

A perfectionist yourself? Take her quiz to find out the type of perfectionist you are.

Stay smart, and stay safe everyone!

Natalie

• Molly Williams was the first recorded female and known black firefighter in 1815.
• Benjamin Franklin established the first volunteer firehouse in 1736.
• Firefighting gear can weigh up to 75 lbs!

Check out other interesting firefighter facts here, and thank a firefighter if you have the chance!