Hiya, 

It’s heating up outside and so is the digital marketing world. Let’s hop to it!

• At the end of a somewhat lengthy Search Engine Journal post, the author makes two points regarding the similarities and differences between SEO and GEO/AEO (we say Search AI Optimization or SAIO).
  • “SEO and GEO/AEO are like pianos and guitars. They share fundamental musical properties, but require different techniques and additional knowledge to play both effectively.”
  • “And until we all see this [AI] technology evolve and distinguish itself further from traditional organic search, I say we stick with SEO as our agreed-upon acronym for what we do…at least for now”, which sounds a bit contradictory to the previous quote. Also, SAIO is broader than GEO or AEO because it covers all forms of AI platforms being used for search.

• Here’s another example of an alarmist SEO headline: “New data – Google AI Overviews are hurting click-through rates.” The premise? AI Overviews is stealing clicks from organic search results. We already knew this was a likelihood and the data presented confirms it. However, the story didn’t cover how AI Overviews is only showing a portion of the time, so the stealing impact is significantly less than you might think. To their credit, the story does note this stealing effect is true “especially for non-branded, informational queries.” That aligns with our recent blog which stated the length of AI prompts are more likely to be more representative of Commercial/Transactional intent and more valuable for link citations.

• Do you procrastinate? Want to see what others procrastinate about? Here’s a Google Trends Map revealing which of the top 3 procrastination search topics dominates in each state….

• One type of cookie that has been leaving a bad taste for a while: Google’s third-party cookies. Despite years of resources devoted to depreciating the cookie, Google decided to keep the cookie embedded in Chrome. This is days after their second antitrust loss verdict. In true “student checking out before the last day of class” fashion, why would Google put in the effort when it may be forced to sell it off anyway? More insights from Digiday on who will be impacted.

• Another day, another X competitor. The new potential player: OpenAI. Much of the info is floating around in gossip. As Meta and X both have social platforms to train their AIs (Llama and Grok, respectively), is it worth OpenAI making their own to compete AND would anyone actually use it? Quick summary video from TechCrunch.

TAT was started in 2009 to educate truckers on how to be crucial allies against human trafficking. Now, the program has extended into the transportation industry with programs that include innovative training, partnerships with law enforcement, and advocacy efforts. Learn more about Truckers Against Trafficking and watch their latest corporate video.

Thoughts to Take With You… 💞

Sometimes, I look at my dogs sprawled on the floor as I work.

While I’m hopping from meetings, pounding out content, and developing strategy, they’re… not. 

Even with the occasional brawl over a toy, they seem content puddling over my feet. They don’t always have something to do, nor do they need activity overwhelming their day.

They allow themselves to be still. To nap. To watch.

Perhaps we should take a lesson from that.

Have a happy May!

Natalie

I got two big, loveable furballs at home. Here are some fun facts about dogs from the American Kennel Club!

• Forty-five percent of U.S. dogs sleep in their owner’s beds.
• A dog’s nose print is unique, much like a person’s fingerprint.
• Dogs’ noses can sense heat and thermal radiation, which explains why blind or deaf dogs can still hunt. (And yet, both my dogs still cannot find our cat when he hides.…🤦‍♀️)