Don’t ask me how I got here….

Today is National Buttermilk Biscuit Day… and Bond with Your Dog Day… and National Dance Like a Chicken Day. Needless to say, I’m honored you took time from eating biscuits and chicken dancing with your dog to read this newsletter. You’re awesome. 😎

• In its continuing move toward providing results similar to Google, ChatGPT is now including product recommendations in its search. Here’s the example they showed with the announcement: 

Scroll to the bottom of the article to see a waitlist form and be notified when feed submissions open for merchants!

• As we expected, Google is rapidly expanding its testing of AI Mode with new features like “places” (aka Google Business-like listings), product cards, and a history panel of previous queries/conversations. Plus, there is no longer a waitlist if you want to explore the platform yourself.

• Google AI is putting on its Sherlock Holmes cape to crack down on scammers in Google Search. Their team states that they’ve reduced the number of scammy pages in Search by 80%. But, we know that there are smart people who work for Search as well as on the scammer end, so continue to stay vigilant, y’all.

• Get this… “ChatGPT now controls 80.1% of AI search traffic” while “traditional search engines like Google show a consistent decline in usage.” One could say ChatGPT’s dominance in AI search is like Google’s dominance in traditional search. We can hope that ChatGPT won’t also start showing ads, but there are reports they may be coming to the platform in 2026. *tear* 😢

• Want to feel like a real VIP on Instagram? How about with Unlockable Reels? Oh yeah, Insta was spotted testing the feature last month. It’s a fun way to spark up engagement for accounts with followers dedicated enough to find and enter a code.

• When can average be better than excellent? Matt Bowen claims that that is true of Google Ads Strength in SEL. To get an “Excellent” ad score, you have to unpin all your headlines in your ads. This could lead to “odd combinations – multiple keyword-stuffed headlines or a string of repetitive value propositions – resulting in ads that feel spammy, awkward, and robotic.” The data Bowen brings up shows higher Cost Per Clicks (CPCs) for the unpinned or excellent-rated ads. The takeaways: make sure your ads are relevant. For ad strength, don’t chase “Excellent,” but avoid “Poor” to ensure performance.

Home for Good Dog Rescue has saved over 12,000 dogs since 2010! Think of how many games of fetch, dog piles, and doggie play dates were enjoyed because of their work. Home for Good Dog saves dogs from kill shelters in the South and places them with foster families until they get placed in forever homes. Check out their website, and fall in love with their pups on socials. 💖

Thoughts to Take With You… 💞

I have a Chinese Evergreen plant (Herman). 🪴

For a long time, I kept him in a south-facing window with ample sunlight, watered him weekly (even if the soil was wet), and kept him in a little pot I thought was cute.

😨 Eventually, Herman’s leaves started browning and new growth slowed. 

Then, I passed Herman’s thriving cousin plant, rooted in dry soil, in the low-lit part of a restaurant. 

When I got home, I placed Herman in a bigger pot, stopped watering him so much, and put him in a low-lit corner. His patterned leaves returned to a deep green and even sprouted a second stem next to the first (Hermine).

Moral of the story: You can’t assume you know what others need. Stay observant, ask questions, and listen.

Keep it groovy,

Natalie

Don’t worry, I’m not gonna mention biscuits and not give you a recipe! Here’s one from Sally’s Baking, and over here’s a gluten-free, vegan recipe from Just What We Eat.