725 | Semrush Acquires Search Engine Land | What’s Next?

Literally, if you have to check your legalese, check the site you have on the package, Mattel! Top news of the week in digital marketing and AI. Matt Mullenweg gets trolled by a mock website based on his own website, trying to show departures from WPEngine. There’s a core algorithm update happening right now - watch your stats! What is the potential scenario of a Google break up, as it applies to the Google Ad section of their business? AI news and a really cool AI tool on this episode (can you visualize it?), along with a slew of posts from Barry Schwartz from Search Engine Roundtable. Also, make sure you check out the last Interview Series episode with the top brass from Third Door Media, which talks about the recent acquisition of Search Engine Land by Semrush. Great interview with some great insights from these gentlemen! News from the EDGE: [00:02:01] Automattic Confronts Irony with New Protest Site: WPEngineTracker.com [00:06:10] Google Launches November 2024 Core Algorithm Update [00:08:35] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor: Site Strategics [00:09:52] How a Google Breakup Could Impact the PPC Industry   Captain Obvious [00:15:52] Proofread Your Packaging, Mattel! AI News: [00:19:31] Latest Google AIO Updates May Impact SEO   AI Tools: [00:22:22] Get Visuals From Your Text: napkin.ai [00:23:39] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: InLinks    Barry Blast from Search Engine Roundtable: [00:25:26] Google Ads Allows US Elections Ads Again Starting Nov 11 [00:26:39] HARO / Connectively Platform Closing Down December 9 [00:28:26] Google AI Overviews Testing Anchor Text-Based Hyperlinks Thanks to our sponsors! Site Strategics https://edgeofthewebradio.com/site Inlinks https://edgeofthewebradio.com/inlinks Follow Us: X: @ErinSparks X: @TheMann00 X: @EDGEWebRadio

This is the first for EDGE of the Web, which has the top brass from Search Engine Land! Erin welcomes the impressive panel featuring:  Marc Sirkin, CEO of Third Door Media,  Danny Goodwin, Editorial Director, Search Engine Land & SMX Barry Schwartz, contributor to SEL and owner of Search Engine Roundtable.  They discuss the huge news of Semrush’s recent acquisition of Search Engine Land (a Third Door Media property). The discussion highlights the ongoing mission to maintain editorial integrity amidst the transition, and the group shares insights on brand visibility strategies and adaptation to the evolving SEO landscape. The conversation addresses the challenges of maintaining Search Engine Land's core values while benefiting from Semrush’s expansive resources. Marc, Danny, and Barry contribute their perspectives, emphasizing the importance of transparency and maintaining a balanced approach to content and advertising. Don’t miss the upcoming SMX Next free online event on November 13th and 14th. It will feature a great lineup of discussions on critical SEO and marketing topics.  Key Segments: [00:06:38] The Big News: Semrush Acquisition of SEL [00:10:23] The Challenges | Impressions and Insights [00:13:15] The Main Goal: Editorial Independence & Integrity [00:16:23] What Social Media Said [00:20:58] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor: Site Strategics [00:22:10] Advertising Concerns in the Future [00:24:25] Semrush: Not Just an SEO Tool [00:27:01] What about the Events? [00:33:18] EDGE of The Web Sponsor: Wix Studio [00:34:32] Benefits of the Integration of Semrush Data [00:37:42] The Future of SEO? [00:43:26] We Love Barry! (had to do it) [00:43:47] SMX Next: Free, Live Event on November 13th and 14th Thanks to Our Sponsors! Site Strategics: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/site Wix: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/wix Follow Our Guests: Marc Sirkin X / Twitter: @msirkin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcsirkin/ Danny Goodwin X / Twitter: @MrDannyGoodwin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannygoodwin/ Barry Schwartz X / Twitter: @rustybrick LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rustybrick/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rustybrick Resources: https://searchengineland.com/semrush-acquires-search-engine-land-447555  https://www.seroundtable.com/semrush-acquires-third-door-media-38255.html

Mordy’s back with the EDGE after his holiday and throws out hot takes and Captain Obvious moments on the show. We cover the news of the week: AI Overviews that are rolling out in 100+ countries (except for those in the EU, oddly), Google’s perspective on Core Web Vitals and ranking, and the communication from Google about content that starkly differs from the rest of the domain - it ain’t gonna fair well, folks! Check out our jump into AI News and Tools with this episode—seriously concerning and seriously funny information—the polls of the AI space. Also - last chance to get BrightonSEO US tickets! Go to https://edgeofthewebradio.com/brightonseo to enter into the weekly giveaway!  News from the EDGE: [00:02:15] Last Change for BrightonSEO Tickets [00:06:37] Moryd’s Hot Take on the Semrush purchase of Search Engine Land [00:09:30] Google Rolls Out AI Overviews in 100+ Countries [00:13:34] What Does John Mueller Say About Core Web Vitals and Ranking? [00:15:54] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: Site Strategics [00:17:15] Google Also Says: Stay in Your Lane AI News: [00:27:28] Researchers say an AI-powered transcription tool used in hospitals invents things no one ever said [00:31:17] Meta is reportedly working on its own AI-powered search engine, too AI Tools: [00:34:57] AI pricing generator for your product or SaaS. [00:37:29] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: InLinks Barry Blast from Search Engine Roundtable: [00:38:46] Google To Sunset Call Ads; Migrating To Responsive Search Ads [00:40:51] Google Search Console Performance Report Showing Almost No Data Today [00:42:27] Google: AI Is Not Going Away, So Don't Be Left Behind Thanks to our sponsors! Site Strategics https://edgeofthewebradio.com/site Inlinks https://edgeofthewebradio.com/inlinks Follow Us: X: @ErinSparks X: @MordyOberstein X: @TheMann00 X: @EDGEWebRadio

Britney Muller rejoins the EDGE to weigh in on the progress of AI and LLMs for use in marketing, the over-hyped announcements to Google's transformative papers, and the ethical dilemmas in AI development. Discover how emergent properties of AI models are often misunderstood and why ethical integrity is paramount in technology communication. Plus, get an inside scoop on Google's AI controversies and the practical uses of AI technology in everyday tasks.  Britney underscores the need for human oversight in AI projects to guarantee content quality. She mentions significant academic contributions and controversies in the AI field, including the firing of researchers like Margaret Mitchell and Dr. Timnit Gebru. Always a wealth of info, Muller is seeing the confirmation of her commitment to machine learning that she started over 5 years ago. You can check out what she said back then in Episode 309 in 2019: How to Use Machine Learning for SEO w/Britney Muller Key Segments: [00:05:08] Introduction and Tribute to AI Pioneers [00:10:00] AI Timeline from 2019 to 2024 [00:11:38] The Language of AI Releases [00:14:31] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor: Site Strategics [00:16:00] Ethical Challenges and Controversies in AI [00:21:16] The Importance of Human Oversight in AI [00:30:36] The Human-Centered Approach to AI [00:32:34] EDGE of The Web Sponsor: Wix Studio [00:38:30] Guidance to SEO Professionals Thanks to Our Sponsors! Site Strategics: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/site Wix: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/wixstudio Follow Our Guest Twitter: https://x.com/britneymuller  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/britneymuller/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/britneymuller/

We’re back from Tech SEO Connect! And we brought Mark Williams-Cook to pinch-hit for Mordy while he was on holiday….and last minute, so there’s that. We dialed into some things that we missed while we were away. For starters, the Semrush buyout of Search Engine Land is huge news, and we have even bigger news! Marc Sirkin, Danny Goodwin, and Barry Schwartz will be on the show soon to discuss the event. Matt Mullenweg seems to be melting down about First Amendment claims against WP Engine. The WordPress community seems to be up in arms, at least in our “bubble.” Deep dive there! Google's leadership shuffle and what Kevin Indig had to say about it.  AI News and a really cool, we think, AI Tool for this episode. Check it out. Plus, hear about our media partnership with Brighton SEO USA and your chance to snag a ticket to the event in San Diego. Go to https://edgeofthewebradio.com/brightonseo! News from the EDGE: [00:04:19] Mullenweg Criticized for 1st Amendment Claims [00:12:36] Wrong Direction: Google’s Leadership Shakeup Long Time Coming [00:23:27] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor: Site Strategics [00:24:40] Semrush Acquires Search Engine Land AI Blitz: [00:34:08] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: Inlinks [00:34:59] Google’s AI Fails At 43% Of Finance Queries, Study Finds  [00:37:34] Penguin Random House Protects Its Books from AI Training Use AI Tools: [00:41:48] Lumona Barry Blast from Search Engine Roundtable: [00:43:32] Expandable Google Knowledge Panels On Desktop Search Thanks to our sponsors! Site Strategics https://edgeofthewebradio.com/site Inlinks https://edgeofthewebradio.com/inlinks Follow Us: X: @ErinSparks X: @thetafferboy X: @TheMann00 X: @EDGEWebRadio

In this episode of EDGE of the Web, Erin welcomes the talented Akvile DeFazio to discuss the exciting world of AI in marketing. Akvile shares advice for small businesses looking to harness the power of AI, emphasizing the importance of beginner AI courses and webinars. Akvile shares her thoughts about the dynamic nature of marketing, the intricate balance between AI tools and human creativity, and the necessity of human oversight in AI-generated content. Akvile also announces her upcoming free webinar on Black Friday and Cyber Monday ad strategies, co-hosted with Mikhail Alfon on September 10. She provides an engaging look at AI's evolving role in advertising, discussing creative tools like Canva's plugin with ChatGPT, and emphasizing the importance of strategic thinking and empathy in crafting impactful ads. [00:10:37] AI Exploits Human-Like Errors For Authentic Advertising [00:13:30] Creative Tools For Marketing [00:14:17] Exploring AI Tools For Creative Design Solutions [00:16:01] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor: Site Strategics [00:17:10] AI Prompts Transforming Artistic Creation And Education [00:25:57] AI Emotion Synthesis Needs Stringent Governance Controls [00:27:73] Ensure Cultural Accuracy With Inclusive, Checked Messaging [00:31:53] Beginner AI Resources [00:33:27] EDGE of The Web Sponsor: Wix Studio [00:34:46] Upcoming Webinar Announcement Thanks to Our Sponsors! Site Strategics: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/site Wix: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/wixstudio Follow Our Guest Twitter: https://x.com/AkvileDeFazio LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akdefazio/

Erin Sparks interviews Akvile DeFazio, founder and president of Akvertize Inc., an award-winning agency specializing in paid social media advertising. Akvile shares her rich experience managing social media adverts across various sectors, including e-commerce, events, and apps, leveraging platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and TikTok. Key discussion points include: Ad Strategies and Targeting Changes in Consumer Behavior Importance of Conversion Tracking AI and Advertising User Experience Meta Ads for E-commerce Advertising Landscape Changes Akvile also shares the importance of mentorship, ongoing learning, and adaptation in the ever-changing landscape of digital marketing. Listen about her own journey, the role mentors played in her success, and her commitment to paying it forward by mentoring college students. We sure to check her presentation out at BrightonSEO US in November! Hey! BrightonSEO US is THE event where the brightest minds in the industry share their insights, and we’re giving YOU a chance to be part of it—for FREE! Go to the link https://edgeofthewebradio.com/brightonseo to enter into the weekly raffle! 5, 2-day tickets are available each week! Join us in November! Be sure to RateThePodcast/EDGE! We would love to hear from you about this episode! Key Segments: [00:12:59] Social Media Targeting Changed Due to Privacy Regulations [00:16:40] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor: Site Strategics [00:17:41] Paid Social: Effective with AI-driven Features Evolving [00:20:03] Expand Ad User Experience; Ensure Seamless Journey [00:21:57] Facebook Excels in Advertising, Discovery, and Shopping [00:27:16] Use Facebook's Data for Optimal Audience Targeting [00:29:49] EDGE of The Web Sponsor: Wix Studio [00:33:22] Consumers Buying Earlier, Reducing Bottom-funnel Ad Spend [00:34:21] Trusting in the Black Box Thanks to Our Sponsors! Site Strategics: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/site Wix: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/wixstudio Follow Our Guest Twitter: https://x.com/AkvileDeFazio LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akdefazio/

Yes, sometimes it happens. We don’t get through all of the news prepped. Mordy, Erin and Jacob take on the WordPress vs WP Engine scenario with a bit of fervor that really tanked the rest of the news, honestly. Which side do you fall on, the WordPress argument is that WP Engine hasn’t been “contributing” their fair share, so they banned all customers of WP Engine from updating or adding plugins from the WordPress library. WP Engine, however, seems to have to pay to play as a WordPress hosting environment. Customers, unaware of the WordPress requirements, are caught up in the mix. Seems like an unfair and very heavy-handed approached to an internal licensing issue. Forbes was also subject of the news this week - did ONE article affect the visibility of Forbes? Seems that the timing was a bit ‘sus’. Check out the show to get a deeper dive than regular on three articles. The third? Governor Gavin Newsom just vetoed some major AI safety legislation. Not playing to big tech business in the state, right? News from the EDGE: [00:07:36] WordPress Gives WP Engine Users A Reprieve [00:18:09] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: Site Strategics [00:19:42] Did Google Hit Forbes Advisor With A Search Penalty? AI News: [00:28:04] Newsom vetoes pioneering AI safety legislation Thanks to our sponsors! Site Strategics https://edgeofthewebradio.com/site Inlinks https://edgeofthewebradio.com/inlinks Follow Us: X: @ErinSparks X: @MordyOberstein X: @TheMann00 X: @EDGEWebRadio #StandwithUkraine edgeofthewebradio.com/ukraine

What is the future of Large Language Models and Search? Kristine Schachinger, SEO consultant at Sites Without Walls, joins us for another episode to discuss the intricacies of Navboost and its ramifications for SEO. Drawing insights from the recent Google versus DOJ court documents, she unpacks this misunderstood “ranking signal.” Continuing the conversation, Kristine shares the concept of “summarization engines” in replacement of AI Search - as she weighs into what the future of search may be and most likely won’t be. Large language models aren’t all what they are cracked up to be. What is the real scenario, with worsening quality, exploding costs, and unsustainable investments? [00:05:52] Ensuring Factual Information To Protect Clients. [00:10:24] Google's Monopoly Deemed Illegal; Future Uncertain. [00:14:17] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: Site Strategics [00:18:36] Could AI Become The Default Search Engine? [00:22:09] Language Models: Quality, Costs, Investment. [00:27:40] AI Models Decentralized [00:34:06] EDGE of The Web Sponsor: Wix Studio Thanks to our sponsors! Site Strategics: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/site Wix: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/wix Follow Our Guest Twitter: https://x.com/schachin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kschachinger-seo

Is Generative AI causing seismic shifts in the search engine landscape? Surveys by The Information and Barry Schwartz reveal users are “turning away” from traditional search engines like Google, but how far are they actually turning?  A slew of news from the digital marketing space, including AI-powered video ads on Amazon, Google's Merchant Center Next is pushing for optimized structured data, and a great Kevin Indig article studying over ½ million AI Overviews. Plus, hear about our media partnership with Brighton SEO USA and your chance to snag a ticket to the event in San Diego. And Mordy crapped on our lawn…..again. Barry Blast from Search Engine Roundtable: [00:06:36] 55% Are Using Traditional Search Like Google Less Since Gen AI Products [00:09:15] Google Search Ranking Volatility Continue With Big Movement Again 9/18 [00:12:06] Google Search Ranking Increases During Core Update Wiped Out Post Update [00:17:54] EDGE of the Web Ranking: SE Ranking News from the EDGE: [00:20:02] New Data Shows That X is Losing Users in the US and UK [00:22:11] Amazon Ads launches AI-powered video [00:24:09] Preparing For The Feedless Future With Google Merchant Center Next [00:25:51] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor: Site Strategics Captain Obvious [00:27:30] Google Shows How To Use Alt Text For SEO AI Blitz: [00:29:51] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: Inlinks [00:30:45] HubSpot Rolls Out AI-Powered Marketing Tools [00:31:97] AI On Innovation: Analysis Of +546,000 AI Overviews AI Tools: [00:36:35] Dynamic Node Map from content Thanks to our sponsors! Site Strategics https://edgeofthewebradio.com/site SR Ranking: https://edgeofthewebradio.com/seranking Inlinks https://edgeofthewebradio.com/inlinks Follow Us: X: @ErinSparks X: @MordyOberstein X: @TheMann00 X: @EDGEWebRadio