Google’s AI is poised to wipe out half of news publishers’ traffic, but Barry Adams isn’t here to panic—he’s here to bring the hard truths (with a side of hope). On this week’s EDGE of the Web, we dive deep into how Google’s relentless AI advancements, from overviews to the new AI mode, threaten the very foundation of news publishing.

Join host Erin Sparks and News SEO specialist Barry Adams as they break down the seismic shifts hitting news publishers: AI overviews stealing clicks, Top Stories boxes protecting (for now), and why AI mode is a technological hand grenade waiting to go off. Barry shares what’s working, what’s not, and why keeping up with Google’s user experience data from the Chrome browser is harder than ever. We cover how publishers can future-proof themselves—think personalization, paywalls, and bundling—before Google fully flips the AI switch.

Side quest: Ever wondered how to train your audience to pay for news in a world where everything’s free (thanks, Google)? Barry makes a compelling case for why quality, unique journalism is more vital than ever—even if it means surviving on half your pie.

Wrap up by buckling in for the impending Google traffic apocalypse, arming yourself with Barry’s don’t-panic (but have your towel) wisdom, and getting the inside scoop on what grows in the new AI-powered world of news.

Key Segments:

[00:04:44] Current Status on News SEO: Minimal Impact

[00:06:46] "AI Mode Simplifies Web Browsing"

[00:15:00] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor: PreWriter.ai

[00:17:12] AI Mode Impact on Google Traffic

[00:22:31] Google Outlasts ChatGPT: Future Forecast

[00:30:18] Stand Out or Fade Away

[00:33:25] News Industry Consolidation Trends

[00:34:33] EDGE of The Web Sponsor: Inlinks (WAIKAY)

[00:37:10] Thriving Small Publishers Need Uniqueness
[00:39:58] Balancing Integrity and Audience Appeal

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Meta’s got its eyes (and algorithms) locked on unoriginal content, and that’s just the tip of the AI-powered iceberg. This week, EDGE of the Web is knee-deep in septic tank puns and even deeper into breaking news shaking up AI, SEO, and the future of web browsing.

Hosts Erin Sparks and guest Crystal Carter wade through Meta’s latest moves to curb content farms and content theft, Google’s new AI-generated shopping and search experiments, and the shocking rise of AI-powered browser contenders. Plus, the crew gets real about how AI Overviews are cannibalizing clicks, what “agentic AI” means for your future shopping sprees (and your calendar), and why being authentic is still your best bet in the SEO cesspool.

In a particularly cheeky side note, Erin and Crystal dissect the subtle strategies hidden in Google’s virtual try-on images—are those AI-generated smiles a sly tactic for boosting conversions? Spoiler: Someone’s always a little happier in new clothes.

Don’t panic (and always carry a towel): EDGE of the Web keeps you prepared and laughing through the chaos of AI, changing SERP landscapes, and the not-so-glamorous world of digital marketing. Smash that play button for smart analysis, sharp takes, and the kind of SEO news you actually want to share—even if you promise to quit the septic tank jokes… eventually.

News from the EDGE:

[00:00:21] Try PreWriter.AI

[00:00:44] BrightonSEO 15% Off Tickets

[00:05:16] Meta Follows YouTube In Crackdown On Unoriginal Content

AI / SEO News Segment:

[00:10:47] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: PreWriter.AI

[00:11:57] OpenAI And Perplexity Set To Battle Google For Browser Dominance

[00:22:06] Google launches AI shopping tools with virtual try-ons and smarter price alerts

[00:29:00] Google Web Guide for AI-organized search results

[00:34:34] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: WAIKAI

[00:36:01] Google’s AI Overviews are hurting clicks: Pew study

[00:44:17] Google Says AI Won’t Replace The Need For SEO

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AI Mode goes global, Google’s giving users the easy button, and Reddit and Wikipedia are snagging prime AI real estate. This week, the EDGE dives into the explosion of AI Mode, the changing landscape of web traffic, and the wild world of social media innovation—with plenty of insights from Duncan Alney of Firebelly and the EDGE team.

Get the latest on Google’s brand-new AI Mode launching in 180 countries (but only in English for now), and why letting AI do the reasoning for you might make us all a little lazier. Plus, referral traffic from ChatGPT is plummeting while Reddit and Wikipedia become citation royalty—what’s that mean for content creators? Throw in TikTok’s geopolitical drama, Threads’ big user milestone, Instagram’s not-so-secret engagement hack, and the verdict on whether posting more really boosts your Insta clout.

Is the age of critical thinking officially in peril? Erin and Duncan muse on whether AI is boosting collective intelligence—or just making us all a little dumber—while Jacob chimes in with some “errant humor” and privacy warnings about sharing too much with large language models.

From new social platforms (hello, Bluesky!) to Meta’s voice-dubbing shenanigans and Instagram’s latest creator tools, EDGE of the Web brings you an effervescent, strategic look at how digital marketing and social media keep rewriting the rules. Don’t forget to check the show notes and catch our next facetious, fast-paced news roundup—because you don’t want to be a piece of cyber driftwood.

News from the EDGE:

[00:00:24] EDGE is back at BrightonSEO US in San Diego - 15% off tickets for EDGE listeners!

[00:04:20] Google Expands AI Mode to 180 Countries With Personalized Features

[00:07:50] ChatGPT Referral Traffic Nosedives 52% in Just One Month

[00:11:30] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: EDGE Media Studios

[00:14:27] China Rejects Selling TikTok Algorithm Despite U.S. Demands

Social News Segment:

[00:19:22] Instagram Chief Dispels Engagement Myth, Says Using Edits Boosts Reach

[00:23:26] One to watch: What is Bluesky?

[00:30:20] New Study Suggests That Posting More Often Is Key to IG Growth

[00:34:12] Threads Reaches 400M Users, Closing in on X’s Usage

[00:38:23] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: WAIKAY

[00:39:46] Instagram Launches Re-Posts, Friend Map and More

[00:43:52] Facebook upgrades Professional Dashboard with new insights

[00:46:43] Meta rolls out AI-powered translations to creators globally, starting with English and Spanish

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