Are Google's AI Overviews Good or Bad for Your Brands?

PLUS: How to Build a Site That Ranks

Hi there,

Welcome back!

Highlights from today's newsletter:
Marketing analytics data is wrong. Can it be fixed?
◼ How to analyze a sudden drop in website traffic
◼ Are Google's AI Overviews good or bad for brands?

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TOP OF THE SERPS 🏆

WEBSITE SEO
How to Build a Site That Ranks
A fast site, a clear structure, and keyword-stuffed pages—that’s not enough to rank anymore. SEO success starts before a website even goes live.

Google’s AI-driven algorithms prioritize user experience just as much as keywords—so if your site is hard to navigate or stuffed with outdated tactics, you’re already losing ground. Mobile-first design, intuitive site architecture, and search-optimized content are now the foundation of visibility.

In this guide, we break down the most critical elements of SEO-friendly web design: from site speed to schema markup, voice search, and conversion-focused navigation. Whether you’re launching a new site or optimizing an existing one, these best practices will help you build a site that keeps users engaged.

AI & SEO 🖱️

SEO TRENDS
The Impact Of AI Overviews On SEO
The piece provides a meta-analysis of 19 studies on AI Overviews' impact on SEO, noting their presence in long-tail, informational searches with low volumes. AI Overviews reduce organic click-through rates but offer new SEO opportunities by being cited. Optimizing content for AI Overviews is crucial for maintaining visibility.

AI SEARCH IMPACTS
Are Google's AI Overviews Good or Bad for Brands?
Google's AI Overviews offer both opportunities and challenges for brands regarding SEO. An analysis by Semrush highlights this dual effect, showing that while the feature aids visibility and engagement, it also complicates control over brand messaging. Brands must strategically adapt to maximize benefits from these AI-generated summaries.

DIGITAL MARKETING
AI, SEO, and Social Media Are Reshaping Digital Marketing
AI, SEO, and social media are reshaping digital marketing. Businesses leverage AI for personalization, efficient customer interaction, and precise ad targeting. Modern SEO prioritizes user engagement over keyword stuffing, while short videos dominate social media. These integrated strategies ensure brands remain competitive in a rapidly evolving landscape.

EXTRA CLICKS FOR THOUGHT 💡

SEO TECHNIQUES
SEO Audits Improve Website Performance for Optimal Search Engine Results
An SEO audit assesses a website's health by examining technical SEO, on-page elements, Core Web Vitals, and user experience. Using tools like Screaming Frog and Semrush, it identifies issues, optimizes content, and monitors performance. Regular audits enhance rankings, user engagement, and overall website functionality.

INBOUND MARKETING
Mastering Inbound Marketing with Strategies for Predictable Lead Generation
Inbound marketing, through content strategy and focus on search intent, can drive substantial traffic without paid ads. By using semantic SEO and targeting the right audience, marketers attract visitors and boost conversion rates. Optimizing for intent and original research helps earn backlinks and maintain steady lead generation.

SEO ANALYSIS
Effective Strategies to Diagnose and Recover from Website Traffic Declines
A sudden drop in website traffic requires a structured analysis to diagnose and resolve issues. Key steps include verifying data consistency, checking for algorithm updates and technical errors, evaluating design changes, assessing content impacts, monitoring competitors, and documenting findings. Implement corrective actions and monitor recovery to strengthen SEO strategy.

SOUNDS OF SEARCH 🎧

On the SERPs Up SEO Podcast, hosts Mordy Oberstein and Crystal Carter, with analytics expert Dana DiTomaso, break down the challenges of modern marketing analytics.

They explore incomplete data, Google's influence, and why marketers should focus on trends over rigid metrics. The episode spotlights tools to refine strategies despite inaccuracies in GA4. With insights from the KickPoint Playbook and webinars like Marketing Analytics Data is Wrong. Can It Be Fixed?, marketers can move beyond raw data and make smarter, strategic decisions.

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