When AI Eats Your Traffic

Plus: Why LLM Citations Could Decide Who Wins Organic

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Welcome back!

Highlights from today's newsletter
⚡ Zero-click searches could slash website traffic by 30%
📖 Getting cited by LLMs is the new organic growth play
🛡️ Ad hijacking scams cost brands billions annually

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AI & SEO 🖱️

SEO EVOLUTION

Zero-click AI searches are reducing website traffic by up to 30%, pushing brands to optimize for AI summaries, E-E-A-T guidelines, and multi-platform visibility. Emphasis on ethical, user-centric content and technical readiness—like voice search and structured data—is crucial. Ignoring these trends risks diminished engagement and digital presence.

INNOVATIVE MARKETING TECHNOLOGIES

Ascend Marketing and Consulting introduces AI-optimized local SEO solutions in Kennewick, enabling businesses to outperform competitors in online search rankings. Utilizing machine learning, the agency offers precise keyword targeting, competitive analysis, and region-specific campaigns. These advancements are crucial for local companies aiming to improve digital visibility and customer acquisition.

INNOVATIVE MARKETING TECHNOLOGIES

In 2025, AI tools like Opus Pro, InVideo, Midjourney, Jasper, and Grammarly are reshaping content creation and marketing by automating workflows, optimizing data analysis, and enhancing output quality. These platforms enable creators to produce impactful eCommerce content faster and more efficiently. Adopting such tools is essential to remain competitive.

Top Voices 💬

Insights from Jules Davies

EXTRA CLICKS FOR THOUGHT 💡

STRATEGIC PR INTEGRATION

9-Figure Media leverages authoritative press mentions to build high-quality backlinks, boosting both SEO performance and audience trust. This method yields measurable gains in search visibility and credibility for clients, as illustrated by increased inquiries and successful fundraising for firms like Sabi. For businesses seeking lasting digital growth, prioritizing reputable media features over traditional keyword manipulation is essential.


SEARCH MARKETING

Answer engine optimization (AEO) is becoming essential as AI-driven platforms increasingly shape how brand information is surfaced and categorized online. Brands that focus on AEO now can secure early visibility and influence how AI systems associate their names within their industry. Neglecting AEO risks diminished digital presence and reduced discoverability in evolving search environments.

BRAND PROTECTION

Ad hijacking - where affiliates or competitors mimic legitimate brand ads to siphon traffic or commissions, accounted for an estimated $12.6 billion in global losses in 2023. Sophisticated evasion tactics, including GEO targeting, dayparting, and cloaking, make detection difficult and distort marketing data. Automated tools, not manual audits, are essential to protect brands from this escalating eCommerce threat.

SOUNDS OF SEARCH 🎧

SEO FOR PEOPLE WHO DON’T LIKE SEO
AI Misconceptions Debunked

Debunking eight common AI misconceptions clarifies that AI lacks autonomy, human understanding, complete accuracy, objectivity, and true originality, and won't replace all jobs. Website owners gain actionable insight into using AI for brainstorming and fact-checking while recognizing its biases and limitations. This knowledge supports more effective and informed integration of AI tools in content creation.

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