Author: Dopstart

  • Wing, Google’s Drone Delivery Company, Expands Its Air Fleet

    Wing, Google’s Drone Delivery Company, Expands Its Air Fleet

    In today’s business world, Alphabet’s subsidiary, Wing, is expanding its aerial fleet. This step forward aims to meet the increasing demand of customers by optimizing the management of larger orders.

    Development and innovation

    Having completed over 350,000 deliveries, Wing, under the leadership of CEO Adam Woodworth, has proven its drones are continuously evolving and learning. As a subsidiary of Alphabet, which also owns Google, the company stands out in the automated aerial delivery sector.

    The newly introduced drone model by Wing is designed to accommodate larger orders, exceeding the capacity limits of previous models. While the existing fleet can carry up to about two and a half kilograms, the new aircraft maintains a range of 12 miles at 65 mph, but with a payload capacity of up to about two kilograms.

    Optimization of deliveries

    Approximately 70% of orders in the United States are carried out with a single drone, while the remaining 30% require two drones. The addition of this new model to Wing’s fleet is designed to better serve that 30%, further optimizing the company’s operations. According to Woodworth, the goal is to simplify the delivery of larger orders, just like airlines use different types of aircraft for different routes.

    A versatile delivery model

    Wing adopts what Woodworth calls an “aircraft library” approach to drone development. The company works on various configurations, leveraging core components already tested on its flight-proven models. This allows Wing to quickly and efficiently adapt to market needs, such as the demand for drones capable of handling larger orders.

    Wing’s futuristic vision

    Wing aims to implement a “multimodal drone delivery model”, similar to how ground deliveries adapt to the sizes of orders. The commitment is to make this vision a reality, increasing the convenience of drone deliveries for shoppers. With the new aircraft capable of carrying more food, medicine, and household essentials, customers in urban and suburban areas will be able to better bundle their orders, receiving them in a single, quick, and efficient trip.

  • Fact Checking on the web: here is Google’s Fact Check Explorer tool

    Fact Checking on the web: here is Google’s Fact Check Explorer tool

    In an age where the web and social media are saturated with information, distinguishing between fact and fiction can be a daunting challenge.

    Fake news and manipulated content are produced on a large scale, making it increasingly difficult to discern the truth.

    Fortunately, there are tools that can help us, including Google’s Fact Check Explorer , a valuable resource for journalists and fact checkers.

    Google’s Fact Check Explorer tool offers a more in-depth approach to analyzing images or topics.

    In this image the fact-checking verification on the keyword “synthetic meat” in Italian

    Google Fact Check Tools uses a feature called “ fact checking markup ,” made available by Google to online publishers. This feature allows you to increase the visibility of truthfulness checks carried out by reliable websites. If a trusted site has verified a certain claim, the markup helps make that verification more visible to Google.

    As the name suggests, Fact Check Explorer allows you to explore a wide range of these truth checks.

    It is important to underline that these checks are not conducted or validated directly by Google ; rather, Google takes care of indexing them, making them more easily accessible through the Fact Check Explorer interface. Those interested in finding out how verifications can be labeled and recognized by Google can consult the complete documentation provided by the company.

    Google does not accept verification of veracity from any source . In fact, websites must first be verified and deemed reliable, a process partly determined by Google’s algorithms. In conclusion, Fact Check Explorer presents itself as a crucial tool in our incessant search for the truth, offering concrete help in navigating the sea of ​​online information.

  • Comprehensive Guide to SEO Audits

    Comprehensive Guide to SEO Audits

    SEO audit is a critical process for any digital strategy. It provides a clear vision of how to improve a website to achieve better rankings, attract more organic traffic, and ultimately achieve online business goals.

    Table of Contents

    Definition of SEO Audit

    An SEO (Search Engine Optimization) Audit is a complete analysis of a website with the aim of identifying areas for improvement to optimize visibility and positioning in search engine results pages (SERPs). This process involves a detailed examination of various aspects of the site, including the technical structure, content quality, internal and external links, user experience (UX), and other factors that influence SEO ranking.

    Why is SEO audit important?

    The SEO audit deals with all or part of the following objectives:

    1. Identifying technical issues : The SEO audit can reveal technical issues that prevent search engines from properly indexing your site’s pages. This includes errors such as broken URLs, site speed issues, and mobile compatibility issues.
    2. Content optimization : allows you to evaluate the quality and relevance of the content on the site. Good content must be informative, well written and optimized for relevant keywords, as well as being updated regularly.
    3. Link Analysis : This includes the analysis of backlinks (external links pointing to your site) and internal links. Quality links can significantly improve your ranking, while poor quality or irrelevant links can damage it.
    4. User Experience and On-Page SEO : An SEO audit also evaluates how users interact with the site. A positive user experience, with easy navigation and interesting content, can reduce bounce rates and increase time spent on the site, both of which positively influence SEO.
    5. Compliance with search engine best practices : SEO audits ensure that the site is in line with the guidelines of major search engines, such as Google, reducing the risk of penalties.
    6. Competitiveness in the market : the SEO audit helps to understand how the site positions itself compared to competitors and provides insights on how to improve the SEO strategy to overcome them.

    Benefits of SEO audit

    The benefits of the SEO Audit for the success of a website can be summarized in the following points:

    1. Improved search engine ranking :
      • An SEO audit helps identify and correct obstacles that prevent search engines from effectively indexing or ranking your site.
      • By optimizing aspects such as site structure, meta tags, keyword usage and content quality, you can significantly increase your site’s visibility in search results pages.
    2. Attracting organic traffic :
      • By improving search engine rankings, a site attracts more visitors through organic searches.
      • A well-optimized site with relevant, high-quality content attracts a targeted audience, increasing the chances of conversion and engagement.
    3. User Experience (UX) Optimization :
      • The SEO Audit evaluates not only technical aspects but also the overall user experience on the site.
      • Aspects such as page loading speed, ease of navigation and clarity of calls-to-action are essential to keep users interested and reduce the bounce rate.
    4. Identification and resolution of technical problems :
      • Problems such as broken links, 404 errors, or an unoptimized URL structure can be identified and resolved through an SEO audit.
      • These fixes help ensure that the site runs efficiently and is easily navigable by both users and search engine crawlers.
    5. Competitiveness in the digital market :
      • An SEO audit allows you to analyze not only your own website but also the strategies of your competitors, offering the possibility of adopting better and more innovative approaches.
      • With a well-planned SEO strategy based on solid data, a company can position itself better than its competitors in the digital market.
    6. Update with SEO trends :
      • The SEO environment is constantly evolving. A regular SEO audit ensures that your site stays up to date with the latest search engine trends and guidelines.

    Preparing for SEO audit

    Definition of objectives

    Before diving into an SEO audit, it’s crucial to clearly define your goals and expectations .

    Understanding what you want to achieve helps focus the audit on the most relevant areas.

    Goals can range from improving site speed , to improving keyword optimization , to increasing the quality of backlinks .

    Define goals: Identify specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound (SMART) goals.

    Understanding the scope : Determine the scope of the audit, whether it is a site-wide audit or an audit that focuses on specific aspects.

    Tools and resources

    To perform an effective SEO audit, it is crucial to have a variety of tools and resources. These tools help analyze various aspects of your website, from technical data to content and link data. Here is a list of the most useful tools for SEO audit:

    1. Google Analytics:
      • It allows you to monitor site traffic, user behavior and conversions.
      • It provides valuable data on traffic sources, most visited pages, time spent on the site and much more.
    2. Google Search Console:
      • It offers direct insights into how Google sees your site.
      • You can see the search queries that bring users to your site, your ranking for those queries, and indexing or mobile usability issues.
    3. SEMrush:
      • Comprehensive tool for keyword research, backlink analysis, and on-page SEO audit.
      • It also offers competitive analytics, which allows you to compare your site to those of your competitors.
    4. Ahrefs:
      • Excellent for backlink analysis, with a large link database.
      • It includes features for keyword research, site traffic analysis, and evaluating a site’s SEO health.
    5. Moz Pro :
      • Includes tools for SEO audit, keyword research, and backlink analysis.
      • It offers a “Moz Score”, which evaluates the quality of backlinks.
    6. Screaming Frog SEO Spider:
      • A crawling tool that analyzes your site’s links, images, CSS, script, and apps from an SEO perspective.
      • Useful for quickly identifying technical SEO issues, such as broken URLs, duplicate page titles, and missing meta descriptions.
    7. Yoast SEO (for WordPress users):
      • WordPress plugin that helps in on-page SEO optimization.
      • It provides a checklist to make sure each page is optimized for your target keywords.
    8. Google PageSpeed Insights:
      • Tool to evaluate website speed and get advice on how to improve it.
    9. Ubersuggest:
      • Free keyword research and SEO analysis tool.
      • It offers keyword suggestions, organic traffic analysis, and ideas for earning backlinks.
    10. SpyFu :
      • Useful for competitor analysis, it allows you to see the keywords your competitors are ranking for and their Google Ads ads.

    Using these tools together can provide a complete picture of your site’s SEO health and point to areas that need improvement.

    How to carry out the SEO audit

    Technical SEO analysis

    Technical analysis is a key component of an SEO audit. It examines various technical aspects of the website that can affect its ranking in search engines. Here are the details of each of the items you mentioned:

    1. Site speed :
      • A fast website improves user experience and is favored by search engines.
      • Use tools like Google PageSpeed ​​Insights to identify and fix issues that slow page loads, such as unoptimized images, excessive JavaScript, or slow server response times.
    2. Mobile Compatibility :
      • With the increase in mobile usage, it is essential that your site is mobile-friendly.
      • Google uses mobile-first indexing, so make sure your site is responsive and offers a good user experience on mobile devices.
      • Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test tool to check your site’s compatibility with mobile devices.
    3. Site Security (HTTPS) :
      • HTTPS is the standard security protocol for websites and encrypts the data exchanged between the site and its visitors.
      • Google considers HTTPS a ranking factor, and sites that use HTTPS are perceived as more trustworthy by users.
      • Make sure your site uses an SSL certificate to enable HTTPS.
    4. URL structure :
      • URLs should be simple, understandable and optimized for relevant keywords.
      • Avoid excessive use of parameters, numbers and special characters in URLs.
      • A clear and consistent URL structure helps search engines better understand and index your site’s pages.
    5. Sitemap and robots.txt file :
      • The sitemap (sitemap) helps search engines locate and index all the pages on your site. Make sure it’s up to date and submit it to search engines via tools like Google Search Console.
      • The robots.txt file tells search engines which pages on your site should be crawled and which should not. It is important to set it up correctly to prevent search engines from indexing duplicate or irrelevant content.

    An in-depth technical analysis will help you identify and resolve issues that may be hindering your site’s performance on search engines, thus improving both visibility and the overall user experience.

    Content analysis

    Content Audit is a crucial aspect of SEO audit, which focuses on analyzing and optimizing website content. Here are the details on the points you mentioned:

    1. Quality and relevance of content :
      • Evaluate whether the site’s content is informative, well-written, and relevant to the target audience. High-quality content is key to attracting and maintaining user interest.
      • Make sure your content effectively responds to your users’ questions and needs, providing added value and useful information.
    2. Keyword optimization :
      • Analyze the use of keywords within the content. Keywords should be relevant to the topics covered and inserted naturally into the text.
      • Avoid “keyword stuffing” (the excessive use of keywords), which can be penalizing. Instead, aim for a balanced and contextualized use of keywords.
    3. Content Duplication :
      • Check for duplicate content within your site or between your site and other external sites. Duplicate content can confuse search engines and reduce your site’s ranking.
      • Use tools like Copyscape or SEMrush to identify and resolve duplicate content issues.
    4. Title and meta structure Descriptions :
      • Make sure each page on your site has a unique title and optimized meta description. These elements are crucial for clicks on search results.
      • Titles should be catchy and include your main keywords. Meta descriptions should provide a concise and persuasive summary of the page’s content.

    When auditing content, also consider other elements such as the freshness of the content (regular updates), the length of the texts, the use of headings (H1, H2, etc.) to structure the content, and the integration of elements multimedia (images, videos) to enrich content and improve user engagement. A comprehensive content audit ensures that your site not only appeals to search engines, but is also engaging and useful to visitors.

    Link audit is another crucial element in the SEO audit, which focuses on both links within the site (on-site links) and external links pointing to the site (off-site links). Here are the details for each of the points you mentioned:

    1. Backlink profile (Off-Site) :
      • Analyze the backlinks pointing to your site. High-quality backlinks from reliable and relevant sites can significantly improve your site’s ranking.
      • Use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to examine your backlink profile. Try to identify toxic or low-quality backlinks that could harm your SEO reputation and consider disavowing them.
    2. Anchor Text dei backlink:
      • Anchor text is the visible text of a link. It is important that the anchor text is relevant to the landing page and varied in a natural way.
      • An excess of anchor texts optimized with exact keywords can appear manipulative to search engines and lead to penalties.
    3. Internal links (On-Site) :
      • Internal links help establish site hierarchy and distribute link juice (page authority). Make sure important pages are properly linked within your site.
      • Use internal links to improve site navigability, allowing users to easily find related content.
    4. Broken Links :
      • Broken links (leading to 404 pages) can create a bad user experience and damage your site’s reputation with search engines.
      • Use tools like Screaming Frog SEO Spider or Google Search Console to identify and fix any broken links on your site.

    When auditing links, also consider other aspects such as the diversity of backlink source sites and the frequency with which new links are acquired. The goal is to have a natural, high-quality link profile that supports your site’s authority and visibility in search engines.

    User Experience (UX) e SEO On-Page

    User Experience (UX) and On-Page SEO are closely linked and fundamental elements for the success of a website. A good UX helps keep users on the site longer, reducing the bounce rate and increasing the chances of conversion. Here is an overview of the points you mentioned:

    1. Ease of navigation :
      • A website should be intuitive and easy to navigate. This means that users should be able to quickly find the information they are looking for without effort.
      • Consider the logic of the navigation flow, making sure it is linear and makes sense. Using a clear navigation bar and breadcrumb system can greatly improve the user experience.
    2. Menu structure :
      • Menus should be organized in a logical and simple way. Categorize and subcategorize pages so users can easily understand the structure of your site.
      • Avoid menus that are too crowded or confusing, which can frustrate users and lead them to abandon the site.
    3. Call-to-Action efficaci (CTA):
      • Calls -to-Action guide users towards specific actions you want them to take on your site, such as signing up for a newsletter, purchasing a product, or contacting you.
      • Make sure your CTAs are visible and compelling, with clear language and a design that stands out on the page.
    4. Image optimization :
      • Images must be optimized for the web so as not to slow down page loading times. Use efficient image formats like JPEG, PNG or WebP and compress images to reduce their file size.
      • Add descriptive alt tags to all images. Alt tags help search engines understand the content of images and are essential for accessibility.

    In addition to these elements, it also considers other aspects of On-Page SEO such as content quality, keyword density, optimization of titles and meta descriptions, and URL structure. Effective UX and On-Page SEO optimization can not only improve your site’s search engine rankings but also turn visitors into loyal customers.

    Competitor analysis

    Competitor analysis is a key aspect of the SEO audit, allowing you to understand the competitive landscape and identify improvement opportunities for your website. Here’s how to address each of the points you mentioned:

    1. Identification of main competitors :
      • Start by identifying who your direct competitors are in your industry. These can be other websites that compete for the same keywords or offer similar products/services to yours.
      • Use tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs to analyze which websites rank well for your target keywords. This will help you identify who your competitors are online.
    2. Analysis of competitors’ SEO strategies :
      • Examine your competitors’ sites to understand their SEO strategies. This includes analyzing the keywords they rank for, the structure and quality of their content, and their backlink strategy.
      • Also look at their on-page SEO, such as site structure, page loading speed, mobile compatibility, and image optimization.
      • Tools like Moz’s Open Site Explorer or Ahrefs can provide data on your competitors’ backlinks, while SEMrush can reveal the keywords they’re ranking for.
    3. Opportunities for improvement :
      • From your competitor analysis, identify areas where your site can improve. This can include keywords that you don’t rank for yet, but that drive traffic to your competitors.
      • Try to understand what makes your competitors’ content attractive and how you can create something unique and of greater value to your audience.
      • Also evaluate their backlink strategies and consider how you can build or improve your backlink profile to compete effectively.

    Competitor analysis not only gives you a clear view of what your competitors are doing, but also gives you the chance to learn from their successful strategies and identify gaps in the market that your website can fill. This process is critical to developing a robust and competitive SEO strategy.

    Implementing changes: plan actions

    After completing an SEO audit, the next step is to create an action plan to implement the necessary changes. Here’s how to proceed with creating the SEO PLAN:

    1. Decide on the priorities of the activities

    • Identify critical areas : Based on your audit results, identify areas that require immediate attention, such as serious technical SEO errors, duplicate content, or security issues.
    • Prioritize : Sort tasks based on their urgency and the impact they will have on rankings and user experience.

    2. Assign resources

    • Define responsibilities : Assign specific team members or external consultants to specific tasks, such as fixing technical issues or creating content.
    • Estimate time and budget : Estimate the time and financial resources needed to complete each task.

    3. Develop a detailed action plan

    • Defining tasks : Break down each priority into specific, manageable tasks.
    • Time planning : Set realistic deadlines for each task, creating a timeline for implementing the plan.

    4. Implementation of changes

    • Start with technical fixes : Fix technical issues first, such as site speed, mobile compatibility, and crawling errors.
    • Content Optimization : Update existing content and create new, high-quality content optimized for your target keywords.

    Creating and following a well-structured action plan is essential to ensure that the changes identified during the SEO audit are implemented effectively, leading to tangible improvements in ranking and user experience.

    Monitoring and maintenance

    Track progress

    Tracking progress in an SEO operation is crucial to evaluate the effectiveness of changes made and to guide future strategic decisions. This process is based on the use of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and specific metrics .

    Here are the values ​​to carefully monitor over time

    1. Definition of KPIs

    • Organic traffic : Monitor organic traffic trends to evaluate the overall effectiveness of your SEO strategies.
    • Keyword Ranking : Track the ranking of your target keywords in search engine results.
    • Conversion Rate : Measures how organic traffic contributes to specific goals, such as sales, leads, or signups.
    • Bounce rate : Evaluates the percentage of visitors who leave the site after viewing only one page.
    • Pages per session and average session duration : These metrics indicate the level of user engagement on your site.

    2. Regular data analysis

    • Periodic review : Set a regular calendar for reviewing KPIs, such as weekly or monthly.
    • Comparison with previous periods : Compare current data with previous periods to evaluate progress over time.

    4. Identification of trends and patterns

    • Look for patterns in the data that may indicate opportunities or problems, such as pages with high bounce rates or keywords with significant improvements in ranking.

    5. Reporting and sharing results

    • Create clear, understandable reports to share progress with your team or clients.
    • Use visualizations like graphs and tables to make data more accessible.

    6. Continuous adjustments and optimization

    • Use the information you gather to make strategic adjustments.
    • Constantly experiment and optimize to improve SEO performance.

    Carefully monitoring SEO KPIs and metrics allows you to not only evaluate the effectiveness of your strategies, but also quickly identify areas that require further improvements or adjustments.

    Do SEO audits on a regular basis

    Performing regular SEO audits is crucial to maintaining and continually improving a website’s ranking. These audits allow you to adapt to changes in search engines, market developments and user needs.

    This is why it is important to schedule SEO audits on a regular basis:

    1. Adaptation to search engine developments :

    • Search engines, like Google, are constantly updating their algorithms. A regular SEO audit helps ensure that your site is always in line with the latest best practices.
    • This allows you to react quickly to large algorithm updates, reducing the risk of losing visibility and traffic.

    2. Identification and resolution of emerging problems :

    • Technical problems, such as broken links or indexing errors, may emerge over time. A periodic SEO audit helps identify and resolve these issues before they negatively impact your rankings.
    • Monitoring and updating content regularly ensures it remains relevant and high quality.

    3. Continuous optimization for the target market :

    • Market trends and user behaviors change. SEO audits allow you to adapt content and strategies to the current needs of your target audience.
    • This includes updating keywords, adapting to emerging trends, and creating content that responds to new user questions and interests.

    4. Competitiveness in the digital market :

    • Regular competitor analysis, included in the SEO audit, allows you to keep up or surpass your competitors in SEO strategies.
    • You can identify new positioning opportunities or under-exploited market niches.

    5. Improved User Experience (UX) :

    • UX is a key ranking factor. Regular SEO audits allow you to continuously improve site usability, loading speed, navigability and mobile compatibility.
    • This not only helps in SEO but also improves the conversion rate and user satisfaction.

    6. Data-driven strategic planning :

    • By tracking progress and performance over time, you can make informed strategic choices for the future of your website.
    • This allows you to allocate resources more efficiently and plan SEO and marketing initiatives with greater precision.

    FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about SEO Audit

    Below are useful answers to some questions asked by my clients during SEO consultancy sessions .

    1. Difference between Free SEO Audit and Regular SEO Audit
      • An SEO audit is an in-depth analysis of your website to identify areas for improvement in search engine visibility. Includes review of technical aspects, content, links and user experience. It involves time and dedication. The free analysis that is initially done during the first appointment is necessarily summary and serves to give the client the basic elements on the need to start an SEO activity on their website.
    2. How often should I do an SEO audit?
      • It is advisable to perform a full SEO audit at least once a year. However, some aspects, such as keyword monitoring and backlink analysis, should be done more frequently, possibly every quarter.
    3. How long does it take to complete an SEO audit?
      • The time required for an SEO audit can vary based on the size and complexity of the site. An audit can take from several hours to several weeks.
    4. Can I do an SEO audit myself or do I need an expert?
      • It depends on your experience and available resources. While some aspects of the audit can be performed independently with online tools, for a deeper and more technical analysis it is advisable to contact an SEO professional.
    5. What kind of problems can an SEO audit reveal?
      • An audit can identify a variety of issues, such as technical errors, duplicate content, keyword optimization issues, broken links, and user experience issues.
    6. How can I measure the success of an SEO audit?
      • Success can be measured through improvements in keyword ranking, increased organic traffic, improved conversion rate, and improved user engagement.
    7. Does the SEO audit directly affect my ranking?
      • The SEO audit itself does not affect rankings, but it provides the information needed to make changes that can improve rankings.
    8. What is the difference between SEO audit and ongoing SEO optimization?
      • SEO audit is a timely check to identify problems and opportunities, while SEO optimization is a continuous process of improving and adapting SEO strategies.
    9. Can an SEO audit help with local SEO?
      • Yes, an audit can highlight areas of improvement specific to local SEO, such as presence in local directories and optimization for geolocalized searches.
  • Google DeepMind Scientists in Talks to Launch AI Startup in Paris

    Google DeepMind Scientists in Talks to Launch AI Startup in Paris

    Two eminent scientists from Google DeepMind, Alphabet’s artificial intelligence division, are discussing with investors the creation of an AI startup in Paris.

    Laurent Sifre and Karl Tuyls, currently scientists at DeepMind, are considering a financing round that could exceed 200 million euros, a considerable sum in the vibrant AI sector.

    Sifre and Tuyls, renowned for their significant contributions to AI research, did not respond to requests for comment. A representative from DeepMind refrained from commenting on the startup plans. Both scientists have given notice to leave the company, according to an internal source.

    Sifre’s work includes co-authoring DeepMind’s 2016 research on the game of Go, demonstrating for the first time a computer system’s ability to beat masters of this ancient game, sparking international frenzy over AI.

    Tuyls has focused on game theory and multi-agent reinforcement learning, a branch of AI exploring interactions among autonomous actors, often through video games.

    The substantial financing sum being discussed underlines investor interest in the technology, especially in France, where venture capitalists and magnates have been investing in emerging startups from Parisian universities and Silicon Valley’s AI hubs.

    The new French startup, currently known as Holistic, differs from Holistic AI, a London-based enterprise software company.

    Sifre and Tuyls might focus on developing a new AI model.

    Google DeepMind has long been at the forefront of AI innovations, gaining attention in 2016 when one of its systems defeated a world champion in the strategy game Go. Therefore, when one of DeepMind’s co-founders speaks about the future of AI, it’s important to listen, especially for startup entrepreneurs.

    Mustafa Suleyman, co-founder of DeepMind and now CEO of Inflection AI, a small California-based machine intelligence company, suggested that AI might soon be able to devise a company, manage it, and successfully sell products, potentially even as open-source systems.

    However, these considerations remain purely theoretical. Suleyman also pointed out that an AI’s ability to act as an entrepreneur might raise complex legal issues, such as whether an AI can own or patent intellectual property. Indeed, a recent UK ruling determined that an AI cannot hold a patent.

    This development marks a significant step in the AI world and raises new questions about the impact of technological innovation in the entrepreneurial sector and beyond.

  • Is the quality of Google Search results decreasing?

    Is the quality of Google Search results decreasing?

    In an era where the Google search engine has become a fundamental element in almost everyone’s life, being used billions of times a day, we are witnessing a worrying decrease in the quality of its results. Lily Ray, Senior Director of Search Engine Optimization at digital marketing agency Amsive Digital, states, “This is the worst quality of Google results I have ever seen in my 14 years of career.”

    This degradation manifests with a proliferation of pop-ups, dubious product ads, and links that seem to hide malware. While these issues are common on the Internet, one would not expect to find them among Google’s results. However, with billions of searches per day and countless websites, Google can only catch a portion of these cheaters.

    The problem seems to stem from an update to Google’s algorithm, aimed at promoting user-generated content in search results. The goal was to further democratize the web, reducing the power of gatekeepers like news sites. However, this led unscrupulous sites to exploit this new policy by inserting spam links in positions favored by the algorithm.

    A recent German study confirms these observations, showing that the highest-ranked pages tend to have lower-quality texts and numerous affiliated links. Google still outperforms its competitors in terms of the quality of results and mitigation tactics, although scammers continually find new ways to circumvent them.

    The so-called “SEO parasites” latch onto legitimate web pages to take advantage of affiliate links, a common online practice that allows a website to earn commissions for products sold via its links. Therefore, achieving high positions on Google can be very lucrative. The problem is exacerbated when reliable sites lease space on their domain to third parties for sponsored content, exploiting the reputation of the host site to promote affiliate links.

    This approach exploits gaps in Google, which finds itself in a continual battle against these tactics. AI, warned from its early days as a potential tool to facilitate scams, has allowed scammers to produce junk content on a large scale, further complicating Google’s search results.

    Google is working to address these issues, likely through updates to its user policy and algorithm. Despite the challenges, Google continues to provide higher-quality results than competitors and is committed to improving.

  • TikTok Overtakes Google Among Generation Z for Online Searches

    TikTok Overtakes Google Among Generation Z for Online Searches

    TikTok, known as an epicenter of entertainment, is gaining ground as a search engine, becoming a preferred source for information, recipes, music, and much more, according to a recent Adobe study.

    About 10% of Generation Z users now choose TikTok over established search engines like Google for their searches, indicating an increase in trust and use of the platform as a reliable source of information.

    This follows the discovery by a HerCampus study that 74% of Generation Z internet users use TikTok for searches and 51% prefer it over Google, mainly due to its short-form video format.

    TikTok is embracing this trend: in September, it began testing third-party functionalities, such as integrating Google Search and incorporating Wikipedia entries into its search results, to expand its offering beyond short-form videos.

    The importance of this phenomenon in the digital landscape cannot be underestimated:

    The study shows that 40% of consumers use TikTok for information, and the app is especially popular among younger generations, with 64% of Generation Z and 49% of millennials using it for this purpose, highlighting TikTok’s importance for businesses targeting these demographics.

    TikTok is not limited to a specific niche; it has become a go-to platform for a wide range of topics. From cooking recipes, favored 29% more by Generation Z than millennials, to music, DIY ideas, fashion, and more, TikTok caters to a broad variety of interests.

    This versatility makes it a one-stop destination for users seeking various types of information. The study emphasizes that video tutorials are the top choice for 62% of TikTok users, with 39% and 38% favoring reviews and personal anecdotes, respectively.

    This underscores the need for engaging video content on TikTok. In the future, over 53% of businesses plan to increase their investment in TikTok marketing, recognizing its effectiveness despite challenges in engagement and content creation.

    The increasing use of TikTok for search signifies a fundamental shift in how people find information and interact with content. Its personalized approach, diverse content, and trustworthiness fuel its rapid growth.

    For businesses, TikTok offers a valuable avenue to connect with younger audiences and establish themselves as industry authorities.

    TikTok’s transformation into a search engine isn’t a passing trend; businesses and content creators can use it to stay relevant.

    Prioritizing user experience and creative content will likely translate to success.

  • Samsung Galaxy S24 introduces Google’s “Circle to Search” for instant screen searches

    Samsung Galaxy S24 introduces Google’s “Circle to Search” for instant screen searches

    “Circle to Search” and the updates to Google Lens represent a significant step forward in human-technology interaction, offering an increasingly smooth and intuitive user experience.

    In the increasingly interconnected world of mobile technology, Samsung and Google are taking a significant step forward with the introduction of the new “Circle to Search” feature on the Samsung Galaxy S24.

    This innovative feature, recently announced in a press release by Google, will allow users to conduct more intuitive and powerful Google searches directly from their smartphone screen.

    “Circle to Search” enables the activation of Google within any app, allowing users to circle or highlight any text or object on the screen and, through artificial intelligence, receive instant results.

    This advanced version of visual search will be available starting January 31 on the new Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, and the Samsung Galaxy S24 line.

    The innovation of “Circle to Search” lies in its simplicity of use: for example, if you view a TikTok featuring unique corn dogs, you can simply bring up the Google app and circle the food item with your finger.

    Google’s AI will provide detailed information about Korean corn dogs, including their cultural significance in the current gastronomic context.

    The power of this feature lies in the ability to search for any object or text displayed on the screen, without the need to switch between different apps.

    The announcement of this functionality comes alongside Samsung’s announcement of introducing “Circle to Search” in its new Galaxy S24 line.

    At present, no other phones have been announced with this more advanced in-app version of Google Search.

    This move by Google follows the growing trend in the use of artificial intelligence, especially after the success of ChatGPT in 2022, which revolutionized the concept of online searching.

    Unlike traditional Google search, which offered unique and filtered responses, ChatGPT pushed both Google and Microsoft to introduce AI-based chatbots to remain competitive.

    Since then, Microsoft’s investments in AI have catapulted the company to become the most valuable in the world, surpassing Apple. Google, in turn, is integrating artificial intelligence into many of its products, from the search experience itself with Generative Experience to the camera app on its Pixel devices.

    Considering that generative AI could generate up to $4.4 trillion annually, according to McKinsey, companies are racing to maintain their market dominance.

    In addition to “Circle to Search,” Google announced that multisearch in Google Lens is also receiving an AI-powered upgrade. In the past, Google Lens could identify an object, like a dress, allowing you to then search for color variations. Now, these visual matches will offer AI-powered insights, allowing for more nuanced questions. An example given by Google is the ability to identify a board game found at a yard sale without the box and to ask for the name of the game and how it is played.

  • The Revolutionary Impact of Artificial Intelligence in Science: Lila Ibrahim of Google DeepMind

    The Revolutionary Impact of Artificial Intelligence in Science: Lila Ibrahim of Google DeepMind

    In the fascinating context of the World Economic Forum in Davos , Lila Ibrahim, Chief Operating Officer of Google DeepMind, shared with Axios’ Alison Snyder a thought-provoking perspective on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in science.

    According to Ibrahim, AI is offering a “completely different understanding of what exists” and is revolutionizing fields such as materials science and biology.

    Why is important?

    In 2023, Google DeepMind made a significant breakthrough, unveiling its AI tool, GNoME, capable of discovering 2.2 million potential new materials.

    This discovery is not only a scientific achievement, but opens the door to revolutionary innovations in areas such as semiconductors, batteries and solar panels.

    The company also accelerated computer coding and developed AlphaFold, another AI tool that solved a decades-old biological problem: understanding and predicting the exact shape of proteins, essential for the functioning of all living things.

    Ibrahim’s words

    Ibrahim says he is now “more optimistic” about AI than both last year, when ChatGPT’s arrival dominated the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting, and 2018, when it merged with DeepMind.

    In 2018, “AlphaFold was just an idea that hadn’t been realized yet,” Ibrahim recalls. Today, however, 200 million proteins are known.

    The last year has seen rapid progress in collaboration between AI developers, government and managing the risks associated with the technology.

    Ibrahim believes it will be easier to teach young AI users an ethical framework for the technology than older generations, who have become digitalized through the internet and social media.

    What awaits us in the future?

    According to Ibrahim, it is essential to “work with experts in their fields” to think about how to transform their respective fields. Ibrahim’s recipe for increasing trust in AI includes reaching those left behind by previous technical and economic advances.

    In conclusion, Google DeepMind’s approach to AI is not limited to pure technological innovation, but embraces a broader and more inclusive vision, aiming for a future in which AI is a catalyst for accessible and responsible progress for all.

  • Worldline and Google partner to revolutionize digital payments with cloud technology

    Worldline and Google partner to revolutionize digital payments with cloud technology

    Worldline (Euronext: WLN), a global leader in payments services, and Google, today announced a strategic partnership to leverage Google Cloud’s innovative cloud technologies to further power Worldline’s digital transformation.

    This is what we learn from an official statement from Worldline .

    The agreement also sees Google work with Worldline to deliver seamless online payment experiences to Google’s European customers.

    Together, the partners will drive joint market opportunities and deliver new and improved digital experiences for merchants and financial institutions.

    Worldline chooses Google Cloud technology to power its digital transformation

    Since 2022, Worldline has initiated a “Move to Cloud” program that includes the use of the cloud to accelerate its transformation into a world-class global paytech company. By leveraging Google Cloud’s secure, high-performance and low-latency infrastructure, Worldline aims to improve operational efficiency, optimize costs and enhance its strategic positioning.

    Additionally, Worldline will use Google Cloud’s data analytics and artificial intelligence capabilities to take advantage of its data and develop new payment products and services. The choice of Google Cloud is also the result of Worldline’s long-standing commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the low-carbon options offered by Google Cloud, a leader in sustainability.

    Google strengthens its partnership with Worldline for seamless payments in Europe

    As part of the expanded collaboration, Worldline will also serve as one of Google’s primary payments providers in Europe and across multiple geographies.

    Worldline aims to provide Google customers with more advanced payment options, support for a greater variety of payment networks, better cross-border conversion and a smoother customer experience.

    Union of skills for the benefit of traders and financial institutions

    The strategic partnership between Google and Worldline will create a powerful ecosystem of improved product offerings, bringing added value to merchants and banks, and setting a faster pace for continued innovation.

    By combining their expertise, specialized knowledge and resources, Google and Worldline will be able to deliver improved payment experiences for their respective customers, accelerating time to market.

    “Our partnership with Worldline highlights the wide range of opportunities that secure and reliable cloud technology, data analytics and AI can bring to merchants and financial institutions. By combining the strengths of our two companies, we can accelerate innovation in the payments industry,” said Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud .

    “Innovation and advanced technology are at the heart of Worldline’s DNA. To pioneer the changing payment environments and not only meet but anticipate customer expectations, it is critical that we match our Paytech DNA with the technological capabilities of a true market leader. We are very proud to expand and strengthen our partnership as a payments provider for Google in Europe. Our deep understanding of market infrastructure, combined with the technological expertise and scale of Google Cloud, will accelerate our time to market and bring tangible success to our customers and markets, ” said Gilles Grapinet, CEO of Worldline .

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