Some of you that know me personally, you’re aware that I began writing a book in November 2022 when OpenAI released ChatGPT. Having worked with earlier versions and various Gen/LLM models, I witnessed their rapid progression. I believed that these AI models would eventually come to the forefront and challenge the traditional structures of information technology. This became a reality when OpenAI introduced ChatGPT, marking the beginning of a transformative era in AI-based tech that continues to evolve at a staggering pace.
One of the core arguments in my book is that Google’s very foundation is under threat. As a company, Google faces a formidable challenge from this new wave of AI-driven information technology. These aren’t just potential competitors; they represent a definitive shift that could spell the end for Google’s traditional model.
In response, Google has made some hasty moves, rushing its AI initiatives and, at times, releasing products that were not fully developed or were adjusted to serve internal biases. A notable example of this was when their image generation models failed to produce accurate depictions of Vikings, instead generating images of Vikings as Asian, Black, or other races. Or the one that generated black, Asian and a woman as Nazis in their attempt to maintain DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) 😂
These reactive measures and flawed AI implementations are clear indicators that Google is struggling to maintain its relevance. While the decline of Google may take some time, it seems inevitable, forming the crux of my book, “Death of Google.” In it, I document the starting point, the company’s actions (and inactions), and the often amusing attempts to stay in the game.
As I write this in May 2024, the internet has been buzzing about Google’s recent changes to its search algorithm. These updates have had mixed effects on various websites. Some have benefited, while others have seen a decline in visibility. The main criticism is that the search results have deteriorated, often favoring major media websites, dubious SEO tactics, and Reddit forums to provide answers.
Additionally, Google’s significant UX change involves integrating Google Overviews, their AI engine, into the top of search results. This move aims to keep users on their search platform by offering direct answers. However, these AI-generated responses often miss the mark, leading to some amusing and misguided recommendations, such as suggesting you put glue on your pizza or eat a rock a day for minerals. 😂
Potential Negative Effects on For Businesses
While AI-driven advancements in search technology present numerous opportunities, they also pose significant challenges for small businesses:
1. Increased Competition AI-powered personalization can favor larger companies with more resources to invest in AI technology. These companies can optimize their content and marketing strategies more effectively, potentially overshadowing small businesses in search results.
2. Higher Advertising Costs As AI makes search results more competitive, the cost of advertising may rise. Small businesses might struggle to compete with larger companies that can afford higher bids for keywords and more extensive ad campaigns, making it harder to maintain visibility.
3. Dependence on AI Platforms Small businesses may become overly dependent on AI-driven platforms and tools. This dependency could lead to vulnerabilities if these platforms change their algorithms or policies, adversely affecting the visibility and reach of small businesses.
4. Data Privacy Concerns The increasing use of AI in search raises concerns about data privacy and security. Small businesses will need to invest in robust data protection measures to ensure customer trust and compliance with regulations, which can be costly and complex.
5. Loss of Personal Touch AI-driven interactions, while efficient, can lack the personal touch that small businesses often provide. This could lead to a disconnect with customers who value personalized, human interactions, potentially impacting customer loyalty and satisfaction.
6. Algorithmic Bias AI algorithms can sometimes exhibit biases, whether intentional or unintentional. Small businesses might find themselves disadvantaged if AI-driven search engines favor certain types of content or businesses, making it harder for them to compete fairly.
7. Rapid Technological Changes Keeping up with the rapid pace of technological change can be challenging for small businesses. Adapting to new AI-driven search trends and tools requires ongoing investment in learning and technology, which can strain limited resources.
Loss of Organic Search Position
As AI-driven features increasingly dominate search engine results, regular organic search results are being pushed further down the page. This shift means that users are more likely to engage with AI-generated summaries, featured snippets, and other AI-enhanced elements, often without scrolling down to traditional organic listings.
For small businesses relying on organic traffic, this trend is particularly troubling as it reduces their visibility and potential customer reach. Additionally, the prioritization of AI-driven content highlights Google’s struggle to maintain relevance in an evolving digital landscape. By over-relying on AI at the expense of organic search, Google risks alienating both users and businesses who value unbiased, diverse search results.
This misstep could accelerate Google’s decline as alternative search platforms that better balance AI enhancements with organic content gain traction, ultimately contributing to the erosion of Google’s dominance in the search market.
Three Immediate Strategies for Small Business Owners to Implement
1. Optimize for Featured Snippets and AI Responses To maintain visibility, small businesses should focus on optimizing their content for featured snippets and AI-generated summaries. This involves creating high-quality, concise, and informative content that directly answers common questions related to their industry. By structuring content with clear headings, bullet points, and relevant keywords, businesses can increase their chances of being highlighted in these prominent positions.
2. Invest in Local SEO and Voice Search Optimization Local SEO remains a critical component for small businesses, especially as AI enhances local search capabilities. Ensuring that business listings are accurate and up-to-date on Google My Business and other local directories is essential. Additionally, optimizing for voice search, which often involves more conversational and long-tail keywords, can help capture the growing number of users relying on voice assistants for local information.
3. Leverage Multiple Digital Marketing Channels Diversifying digital marketing efforts can mitigate the impact of changes in search algorithms. Small businesses should leverage social media platforms, email marketing, and content marketing to reach their audience. Building a strong presence on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, as well as engaging with customers through newsletters and blogs, can create a more robust and resilient online presence that isn’t solely dependent on search engine rankings.
By implementing these strategies, small business owners can better navigate the AI-driven search landscape, ensuring continued visibility and engagement with their target audience.
Little by little we are seeing the destruction of Google
Its because of this and many more misstep (and often hilarious attempts) at staying relevant and preserving their search status that show me Google has shot themselves in the foot in reaction to staying relevant and is cocking their gun to shoot their other foot as a reaction!
About Me: I’ve helped hundreds…literally hundreds of small business, medium size businesses and worked for enterprise in my life when their staff screws up. Today I maintain a book of clients privately running their I.T. & Digital Marketing initiatives with the aim of growth. I love working with small business and start-ups vs corporate/enterprise environments for personal reasons and have built a life that sustains that happily. Today, I can happily say I can cherry pick who I work with and I can tell you it’s not all about the money.
Some of you that know me personally, you’re aware that I began writing a book in November 2022 when OpenAI released ChatGPT. Having worked with earlier versions and various Gen/LLM models, I witnessed their rapid progression. I believed that these AI models would eventually come to the forefront and challenge the traditional structures of information technology. This became a reality when OpenAI introduced ChatGPT, marking the beginning of a transformative era in AI-based tech that continues to evolve at a staggering pace.
One of the core arguments in my book is that Google’s very foundation is under threat. As a company, Google faces a formidable challenge from this new wave of AI-driven information technology. These aren’t just potential competitors; they represent a definitive shift that could spell the end for Google’s traditional model.
In response, Google has made some hasty moves, rushing its AI initiatives and, at times, releasing products that were not fully developed or were adjusted to serve internal biases. A notable example of this was when their image generation models failed to produce accurate depictions of Vikings, instead generating images of Vikings as Asian, Black, or other races. Or the one that generated black, Asian and a woman as Nazis in their attempt to maintain DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) 😂
These reactive measures and flawed AI implementations are clear indicators that Google is struggling to maintain its relevance. While the decline of Google may take some time, it seems inevitable, forming the crux of my book, “Death of Google.” In it, I document the starting point, the company’s actions (and inactions), and the often amusing attempts to stay in the game.
As I write this in May 2024, the internet has been buzzing about Google’s recent changes to its search algorithm. These updates have had mixed effects on various websites. Some have benefited, while others have seen a decline in visibility. The main criticism is that the search results have deteriorated, often favoring major media websites, dubious SEO tactics, and Reddit forums to provide answers.
Additionally, Google’s significant UX change involves integrating Google Overviews, their AI engine, into the top of search results. This move aims to keep users on their search platform by offering direct answers. However, these AI-generated responses often miss the mark, leading to some amusing and misguided recommendations, such as suggesting you put glue on your pizza or eat a rock a day for minerals. 😂
Potential Negative Effects on For Businesses
While AI-driven advancements in search technology present numerous opportunities, they also pose significant challenges for small businesses:
1. Increased Competition AI-powered personalization can favor larger companies with more resources to invest in AI technology. These companies can optimize their content and marketing strategies more effectively, potentially overshadowing small businesses in search results.
2. Higher Advertising Costs As AI makes search results more competitive, the cost of advertising may rise. Small businesses might struggle to compete with larger companies that can afford higher bids for keywords and more extensive ad campaigns, making it harder to maintain visibility.
3. Dependence on AI Platforms Small businesses may become overly dependent on AI-driven platforms and tools. This dependency could lead to vulnerabilities if these platforms change their algorithms or policies, adversely affecting the visibility and reach of small businesses.
4. Data Privacy Concerns The increasing use of AI in search raises concerns about data privacy and security. Small businesses will need to invest in robust data protection measures to ensure customer trust and compliance with regulations, which can be costly and complex.
5. Loss of Personal Touch AI-driven interactions, while efficient, can lack the personal touch that small businesses often provide. This could lead to a disconnect with customers who value personalized, human interactions, potentially impacting customer loyalty and satisfaction.
6. Algorithmic Bias AI algorithms can sometimes exhibit biases, whether intentional or unintentional. Small businesses might find themselves disadvantaged if AI-driven search engines favor certain types of content or businesses, making it harder for them to compete fairly.
7. Rapid Technological Changes Keeping up with the rapid pace of technological change can be challenging for small businesses. Adapting to new AI-driven search trends and tools requires ongoing investment in learning and technology, which can strain limited resources.
Loss of Organic Search Position
As AI-driven features increasingly dominate search engine results, regular organic search results are being pushed further down the page. This shift means that users are more likely to engage with AI-generated summaries, featured snippets, and other AI-enhanced elements, often without scrolling down to traditional organic listings.
For small businesses relying on organic traffic, this trend is particularly troubling as it reduces their visibility and potential customer reach. Additionally, the prioritization of AI-driven content highlights Google’s struggle to maintain relevance in an evolving digital landscape. By over-relying on AI at the expense of organic search, Google risks alienating both users and businesses who value unbiased, diverse search results.
This misstep could accelerate Google’s decline as alternative search platforms that better balance AI enhancements with organic content gain traction, ultimately contributing to the erosion of Google’s dominance in the search market.
Three Immediate Strategies for Small Business Owners to Implement
1. Optimize for Featured Snippets and AI Responses To maintain visibility, small businesses should focus on optimizing their content for featured snippets and AI-generated summaries. This involves creating high-quality, concise, and informative content that directly answers common questions related to their industry. By structuring content with clear headings, bullet points, and relevant keywords, businesses can increase their chances of being highlighted in these prominent positions.
2. Invest in Local SEO and Voice Search Optimization Local SEO remains a critical component for small businesses, especially as AI enhances local search capabilities. Ensuring that business listings are accurate and up-to-date on Google My Business and other local directories is essential. Additionally, optimizing for voice search, which often involves more conversational and long-tail keywords, can help capture the growing number of users relying on voice assistants for local information.
3. Leverage Multiple Digital Marketing Channels Diversifying digital marketing efforts can mitigate the impact of changes in search algorithms. Small businesses should leverage social media platforms, email marketing, and content marketing to reach their audience. Building a strong presence on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, as well as engaging with customers through newsletters and blogs, can create a more robust and resilient online presence that isn’t solely dependent on search engine rankings.
By implementing these strategies, small business owners can better navigate the AI-driven search landscape, ensuring continued visibility and engagement with their target audience.
Little by little we are seeing the destruction of Google
Its because of this and many more misstep (and often hilarious attempts) at staying relevant and preserving their search status that show me Google has shot themselves in the foot in reaction to staying relevant and is cocking their gun to shoot their other foot as a reaction!
About Me: I’ve helped hundreds…literally hundreds of small business, medium size businesses and worked for enterprise in my life when their staff screws up. Today I maintain a book of clients privately running their I.T. & Digital Marketing initiatives with the aim of growth. I love working with small business and start-ups vs corporate/enterprise environments for personal reasons and have built a life that sustains that happily. Today, I can happily say I can cherry pick who I work with and I can tell you it’s not all about the money.
