Hey Reader,
This week I had the honor of guest lecturing for an entrepreneurship class locally at Chapman University. It was the first time that I created an interactive workshop around my work in generative AI.
The title of the workshop was "Digital Content for SEO & Scaling Operations" and I am looking at refining it to be able to offer it as part of a live online workshop that I can offer for any of you that might be interested.
Stay tuned for news on that and my revised LinkedIn book very soon!
Now on to this week's Top 10 news!
Please note: Some links in this newsletter are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you.
1. This Week's Podcast Episode
How Derek Hales Replaced His Agency Salary in 2 Months Testing Mattresses
If you’ve ever thought, “I could totally build a content business around something I’m passionate about”—this episode is for you. I sit down with Derek Hales of NapLab to unpack how he went from disillusioned agency employee to 7-figure content creator... starting with mattress reviews from his one-bedroom apartment. We get into SEO, affiliate marketing, trust, transparency, and how he’s thriving post-Google updates and AI. This one's a blueprint.
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2.-6. This Week's News
AI Or Human: Google Expands Rules On Low-Value Content
Google just made it official: low-value content gets penalized—whether it’s written by AI or humans. In its updated Search Quality Rater Guidelines, Google expands the definition of generative AI and makes clear that effort, originality, and trust matter more than authorship. For marketers, the takeaway is simple: automation without real value-add is a dead end. Quality is the only winning strategy.
What Do People Actually Use ChatGPT For? OpenAI Provides Some Numbers.
Ever wonder what 700M people actually do with ChatGPT? OpenAI just dropped hard data: most usage is personal, not work-related. Writing help leads the way (28% of chats), but search-style queries are rising fast, and even decision-making is common at work. Growth is still massive, but long-term users may be hitting a usage ceiling. For marketers, the insight is clear: AI is mainstream—and shaping daily habits.
Google Modifies Search Results Parameter, Affecting SEO Tools
Google just broke a longtime SEO workaround. The &num=100 results parameter — used by rank trackers to pull full SERPs — has been disabled, causing data gaps and sudden drops in desktop impressions. While Google hasn’t commented, many believe inflated impressions were bot-driven. The big takeaway: SEO reporting baselines are shifting, and teams need to rethink rank tracking in this new landscape.
YouTube Adds Title A/B Testing And “Ask Studio” Analytics
Big updates from YouTube Studio: creators can now run A/B tests on video titles (on top of thumbnails) and use Ask Studio, an AI-powered chat tool that explains analytics in plain language. These features mean less guesswork, more data-driven packaging, and faster insights—so you can boost CTR, discovery, and growth without drowning in dashboards.
YouTube To Use AI To Help Podcasters Promote Themselves With Clips And Shorts
YouTube is leaning on AI to supercharge podcast growth. New tools will soon let video podcasters auto-generate clips and Shorts from episodes, while audio podcasters can turn shows into customizable videos—all powered by AI. For creators, this means easier promotion, broader reach, and more ways to compete with TikTok and Instagram while tapping YouTube’s massive discovery engine.
PodMatch helps the right podcast guests & hosts find each other faster and automates administrative work, so you can focus on what matters: recording interviews that serve listeners. Works great if you are looking for podcasts to guest on as well!
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7. Search Advice
The Complete AI Visibility Guide For SEOs, Marketers, And Site Owners
AI search is rewriting the rules of discoverability. Instead of just ranking in Google, brands now need to show up in AI assistants and Overviews—where fewer clicks mean higher-intent traffic. This guide explains AI visibility, why it matters, and how SEOs and marketers can seize the first-mover advantage. If you want your brand mentioned (not missed) in the AI era, this is your playbook.
8. Email Advice
Email Open Rate Benchmarks And How To Improve Yours In 2025
Are your emails getting ignored? Open rates aren’t perfect—but they’re still a critical signal of trust, timing, and message resonance. In this post, I share 2025 benchmarks by industry, unpack the factors that really influence opens, and give you practical, proven tactics to improve them. If you rely on email for nurturing, launches, or sales—you’ll want these insights.
Recommended Newsletters of the Week
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Strategic AF
by Adriana Tica
Tired of marketing advice that’s either obvious or outright shady? Strategic AF flips the script. It's the only newsletter that treats solopreneurs, founders, and marketers like grown-ups, not toddlers looking for the next shiny toy. Subscribe to get sharp, no-nonsense strategy advice without the cringe. No bro-marketing, no fluff — just real, sustainable growth tactics. Subscribe if you want results. Scroll past if you prefer gimmicks. |
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Julia Campbell
Named as a top thought leader and one to follow by Forbes and LinkedIn for Nonprofits, Julia Campbell is a nonprofit digital consultant, speaker, and author on a mission to make the digital world a better place. Host of the acclaimed Nonprofit Nation podcast, she’s written two books for nonprofits on social media and storytelling, and her online courses, webinars, and talks have helped hundreds of nonprofits make the shift to digital thinking. You can learn more about Julia at www.jcsocialmarketing.com/blog
Check out the resources I offer below and sign up for my newsletter! |
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Brian W Piper
Husband, father, author, speaker, adventurer
If you're a content marketer or content creator who wants to know how to make the most of your time and optimize your content. |
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Clearly YOU!
By Kim Scaravelli
Rise above the noise with a voice that’s clear, confident, and unmistakably YOU. Fresh insights delivered to your inbox every second Wednesday. |
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Launch Your Online Course 🚀
by Alan Martin
I help aspiring course creators turn their ideas into a profitable reality, regardless of their starting point. Hi, I am Alan Martin! Social media guy turned Course Launch Coach. I’m the founder of Freedom Hackers and Chat Marketing. In my weekly newsletter I share tips and strategies and mindset hacks to help you create and launch your course as quickly as possible. |
9.-10. Latest From My Blog
How To Create Quality Content That Actually Drives Results (Not Just Rankings)
We all say “quality content is king”—but what does that really mean in 2025? In this post, I unpack the core elements of true content quality—from aligning with search intent to weaving in original insight and audience-first structure. You’ll walk away with a repeatable framework for creating content that not only ranks but builds trust, drives conversions, and future-proofs your strategy.
What Are Influencer Tiers—And When Your Brand Should Use Each One
Not all influencers are created equal. From nano creators with hyper-engaged audiences to mega influencers with massive reach, each tier brings unique strengths—and risks—for your brand. In this post, I break down the five influencer tiers and show you exactly when to use each one so you can spend smarter, scale faster, and drive real marketing results.
If I can be of any help to you or your organization, please consider joining my Digital First Group Coaching Membership Community or considering hiring me as a Fractional CMO.
Warm regards,
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Fractional CMO / Author / Speaker / Educator
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