Stuck? Step Away for 24 Hours - It Works Every Time

AD

Burned Out From Content Creation?

Syllaby.io helps creators turn content ideas into faceless videos in minutes. No editing. No filming. Just results.

Build your brand and stay consistent—without burning out.

Get 7-days for free!

SEO + GEO

The New SEO Funnel: From Indexing to AI Inclusion

Rachel Hernandez breaks down why clicks and rankings are now incomplete and just part of the puzzle. AI tools like ChatGPT and Google’s AI Overviews are rewriting the funnel and if you’re not optimizing for inclusion, you’re invisible. This piece maps out how to earn visibility at every stage of the AI search funnel, from schema-rich TOFU content to review-fueled MOFU trust signals and CTA-loaded BOFU strategies. Some of the takeaways

• Zero-click searches now dominate over 60% of queries

• TOFU = Brand mentions in AI Overviews and LLM citations

• Use schema and semantic HTML for NER and structure

• MOFU = Third-party reviews and roundup inclusions

• Transparent pricing improves AI recommendation odds

• BOFU = Add CTAs inside snippet-rich FAQs

What Framework To Use for Increasing Visibility in AI Search

Gianluca Fiorelli shares his system for dominating AI Search with structured content that makes LLMs trust, retrieve, and amplify your brand. Using a fictional brand, My Mini Painting, he shares his framework. Here are some of the takeaways:

• Start with a brand ontology, not a keyword list

• Map entities by function, relationships, and hierarchy

• Build taxonomies that mirror user paths and AI logic

• Use query fan-out and rewrites to map intent clusters

• Design content hubs with pillars and clusters tied by entities

• Adapt tone and format to each persona's needs and emotions

• Format for AI (tables, FAQs, steps) but write for humans

Google Cautions Businesses Against Generic Keyword Domains

In a recent podcast, Google’s John Mueller delivered a truth bomb for small businesses: generic keyword domains may be killing your search visibility. Matt G. Southern unpacks the warning, explaining how names like “LosAngelesWeddingPhotos.com” are forgettable, hard to link, and easily confused. Unique brand names, on the other hand, create clearer signals for search engines, stronger word-of-mouth, and easier customer recall. John also emphasizes that local SEO doesn’t require stuffing the city into your domain. Use content and structured data instead. If you're still picking a domain, think long-term and brand smart. Keywords can’t compete with memorability.

My Take: Until EMDs (Exact Match Domains) stop working for local, I call BS. But yea, if you’re looking to build something long-term, then you want to go with a unique brand.

SEO + GEO Ripples

• Google isn’t just defending the web. It’s doubling down on it. Liz Reid, Head of Google Search, shares fresh data showing AI Overviews and AI Mode are leading to more queries, deeper questions, and higher-quality clicks. She says traffic isn’t dying. It’s evolving. Users now expect answers fast but still click into content that’s original, in-depth, or human. She makes it clear: AI responses are designed to spotlight the web, not replace it. The winners are sites with first-hand insight, unique angles, and rich content that go beyond regurgitated summaries. I can’t bring myself to take this letter apart because you may never see me the same 🤣 

• Martin Splitt and John Mueller discuss photography and SEO in the latest Search Off the Record episode (mentioned above about domains). From domain name traps (spoiler: generic terms won’t save you) to the power of naming your brand after yourself, Martin shares what he learned building his own photo site. Even hobbyists benefit from SEO basics: brand clarity, Search Console, and having real text on gallery pages. Even if you’re not a photographer, it’s worth skimming the transcript for tips on image SEO.

• Bing Webmaster Tools now shows 24 months of search performance data, up from 16. That’s double what Google Search Console offers. Bing also rolled out new filters by device and country, plus keyword trendlines at a glance. If you haven’t checked out Bing Webmaster Tools, you should.

AI

OpenAI GPT-5 Released

OpenAI rolled out GPT-5, a unified system that knows when to think, when to act, and when to pause. GPT-5 crushes benchmarks in coding, writing, health, and multimodal reasoning, while slashing hallucinations and sycophancy, according to their tests. “GPT-5 Pro” adds even deeper reasoning for the most complex tasks.

One big change in your ChatGPT experience is - “GPT‑5 is the new default in ChatGPT, replacing GPT‑4o, OpenAI o3, OpenAI o4-mini, GPT‑4.1, and GPT‑4.5 for signed-in users.” It should be fully rolled out now, so you should see only GPT-5 and an extra GPT-5 Thinking if you’re a paid user. If you’re a Pro user paying $200/month, you can access Legacy models by flipping the switch on in Settings.

They also have a dedicated page for developers on GPT-5. They also have great examples of single page apps on their documentation page at the top. They share the prompts and I was surprised at how simple and short they were, less than a tweet in most cases.

They’ve since updated it in the last few hours of writing this - Plus users can now access one Legacy model - GPT-4o.

OpenAI GPT-OSS (Open Source) Released

OpenAI just dropped two open-weight LLMs, gpt-oss-120b and gpt-oss-20b models built for reasoning, tool use, and real-world deployment. The 120B runs on a single 80GB GPU. The 20B hums along with just 16GB. Both crush it in coding, healthcare, and agent workflows, with safety training that rivals proprietary models.

Claude Opus 4.1 Released

Claude Opus 4.1 just dropped, and it’s not a subtle upgrade. Anthropic’s latest release takes a leap in real-world coding and agentic reasoning. Stronger with multi-file refactoring, pinpoint debugging, and long-context problem solving.

Create Personal Illustrated Storybooks in the Gemini App

Google’s Gemini has a new feature that turns any idea into a fully illustrated 10-page storybook, complete with custom art and read-aloud audio. You can upload photos, use personal files, and choose from 45 languages. Want a coloring book in crochet style? A sci-fi comic based on your kid’s drawing? Or a Paris trip retold as a family fantasy? Done.

AI Ripples

• Sam Altman dropped a bombshell in OpenAI’s Slack: select researchers and engineers will get multimillion-dollar bonuses paid out over two years. Alex Heath reports that it’s part of an aggressive talent-retention strategy as poaching heats up across the AI sector. Bonuses range from hundreds of thousands to single-digit millions and can be taken as cash, stock, or both. About one-third of OpenAI’s workforce qualifies. What am I doing writing this newsletter?! I need to get a job in AI! 😂 

MARKETING

Ask a PPC: How Do I Avoid Cannibalization on Similar Products?

If your paid search campaigns are eating each other alive, Navah Hopkins has your antidote. She tackles the all-too-common trap of product cannibalization in PPC. Her strategy is to segment smartly. Assign keywords by geography, funnel stage, or product role. Use category pages instead of product pages to reduce CPC bloat. Lean on branded campaigns to protect your margins. And for top-of-funnel? Visual ads and audience targeting beat keyword overlap every time. She says that the goal isn’t to eliminate cannibalization. It’s to control it so every click lands where it counts.

LINK BUILDING

The Cost of Guest Posts Based on 26K Sites

Vince Nero just dismantled the guest post economy. After analyzing 26,000+ sites, he found that over 85% are low-quality, overpriced, and borderline worthless. The average vendor-sourced post? $1,459.06. He advocates for investing in digital PR instead, because: more links, better sites, brand safety. Here are some of the insights from the research:

• 85% of guest post sites are low-quality

• High-quality = DR 71+ and 50K+ traffic (only 4.6% qualify)

• Vendor markup averages 75%

• $365 is the raw average post cost, $1,459 via vendor

• Top-tier links can reach $10,000 each

• DR alone is meaningless without relevance

• Most sites hit by Helpful Content updates

WAYS WE CAN WORK TOGETHER

Floyi - The only AI-powered tool that builds 4-level topical maps, so your content strategy isn’t just planned - it’s unstoppable.

Topical Maps Unlocked 2.0 - The blueprint for ranking dominance. Learn how to structure content the way search engines (and audiences) crave.

TopicalMap.com Service - We handle the research, structure, and strategy. You get a custom topical map delivered that builds authority, so your content and brand dominate.

Content Strategy and SEO Consulting – Just you and me, refining your personal strategy into a clear roadmap for traffic, authority, and conversions.

AD

Turn AI into Your Income Engine

Ready to transform artificial intelligence from a buzzword into your personal revenue generator

HubSpot’s groundbreaking guide "200+ AI-Powered Income Ideas" is your gateway to financial innovation in the digital age.

Inside you'll discover:

• A curated collection of 200+ profitable opportunities spanning content creation, e-commerce, gaming, and emerging digital markets—each vetted for real-world potential

• Step-by-step implementation guides designed for beginners, making AI accessible regardless of your technical background

• Cutting-edge strategies aligned with current market trends, ensuring your ventures stay ahead of the curve

Download your guide today and unlock a future where artificial intelligence powers your success. Your next income stream is waiting.

Get Your Guide