Issue 14

Thought Pieces

Looking ahead: SEO industry predictions for 2025

SEO predictions about the future help us evaluate what can impact our success. Helen Pollitt shares her predictions for 2025.

The Zero/Low Search Volume Dilemma

If we understand why search is changing, we can come up with tactics to optimize for that. In other words, if we know what's Google looking for and why they need AI Overviews and reddit, we can create content to cater for that, right?

Last week we discussed in the

Events

Christchurch Digital Marketing Meetup - Mar 11, 2025

Welcome to the Christchurch Digital Marketing Meetup Group! Join us if you're interested in the ever-evolving world of AdTech. This group is open to marketing professionals, entrepreneurs, and enthusiasts seeking to explore new digital advertising technologies and strategies. Our meetups will be informal and not be presentation based, rather about building a community and learning from each other.

Brainy Breakfast - March 12, 2025

We pack a lot into the Brainy Breakfasts with New Zealand’s best presenters, expert panels, groundbreaking case studies, and a focus on the hottest topics in marketing.

Social Trivia Quiz Night – Mar 15, 2025

Join us for a fun, social quiz night at Lean Canvas! Whether you’re a trivia whiz or just in it for the laughs, round up your team and enjoy a great evening of friendly competition.

Studies & Data

News SEO In 2025: What You Need To Know

A survey from NewzDash reveals 2025 news SEO trends, highlighting AI disruptions, Google Discover’s impact, and top industry challenges.

Does Google Favor UGC? Reddit Leads In Search Growth [STUDY]

Reddit leads in search visibility growth, according to a SISTRIX report, raising questions about Google's preferences for user-generated content (UGC).

Guides & Recommendations

How To Manage Old Content on a News Website - Moz

News websites are notorious for housing a vast amount of content, and managing requires a delicate balancing act. While every article adds historical value, outdated pieces can hurt SEO efforts.

Reddit for SMBs: A hidden SEO and engagement goldmine

Reddit posts rank in Google, making it a powerful tool for SMBs looking to boost SEO, engage locally, and build brand trust.

SEO News

Google Tweak Creates Crisis for Product-Review Sites - WSJ

New rules for recommendation sites such as Forbes Vetted and CNN Underscored threaten their business models and hurt freelancers.

Google now sees more than 5 trillion searches per year

We still don't know exactly how many more than 5 trillion queries Google processes annually. Google last claimed at least 2 trillion in 2016.

Paid News

Google's VP of Ads and Commerce Outlines 2025 Priorities

Google Ads is doubling down on AI, personalization, and new ad formats in 2025. Here’s what’s changing and how advertisers should prepare for these shifts.

Google tackles key Performance Max concerns in new FAQ

Google released a detailed FAQ addressing advertisers' top concerns about PMax, including transparency, lead quality, and campaign optimization.

AI News

Google's AI Shopping Tools Transform Ideas Into Real Products

Google has launched AI shopping tools that help customers find real clothing items based on generated images.

Google Upgrades AI Overviews With Gemini 2.0, Launches AI Mode

Google enhances search with Gemini 2.0-powered AI Overviews and launches premium "AI Mode" for Google One subscribers.

Other News

Microsoft Announces It Is To Shut Down Skype After 21 Years | LinkedIn

Microsoft has announced that Skype, its calling and messaging service, will officially shut down on May 5. The company is encouraging users to transition to its free Teams app.

Google, Meta, and Apple Power the World's Biggest Surveillance System

Imagine a government that tracks your daily movements, monitors your communications, and catalogs your digital habits.

While this conjures images of authoritarian regimes, a parallel reality exists in the United States, where law enforcement agencies leverage the vast data reservoirs of Big Tech companies to construct intrusive profiles of citizens.

Over the past decade, Google, Meta, and Apple have collectively shared user data for over 3.16 million accounts with U.S. authorities, creating what critics call the world’s most pervasive surveillance infrastructure.