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AI Overview and Google Search Trends:

In a discussion on AI search trends, Mark Traphagen from SEO Clarity shared insights on Google’s search generative experience (SGE) and its limited functionality in delivering localized results. His analysis highlighted that SGE results in the U.S. tend to be highly informational (91%) and less transactional, especially for keywords related to products. According to Mark, Google’s AI-driven search lacks the capacity to enhance local search results, pointing out that traditional SERP results still perform better. Meanwhile, Google’s AI continues to evolve, with recent tweaks aiming to improve ranking relevance in AI responses.

ChatGPT Search Growth and Future Projections:

Mark noted a recent 10x rise in referrals from ChatGPT, suggesting growing adoption of OpenAI’s real-time web search capabilities. He indicated that this growth corresponds with ChatGPT’s recent integration of SearchGPT and its compatibility with Apple iOS, predicting further rises. While alternatives like perplexity show gradual increases, OpenAI maintains a stronghold, steadily reclaiming market share. For SEO professionals, Mark advises monitoring these shifts and tracking SearchGPT, Bing's Gen.AI, and other emerging platforms as they shape traffic trends.

Google SERP’s Dilemma and E-commerce Impact:

Mark discussed Google’s strategic challenges, balancing ad-driven revenue with user satisfaction in AI integration. He highlighted that Google’s “Popular Products” feature increasingly dominates SERP top spots, pushing organic listings down, especially on mobile. This shift affects e-commerce traffic significantly, as traditional organic ranking struggles against the prominent Google product listings. Mark encourages SEO strategies that embrace Google’s product features for better reach. Despite the influx of new platforms, he reassures clients that established SEO practices remain essential in the evolving landscape.

The Near Memo is a weekly conversation about Search, Social, and Commerce: What happened, why it matters, and the implications for local businesses and national brands.
Ep 183

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Google's Antitrust Battle: Legal and Political Shifts: As Google’s antitrust trial unfolds, recent shifts in U.S. leadership may change the tech giant’s outlook. With Trump’s election win, the likelihood of drastic regulatory action against Google, such as a breakup, appears to be reduced. The new administration’s stance on big tech could soften the Justice Department’s approach, shifting from aggressive oversight to a more business-friendly posture. While there’s bipartisan support for reigning in big tech, motivations differ: Republicans often cite censorship concerns, while Democrats focus on monopolistic practices. Given these dynamics, Google may emerge with only minor restrictions—like changes to default search agreements—rather than a forced split. Despite some regulatory adjustments, the tech landscape now looks less likely to see major disruptions, leaving room for Google to maintain its market dominance.

Apple's Applied Intelligence Transformation: Siri's Leap to Intelligent Search:

We take a look at the iOS 18.1 Siri Beta. Apple’s Siri is evolving into a powerful AI assistant, moving beyond simple voice commands to provide advanced, text-based search capabilities and an app-like experience. With new features allowing Siri to pull information directly from trusted sources, users can get sports scores, local recommendations, and entertainment options seamlessly without going to the web. Apple’s focus on data privacy and ad-free interaction offers a distinct alternative to Google’s ad-driven models, emphasizing a cleaner, user-centered experience. Apple’s work on voice isolation is also enhancing Siri’s effectiveness, allowing smoother interactions even in noisy environments. Because of the many iPhones in the wild, Siri’s expanded abilities across the Apple ecosystem could lead to a shift in user habits, positioning Apple IntelligenceI as a viable alternative to traditional search.

ChatGPT Redefining Search:

The new SearchGPT feature might just redefine search by offering a conversational interface that maintains context across multiple queries. This functionality could make ChatGPT a compelling alternative to Google, especially in local search, where its ability to remember and refine previous queries sets it apart. ChatGPT’s clean interface and ability to deliver quick, relevant answers directly within the chat could attract users interested in exploring new search options. As Apple prepares to integrate ChatGPT into Siri, this AI-driven trend may drive additional “zero-click” behaviors—where users get instant answers without leaving the app. Search GPT also shows promise in e-commerce and product searches, delivering a streamlined experience that could change how users interact in this space and transform how consumers search.

The Near Memo is a weekly conversation about Search, Social, and Commerce: What happened, why it matters, and the implications for local businesses and national brands.
Ep 182

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AI in Local SEO: Challenges and Opportunities:

We dive into how AI is reshaping local search. Key insights from Andrew Shotland’s analysis reveal that Google’s AI overviews appear inconsistently in local searches, mainly showing up for broader queries, while lower funnel searches rely on the local pack. New platforms like Perplexity, with licensing from Yelp, seem to offer promising results for complex local queries, potentially challenging Google’s dominance in local search.

Apple Siri Finally Gets Local Search:

Mike showcases Apple’s upgraded Siri new features in iOS 18.1 that demonstrate a largely hidden but significant leap in local search capabilities. By allowing for text input and recognizing contextual cues, Siri can now provide tailored local results from any screen. Apple is taking a calculated approach to search and AI, suggesting it could take one of several directions. Long haul they appear to be banking on AI based search becoming a dominant model. They appear to be gradually developing a more functional search alternative. For it to be successful Apple needs the new SIRI to be successful and to increase its visibility. Apple, though recognizes that the change to new search modalities might take three to four and they are apparently leaving themselves open for appropriate partnerships if they lose Google’s ~$20 billion search payment.

ChatGPT's Growing User Base and Implications for Google:

ChatGPT's is experiencing escalating popularity as a search tool, with survey data indicating that nearly half of respondents use it weekly. This rising trend hints at a shifting search landscape, though Google’s latest earnings suggest minimal immediate impact. Google’s has made strategic AI cost reductions and is investing heavily in expanding capabilities, reflecting its response to AI-driven competitors like ChatGPT

The Near Memo is a weekly conversation about Search, Social, and Commerce: What happened, why it matters, and the implications for local businesses and national brands.
Ep 181

Subscribe to our 3x per week newsletter at https://www.nearmedia.co/subscribe/