Welcome to our regular roundup of SEO, PPC, and online marketing news for February. The digital landscape is constantly evolving this month, bringing new challenges and opportunities. That’s why it’s important to stay informed and follow the latest trends so you can effectively optimize your marketing strategies and achieve better results. In this article, we’ll take a look at the most important news and changes you should know about. We’ll focus on search engine algorithm updates, new features in advertising platforms, trends in content marketing and social media, and more.
Google Search is testing an “artificial intelligence mode”
Google is experimenting with a revolutionary approach to search. It is internally testing an “AI Mode” feature that will allow users to ask open-ended, exploratory questions that existing searches may not provide satisfactory answers to. AI Mode, built on Gemini 2.0, is expected to intelligently search the Internet and organize the information it finds into a comprehensible structure with links to sources. The new mode targets queries that require advice, comparisons, or allow follow-up questions, making searches more interactive and effective.
Is location tracking dead? Why Google’s new rules are a game changer
Changes to the way Google renders search results are forcing SEOs to rethink traditional metrics of success. The introduction of a JavaScript requirement for rendering search results in January of this year has had a significant impact on SEO tools that rely on data scraping. The result is a disruption in data collection and, consequently, a disruption in ranking tracking. This change raises questions about the future of ranking tracking and how SEOs will need to adapt to the new conditions.
Instagram and TikTok overtake Google among Gen Z shoppers
Although younger users prefer austria mobile database social platforms, Google still reigns supreme among millennials, Gen Xers, and boomers.
Younger Gen Zers are discovering new products primarily on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, which have surpassed Google search in this regard. However, older generations (millennials, Gen Xers, and baby boomers) still rely on Google the most. This shift in consumer behavior suggests that social media is becoming a significant search platform, and SEOs should consider integrating these platforms into their strategies.
Google’s organic and paid CTRs hit new lows
Click-through rates for both organic and paid Google search results have seen a new decline . While AI Overviews (short answers how to choose the best wordpress theme for seo generated by artificial intelligence) are contributing to the decline in organic results, paid ads are seeing a decline in click-through rates regardless of the presence of AI Overviews. This suggests that there may be other factors besides AI Overviews that are reducing the effectiveness of both types of search.
ChatGPT is growing as a traffic source and changing search behavior
ChatGPT is becoming a significant source of traffic for websites, especially those focused on education, technology, and software development. This tool not only generates referral traffic for over 30,000 unique domains, but also cpa email list fundamentally changes the way users discover and interact with content online. ChatGPT is thus influencing search behavior and becoming an important factor in the digital environment.
How volatile were Google ranking positions really?
Google search ranking volatility has increased significantly in 2024, by 26%, with some industries seeing even greater jumps. This increased SEO and PPC in February volatility is one of the key factors influencing the evolution of SEO, forcing experts to reevaluate traditional methods and strategies. It is clear that “fixed” Google ranking positions are a thing of.