Welcome to the March edition of Digital Digest from SEO It Right!
This month, we’re taking a look at the latest Google core update and getting right to the heart of the AI trends influencing the global digital marketing industry.
The March Google Core Update
The two week rollout of the March core algorithm update.
Google’s latest core update, the first of 2025, is currently being rolled out. This update may take up to two weeks to complete but Google hasn’t yet shared any advice for marketeers on how to adapt their digital content in line with the new updates.
Core updates implement changes to Google’s search systems and algorithms, so expect to see fluctuations in your search visibility and rankings over the next two weeks. It is important to wait until the update is fully implemented and rankings have stabilised before making any changes to your campaigns, so focus instead on identifying permanent shifts in positioning caused by the update, rather than trying to fix specific issues if rankings temporarily drop.
The Rise and Redefinition of AI
The initial excitement may be over, but AI is here to stay.
AI is no longer shiny and new, and businesses are now being more strategic about when and where these new technologies are used. The initial wave of excitement that we all felt when generative AI first became widely available has now settled into a focused, budget-conscious approach to creating value and maximising AI’s potential.
Rather than experimenting with AI applications as much as possible and seeing what sticks, businesses are instead focusing on intentionally using AI to optimise their time and efforts. From analysing customer data to personalising interactions via chatbots, AI solutions continue to be a game-changer in automating marketing campaigns and driving actionable insights.
Google’s Latest Advancements in AI-Driven Search
Google rolls out the next version of Gemini AI.
Earlier this month, Google announced a new iteration of the AI model Gemini. Currently Gemini generates text based on the available online information, but this latest version will now be able to deliver even more relevant, personalised search answers.
This update aims to increase the personalisation of responses and connect users with the right information for them based upon contextual relevance from their search history. It will connect you with the information that you want to know, based upon what information you have already accessed, so make sure you opt in for this new experimental feature.
The AI Threat to Paid Advertising Authenticity
The battle with bots for paid social media engagement.
The effectiveness of social media advertising, with a spend of $234.14 billion in 2024, is under threat from ‘click fraud’. We are living in ‘the age of the bot’, and a small amount of click fraud has to be tolerated whilst platforms adapt to the increased presence of bots and AI generated profiles.
However, the influx of bot accounts, combined with issues around moderation and fact checking, has made advertisers worried that social media platforms are failing to keep bots away from their ads and show them to real users.
Prioritising Technical SEO for AI Search Engines
Optimising your technical SEO for improved AI search visibility.
It turns out that AI algorithms are just like us when searching for information online. When faced with a hard-to-navigate website with a slow load speed they will abandon the journey altogether and find the resources they need elsewhere.
Marketers across the world are adapting their online content to be found by AI search engines that favour relevant, user-focused content that directly answers the user’s question, but not if it is hard to find! So, prioritise the load speed, mobile-optimisation and technical aspects of your site to create a clear pathway for AI to find and understand your relevant content.
The Digital Digest
That’s all for now! Don’t forget to come back next month to stay up-to-date with all the latest updates and important headlines across the digital marketing industry.
