Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke just sent out a bold memo that could change how businesses everywhere approach work. In short: AI isn’t optional anymore. It’s expected—everywhere, all the time. What’s the Big Deal? Tobi wants Shopify employees to use AI in every task—from simple admin to complex problem-solving. And not just casually—he wants AI use to become reflexive, meaning something you do without even thinking about it, like brushing your teeth. He believes AI can make teams 100X more productive by automating repetitive tasks, generating ideas faster, and helping solve problems in ways we couldn't before. Why It Matters for Your Business This memo isn’t just about Shopify—it’s a glimpse of where all workplaces are headed. Whether you run a small online shop or manage a team, this shift means: - AI tools will become essential to stay competitive - Performance reviews may include AI usage as a success factor - New ideas should be built with AI in mind from day one - He even suggests teams ask: “What would this project look like if an AI agent was part of the team?” Takeaway If you're not already using AI tools to streamline your work, create content, generate leads, or improve customer service—it’s time to start. The businesses that adopt AI now will move faster, cost less, and do more than those that wait.

If you use WordPress and the Yoast SEO plugin to boost your website’s Google rankings, there’s a new tool worth checking out: the Progress Planner plugin. Created by the same team behind Yoast, this plugin now works hand-in-hand with Yoast SEO to make your website perform even better. What’s New? Progress Planner now helps you optimize your SEO settings by giving you easy, personalized suggestions. Its built-in assistant, Ravi, checks if you’ve set up Yoast SEO correctly and recommends simple next steps to improve your site’s search performance. Why It Matters for Your Business Many business owners install SEO tools but aren’t always sure how to use them effectively. This plugin takes out the guesswork, helps you fix issues, and keeps your website running smoothly—so more people can find your business online. More helpful features are on the way too, so it’s worth keeping an eye on this one.

The response to Google's March 2024 Core Update has been overwhelmingly negative, as many site owners saw their rankings plummet. This update, taking 45 days to complete, has left those affected by the previous year's now-defunct Helpful Content system (HCU) hoping for a fix that never came. Some users humorously lament their dwindling web traffic, while others express frustration at losing most of their traffic without explanation. Complaints also surfaced about Google's ranking preferences for sites like Pinterest and Reddit. Although there were concerns about site reputation abuse, Google confirmed the recent update didn't address this issue. The culmination of recent updates and a controversial data leak has fostered widespread negative sentiment towards Google, affecting both the search marketing community and large news organizations. Worried about your SEO? Let's chat.

Google's Search Liaison Danny Sullivan clarified that while Google announces broad core algorithm updates, it doesn't disclose every minor change. Sullivan's remarks came in response to a question from Glenn Gabe about Google's silence on volatility following a recent core update in March. Sullivan explained that Google continuously updates its search ranking systems, making about 5,000 updates annually, many of which are minor tweaks. He likened announcing each of these updates to a constant stream of notifications, which wouldn't be practical or useful for creators. Sullivan emphasized that while these changes may seem minor individually, they can collectively impact rankings and traffic, underscoring the need for better communication from Google. Additionally, Sullivan highlighted that beyond algorithm adjustments, search results can fluctuate due to the dynamic nature of web content, with Google's ranking systems continually processing new information.

Content decay refers to the process where online content becomes outdated or irrelevant over time. In a recent Google podcast, hosts discussed this phenomenon and its implications for websites. While not widely recognized in SEO, it raises questions about managing aging content with obsolete information or broken links. Google's Search Advocate, John Mueller, defines content decay as the natural aging of reference material, which doesn't necessarily make it untrue or useless. Handling content decay involves indicating outdated information to avoid confusing users, providing context for obsolete references, and using redirects sensibly. There's no one-size-fits-all solution; some outdated content may be kept for historical accuracy, while others may need updating or removal based on their value.

The significance of the home page is evident, and the importance of items linked directly from the home page cannot be overstated. As we move away from the home page, there is a natural inclination to consider the content as potentially less critical. It is a well-established principle that pages linked directly from the home page hold considerable importance. This fact is widely acknowledged, and it is worth emphasizing that in a well-organized website, major category pages and other pivotal content are typically linked directly from the home page.