Some assorted photos from SearchNorwichXL yesterday. Such a great event. Well done to @markwilliamscook.com and the team. Greatly enjoyed @divingfor.fun's "Angry German Man" rant about the state of the web - though it was more a call-to-action to build the web we want. ❤️ #SNXL

So nice to see @guaca.bsky.social using their BSky.handle in their searchnorwichXL talk, not 'the other place'. 👏👏 #SNXL

Correction email from a prominent tech firm: "Sorry, there was a glitch in the last version -- try this link now. Sorry! Sorry!" The link:

Stabbed myself in the base of the thumb with a screwdriver (opening tins of paint). Y'know when you hit yourself SO hard with something (in a non-fleshy part) and for a *second* it doesn't bleed and you think: "Oh, I got away with it..." And then you didn't. Yeah. That.

Anchorman: Knights of Columbus, That Hurt!

ALT: Anchorman: Knights of Columbus, That Hurt!

static.klipy.com

It’s easy to see why the AI companies wanted to hide this from the public. The statements are some of the most damning indictments of the ways LLMs were trained, how they work, and the immediate threat they pose to human labor. @jasonkoebler.bsky.social reports. www.404media.co/doom-loop-op...

$2400 just to enter the country with art -- that you may or may not sell. Bonkers. The grown-ups truly have all left the building. It just toddlers in charge.

Effin' Birds@effinbirds.com · last wk.

listen, Americans you guys have a pretty neat country but every day you’re finding a new way to pour lighter fluid all over your pants

you really should and I need to do it more too ohhelloana.blog/tell-the-spe...

Tell the speakers that you liked their talks

if you always wanted to but think it isn't worth telling a speaker you liked their talk, this is your encouragement post to do so.

ohhelloana.blog

20% of women's football teams associated with a male EFL equivalent club are 'invisible' in Google search. I dug into why some clubs are being missed out by this new feature: optimisey.com/seo-advice/w... Would love to hear your ideas and to connect with those teams, see if I can help (for free).

Women's Football Has a Visibility Problem | Optimisey

When I’m not thinking about SEO, AI search and such things I’m usually thinking about football. Before I start, I…

optimisey.com

Modern life is rubbish part 304: Jesus wept remortgaging is PAINFUL. Login to this portal; register on that platform; prove your ID on this system; upload that document NO NOT THAT ONE!!! F. F and indeed S. I'm the same person I was the last 93 times I did this and paid on time for 20+ years. 🙄

A sad story in 3 images. 1. remove.bg (free background removal tool) is "moving to Canva" aka acquired 2. Canva's 'BG Remover' tool is only available to subscribers 3. Minimum is £13 a month. Sigh. Capitalism. "A competitor's doing something cool, for free. Quick buy them and monetise it!"

Had a lot of fun going on DealerPod -- a podcast *outside* of SEO and marketing. It's a pretty slick production and edit too! Would love to know what you think? youtu.be/azi-6itfHck?...

Will AI Recommend Your Car Dealership?

YouTube video by Dealerway

youtu.be

Is there anything more satisfying that *FINALLY* 'birthing' a splinter that's been stuck in you for *too long*? I've had the tip of a thorn lodged in my thumb for just over a week until finally... this morning...

Rita Repulsa's Surprise

Alt: Rita Repulsa's Surprise -- used to symbolise a splinter emerging from from my thumb

static.klipy.com

And for at least a bit of real world data, Bluesky continues to be the largest single source of traffic (after search) to @techdirt.com. I don't think Threads has ever shown up in any list of referrers. Ever.

Rodger Sherman@rodger.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Two possibilities: —Threads is becoming the dominant text-based social media app even though nobody you’ve ever met has ever used Threads —Meta is doing some funky math and just counting people who use their Instagram accounts as active Threads users

I’ve seen similar numbers. Bluesky users are more engaged, more likely to donate or pay for good journalism, and more likely to share it with their friends. Most people have self-selected to be here because they care, and it shows.

Mike Masnick@masnick.com · 2mo ago

And for at least a bit of real world data, Bluesky continues to be the largest single source of traffic (after search) to @techdirt.com. I don't think Threads has ever shown up in any list of referrers. Ever.

I just found out that it's okay to look straight at the eclipse if you're wearing Meta glasses. Spread the word 🥰

So I did a thing with @brightlocal.com. Would love for you share this with small business owners. It's 100% free. No catches. You know the people - who are their own 'marketing department' (and HR, Finance, Logistics etc.). academy.brightlocal.com/course/how-t... Thanks in advance!

My free course on schema mark-up for local SEO with @brightlocal.com just dropped: academy.brightlocal.com/course/how-t...

How to Use Local Schema to Help You Get Found

Step-by-step local schema training—from basics to advanced tips—with quizzes to cement your skills.

academy.brightlocal.com

Just want to remind folks that this keeps happening. Burials of assumed-important ancients discovered to be women via genetic testing, after decades of them simply being assumed to be male. The patriarchy is incompatible with reality.

Jens Notroff@jensnotroff.com · 2mo ago

The #BronzeAge #UptonLovellShaman​'s burial in Wiltshire has long been considered an important religious figure & metalworker. It's been barely questioned someone of such status must be male. But now #aDNA analysis revealed that the body is in fact: a woman. 🏺 www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

It's tomorrow but you might still squeeze in: Want some actionable, jargon free, and USEFUL tips you can implement on your website straight away? I got ya:

The SEO To-Do List That Fits on a Post-it Note

Think SEO requires a 40-page strategy document? Think again.

eventbrite.co.uk

Just been to see #TheOddessey. Wow. Unlike many things these days, it very much lives up to the hype.

Anyone else not got the, much vaunted, ability to add social channels to Search Console yet? Or is it just me? Or am I doing it wrong? (those last two may not be mutually exclusive).

So... how we all feeling? #EngvsArg

Sheldon Cooper Hyperventilates with Paper Bag

Alt: Sheldon Cooper Hyperventilates with Paper Bag

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"Hey Siri, show me an example that demonstrates that clubs have already found ways around the Premier League's new SCR rules." I mean... they're not even *trying* to hide it very well. They don't have to. It's laughable.

I know you know this on bluesky, but I posted it on insta so I thought I should post here too. And if it makes someone second guess using AI for these things then maybe it helps.

new pervert alarm dropped

A new app alerts you if someone nearby is wearing smart glasses | TechCrunch

A hobbyist developer's new app, which can detect nearby smart glasses, comes amid resistance to always-on recording and listening devices that invade people's privacy.

techcrunch.com

How the rest of the world *should* respond to Trumpty Dumpty's '20% Toll' idea.

"SEO? That's dead (again) isn't it?" Over to you @nikkipilkington.bsky.social. ==== Watch the whole video (and get slides, transcripts and more) over at optimisey.com/seo-advice.

#UnexpectedBonus from the new wireless mouse I bought. Now, when we have to rig up my laptop to the TV to stream stuff, I can control the play/pause *without* having to get up off the sofa!

Relaxed Cat on Sofa

Alt: Relaxed Cat on Sofa

static.klipy.com

This feels like a very bad idea. Torching land and water reserves, spiralling power costs, rapidly warming the environment (even more!) and for what? "Hey, Gemini make this picture of me into an anime character!" or "ChatGPT, create a video of Trump and Musk mud-wrestling!" Sigh. 😖

The Register@theregister.com · 3mo ago

UK guts planning red tape so datacenters can bypass the neighbors faster