In this weeks digital news, Google’s dominance in the UK search engine market has reportedly weakened as users concerns around AI-powered search results continue. Google AI Overviews generally stabilised in October in November but granular travel queries surged by 700%. Severe vulnerability in CleanTalk Anti-Spam WordPress plugin enables unauthenticated attackers to upload plugins and launch attacks.
ChatGPT Search misattributes news content, Columbia study finds, raising concerns for publisher visibility. X users are becoming ex-users and fleeing to the new social app founded by X’s co-founder. The Independent Impact 50 will highlight the “impact, commitment and contribution” of the UK’s top industry freelancers.
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Google Search Sees UK Decline, Users Express Low Trust In AI
Google’s dominance in the UK search engine market has reportedly weakened as users concerns around AI-powered search results continue. Their UK market share has reportedly dropped from 86% to 83%, according to a report by Ofcom. Whilst Bing saw a temporary increase in popularity after adding AI features, peaking at 46% reach in the UK, this has since cooled down to 36%, which is still above pre-AI levels. Despite the adoption of AI search features, only 18% of UK users were found to believe AI search results to be reliable.
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New Report Shows AI Overviews Trends Are Stabilising
Google AI Overviews generally stabilised in October in November but granular travel queries surged by 700%. October’s data reveals significant shifts and stabilisation across industries in AI Overviews (AIOs). Critical insights from October reveal growth in certain sectors, stability in others, and strategic changes in content types and sources. These insights offer actionable strategies for marketers aiming to optimise for AIOs during this critical period. There was, however, a massive growth in AIO appearing for travel related queries, particularly localised ones that are more specific and longtail. Brands in this industry should think about creating content to answer queries around
- Top attractions in
- Things to do in
- Family friendly activies in
- Fall festivals in
In efforts to be visible in these new AIO results.
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WordPress Anti-Spam Plugin Vulnerability Hits 200k+ Sites
Severe vulnerability in CleanTalk Anti-Spam WordPress plugin enables unauthenticated attackers to upload plugins and launch attacks. A flaw in a WordPress anti-spam plugin with over 200,000 installations allows rogue plugins to be installed on affected websites. Security researchers rated the vulnerability 9.8 out of 10, reflecting the high level of severity determined by security researchers.
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ChatGPT Search Fails Attribution Test, Misquotes News Sources
ChatGPT Search misattributes news content, Columbia study finds, raising concerns for publisher visibility. OpenAI’s ChatGPT Search is struggling to accurately cite news publishers, according to a study by Columbia University’s Tow Center for Digital Journalism. The report found frequent misquotes and incorrect attributions, raising concerns among publishers about brand visibility and control over their content. Additionally, the findings challenge OpenAI’s commitment to responsible AI development in journalism.
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Is Bluesky The New Marketing Twitter?
X users are becoming ex-users and fleeing to the new social app founded by X’s co-founder. Bluesky, is a decentralised social platform, and is making strides as a potential replacement for the marketing-focused Twitter community. Bluesky recently has seen a mass increase in user growth, with its appeal to marketers. But the social media platform is not without its challenges, such as limited features and until recently the platform was only accessible via invites. While some marketers appreciate its focus on discourse and reduced toxicity, others question its scalability and practical value for brands. Bluesky’s future role in marketing is seen as promising but uncertain, contingent on broad adoption and evolution.
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New Awards Scheme To Showcase Independent PR Practitioners
The Independent Impact 50 will highlight the “impact, commitment and contribution” of the UK’s top industry freelancers. A new awards programme has been launched to celebrate the work of the UK PR industry’s most influential independent practitioners. As well as judging their campaign work, the Independent Impact 50 will showcase independent practitioners of “disproportionate client impact, industry contribution and commitment to raising professional standards.” The Independent Impact 50 has been developed by independent consultant Rod Cartwright and Nigel Sarbutts, founder of the freelance PR matchmaking platform, The PR Cavalry, and is backed by the PRCA, the CIPR, PRovoke Media and PR agency 72Point.
Read more here.
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