In this episode of SEO 101, we explore essential strategies for thriving in an AI-driven search landscape. Discover how to enhance content visibility, leverage SEO versus GEO techniques, and understand the importance of ongoing content production to maintain brand recognition and engagement in today’s evolving digital environment.
Show Notes:
Non-SEO News
- WordPress Vulnerabilities:
- AI Engine Plugin Vulnerability:
- Affects over 100,000 websites.
- Critical vulnerability allows arbitrary file uploads, enabling remote code execution.
- Fourth vulnerability reported in July 2025, fifth overall for the year.
- Previous year (2024) had 9 vulnerabilities, with one rated 9.8.
- WooCommerce Customer Review Plugin Vulnerability:
- Affects around 80,000 websites.
- New flaw allows attackers to inject scripts into web pages.
- AI Engine Plugin Vulnerability:
SEO News
- ChatGPT Conversations Indexed by Google:
- ChatGPT shared links may be indexed and discoverable via Google.
- Users can check indexed threads by searching: site:chatgpt.com/share +<keyword>.
- Risk of exposing sensitive information if the “share conversation” button is clicked.
- Recommendation to disable public chats and search for brand names to check exposure.
- SEO vs. GEO:
- Use clear headings and a proper hierarchy for user and AI guidance.
- Include data points or statistics in key sections to enhance credibility.
- Authoritative references and expert quotes bolster trust.
- Simplify dense paragraphs and use brief takeaway boxes for clarity.
- SEO drives clicks; GEO secures mentions in AI-generated answers.
Local SEO News
- Google Business Profile Review Hold:
- Discussion on how to remove review holds effectively.
AI News
- Investing in SEO:
- Article focused on enterprise-level businesses; local businesses less affected.
- Key points:
- Visibility in an AI-first search environment starts before the click.
- Brands need to produce content to remain relevant.
- Organic traffic builds on itself, unlike paid traffic.
- Brand Visibility in AI Mode vs. AI Overviews:
- Brands appear in 90% of AI Mode responses but only 43% in AI Overviews.
- AI Mode is more stable and predictable than AI Overviews.
- Query Fan-Out Technique:
- Google introduced a technique allowing multiple background searches from a single query.
- Utilizes large language models for comprehensive responses.
- Affects 1.5 billion users monthly, integrating real-time data sources.
- Challenges in search optimization and attribution may arise as AI evolves.
- ChatGPT and Google Search Index:
- Evidence suggests ChatGPT is pulling results from Google’s index.
- Users created content, which was then indexed by Google and reflected in ChatGPT.
- Bing’s Recommendation on lastmod Tags:
- Lastmod tags in XML Sitemaps help with AI-driven indexing.
- Most sitemap plugins, like Yoast, automatically implement this feature.
- Bing ignores changefreq and priority tags in sitemaps.
Sources:
WordPress AI Engine Plugin Vulnerability Affects Up To 100,000 Websites — Discusses a critical vulnerability in the AI Engine plugin that allows arbitrary file uploads, potentially enabling remote code execution on over 100,000 websites.
WooCommerce Customer Review Plugin Vulnerability Affects 80,000+ Sites — Details a new vulnerability in the Customer Reviews for WooCommerce plugin, affecting approximately 80,000 websites and allowing script injection.
Your ChatGPT conversations may be visible in Google Search — Explains how ChatGPT shared links may be indexed by Google, posing risks of exposing sensitive information if conversations are made public.
SEO vs. GEO: What’s different? What’s the same? — Outlines strategies for enhancing content visibility through clear headings, data points, authoritative references, and the distinctions between SEO and GEO approaches.
Should I Still Invest In SEO? — Discusses the importance of ongoing content production and brand visibility in an AI-driven search environment for enterprise-level businesses.
Brands dominate Google AI Mode, struggle in AI Overviews: Study — Highlights a study showing differences in brand appearances between AI Mode and AI Overviews, emphasizing the need for comprehensive content.
Query Fan-Out Technique in AI Mode: New Details From Google — Introduces Google’s Query Fan-Out technique, which allows multiple background searches from a single query to generate more comprehensive responses.
Is ChatGPT Using Google Search Results? — Investigates claims that ChatGPT is using Google’s search index to provide responses, with examples of content appearing verbatim from indexed pages.
Bing Recommends lastmod Tags For AI Search Indexing — Advises on the importance of using lastmod tags in XML sitemaps for better AI-driven indexing and content discoverability in search engines.