NEWS YOU CAN’T MISS

Marketing’s New Rule: Impress AI, Not People

Brands are waking up to a weird new reality: it’s not just people they need to impress. It’s AI.

Here’s why: instead of Googling or scrolling through product pages, people are just asking ChatGPT or Alexa what to buy. “What’s a good laptop under $1,000?” or “Which skincare routine works best?”

It’s a major shift: Chatbot referrals are up 357% year-over-year, and Google’s own AI Overviews now appear in nearly 1 in 5 searches.

That shift has given rise to what is called GEO (or Generative Engine Optimization) - the successor to SEO for the AI age. In a fascinating analysis for Fast Company, AI expert Thomas Smith explains how brands are now optimizing for AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude.

These chatbots pull from websites, reviews, Wikipedia, Reddit, and even social media. The way AI talks about a company depends on what they find - and once they form an opinion, it can be hard to change until the next model update.

Smith calls GEO “a kind of digital reputation management for AI.” Getting it right means your brand shows up when a customer asks ChatGPT what to buy next.

And yes, the old rules still matter. Just like SEO, GEO starts with accessible, fast-loading, well-structured sites. But it also requires clear storytelling: consistent brand messaging, strong “About” pages, up-to-date product info, and activity on credible platforms that bots scan regularly.

SEO got you found by humans. GEO gets you trusted by AI. All my clients are asking about this now. Definitely think about it for your firm too!

AI Just Found 54,000+ Hidden Quakes in Italy 🌋

Scientists using artificial intelligence have discovered a massive hidden crack system beneath Naples, Italy right under neighborhoods where millions of people live and work.

The discovery involves Campi Flegrei, a huge volcano that's been grumbling for decades. Scientists taught an AI computer to detect earthquakes like a super-sensitive microphone that can hear whispers in a noisy room.

The Shocking Results 

Traditional methods found 12,000 small earthquakes between 2022 and 2024. But the AI detected over 54,000 – that's 4x more! Most were so tiny (like a butterfly landing on a drum) that human analysts missed them completely.

By connecting the dots of these mini-quakes like a massive puzzle, scientists discovered a giant ring-shaped crack in Earth's crust. This hidden fault:

• Circles beneath the town of Pozzuoli

• Extends under the ocean

• Could trigger magnitude 5 earthquakes (strong enough to knock items off shelves and crack walls)

The good news: the volcano isn't about to erupt. The quakes are shallow happening near the surface like cracks in topsoil, not deep roots.

This breakthrough is like upgrading from a magnifying glass to a microscope for earthquake detection. 😎 AI can now spot danger zones invisible to humans, helping scientists better protect communities.

Lay’s Wants You to Know: It’s Real Potatoes 🥔

Lay’s just found out something shocking: nearly half of consumers (42%) didn’t know their chips are made from actual potatoes.

To fix that, PepsiCo is giving the brand a total makeover: new matte bags that look like wooden potato crates, simplified ingredients, and even a big potato photo on the front. They’re also ditching artificial dyes and flavors, promising the taste will stay the same.

The rebrand comes as Lay’s faces slipping sales and growing pressure to look more “natural.” The big question is… did you know Lay’s chips were made from potatoes?