@OpenAI seriously, though, how do I make this stop?

There is no way we could have seen this coming. 🥱

Sitting by the phone, waiting to see if we get asked to the dance by @searchliaison or @googlesearchc

Live shot of our team working hard during this Google core update. Not sure why we still get a little hopeful every time 🤷‍♂️

This is a must read. "Google has broken the implicit reciprocal deal it made with web publishers. From an intermediary between searchers and websites, to a wannabe all-knowing answer engine."

I've continued to use Google as my default search engine mainly to keep tabs on how things are changing in hopes we might recover from HCU one day (I know, I know, el oh el)...but I have to be honest about something. As just a user— it's really gotten to the point where it's nearly unusable. I put in a search for a simple query and I see an AI Overview (not helpful), then sponsored links, then some weird list of "From sources across the web", 1 blue link that's not what I'm looking for, then People Also Ask (what about what I asked?), then Things to Know (what is the point of this? the 'thing I'd like to know' is what I searched for), then 1-2 more blue links that are not what I'm looking for, and then more Reddit than I know what to do with, and then more sponsored links. I'm not speaking as a site owner here, but purely as someone trying to find information—how are people actually using this as a search engine?

Google (end of 2024): Get ready for way more updates! At this point in 2021 - 4 updates At this point in 2022 - 3 updates At this point in 2023 - 3 updates At this point in 2024 - 3 updates At this point in 2025....... 1 update. Not really trying to make any point here, just an observation. Technically, the quote was about core updates which we'd be on track for the status quo but certainly nowhere near "more", so there's that. (The normal response here is that updates go on all the time. Totally agree, but Google's docs say they always announce core updates)

New achievement unlocked! 🎉 A few months ago, we were proud to announce our first zero click day from Google. But as of today, the team can now share that we've achieved the coveted two-day, zero-click streak! We couldn't be more proud of the team's efforts to support Google's quest to achieve a zero-click internet experience. We appreciate the community's patience as we worked to achieve this. Yes, at first we said it might take a few weeks to get there...then we thought it might take an update to get there...then we thought it might take a few updates to get there...then we thought it might take until the end of the year to get there...but here we are...zero-click legends ahead of schedule! Sadly, as we're sure you already assumed, this does mean we won't be able to participate in The Great Decoupling 💔 because both our clicks and impressions are basically zero and have decided to stay coupled. As a team that is passionate about relationships, though, we have to chalk this coupling up as a win! But it isn't all bad news! 📈 We've been informed that the zero clicks we're receiving from AIOs are actually 1,294 times more valuable than the zero clicks we're receiving from organic search. These clicks are WAY more likely to drive sales conversions for us. Sure, it's a bit of a concern that we're not an e-commerce site, so we don't have anything to convert on, but those are just details! If you just pretend the entire internet is e-commerce, it makes this defense of AIOs so much easier. For those asking, we're not sure yet if we'll try for a three-day streak. We're worried if we do that it might draw too much attention to HCU victims, and we know Google has worked so hard to shift the discussion to AIOs in hopes people will forget about those left devastated by the HCU classifier. For those asking about our two-day, zero-click celebration party 🥳, we've actually had to postpone it. Our attempts to pay the caterers and entertainers in promises that Google is "working on it" were not accepted. ---- All kidding aside, I hope this serves as a reminder that the HCU classifier ruined companies, devastated families, and shows zero signs of getting better. It's wild to see how the discussion now centers around "the best way AIOs can source the content they stole." It completely ignores the fact that the whole premise of AIOs is wrong, and it leaves any discussion of HCU victims in the dust. If I walked into your bakery, stole all of your ovens and ingredients, took them to my house, started making my own bread, and then claimed it was because it's what people wanted, what would happen? Would the argument be about how to give credit to your bakery for the ingredients and ovens I'm using? No. The discussion would stay locked on the fact that I stole your stuff and am using it for myself. We are seeing some expert-level goalpost shifting here. The discussions now about how AIOs can best source our content (not ours, lol but everyone else's) reinforces that we've accepted that AIOs and the HCU stuff is the norm. I'll get off my soapbox now because I need to go sell it to pay our bills, but I hope this does...I don't even know. Something.

I frequently think about the story @rustybrick wrote in December 2024 about @googlesearchc saying to expect more core updates, more often. We've had literally one in six months — fewer this year than in any of the other years tracked on the status page. Any ideas what happened to that? Note: Em dash added to annoy @lilyraynyc Source: seroundtable.com/google-core…

For those who have followed our story, you know that like far too many independent publishers, we were forced to shut our doors as a result of Google's HCU. Today, we're announcing our "pivot". lovetrackapp.com If I'm truly being transparent, the emotions and pain from the HCU are still here. But — as cathartic as it might be to share an update on that, I'd rather take today to share the first thing we've actually been able to be excited about in a long time. Our passion has always been to help people find, build, and nurture relationships. Today, we continue that mission. We've officially launched LoveTrack. LoveTrack is a couples app and relationship assistant designed to strengthen relationships, help couples feel more connected, and keep the spark alive. The National Marriage Project from the University of Virginia conducted a study and found that couples who go on frequent date nights are 14 percentage points less likely to get divorced. Sadly, though, over half of couples never go on date nights. To me, it makes sense why — work, kids, financial constraints, and a lack of time to be able to come up with and plan creative ideas. Saving marriages through making date night easier and more accessible is the heart behind LoveTrack. The app offers over 500+ preplanned date nights. Each date comes with step-by-step instructions, helpful guides, playlists, recipes, where to find supplies, and more. We believe that by making it easier for couples to have a date night without the burdens of having to come up with ideas and having to plan, we can see life change happen. Additionally, LoveTrack offers 1000+ couples questions, anniversary reminders, random acts of romance, milestone tracking, and so many more features we're so excited about sharing. If you have a second, we'd love for you to check it out or share it with anyone you think might like it! Thank you again for every single one of you who has supported and encouraged us to keep our heads up through these difficult times. Today is a new day.

If you haven't, taken a minute and check out our interview with @wooplus 's CEO and Head of Marketing where we talk the future of the brand, the use of #ArtificialInteligence, and protecting users. healthyframework.com/dating/… #dating #onlinedating #love #Interviews

Check out this AWESOME interview we did last week with eharmony's VP of Communications Kristen Berry! healthyframework.com/dating/… @eHarmony @eharmony_AU @eharmonyUK #eharmony #onlinedating #Interviews

The Most Dangerous States for Online Dating (2023) - Data Study healthyframework.com/dating/… #love #dating #NewYearsResolution #NewYearResolution #single #Nevada #Florida #California