And just like that, we are officially in Q4 of 2024.
From yet more Google core updates, the rise of the Generative Engine Optimisation to the recent WordPress vs WPEngine drama, we’ve got all the need-to-know news covered in our ‘What happened in September’ digital round-up.
Read the report here
Generative Engine Optimisation: what is it and how does it differ from standard SEO practices?
Put simply, Generative Engine Optimisation is the practice of optimising an entity to be featured in the responses generated by AI applications, features, and models like ChatGPT, Gemini, Google’s AI Overviews, Claude, and Perplexity.
While many elements of GEO are important for SEO, there are some key nuances to be aware of that will impact your brand’s performance on generative engines more than they will on standard search engines. Our report covers what you need to consider when embracing GEO into your digital strategy.
Google’s HCU: what this means for your SEO strategy
Google’s ‘Helpful Content Update’ was originally announced back in August 2022, and has since become part of their core algorithm.
In some recent research, the SEO software company Moz found that the biggest winners from the recent HCU were those with the biggest brand authority vs. domain authority, and those that lost the most ground were those with a relatively low brand authority vs. domain authority – essentially brands which Google may classify as ‘over optimised’. Read the report for further advice on what this means for your SEO strategy.
WordPress vs. WP Engine: the recent drama, explained
In mid-September, WordPress founder Matt Mullenweg wrote a blog post calling WP Engine a “cancer to WordPress.” He criticised the host for disabling the ability for users to see and track the revision history for every post.
In reply, WP Engine sent a cease-and-desist letter to Mullenweg to withdraw his comments. It also said that its use of the WordPress trademark was covered under fair use.
This back-and-forth continued for some time. Keep reading below for Hallam’s advice to WP Engine users
