The news: Streaming and social media sites are the top beneficiaries of AI chatbot referral traffic. Out of 1.3 billion generative AI (genAI) search referrals in May, YouTube ranked first in traffic with nearly 40 million visits, per Similarweb. Our take: Focusing on what makes sites top the AI search results could help increase site visits. Expand knowledge-based articles, FAQs, and blog posts with educational and UGC content. Boost SEO with long-tail keywords that are likely to appear in prompts. Encourage inbound links since site authority is a factor in AI search results.

The news: Google’s search dominance is slipping as AI innovations threaten its ad business. Its global web visits declined 1% YoY in April, according to Similarweb data published by AdWeek, compared with 182% growth for OpenAI’s ChatGPT and 181% for Perplexity. Google’s searches on Safari also dropped for the first time ever in April. In March, about 77% of all Google searches that triggered an AI Overview garnered zero clicks, which could dissuade advertisers from spending on the platform. Our take: As AI transforms search and keywords become less important, publishers and brands may need to rethink strategies for how their content is discovered and how they attract search users. AI-optimized content will likely become the next battleground for visibility and performance.

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss how Americans’ feelings towards AI have changed this year, the gaps in concern between AI experts and the general public, and the best ways to get started with AI. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, Analyst Grace Harmon, and Senior Vice President of Media Content and Strategy Henry Powderly. Listen everywhere and watch on YouTube and Spotify.

The news: This week’s Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) will be a critical opportunity for Apple to define its AI transformation after a year of missteps, unfulfilled promises, and user fallout. Our take: Apple must convince users and developers that its platform is where meaningful AI happens. Leaning solely on OS and service updates won’t cut it, and ignoring its AI roadmap risks slowing iPhone and Mac upgrade cycles. The pressure is mounting. Samsung and Google are packing AI into their next phones, and 1 in 5 iPhone users say AI features could drive their next smartphone upgrade, per CNET.

Google is monetizing AI search interfaces aggressively: But users, advertisers, and publishers remain skeptical of trust, data, and fairness.

GenAI search is gaining traction, but not all consumers are seeking out the conversational experiences that will eventually disrupt the search ad market.

The partnership could spark a consumer hardware revolution, but success hinges on delivering a worthwhile alternative to existing smartphones

Tariffs threaten to reduce US digital ad spending growth this year. This series explains the effects tariffs will have on ad spending in search, social, CTV, and retail media—and which parts of each might fare best and worst.

Creators and marketers are using AI to streamline workflows, enhance content, and improve their strategies. Despite challenges related to AI governance, accessibility, and implementation, proliferation of the tech will ultimately benefit the creator economy.

With AI tools creeping into shopping, Google could borrow Pinterest’s discovery model to stay relevant in design, DIY, and fashion search.

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss why Google is now keeping third-party cookies, who’s most likely to buy Chrome if they have to sell it, and the impact of AI Overviews so far. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, Senior Director of Briefings Jeremy Goldman, and Principal Analyst Yory Wurmser. Listen everywhere and watch on YouTube and Spotify.

Google presents ads with AI chatbot startups Liner, iAsk: The move is part of Google’s strategic effort to lead the AI revolution.

OpenAI introduced product recommendations into ChatGPT on Monday, creating a potential opportunity for advertising—and a threat to affiliate marketing sites.

Marketers face rising pressure from tariffs, triopoly dominance: Growth is coming from mid-tier platforms and smarter strategies, EMARKETER analysts say at Possible conference.

Social sharing aims to boost usage, yet without real-time info or buzz, it may struggle to stick

Lightrun isn’t building code—it’s safeguarding it, offering proactive debugging that major players like Microsoft and Salesforce trust to catch AI-generated mistakes before they cause chaos.

Chrome is the hottest browser no one can buy—yet: OpenAI, Yahoo, and Perplexity are lining up to bid if the DOJ forces a Google sell-off, eyeing a shortcut to AI search dominance.

YouTube tests new AI features: The updates, including video carousels in search results and AI video summaries, promise innovation but require adaptation.

As AI changes how buyers discover content, B2B brands have an opportunity to gain visibility. This report explores how SEO strategies can evolve to meet AI-powered search and why structured, trusted content wins.

Control of the world’s top browser would give OpenAI data, default status, and an AI-native edge to rival Google in the search war.