SEO
Why OpenAI’s push into ads may undermine trust in AI assistants, according to Demis Hassabis
As OpenAI moves ChatGPT towards advertising, trust becomes the central issue - not capability. This edition looks at Demis Hassabis’ critique of the timing, the growing confusion around content “chunking,” and why citation analysis now matters more than ever in AI search.
GEO
+5
Crystal Carter at Wix on the future of AI search, as ChatGPT ads and Google’s UCP reshape the landscape
It’s been a pivotal week for AI search. ChatGPT confirmed ads are coming, Google doubled down with Personal Intelligence and UCP, and Gemini’s reach expanded again. I’m also delighted to share my conversation with Crystal Carter at Wix, where she talks through how she approaches the huge and fast-evolving role of AI Search communications at the company.
GEO
+7
Will the AI Search industry be worth $171bn by 2030? Will ChatGPT apps ever take off and are they a threat to Apple's App Store?
As AI search accelerates into 2026, I've taken a look at the top stories shaping the industry. Will the AI search industry be worth $171bn by 2030? Will ChatGPT apps ever take off? Lets dive in.
GEO
+8
Mark Williams-Cook on AI search, GEO and what actually drives visibility
This conversation with Mark Williams-Cook explores how trust, entity strength and off-site signals increasingly matter in an AI Search world.
Video
+6
AI Search Intelligence is very much in vogue and Adobe’s SEMrush acquisition proves it
Adobe’s $1.9B move for SEMrush, Google’s release of Gemini 3 and the first ads appearing inside AI answers all point to the same thing: the industry is shifting from SERPs to AI-driven answer engines. Here’s why this week matters more than most.
Survey
+5
OpenAI launches ChatGPT Atlas as SoftBank backs $22.5B round - and why a 25% traffic drop isn’t worrying the CMO of a leading hotel group
OpenAI’s new ChatGPT Atlas browser. SoftBank’s multibillion-dollar AI bet. And a 25% traffic drop that hasn’t dented revenue.
GEO
+6
AI Search is shifting fast; Ahrefs’ Louise Linehan shows why data, visibility and core SEO matter
AI search is upending the SEO industry, with many publishers worried about how they can grow their audience without customer acquisitions costs spiralling out of control. Louise Linehan of Ahrefs shares how brand visibility, content, and strategy must evolve as clicks decline and AI answers rise.
Video
+2
US lets Google off lightly as Europe fines €3.45bn, OpenAI hires content strategist and AI search reshapes traffic
US regulators go soft on Google as Europe fines €3.45bn. OpenAI turns to a human strategist, underlining the value of expertise even in the AI age. Meanwhile, AI search is continuing to eat clicks and reshaping the web’s traffic model.
ChatGPT
+5
From “SEO is dead” to GPT-5 and Grok AI ads - the week that shook search
This week saw a headline that rattled SEOs, a major leap forward for AI capabilities, and a signal that advertising will soon be integrated into the very fabric of AI responses. Here’s what it means for your strategy - and the conversations you’ll need to have in the boardroom.
GEO
+5
Google expands AI Mode, Figma’s IPO soars, and Anthropic closes in on OpenAI
Google expands AI search to the UK. Figma lights up Wall Street. Anthropic's revenue surge puts OpenAI on notice. This week, we’re tracking AI Search expansion, platform disruption, and why the AI battleground is far from settled.
+5
Want to see how ChatGPT thinks? There’s a hack for that....
This little-known workflow reveals the logic, links, and sources behind any ChatGPT reply.
ChatGPT
+2
Google just launched the FUTURE OF SEARCH with AI Mode and how to make your brand visible in ChatGPT 👀
Bonus edition of Franc Talking with Jon Earnshaw and Mccaine Chan of Pi-datametrics
Video
+5
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Leading content in 2025: How to align teams, scale with AI, and cut through the noise [VIDEO]
Franc Talking: A newsletter by Be Franc. Edition 14.
SEO
+3
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2025 Jobs Market Survival Guide: Expert Insights and Top Tips from a Talent Acquisition Leader [VIDEO]
Franc Talking: A regular newsletter by Be Franc. Edition 12.
Video
+3
![The future of search. Google in 2025, AI and SEO. [VIDEO]](https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,width=720,fit=scale-down,onerror=redirect/uploads/asset/file/62b1eecc-a911-44af-9219-db3f31770e55/FRANC_TALKING_email_banner.png)
The future of search. Google in 2025, AI and SEO. [VIDEO]
Franc Talking: A bi-weekly newsletter by Be Franc. Edition 9.
Video
+3
Google’s DOJ troubles, Jaguar’s rebrand backlash, Revolut’s 50M milestone, and Eric Schmidt on AI’s future
Franc Talking: A weekly newsletter by Be Franc. Edition 7.
SEO
+3
