Good God I am exhausted with this entire Google Search, Google Gemini, and Reddit conversation. It is exhausting because there are no real answers from anyone. There is speculation on all fronts, but there are no real solid answers as to what the heck Google is doing.
As with any debate or online drama, there are factions popping up on both sides. Though I will say that the faction who is standing by in shock trying to figure out why Google is burning everything to the ground has grown larger than the other faction.
Show Me The Money!
If you didn’t know by now, Google made a big money deal with Reddit to use the platform as a training ground for Gemini. This deal not only lined the pockets of Reddit executives, but it also gave Reddit some sweetheart placements within the SERPs.
Google has been touting new search algorithms and “helpful content/spam” updates that are mostly done processing. This new code has all but destroyed the SERPs and is currently systematically dismantling niche and independent websites across the web.
There are no shortages of conversations on X about the situation, with many of us being rightfully pissed off. The new algorithms seem to place Reddit above everything else, and the fact that Google is training Gemini and Gemma on websites across the web is really getting under people’s skin. Why? Because Google is training their AI on content that was not created by them and they are not asking for permission to do it.
Though Google will not answer anyone concerning the matter.
Frustration and Fire
So obviously, all of this has impacted me and my business directly and it’s partially why I am on Substack writing. Google is simply broken and content creators and publishers, like myself, need to find other means of exposure.
This doesn’t mean we’ve given up completely on Google Search, it is still the largest search engine out there. Most publishers will probably tell you that, we are still working to optimize as best possible for Google, but we are also working harder on the other platforms we’ve used for years. This includes Bing, Brave, Substack, Rumble, Facebook, X, and other platforms.
There is so much to write about and talk about concerning this situation. Believe me, it has been in my mind non-stop for the past six weeks or more. But I would rather not get long-winded, either. I even feel a little bad for talking about it so much on my podcasts. Maybe more articles will come from all of this.
Make Reddit Your New Favorite
But before I run and continue on the long hard road of rebuilding an online presence. There are a few developments that came up today concerning Reddit and Google. I will present them in two X posts below.
So, has Google essentially morphed into Reddit’s front page? You tell me. Meanwhile, thanks for subscribing to my Substack and following me on all my other channels. I may be moving my podcast to Substack soon.
God Bless!