Hey,
Three things from this week worth knowing. I'll keep it quick. You've got a lot going on!
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Social is where people find
products now.
New data for 2026 shows that social platforms like TikTok and Instagram now drive over 60% of product discovery. Google's share has dropped to around 34.5%.
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If you've been putting off consistent social posting because "my website should be doing the work," here's your data point.
Google still matters. But if someone is deciding whether to buy from you, there's a good chance they're looking you up on Instagram first, not in a search bar. You don't have to be everywhere. But if your only bet right now is your website, this is worth paying attention to.
One blog post. One week of content.
Zero blank pages. That's the Flywheel.
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Google is getting stricter about
review incentives.
Using AI detection, Google is now more aggressively removing reviews from Business Profiles that appear fake or incentivized.
Businesses that have offered gifts, discounts, or cash in exchange for reviews are at risk of account restrictions.
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If you've ever handed someone a gift card with a quiet expectation attached, it's time to stop.
A restricted Google Business Profile can do real damage to your local visibility.
The better move is simpler anyway: ask people directly, right after the win, when they're still feeling good about the work. A genuine ask beats any incentive (and won't get you in trouble with Google).
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Google's AI Overviews are
eating organic clicks.
Data from SISTRIX shows that in some regions, top-position click-through rates have dropped from 27% to 11% since AI Overviews rolled out.
Google is showing answers before people even reach your site.
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The numbers are real and they'll keep moving. But chasing a new acronym (GEO, in case you're seeing that term) isn't the answer for most of us.
The best counter-move is the same one it's always been: be specific, be clear, and actually answer customer questions. Write like someone who knows the answer.
That's the kind of content AI Overviews pull from, and when they do potential customers users will see your business.
