When I first looked at my SEO data, everything seemed perfectly fine. All metrics from Google Search Console, traffic, and indexing were normal without any red flags. But then, I decided to dig deeper using Scrunch, our AI citation monitoring tool, to examine the platform presence for searchinfluence.com over the past 30 days.
Here’s what I found: Google AI Mode showed a presence of 37.8%, Copilot at 22.2%, Google Gemini at 16.3%, ChatGPT at 9.6%, and Perplexity at 7.8%. Alarmingly, both Claude and Meta AI were at 0.0%.
Two platforms had zero presence. Given that every crawler reads the same site, differences in content quality or topical authority couldn’t explain this discrepancy. The only factor that varied was crawler access.
To understand this further, I analyzed seven days of Cloudflare logs and discovered 29,099 bot requests, with 65.8% involving AI bots. The requests rate-limited with HTTP 429, or “too many requests,” were interestingly varied by bot user-agent.
Training crawlers that make bulk requests are throttled, while user-facing crawlers that mimic human pacing during live queries aren’t. For example, ClaudeBot made 20,583 crawl requests for each referral returned.
My assumption was that the 429 errors originated from Cloudflare, perhaps due to a web application firewall (WAF) or security plugin interference. I went down a rabbit hole investigating multiple layers. It was time-consuming and ultimately unnecessary.
The truth emerged when I performed a reproduction test using curl requests, revealing that the block was based on user-agent, not path or rate. The realization hit when I discovered the x-powered-by header: WP Engine hosted our site, and the block came from their platform infrastructure.
I then tested other AI bot UAs and crafted a fingerprint for each, discovering that the blocklist was outdated. While some bots were blocked, others like Common Crawl passed through unaffected.
In conclusion, while WP Engine’s firewall, documented on their support page, was intended as a security measure, it wasn’t transparent to customers. Identifying these blocks requires specific diagnostic steps, and the process taught me much about managed hosting’s hidden layers.
Have you ever wondered about the performance of your YouTube videos? With the time and resources invested in creating content, it’s crucial to track its success.
While YouTube Studio offers robust analytics, accessing the data can be tricky, especially for sharing with others. Here’s where Google Data Studio (previously Looker Studio) comes in handy, offering an easier way to analyze and share YouTube data.
With Data Studio, I can seamlessly integrate YouTube data, schedule updates for stakeholders, customize dashboards, and monitor performance without needing direct access to the backend.
Let me guide you on integrating YouTube analytics into a Data Studio report.
Using a template or starting from scratch
Setting up a report in Data Studio offers two paths. Google’s YouTube Analytics template is a quick start, presenting a clean report with foundational metrics. But be prepared to fix some common issues, which I’ll help you navigate. Alternatively, if you’re up for a challenge, creating a report from scratch can deepen your understanding of Data Studio.
This guide covers both options.
If you’re not the YouTube account owner
For those creating a report without owning the YouTube account, you may find the account isn’t showing as a source in Data Studio. Don’t worry; there’s a workaround. First, access YouTube Studio settings, navigate to Permissions, and grant Manager permissions to the email associated with your Data Studio. Then, obtain the Channel ID from the YouTube URL, add a YouTube connector in Data Studio, and paste the Channel ID under Advanced settings to access the account.
Using the Data Studio YouTube Analytics template
Getting started is simple. On the Data Studio home page, click on Templates followed by Template Gallery. Select YouTube Analytics from the dropdown menu. This template comes preloaded with sample data, which you can replace with your own by clicking “Use my own data.”
During setup, you’ll need to authorize your data by choosing the connected Google Account. Your YouTube channels will then be selectable from a dropdown menu. Note: the dropdown controls settings, not the charts. To update the charts, use the Edit and Share button, which allows you to adjust data sources and metrics.
Copying a template into an existing report
While Data Studio doesn’t directly support importing templates into existing reports, copying a page is an option. After setting up a report with the template, you can transfer it by selecting everything, copying, and then pasting into an existing report’s new page. Although the initial imported charts might show errors, you can reassign the correct data sources using the Properties sidebar.
Customizing your report
The YouTube template offers a solid starting point, but Data Studio allows for extensive customization. While some metrics like revenue and specific audience insights aren’t available, there’s plenty to explore. Adding new charts involves expanding the canvas and leveraging a variety of metrics and dimensions to tailor reports to specific needs.
By following these steps, we’ve crafted a report that’s both functional and informative, ready for sharing performance insights. Automating report exports as PDFs ensures easy distribution, facilitating informed decisions for all stakeholders.
I recently discovered a new help document from Google that explains how their web crawlers operate. This document aims to offer basic educational information about crawling, highlighting key resources available to site owners.
There are currently nine essential insights listed in the document, and they’re pretty enlightening!
Frequent crawling is a good sign! It indicates that your site’s pages contain fresh or highly relevant content that attracts attention. Google specifically mentions, “If we’re crawling your site a lot, it’s an indication your pages have fresh or highly relevant content that people want to find, and that our systems are recognizing that demand. Online shopping is a great example: we crawl ecommerce sites often so that our results will display retailers’ most up-to-date prices, promotions, and inventory status.”
What’s included in the guide? Here’s a quick overview, though I’d definitely recommend diving into the document for a detailed read. It’s not new information, but it serves as a beneficial refresher:
What is crawling? In short, crawling is how Google “sees” the web.
Google uses numerous crawlers, each tasked with different jobs.
Repeat crawls help provide the freshest search results by catching the latest updates.
Frequent crawling remains a positive indicator!
With the increased complexity of pages over time, Google’s crawling has evolved.
Crawling is automatically optimized.
Google doesn’t access paywall or subscription content without consent.
Site owners have control over what gets crawled and how.
Respect for robots.txt and other instructions is a standard for Google’s crawlers.
Why does this matter? The art of crawling is a cornerstone of SEO, essential for being visible in Google Search and other platforms. This new help document can serve as a guide to enhance the crawlability of your site.
When I first heard the term “contact page,” my mind immediately envisioned a simple space filled with contact info and a form. However, it turns out that this is a major oversight from a local SEO standpoint. Let me guide you on crafting a contact page that not only elevates your Google prominence but also converts more leads.
Google pays special attention to your contact page
Joel Headley, the former head of Google Business Profile Support, once shared with me that Google actively crawls and interprets your contact page to extract details about your business. This revelation illuminated the common inadequacy of contact pages that simply display a business’s name, address, and phone number (NAP), coupled with a basic contact form.
Google is essentially requesting, “Provide me with your business data,” while you might be responding, “No data for you.” Instead, I encourage you to treat your contact page with the same importance as a multi-location landing page. Here’s what your contact page needs to transform visitors into paying clients:
Business identity.
Contact information.
Trust factors and social proof.
Location-specific content.
Amenities.
Call to action.
1. Business identity
Your contact page should be a reflection of your brand, just like every other page on your site. Here’s what to include:
Your business logo, matching all marketing materials and signage.
Your slogan, with potential keywords for SEO enhancement.
A concise introduction detailing your business’s function, location, and unique value proposition (UVP).
Your contact page isn’t just about providing contact avenues; it should convince visitors of their decision’s wisdom before they reach out.
Clear expectations
Clearly communicate what a customer can expect post-contact to solidify their choice to connect with you:
Expected response times.
Upcoming steps and confirmations from your team.
Additional useful information about your team, location, or differentiators.
Experience and credentials
Boost trust and conversion rates by displaying involvement in:
Industry associations, locally and nationally.
Chamber of commerce groups.
Professional organizations.
Meetup and neighborhood associations.
Better Business Bureau ratings.
Tip: Link association names to your business listing on their sites.
Awards and accomplishments
Include any awards and press mentions, with links to the relevant articles or sites. If there are many, consider a dedicated media section.
Reviews and testimonials
Embed external reviews and include testimonials to enhance trust. Enhance authenticity by showing reviewer photos, names, cities, and profiles.
Your review section is also an excellent place to request additional Google reviews, especially from repeat customers, using a link and call to action.
Review your Google Business Profile’s attributes and list those on your contact page, along with other unique attributes. This specificity aids traditional and AI searches in understanding if you meet distinct needs.
6. A clear CTA button
With a well-structured contact page, a compelling call to action (CTA) is essential. Use vibrant, eye-catching CTAs throughout the page to encourage engagements.
Treat your contact page like a local SEO asset
Your contact page should be seen as a local SEO asset. By investing effort similar to creating a multi-location landing page, you elevate your engagement and conversion rates, surpassing most competitors. Keep this list handy to ensure all necessary sections are covered.
When I integrated WordPress, Sanity, and Slack, I unlocked the ability to effortlessly manage and update content. This integration dramatically improved how customers discover my brand, products, and services through AI Search.
With these native integrations, I’ve streamlined my workflow, enabling me to publish, update, and coordinate tasks more efficiently. This not only enhanced my brand’s visibility but also optimized customer interactions at every touchpoint.
Embracing these tools has revolutionized my content operations, ensuring my digital presence is cohesive and compelling. The ease of use and the seamless syncing of data have allowed me to focus on what truly matters—creating value for my customers.
Analyzing nearly two million LLM sessions across nine industries throughout 2025 was a fascinating journey for me. I began with the assumption that ChatGPT would dominate and that AI usage patterns would be relatively uniform with minimal impact.
The findings, however, were surprising.
While ChatGPT does indeed control 84.1% of the trackable AI discovery traffic, it’s primarily serving as a broad-market tool. This discovery significantly impacts strategic approaches.
In today’s landscape, relying solely on a single discovery strategy is not viable. A multi-platform approach that aligns with how and where users find productivity is essential.
Brands must now discern which platforms are empowering productivity rather than merely supporting initial discovery phases.
Various LLMs are excelling in different sectors, often with stark differences. The key takeaway for 2026 is more complex than simply focusing on ChatGPT.
Here’s what I’ve discovered from the data.
The Growth Rate Divergence: ChatGPT vs. Competitors
Throughout 2025, major LLM platforms exhibited significant growth discrepancies:
ChatGPT: 3x growth
Copilot: 25x growth
Claude: 13x growth
Perplexity: 1x growth
Gemini: 1x growth
Although ChatGPT grew, Copilot and Claude experienced much more rapid growth. Platforms like Perplexity and Gemini remained steady, reinforcing specific workflows.
These numbers highlight strategic priorities:
Satya Nadella celebrated Copilot reaching 100 million monthly users.
Dario Amodei revealed that Anthropic’s revenue grew from $100 million to $8–10 billion in under two years.
Aravind Srinivas noted significant interest in Perplexity Finance.
The focus on growth is crucial because it signals true user value:
Copilot excels in the Microsoft ecosystem.
Claude appeals to developers.
Perplexity thrives among finance professionals.
Different LLMs are thriving in various industries at markedly different rates.
Pattern 1: Copilot’s Striking Growth
Copilot’s remarkable 25x growth is indicative of its premier position in B2B environments reliant on Microsoft tools.
SaaS
ChatGPT: 2x growth
Copilot: 21x growth
The rapid adoption mirrors modern SaaS practices, embedding LLMs directly into workflows.
Education
ChatGPT: 6x growth
Copilot: 27x growth
Copilot benefits from educational settings fostering knowledge sharing and synthesis.
Finance
ChatGPT: 4.2x growth
Copilot: 23x growth
Finance aligns with Copilot due to automation needs and context dependency.
Copilot’s growth is most pronounced in industries where professionals are deeply integrated with Microsoft tools.
Instruments like Excel transform into data interpretation powerhouses with Copilot, eliminating the need for external searches.
Implications
For work-centric audiences like SaaS, finance, and education specialists, AI discovery is shifting into LLMs embedded in workflows.
Pattern 2: Perplexity Shines in Finance
While Perplexity has flat growth overall, it stands strong in finance with a 24% market share, unlike in other sectors where it has diminished.
SaaS: down to 7.3%
E-commerce: down to 3.4%
Education: down to 5.2%
Publishers: down to 3.6%
Finance demands accuracy; thus, traceable sources make Perplexity vital in this sector.
Partnering with Benzinga, FactSet, and others, Perplexity offers in-depth data vital for financial decisions.
Trust and verifiability are crucial in finance, and that’s where Perplexity excels.
Implications
In finance, selection of platforms that integrate with licensed data and credible sources is critical. Success hinges on being part of these authoritative ecosystems.
Pattern 3: Claude’s Dominance in Analysis
With just a 0.6% share, Claude might appear to be an underdog, but it thrives in specialist sectors like publishing and finance.
Publishers: 49x growth
Education: 25x growth
Finance: 38x growth
SaaS: 10.3x growth
Claude’s strength lies in standalone, strategic thinking rather than integrated tools like Copilot.
Publishing professionals and financial analysts use Claude for its substantial context window, enabling complex and strategic queries.
Implications
Target audiences that require in-depth analysis should focus on creating structured and detailed content. Claude’s user base is smaller but highly influential.
Pattern 4: Challenges in Tracking Gemini
The data concerning Gemini is puzzling, showing both growth and declines. This could be attributed to issues with attribution rather than an actual decline in users.
Education: −67% tracked traffic
SaaS: +1.4x growth
Finance: +1.3x growth
E-commerce: +2.7x growth
Gemini’s interaction model keeps users within its ecosystem, making measurement challenging.
The reality is that usage might still be robust, but the tracking systems need to catch up with user behaviors.
Implications
As AI-assisted conversions increasingly occur, traditional last-click attribution models need reconsideration.
Monitor brand search performance and invest in broader visibility strategies.
Strategizing Your LLM Approach
AI discovery is diversifying rather than converging. Tailoring strategies based on your audience’s preferences and behaviors is crucial.
Enterprise Audiences: Focus on Copilot integration for SaaS and B2B environments.
High-Stakes Decisions: Consider Perplexity’s reliability in providing traceable data.
I’ve discovered some fascinating patterns about what kind of content artificial intelligence tends to favor when it comes to citations. Crafting content that gets cited by AI doesn’t have to be mysterious. Let’s explore the seven content patterns that AI loves and the five that it often ignores.
Understanding these patterns can help anyone looking to create easy-to-cite content. By doing so, we can ensure our content stands out in the digital crowd and garners the attention it deserves from AI.
Creating content that resonates with AI is not just about algorithms; it’s about understanding what’s genuinely valuable and engaging for readers, which ultimately leads to citations.
As part of my latest research, I dived deep into evaluating over 50 agencies for their experience and reputation in the niche of plastic surgery SEO. I meticulously ranked them based on these six critical factors:
Year Established (10%): Agencies with a longer history show consistent success across varying economic cycles. In 2025, this is crucial with the rise of AI search and generative engine optimization.
Founder Status and Leadership Experience (30%): Agencies where founders are still actively involved tend to maintain a significant zeal and commitment to quality.
Average Review Score (20%): I gave weight to reviews from platforms like Clutch and G2, especially those from the plastic surgery sector.
Median Employee Tenure (10%): Longevity in staff reduces disruptions in client campaigns, which is a key indicator of an agency’s stability.
Notable Healthcare Clients (30%): Agencies with high-profile plastic surgery clients were favored in my rankings.
Below is the table that reflects my comprehensive analysis.
Brand-building services for hospitals and plastic surgeons
Let’s explore why these agencies stand out in greater detail.
First Page Sage
Since its founding in 2009, First Page Sage has pioneered the integration of traditional SEO with generative engine optimization. This approach has positioned them at the forefront of helping clients rank not only on Google but also local maps and ChatGPT. They cater especially to multi-location plastic surgery practices with founder-led expertise that is noted for delivering robust ROI via ethical, white-hat practices. Renowned clients such as Harris Plastic Surgery praise their emphasis on patient acquisition metrics as primary KPIs.
Notable Clients: Harris Plastic Surgery, PARS Plastic Surgery, Warfel Institute
Leadership Experience Score: 4.8
Year Founded: 2009
Average Review Score: 4.9
Approach to SEO: Thought leadership-driven SEO for multi-location plastic surgery providers
First Page Sage’s content quality is “unparalleled,” and their client teams are “organized and communicative.” Clients report that campaigns provide “excellent lead generation.”
Focus Digital
Focus Digital, launched in 2023, offers a boutique experience to plastic surgeons through ghostwritten content and lead-generating SEO strategies. Despite being relatively new, their founder-led operations have earned them near-perfect client reviews. They excel at delivering sophisticated content that simplifies complex procedures, as appreciated by clients like Koher Medical.
Notable Clients: Koher Medical
Leadership Experience Score: 4.7
Year Founded: 2023
Average Review Score: 4.9
Approach to SEO: Ghostwriting and SEO to build thought leadership & generate leads for plastic surgeons
Focus Digital “works exceptionally well” with plastic surgery centers, with clients praising their “clear communication” and “strong work-ethic.”
Nuvolum
Formed in 2010, Nuvolum places itself at the crossroads of design, data, and digital marketing excellence. With a founder-led team, they have successfully integrated SEO with creative advertising elements to enhance patient lead generation. Esteemed clients, including 77 Plastic Surgery, testify to their strength in branding and differentiation.
Notable Clients: 77 Plastic Surgery, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Redox Medical Group
Leadership Experience Score: 4.5
Year Founded: 2010
Average Review Score: 5.0
Approach to SEO: Combining data-driven advertising asset design with SEO
In a world where Google’s AI Overviews address more queries instantly, I’ve found that vibe coding allows us to craft interactive experiences that AI simply can’t replace.
I’ve noticed that search marketers are now shifting their roles from merely optimizing to actually building. Tools like vibe coding, coupled with AI-powered development technologies, have significantly reduced the time from idea conception to execution—from weeks to just a few hours.
These tools don’t make developers obsolete, but they empower search teams to test and create interactive content on their own timelines. This is crucial, as Google’s AI Overviews increasingly pull answers directly into the SERP, reducing clicks to our brand websites.
For marketers, building unique, conversion-focused tools is becoming an indispensable tactic in this zero-click environment.
What is vibe coding?
Vibe coding is about creating software by guiding AI with natural language instead of traditional coding methods. This means focusing on the tool’s purpose, appearance, and response, while AI takes care of implementation.
This term gained popularity in early 2025, thanks to OpenAI co-founder Andrej Karpathy, who described it as a loose, exploratory building style. The appeal? Speed. The risk? Potential shortcuts that could lead to fragile systems.
Today, AI-powered development platforms extend this approach to non-engineering teams, with tools like Replit and Lovable, allowing everyone to build and iterate quickly.
Vibe coding vs. vibe marketing
It’s important to distinguish vibe coding from vibe marketing. Vibe coding involves AI tools designed to create applications and interactive experiences, whereas vibe marketing uses automation platforms to connect existing tools and systems.
Together, these approaches empower search teams to build and operationalize their creations efficiently.
Why vibe coding matters for search marketing
I believe that soon, AI-powered coding will be an essential part of any marketer’s toolkit. It allows us to create sophisticated interactive tools that Google’s AI can hardly mimic, enhancing our SEO and PPC strategies.
With vibe coding, my team can rapidly develop tools that boost conversion, like interactive content aimed to improve user engagement—a factor crucial for both SEO and PPC efforts.
Through vibe coding, I’ve created custom systems that help manage our operational needs efficiently, saving time and costs. For instance, a project quoted at $55,000 was completed in under a week using Replit for just $20 a month.
The opportunity to teach these skills to clients also adds significant value, emphasizing the transition from “we’ll do it for you” to “we’ll build it with you.”
Vibe coding offers a competitive edge, allowing us to navigate zero-click search environments while fortifying long-term relationships with our clients.
Top vibe coding platforms for search marketers
Several leading vibe coding platforms are making waves. My personal preference is Replit for its flexibility, though Figma Make is a great choice too, particularly as it integrates well with our existing workflows.
Testing different platforms will help find the best fit. Whether it’s Lovable for beginners or Cursor for advanced users, there’s a solution tailored to your needs.
Practical SEO and PPC applications: What you can build today
Vibe coding can create a variety of tools, from lead generation calculators to interactive content that increases website engagement. The key is to build tools that fill existing gaps, providing unique and useful solutions.
For instance, I developed an AI-powered accounting ROI calculator, a tool that couldn’t be easily replaced by Google’s direct answers. This not only helps the target audience but also boosts SEO efforts by encouraging repeat visits.
A 7-step vibe coding process for search marketers
I’ve found that following a structured workflow is crucial when using vibe coding. This includes thorough research, creating a content spec document, and iterating designs before functionality.
These steps ensure a comprehensive approach, allowing for prompt testing and deployment. Updating documentation at each milestone helps in managing future updates or revisions.
The dark side of vibe coding and important watchouts
While powerful, vibe coding tools come with risks. Security and compliance issues, price creep, and technical debt are concerns that require careful attention.
Always ensure security reviews and keep track of costs as projects evolve. Monitoring these risks can make vibe coding a reliable tool rather than a complicated headache.
Vibe coding is your competitive edge
In this evolving landscape, vibe coding gives us the ability to build unique digital experiences. It’s a skill set that empowers us to thrive, helping create meaningful, interactive content that stands out in the crowded search environment.
Embracing vibe coding not only promotes strong client partnerships but also equips us to adapt to new search realities, making it a pivotal skill for future success.
Have you ever considered how duplicate content might be impacting your visibility in AI search results? Fabrice Canel and Krishna Madhavan from Microsoft recently discussed how duplicate content complicates AI search systems, reducing the chances of selecting the correct version for summarization.
Much like traditional search engines, AI search platforms such as Bing and Google rely on consistent intent signals. When your content appears in duplicate forms, it can confuse these systems, making it difficult for them to interpret signals accurately.
The Impact of Duplicate Content on AI Search. Here are key takeaways from the Bing blog about the impact of duplicate content:
AI search utilizes traditional SEO signals while also adding layers to understand user intent.
Repeated content across multiple pages weakens intent signals, complicating AI interpretation, and selection.
If several pages contain similar content, AI cannot easily identify which aligns with user intent, reducing preferred page selection chances.
Large Language Models (LLMs) cluster near-duplicate URLs, often selecting outdated versions if variations are minimal.
Campaign pages and localized versions must differ meaningfully; identical content provides less matching signal.
AI favors updates, but duplicates can slow the process of updating system information.
The Challenge of Syndicated Content. Many might not realize syndicated content—articles republished on various sites—can also be problematic. Microsoft considers this duplicate content because identical articles across domains make it difficult for search engines and AI to identify the original source.
Strategies to Minimize Duplicate Content. If you deal with syndicated content, ask partners to:
Use canonical tags directing to the original version on your site.
Rework content for uniqueness.
Noindex republished articles to prevent search engine indexing.
Organizing Campaign Pages for Clarity. Microsoft warns that campaign pages with only minor changes can still be considered duplicates. To manage this:
Designate a primary campaign page for interaction.
Apply canonical tags to variations without unique intent.
Maintain separate pages for distinct intents like seasonal offers or local pricing.
Redirect outdated or redundant pages to consolidate content.
Handling Localization Pages. Localization can also produce duplicate content if differences are minimal. Microsoft suggests:
Introduce meaningful local variations with examples, terminology, or regulations.
Avoid multiple same-language pages for identical purposes.
Use hreflang to define language and regional targeting accurately.
Addressing Technical SEO Concerns. Technical issues can lead to URL duplication, often managed automatically by search engines. However, it’s best to prevent this by maintaining a single URL per content piece. Common problems include:
Utilize 301 redirects for URL consolidation.
Apply canonical tags when accessible versions are necessary.
Ensure consistent URL structures site-wide.
Restrict crawler access to staging or archived URLs.
Why This Matters. While duplicate content is not a new issue in SEO, its importance extends into AI search. Familiarity with its impact on indexing and ranking can guide strategies for improved visibility.
![```json
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"caption": "Navigating through a [Sample] YouTube Channel Report, the 'Page' menu option is highlighted, focusing on 'Current page settings'.",
"description": "This image shows a dropdown menu within a [Sample] YouTube Channel Report interface. The 'Page' menu is opened, highlighting 'Current page settings' in red, indicating it as a selected option. Options like 'New page', 'Duplicate page', and others are visible. The interface appears to be part of a reporting tool for YouTube channels, used for managing and customizing report pages."
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```](https://crushpress.ai/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gap-69e792797170b.png)
