Author: chankang

Google Analytics 4 Dimensions: Complete Guide (GA Episode 2)

What is Dimensions in Google Analytics? In Google Analytics, a dimension is an attribute that describes your data, such as page URL, traffic source, device type, or country. Dimensions tell you what or who is being measured, and they work together with metrics (numbers) to help you understand user behavior. Why Are Dimensions Important? Dimensions help you better understand your data by adding context to the numbers. They allow you to uncover insights, such as who your users are, where they come from, and how they interact with your site, that you wouldn’t get from metrics alone. Examples of Dimensions in Google Analytics: Common dimensions in Google Analytics include: Device category: The type of device used, such as desktop, mobile, or tablet. Source / medium: Where the visit came from, like Facebook (source) and email (medium). Browser: The browser used to access your site, such as Chrome or Safari. Country: The user’s geographical location, for example, the United States. Language: The language set on the user’s browser or device, such as English. Campaign / Campaign ID: The marketing campaign that drove the visit or conversion, e.g. Spring2025_Sale. Page location: The URL of the page the user visited, such as https://www.yourwebsite.com/blog/how-to-train-a-puppy. Custom dimensions: User-defined attributes created to track specific information unique to your business. (The dimensions you create yourself to track specific information about your users) Dimension vs Metric: What’s the Difference? Metrics are quantitative measurements. They show how many or how much by using numbers, such as page views, sessions, or conversions. Dimensions are qualitative attributes. They describe who, what, where, when, or why the activity happened, such as device type, traffic source, or page URL. In short, dimensions describe the data, while metrics measure it: metrics quantify the dimension values. Types of Dimensions in Details Types of Dimensions in Google Analytics 4 (GA4) In GA4, dimensions generally fall into two main types: predefined dimensions and custom dimensions. Predefined dimensions are built into GA4 and available right away in reports and Explorations. Custom dimensions are created by you to track business-specific information that GA4 doesn’t collect by default. Below are the main groups of predefined dimensions, ordered from most important for beginners to more advanced or niche use cases. 1. Traffic Source Shows where users come from, such as organic search, paid ads, social media, or referrals. 2. Page / Screen Describes what content users view, including page URLs, page titles, or app screens. 3. Platform / Device Explains how users access your site or app, such as device type, browser, and operating system. 4. Geography Shows where users are located, including country, region, and city. 5. User Describes user-related attributes, such as new vs returning users or user status. 6. Event Provides details about user interactions, such as event names, conversion status, and event values. An event is a user interaction on the site. It can be a scroll, a click, a view, etc. 7. Time Breaks data down by date and time, helping you analyze trends over specific periods. 8. Attribution Explains how different channels contribute to conversions across the user journey. 9. Session-Scoped Focuses on session-level information, like the source or campaign that started a session. 10. User-Scoped Captures first-touch information, such as the user’s first source or first campaign. 11. Demographics Includes user attributes like age, gender, and interests (availability depends on consent and region). 12. Ecommerce Tracks online shopping activity, including products, transactions, and promotions. 13. Google Ads Contains dimensions related to Google Ads campaigns, such as ad group and keyword (when Google Ads & GA4 linked). 14. Search Ads 360 Includes dimensions specific to Search Ads 360, mainly for enterprise users. 15. Video Covers interactions with video content, such as video title or provider. 16. Link Tracks outbound link clicks and related link attributes. 17. User Lifetime Focuses on long-term user value, such as lifetime revenue and engagement. 18. Publisher Relates to ad monetization, including ad formats and ad sources (used mainly by publishers). 19. Gaming Used for game apps, tracking in-game events, levels, and achievements. 20. General Includes miscellaneous dimensions that don’t fit neatly into other categories, such as file informations, search terms. What are Custom Dimensions Custom dimensions are user-defined attributes that you set up in GA4 to track information that isn’t collected automatically. They let you measure details unique to your business, such as membership level, content type, or author name. Because every business has different goals, custom dimensions help fill data gaps and enable more personalized reporting.  That said, they’re optional—if GA4’s built-in dimensions already meet your needs, adding custom dimensions may not provide extra value. GA4 Event Note: Every GA4 event includes parameters, which are pieces of information that add context to the event or user. For example, a click event may include parameters such as the clicked URL or the link’s location on the page. When you register event parameters or user properties as custom dimensions, they become available as dimensions in GA4 reports and Explorations. Use cases for custom dimensions: Content type: Track whether a page is a blog post, landing page, or documentation page. Author name: Analyze performance by content author. Membership level: Compare behavior between free and paid users. Logged-in status: See differences between logged-in and anonymous users. Form location: Identify which page or section drives form submissions. User role or account type: Understand how different user groups use your product. Product category (custom): Add extra classification beyond default ecommerce dimensions. Step by Step Guide How to Add Custom Dimensions in Google Analytics 4 Before you can use custom dimensions in GA4 reports, you must create them first. Keep in mind that custom dimensions are not retroactive, GA4 only collects data from the moment they’re set up, not from past events. The setup process depends on the scope of the dimension you’re creating: Event-scoped (most common) User-scoped Item-scoped (for ecommerce) Step 1: Send the Data to GA4 Custom dimensions are based on event parameters or user properties. For example, a form submission event may include a parameter

Getting Started with Google Analytics 4: Beginner’s Guide ep1

Google Analytics 4 (GA4) Google Analytics 4 (GA4) is a free tool designed to track visits and interactions on websites and apps (IOS & Android). It offers valuable insights into traffic volume, user demographics, popular pages, and more. As of July 1, 2023, GA4 officially replaced Universal Analytics (UA) and is now the default option for all new Google Analytics properties. Why use GA4? Google Analytics 4 (GA4) helps you understand your site visitors and potential customers by providing detailed data on their behavior and demographics.  This insight allows you to analyze user interactions, improve user experience, and tailor your strategies to meet their needs better. GA4 vs its predecessor Universal Analytics (UA) GA4 is designed to track both websites and mobile apps seamlessly, offering a unified cross-platform analysis. In contrast, UA is limited to website tracking, making GA4 more versatile for analytics needs.  Another difference is their measurement IDs: GA4 uses “G-” (e.g., G- ######), while UA starts with “UA-” (e.g., UA- ######). 4 Important Areas of Google Analytics Who is looking at your website (The Audience) How they got there (Traffic Acquisition) What they are doing on your website (Behavior/ Engagement ) Conversion (Key Events) How to Set Up Google Analytics 4 Setting up Google Analytics 4 (GA4) is essential to start collecting data. The process involves four simple steps: Step 1. Create a GA4 Account If you don’t have a GA4 account, go to Google Analytics and log in with your Google account. In the left sidebar, click the gear icon to access “Admin” settings. From there, select “+ Create Account” to set up your Google Analytics account.  (Skip this step if you already have a GA4 account.) Step 2. Create a GA4 Property A GA4 property is a data collection point for your website or app. To create one: Name your property in the “Property name” field (at least four characters long). Select your preferred time zone and currency for accurate reporting. Step 3. Provide Business Details & Objectives Fill in the “Industry category” and “Business size” fields. Then, choose at least one business objective, E.g. “Get baseline reports,” to receive general lifecycle reports or tailored analytics based on your selection. Finally, review and accept the terms of service to proceed. Click for more info on the Default Report. Step 4. Create a Data Stream (Data collection) A data stream sends data from your website or app to your GA4 property. Here’s how to create one for a website: Click “Web” in the data stream options. Enter your domain in the “Website URL” field and name your data stream in the “Stream name” field. Click “Create stream.” You’ll see the measurement ID and other setup details. Once the data stream is created, the final step is installing GA4 on your website or app to begin tracking data. Once your GA4 account and property are set up, the next step is to install it on your website.  How to Install GA4 on Your Website (3 methods) There are three main methods to install Google Analytics 4 (GA4) on your website, depending on your setup: Choose the method that best fits your website setup to ensure accurate data tracking. Method 1. Install GA4 with Google Tag Manager (GTM) This is the ideal method if Google Tag Manager is already installed on your website. GTM allows for seamless integration and easier management of tags without modifying your website’s code. Method 2. Install GA4 Using Your CMS Integration If your website is built with a platform like WordPress, Squarespace, or Wix, and you don’t have GTM installed, use the CMS’s built-in integration to set up GA4. Most website builders support native or third-party integrations for GA4. If your CMS platform or plugin offers support for GA4, this tends to be the simplest method Method 3. Install GA4 Manually If your website lacks both GTM and CMS integration options, you can manually install GA4 by adding the tracking code directly into your website’s HTML. This method is best for websites that do not support native or third-party integrations. Install GA4 with CMS Integration: Some website builders or CMS, such as Squarespace and Wix, offer native GA4 integration. This means they include built-in functionality to connect your website to GA4 easily.  To set it up, simply navigate to the appropriate settings in your website builder and enter your GA4 property’s measurement ID. For detailed instructions on installing GA4 using your website builder’s native integration, click the link below: Install GA4 on Wix website Install GA4 on Squarespace website Installing GA4 on Wix website If you’re using Wix, follow these steps to connect Google Analytics 4 (GA4): 1. Go to Marketing Integrations in your Wix dashboard. 2. Under Google Analytics, click Connect. 3. In the pop-up, click Connect Google Analytics. 4. Paste your GA4 Measurement ID. 5. (Optional) Tick the IP Anonymization checkbox to hide visitors’ IP addresses from Google. 6. Click Save to complete the setup. Your Wix website is now integrated with GA4, and data collection will begin. Install GA4 on WordPress website For WordPress websites, you may use third-party plugins to install GA4 seamlessly. Many popular plugins are available, including: 1. Site Kit Site Kit – Google’s official WordPress plugin. Active Installation: 4M Ratings: 4.2 Last update: 18 Nov 2024 2. GA Google Analytics GA Google Analytics – Lightweight option for tracking GA data. Active Installation: 500k Ratings: 4.9 Last update: 2 Nov 2024 3. PixelYourSite PixelYourSite – A versatile plugin for analytics and tracking. Active Installation: 500k Ratings: 4.3 Last update: 25 Nov 2024 4. MonsterInsights MonsterInsights – A user-friendly analytics plugin for WordPress. Active Installation: 3M Ratings: 4.5 Last update: 13 Nov 2024 5. HFCM HFCM (Header Footer Code Manager) – Ideal for adding custom tracking codes. Active Installation: 600k Ratings: 4.9 Last update: 30 Sep 2024 Site Kit – Google’s official WordPress plugin. Active Installation: 4M Ratings: 4.2 Last update: 18 Nov 2024 GA Google Analytics – Lightweight option for tracking GA data. Active Installation: 500k Ratings: 4.9 Last update:

Google Ranking Factors: Deep Dive into What Really Matters

Hummingbird, Panda, Pigeon, Penguin Google Ranking Factors Google’s search algorithms look at many factors and signals to determine the most relevant and useful results for any query, including relevance to user intent, content quality, and usability, with the weight of each factor varying depending on context. While Google does not publish an official list of ranking signals, numerous SEO studies and expert estimates suggest there are hundreds of ranking factors, each carrying different levels of influence in the algorithm’s overall assessment.  For decades, Google representatives such as John Mueller have consistently advised that SEO should focus on creating valuable, user-centric content and maintaining technically sound websites, rather than attempting to optimize for specific or presumed ranking metrics, as the exact mix and weighting of signals are not publicly disclosed. Foreword: This article is largely based on my personal experience in the field of SEO (White-Hat sect) and digital marketing, with references from various expert sources. This Google ranking factors article is divided into four main sections: Part I: 11 Direct ranking factorsPart II: 15 Indirect ranking factorsPart III: 5 SEO rumorsPart IV: 10 What hurts your SEO (what to refrain from) Part I: Direct Ranking Factors Direct Ranking Factors / Ranking Signals Here are the top 10 direct ranking factors (TL;DR): Content quality Search intent alignment Backlinks Domain strength Keyword placement and coverage Topical authority Technical SEO (indexing, crawlability, mobile-friendliness) User signals Brand signals Site security Geo-location  1. Content Quality (Aligned with E-E-A-T) The old saying “content is king” still holds, but it’s important to understand Google’s ultimate goal: to serve search users the most accurate, reliable, and trustworthy content and websites.  As a result, content quality remains the most important SEO factor. Google prioritizes pages that provide high-quality, informative, and relevant content that genuinely satisfies user intent. E-E-A-T (Expertise, Experience, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) is especially important for website content that falls under Google’s YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) categories, such as financial, health, legal, and drug-related topics. Google applies stricter content quality standards to Your Money or Your Life (YMYL) topics. Related reading: SEO case studies: Cointelegraph 2. Search Intent Alignment Keyword and content relevance must align with the searcher’s intent. Generally, there are four types of search intent: informational, navigational, commercial, and transactional. Whether Google displays your content in search results depends largely on how well your page satisfies the underlying intent of the query, not just on keyword usage. 3. Backlinks Backlinks remain an important ranking factor in SEO, but quality matters far more than quantity. Not all backlinks are equal — a single high-quality backlink can be more valuable than dozens of low-quality ones. Further reading: How to get backlinks, off-page SEO strategy High-quality backlinks signal credibility and act as strong votes of trust: High-quality backlinks are evaluated based on several factors, including the number of referring domains and IP diversity, link relevance, and the overall health of your backlink profile. Strong backlinks typically come from authoritative websites with real organic traffic, credible AI citations, and clear industry relevance. Diverse anchor text: Backlinks act as votes of confidence from other websites. The more high-quality, relevant backlinks you earn, the stronger your site’s ranking potential becomes. Anchor text diversity is also important — while keyword-rich anchor text can help, it must be used naturally to avoid spam signals. Relevancy: Relevance plays a critical role in link value. Links from pages ranking in the same SERP for a target keyword often pass more ranking value because they are highly contextually relevant.  Additionally, link placement matters: links embedded in a page’s main content generally carry more weight than those in footers or sidebars. Finally, backlinks from topically relevant domains and authority websites pass significantly more value than links from unrelated or low-authority sites.  Both domain-level relevance and page-level relevance contribute to how much ranking power a backlink provides. 4. Domain Strength Domain strength, referred to as Domain Rating (DR) by Ahrefs and Domain Authority (DA) by Semrush and Moz, is a score that typically ranges from 0 to 100. This metric reflects the overall strength of a domain’s backlink profile and is therefore closely correlated with backlinks. While a website with lower domain strength can outrank a higher-authority site—especially when content relevance and search intent are strong—in many cases, the top 20 results in the SERPs tend to have moderate to strong domain strength. Page Authority: Page authority is similar to domain authority, but instead of measuring the strength of an entire website, it evaluates the ranking potential of an individual page or post. This metric is largely influenced by the page’s backlink profile, making it closely correlated with the quantity and quality of links pointing to that specific page. Domain History: Domains with frequent ownership changes or long periods of inactivity may have their historical signals reset by Google, reducing the value of existing backlinks. In some cases, penalties associated with a domain can also carry over to new owners. 5. Keyword Placement & Coverage Strategic keyword usage across key on-page elements is an essential part of SEO.  This includes placement in the URL, H1, H2, and H3 headings, meta title (page title), meta description, opening paragraph (first 100 words), image alt text, and the concluding paragraph.  Using relevant keywords naturally throughout your content helps search engines understand what your page is about. While some elements — such as the meta description — have a limited direct impact on rankings, they strongly influence click-through rate (CTR), which is itself an important engagement signal that can indirectly affect search performance. Avoid: Over-Optimization: Avoid over-optimization, especially keyword stuffing. This includes practices such as repeating keywords excessively, stuffing keywords into header tags, and overusing keyword variations unnaturally. These can harm content quality and may lead to ranking suppression or algorithmic penalties. 6. Topical Authority Topical Authority: Subtopic Coverage (Comprehensiveness) Topical authority refers to how well a website or page covers a subject area in depth. By comprehensively addressing related subtopics, supporting concepts, and common user questions, a page signals strong subject-matter expertise to

What Happened to Cointelegraph’s Google SEO? An Organic Traffic Plummet Case Study

This article is an SEO case study analyzing the potential causes of a Google manual penalty (estimated at 80%) and algorithmic changes (estimated at 20%) affecting the Cointelegraph website. What Happened to Cointelegraph on Google? In August 2025, the Cointelegraph website appeared to be deindexed by Google, resulting in a significant loss of organic traffic and ranking for keywords.  At the time of writing, even searches for its branded term, “Cointelegraph,” show limited or no visibility for the official website in Google’s search results. Instead of the official domain, search results primarily surface Cointelegraph’s social media channels and third-party publications such as CoinDesk, indicating a severe loss of brand-level search visibility. Based on industry observations, Cointelegraph has been alleged to have violated Google’s Site Reputation Abuse policy, which may have contributed to the deindexing and subsequent traffic decline. Impact on Cointelegraph From over 4 million monthly organic visits to approximately 75,000, one of the largest and most established crypto news sites experienced a significant decline in Google organic traffic. Using online SEO tools such as Semrush, Ahrefs, and SimilarWeb to analyze organic traffic and keyword rankings, we can clearly observe a sharp decline in both traffic and ranked keywords starting in August 2025. Cointelegraph traffic data from Ahrefs (Jan 2026) SEO & GEO Note: As shown by Ahrefs’ AI Citations data, Cointelegraph’s deindexing from Google’s search results has also significantly affected its AI citation visibility. This suggests that traditional SEO fundamentals remain the foundation for GEO or AI SEO, regardless of how these concepts are labeled. Cointelegraph traffic data from Semrush (Jan 2026) Before we dive into the potential root causes and allegations or inferences drawn from multiple sources, let’s first take a brief look at what Cointelegraph is and how its business Cointelegraph’s business and its role in the Crypto, Blockchain, and Web3 industry Cointelegraph is one of the most established digital media platforms in the cryptocurrency, blockchain, and Web3 niche.  Founded in 2013, it serves as a global news source covering market developments, technological innovation, regulation, and adoption across the crypto ecosystem.  Beyond news reporting, Cointelegraph plays a broader role in shaping industry narratives, educating both retail and institutional audiences, and acting as a key information bridge between Web3 builders, investors, and the general public. Potential Root Causes & Allegations June 2025: Cointelegraph launched casino, iGaming, and crypto betting directory sections. From a revenue perspective, expanding into high-commission verticals is understandable. July–August 2025:  These sections were populated with low-quality content linking to little-known gambling websites, some of which appeared to have little or no domain authority.  The site also published articles related to casino reviews, betting, and gambling platforms, including content such as “Best Casino Apps in 2025” and “Top US Casino Apps.” September 2025:  Google rolled out a Spam Update that explicitly targeted scaled content and site reputation abuse.  One of the stated principles of this update was that publishers should not leverage established authority to promote low-quality or highly commercial content that is not a genuine part of their editorial purpose. Google Manual Penalty? October 2025:  Cointelegraph’s search visibility began to decline sharply, accompanied by a significant drop in organic traffic.  The official domain showed limited visibility in Google search results, including for branded queries. This pattern suggests the possible impact of both a manual action and algorithmic adjustments. Post-update impact: Ahrefs and Semrush data show a sharp decline in Cointelegraph’s organic traffic following the Spam Update. Aftermath: Cointelegraph appears to have initiated a cleanup process. The /casino, /crypto-betting, and /igaming directories were removed and redirected to the homepage, based on archival records from the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine. Conclusion: What SEO Professionals can learn from this case study This case study offers an important lesson for the crypto niche, particularly for trusted brands and high-authority websites that attempt to leverage their credibility in unrelated or high-risk sectors. The Cointelegraph case illustrates how even well-established media outlets can become vulnerable when editorial direction drifts away from core expertise. A sharp drop in search visibility does not necessarily mean a complete shutdown. Cointelegraph remains an active brand; however, its presence in Google’s organic search results, especially for broad queries, has been significantly reduced. Lesson #1: Stay omnichannel The case also highlights the importance of an omnichannel strategy. As organic search visibility declines, users increasingly engage with Cointelegraph through direct visits, social media platforms (such as X, LinkedIn, and Instagram), mobile applications, and newsletters. Brands must recognize that reliance on a single traffic channel introduces platform-specific risks. Lesson #2: YMYL Reminder For YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) niches, such as finance (including crypto), legal, health, pharmaceuticals, and medicine, content quality standards are especially strict. SEO practitioners must be cautious with wording and avoid misleading claims, exaggeration, over-promotion, low-quality content, and spam-like practices. Lesson #3: Play by its rules Ultimately, one of Google’s core principles is to provide users with the most trustworthy and helpful content. Aligning with this principle is essential. For SEO specialists and content writers whose businesses depend heavily on organic search, this case serves as a clear reminder: if your business relies on Google, it is critical to operate within its guidelines. FAQ(s): What is YMYL (Your Money or Your Life)? YMYL refers to content that can directly impact a person’s financial stability, health, safety, or well-being. Because mistakes in these areas can cause real-world harm, Google applies much stricter quality and trust standards to YMYL pages. Common YMYL categories include: 💰 Finance & investments (including crypto) ⚖️ Legal advice 🏥 Health, medical, and drug-related topics 🏦 Banking, loans, and insurance 📰 Major news and public safety information Why it matters for SEO: YMYL content must demonstrate high accuracy, expertise, and trustworthiness. Low-quality, misleading, or overly promotional content in these niches is more likely to be penalized or lose visibility in search results. What is Site Reputation Abuse? Site reputation abuse occurs when third-party content is published on a website primarily to take advantage of the host site’s established authority and ranking signals.

Football (Soccer) Betting Terms Explained for Beginners Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is just around the corner (June 11–July 19), hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with Argentina returning as the defending champions. Responsible Betting & Educational Disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only.  It aims to explain common football (soccer) betting terms in a clear and beginner-friendly manner, particularly for readers new to sports betting or preparing to follow major tournaments, such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Football betting involves financial risk, and outcomes are never guaranteed. Readers should always bet responsibly and be aware of their local laws and age restrictions related to gambling. This content does not constitute betting advice, financial advice, or a recommendation to place any specific bet. All examples used are for explanation purposes only. The publisher may include advertisements, brand mentions, affiliate links, or backlinks to licensed, regulated, and reputable bookmakers or betting platforms for informational or commercial purposes. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own due diligence. Let’s Get Started Football (soccer) betting Football (soccer) betting involves predicting the outcome of a football match or specific events within a match and placing a wager on that prediction with a bookmaker. If your prediction is correct, you win based on the odds offered; if it’s wrong, you lose your stake. Example: You bet on England to win a World Cup match. If England wins, you earn a payout based on the odds; if they draw or lose, the bet loses. Most Popular Sports for Betting Football (soccer) is the most popular sport for betting worldwide due to its global fan base, frequent matches, and wide variety of betting markets.  Other major sports betting events include basketball, horse racing, American football/ rugby, tennis, and cricket, each attracting bettors for different reasons such as fast-paced games, seasonal leagues, individual player matchups, or long-standing betting traditions. Horse Racing Who are bookmakers and their roles on football betting Bookmakers (or bookies) are companies or platforms that offer odds and accept bets on football matches and other sporting events.  Their role is to set the odds for different outcomes, take bets from players, and pay out winnings when bets are successful. Example: A bookmaker offers odds for a World Cup match between Germany and Brazil—if you place a bet on Germany to win and the result is correct, the bookmaker pays you according to the listed odds; if not, the bookmaker keeps the stake. Common Football Betting Terms: Below are some of the most common football betting terms used by bookmakers on their platforms. Betting Terms Explained Odds (赔率): Odds show how much you can win from a bet and how likely an outcome is according to the bookmaker. Fixed odds mean the odds are locked in when you place your bet and will not change, even if the odds move later. Example: You place a bet at odds of 2.00 on a team to win. If you stake $10 and win, you receive $20 (your stake plus profit). Odds boost An odds boost is a promotion where the bookmaker temporarily increases the odds on a specific bet to offer a higher potential payout. Example: Odds boosted from 2.00 to 2.50 means a $10 winning bet would return $25 instead of $20. Odds Formats There are three main odds formats used in football betting: Fractional odds (commonly used in the UK): Show profit relative to stake (e.g., 5/1 means you win 5 for every 1 staked). Decimal odds (used in Europe and most of the world): Show total return including stake (e.g., 2.00 returns 2× your stake). and American odds (also known as moneyline odds). Show how much you need to bet to win 100, or how much you win from 100. For instance: 2/1 = 3.0 = +200 They all represent the same betting value, just written differently depending on the region or bookmaker. 2/1 (Fractional odds – UK):You win 2 units for every 1 unit you bet.Example: Bet $10 → win $20 profit (+ your $10 stake back). 3.0 (Decimal odds – Europe / global):Your total return is 3× your stake.Example: Bet $10 → get $30 total ($20 profit + $10 stake). +200 (American odds / Moneyline):You win $200 for every $100 bet.Example: Bet $100 → win $200 profit (+ your $100 stake). 👉 Key takeaway:Different formats, same odds, same payout, just shown in different styles. Stake (投注金额): Stake is the amount of money you place on a bet. Example: If your stake is $10 and the odds are 2.00, a winning bet returns $20 in total ($10 profit plus your $10 stake). If your stake is $10 and the odds are 3.00, a winning bet returns $30 in total ($20 profit plus your $10 stake).   Rake (平台抽成): Rake is the commission or fee that a bookmaker (or betting platform) takes from bets, which is built into the odds or deducted from winnings in certain markets. It’s how bookmakers make money regardless of the match outcome. Example: If the true fair odds should be 2.00 but the bookmaker offers 1.90, the difference represents the rake built into the odds. Simple Example: Stake (投注金额): $10 True fair odds: 2.00 Bookmaker odds: 1.90 If the odds were 2.00, a winning bet would return $20 ($10 profit + $10 stake). But because the bookmaker offers 1.90, a winning bet returns $19 instead. 👉 The $1 difference represents the bookmaker’s rake (抽水), which is their commission built into the odds. Bookmakers don’t usually charge a fee directly—instead, they lower the odds slightly, and that difference is how they make money. Payout: Payout is the total amount of money you receive if your bet wins, including your original stake and any profit. Example: If your stake is $10 and the odds are 2.50, your payout is $25 ($15 profit + your $10 stake). 1X2 (Match Result Betting): 1X2 is the most basic and popular football betting market, where you bet on the final result of a match after 90 minutes

How to Optimize Website Speed for Better UX and Core Web Vitals

Site Speed Optimization Checklist Why site speed is important? Website speed is important because it is a confirmed SEO ranking factor, directly affecting how well your pages perform in search results. Faster websites also deliver a better user experience, appear more professional and trustworthy, and lead to higher conversion rates, especially for e-commerce sites where even small delays can impact sales. Further reading: What are Core Web Vitals? How (For SEOs) Image Optimization: One of the common reasons for a slow website is large, uncompressed image files. To improve site speed, it’s recommended to keep image file sizes under 150KB while maintaining dimensions between 1200px and 1920px, which provides a good balance between quality and performance. This range helps optimize page load speed while also improving image SEO, increasing the chances of your images ranking in Google Image Search. Method 1: Compress Compress your images using tools like Imagify, TinyPNG, or ShortPixel before uploading them to your website to reduce file size and improve loading speed. Choosing the right image format also plays a key role. Modern formats such as WebP offer faster load times and smaller file sizes without significantly compromising image quality. Other notable tools/ plugins: WP Optimize, Kraken .io, ImageOptim Method 2: Lazy Loading Lazy loading defers the loading of offscreen images, those not immediately visible on the screen, so the browser can prioritize above-the-fold content.  Images are loaded only when they are about to come into view as the user scrolls. This approach significantly improves page load speed, especially on mobile devices with slower connections, while also saving server resources and user bandwidth. Notable tools/ plugins: Lazy Loader, Smush Example: <img src=”image.webp” alt=”Example image” loading=”lazy”> Lazy loading helps improve Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) and Speed Index by reducing the amount of content that loads during the initial render. Video Optimization: For pages or posts that include videos, enable lazy loading for the video so videos load only when users scroll to them, improving initial page load speed.  Use preloading selectively for important videos to ensure smoother playback without slowing down the entire page. Avoid hosting large video files locally, as they can strain server resources and negatively impact performance. Instead, use optimized video platforms like YouTube or Vimeo, which handle compression, streaming, and delivery more efficiently for a better user experience. Method 3: Caching Caching is a technique that stores website data temporarily so it can be loaded faster on future visits instead of being fetched from scratch each time. Browser caching: Browser Caching allows files such as images, CSS, and JavaScript to be stored in a user’s browser. This means returning visitors experience faster load times because fewer resources need to be downloaded again. Server-Side caching: Server-Side Caching stores static files and pre-generated page content on the server. Instead of processing a new request for every visit or page refresh, the server delivers cached files to users, reducing server load and significantly improving page speed. Caching tools: For WordPress sites, popular caching plugins such as WP Rocket, WP Fastest Cache, LiteSpeed Cache, and W3 Total Cache can help efficiently manage and optimize website caching. Method 4: Website Backend Housekeeping Perform backend housekeeping at least once a year to maintain optimal website performance. For WordPress sites, this includes reviewing plugins, themes, the WordPress core version, and the PHP version to ensure everything is up to date. Avoid installing too many plugins or themes keep only what’s necessary, remove plugins with overlapping functions, aim for fewer than 20 plugins, and keep no more than two themes.  Deactivating plugins is not enough, as unused plugins can still consume resources or trigger background processes such as admin-ajax.php.  To fully optimize performance, completely uninstall and delete plugins you no longer use from the WordPress dashboard. Advertising Billboard: (How) Developer’s roles The optimization methods below involve more technical development skills. If you’re not familiar with coding or website development, you will likely need support from a developer. As an SEO, you may also need assistance from a developer or your web hosting provider to implement these methods correctly. Method 5: Web Hosting / Server Choose a reliable hosting plan or upgrade your current hosting to improve server speed and reduce latency.  Avoid shared hosting, where multiple websites compete for the same server resources, as this often leads to slower load times. Instead, opt for higher-performance options such as dedicated hosting or cloud hosting, which provide better server response times and more consistent performance.  Investing in quality hosting is a foundational step that improves overall site speed and user experience. Method 6: Use Content Delivery Network (CDN) Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN) to distribute your website’s static resources across multiple geographically distributed servers. A CDN reduces latency by serving content from the server closest to the user, significantly improving page load speed—especially for WordPress sites with global visitors. Many hosting providers offer built-in CDN support, and popular CDN services like Cloudflare and Akamai cache and deliver content efficiently to reduce server load and external HTTP requests. Method 7: Reduce CSS and JavaScript (Minify) CSS and JavaScript are essential for website design and functionality, but unoptimized files can significantly slow down your site. Minifying these files—by removing unnecessary spaces, comments, and line breaks—reduces file size and helps them load faster. You can minify code using tools like Toptal CSS Minifier, Toptal JavaScript Minifier, or Minify, and further improve performance by using lightweight, well-optimized libraries. For WordPress sites, minification is easy to implement with plugins such as WP Rocket, Hummingbird, LiteSpeed Cache, W3 Total Cache, or Fast Velocity Minify, which can minify HTML, CSS, and JavaScript with minimal setup. Method 8: Reduce render-blocking CSS/ JS Eliminate render-blocking resources by identifying CSS and JavaScript files that delay page rendering. Remove non-essential resources, inline critical CSS, and defer or delay non-critical CSS and JavaScript so the browser can render visible content faster. 11 site speed tips Other website speed optimization tips: 1) Avoid unnecessary redirects (redirect chain & redirect loops) Redirect Chain Image source: Backlinko’s Redirects

Understanding Core Web Vitals Using PageSpeed Insights (2026 Guide)

What are Core Web Vitals? Core Web Vitals are a set of performance metrics defined by Google to measure real-world user experience on a website.  They focus on three key aspects: loading performance (Largest Contentful Paint), interactivity (Interaction to Next Paint), and visual stability (Cumulative Layout Shift). Together, these metrics help Google evaluate how fast, responsive, and stable a page feels to users.  Core Web Vitals are also part of Google’s page experience signals and can influence search visibility. Further Reading: How to optimize for website speed | Site speed checklist Advertising Billboard: Why Core Web Vitals Matter in SEO Core Web Vitals matter in Search Engine Optimization because they measure real user experience, including loading speed, responsiveness, and visual stability—factors Google uses to evaluate page quality. Site speed is a confirmed SEO ranking factor, and strong Core Web Vitals scores help improve rankings, engagement, and overall search performance. What is Google PageSpeed Insights? Google PageSpeed Insights is a free tool that analyzes a webpage’s performance across mobile and desktop devices. It reports Core Web Vitals using both real-user data (field data) and lab-based performance tests. The tool also provides actionable recommendations, such as reducing render-blocking resources or improving image delivery. PageSpeed Insights is commonly used by developers and SEO teams to diagnose and improve website speed and user experience. What PageSpeed Insights Score tell you? Google PageSpeed Insights evaluates your page across the following categories: Performance: A weighted score based on metrics such as First Contentful Paint (FCP), Speed Index, Total Blocking Time (TBT), Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS), reflecting overall speed and loading efficiency. Accessibility: Assesses how usable your site is for all users, including navigation, image alt text, and color contrast for visual accessibility. Best Practices: Measures adherence to modern web development standards, including secure connections, optimized and up-to-date code, and effective JavaScript usage. SEO (Search Engine Optimization): Evaluates how well your page is optimized for search engines, covering metadata, structured data, and mobile-friendliness. Advertising Billboard: Core Web Vitals Metrics Explained: In this section, we’ll explain the meaning of each Core Web Vitals metric in simple terms, provide easy-to-understand examples, and show how to optimize them. 1) Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) – visual load speed Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) measures the time taken for the largest element on the page (usually an image or video) to become visible to users on a page. How to optimize LCP: Images: Resize image dimensions, reduce file size with compression, and use modern formats like WebP. Videos: Compress video files using tools like HandBrake to reduce load time without sacrificing quality. 2) Interaction to Next Paint (INP) – interactivity, responsiveness Interaction to Next Paint (INP) measures how quickly a webpage responds visually after a user interaction, such as clicking a button or tapping a link. 3) Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) – visual stability Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) measures how much visible elements on a page unexpectedly move after the page starts loading, which can lead to a poor user experience. Common causes of CLS: Common causes of CLS include dynamically injected content such as ads, embeds, and iframes, as well as images or videos missing defined height and width attributes. Fonts can also impact CLS because web fonts must be downloaded before they are displayed, which may cause text to shift. To reduce CLS, it’s safest to use system fonts like Arial, Times New Roman, Helvetica, or Verdana, or limit web font usage by choosing a single font for headings or special sections only. 4) First Contentful Paint (FCP) First Contentful Paint (FCP) measures how long it takes for the first visible content—such as text, an image, or an icon—to appear on the screen when a page starts loading. Poor FCP is commonly caused by heavy themes, excessive or poorly optimized plugins, and page elements that block rendering, such as large scripts or unoptimized stylesheets. 5) First Input Delay (FID) First Input Delay (FID) measures the time it takes for a webpage to respond to a user’s first interaction, such as clicking a button or tapping a link, after the page begins loading. 6) Time to First Byte (TTFB) Time to First Byte (TTFB) measures how long it takes for the browser to receive the first byte of data from the server after a request is made, reflecting server response speed and backend performance. 7) Total Blocking Time (TBT) Total Blocking Time (TBT) measures the amount of time a page is blocked from responding to user interactions due to long-running JavaScript tasks during loading. To reduce blocking time, minify JavaScript files and defer or delay JavaScript execution so the browser can become interactive faster. 8) Speed Index Speed Index measures how quickly the visible, above-the-fold content of a webpage is displayed during page load. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Other Site Speed Checking tools: Google PageSpeed Insights is usually sufficient for most performance analysis. However, there are other popular alternatives you can use for additional insights, such as GTmetrix and Pingdom. Should I just optimize for homepage or all pages on ur website? Focus on optimizing the most important pages on your site, such as the homepage, product or service pages, and pages that drive the most traffic or rank for many keywords, rather than trying to optimize every page at once. What are HTTP requests? HTTP requests are calls made by the browser to load page resources such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, images, and fonts from a server. HTTP/1 vs HTTP/2: What’s the difference? HTTP/1 loads files one at a time, while HTTP/2 can load multiple resources simultaneously, making pages faster and more efficient. Raw HTML vs Rendered HTML: What’s the difference? Raw HTML is the original code sent by the server, while rendered HTML is the final page after JavaScript runs and the browser builds what users actually see. What is JavaScript & CSS? JavaScript is a programming language that adds interactivity and dynamic behavior to websites, such as animations, forms, and user actions. CSS

20 Common Tech Jobs Explained Simply for Beginners

Tech Jobs Explained in the Simplest Terms This article is written for non-tech people, just like me, who want a simple explanation of what different tech job roles actually do. If you’ve ever wondered why the “IT guy” can’t fix every technical problem under the sun, or if your boss or HR team thinks one person can handle all tech tasks, feel free to share this with them! Below, we break down some common tech job roles, what they’re responsible for, and the tools or software they typically use, so we can finally understand who does what in the tech world. 1. IT Support IT Support helps people solve everyday tech problems, like fixing basic computer issues, setting up devices, dealing with login errors, and troubleshooting Wi-Fi or software crashes. They’re the front-line team that keeps things running smoothly when systems fail or users get stuck. They typically use tools like remote desktop software, ticketing systems, and antivirus programs. While many assume “IT Support can do everything,” their main role is to help users and fix basic technical issues, not to build apps, code software, or manage complex cybersecurity or cloud systems. 2. IT Auditor An IT Auditor checks whether a company’s technology systems are secure, reliable, and follow proper rules or standards. Their job is to review processes, test controls, and identify risks—especially around data protection, cybersecurity, and system integrity. In simple terms, they make sure the company’s tech setup is safe and compliant. They don’t fix systems themselves; instead, they evaluate and report problems so management can improve them. IT Auditors use tools for risk assessment, documentation, and system review, and often work with cybersecurity, compliance, and management teams rather than coding or building systems. 3. IT Project Manager An IT Project Manager plans, organizes, and oversees technology-related projects—like software development, system upgrades, or cloud migration. Their job is to make sure the project is delivered on time, within budget, and meets requirements by coordinating between developers, designers, engineers, and other stakeholders. They don’t usually write code themselves; instead, they manage tasks, timelines, risks, and communication. IT Project Managers often use tools like Jira, Trello, or Microsoft Project and may apply frameworks such as Agile or Scrum to keep teams productive and projects running smoothly. Advertisement: 4. Software Developer A Software Developer writes code to build applications, websites, or systems that solve problems or perform specific tasks. They turn ideas into working software—whether it’s a mobile app, e-commerce site, game, or internal tool for a business. They use programming languages like Python, JavaScript, Java, or C# and work with frameworks, databases, and tools to design, test, and improve software. They focus on building and maintaining applications—not fixing everyday device issues or managing company networks. 5. Web Developer (Front-End | Back-End) A Web Developer builds websites and web applications. Front-end developers focus on what users see—design, layouts, buttons, and interactions using languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Back-end developers handle the behind-the-scenes logic, databases, servers, and APIs that make the website function. In simple terms, front-end = the “look and feel,” while back-end = the “engine and brain.” Some developers do both and are called full-stack developers. Their role is to build and maintain websites—not to manage company IT systems or fix hardware problems. 6. DevOps DevOps focuses on improving how software is built, tested, and deployed by automating processes and helping development and operations teams work smoothly together. Instead of writing the application itself, DevOps ensures it can run reliably, scale efficiently, and be updated quickly without breaking. They work with tools like Docker, Kubernetes, Jenkins, and cloud platforms to automate deployment, monitor system performance, and maintain infrastructure. In simple terms, developers build the software, and DevOps makes sure it runs well in real-world environments. Advertisement: 7. Ethical Hacker An Ethical Hacker is a cybersecurity professional who tests systems and networks for weaknesses—legally and with permission. Their goal is to find security flaws before real hackers do, helping organizations protect their data and prevent cyberattacks. They use tools and techniques similar to malicious hackers, but for defensive purposes. They provide reports, recommend fixes, and work with cybersecurity teams—not to attack or steal, but to strengthen and secure systems. 8. Security Architect A Security Architect designs and builds the overall security system for an organization. They plan how to protect networks, applications, and data from cyber threats by creating security frameworks, choosing tools, and setting policies. Think of them as the “security designers” who build a strong defense from the ground up. They don’t usually monitor attacks day-to-day; instead, they focus on long-term strategy and architecture. Security Architects often work with teams like analysts and engineers to make sure systems are secure before they are deployed. 9. Security Analyst A Security Analyst monitors systems for suspicious activity, investigates alerts, and responds to potential security incidents. They are the “hands-on defenders,” checking logs, analyzing traffic, and identifying vulnerabilities in real time. Their job is to detect, report, and help fix security issues—not to design the whole security structure. They use tools for scanning, monitoring, and threat detection and work closely with architects and engineers to improve defenses. 10. Network System Admin A Network System Admin manages and maintains a company’s computer networks—such as routers, switches, servers, and firewalls- so employees can connect and communicate without issues. They monitor performance, troubleshoot network problems, and ensure the network is secure and reliable. They don’t build software or apps; they focus on keeping the network running smoothly. 11. System Administrator A System Administrator manages computers, servers, and operating systems within an organization. They install software, manage user accounts, update systems, and handle backups. They ensure systems are up and running correctly—not designing apps or networks. They are the “system caretakers,” keeping company IT environments stable. 12. System Architect A System Architect designs the overall structure of complex IT systems, deciding how hardware, software, databases, and networks should work together. They create blueprints and standards for large systems, focusing on planning and design,

Top 10 High-Income Tech Skills Worth Learning in 2026

What I Mean by “High-Income Tech Skills” In this article, high-income tech skills refer to digital and IT-focused capabilities that meet four key criteria based on my personal opinion and experience observing today’s job market: They are rooted in technology and software fields —  they may involve coding, systems, data, security, automation, or digital infrastructure rather than general soft skills. They offer strong earning potential — not just through conventional employment with high salaries, but also through freelancing, consulting, entrepreneurship, and building tech products or services. They are in high demand globally — especially in developed and tech-driven economies, where the adoption of cloud, AI, cybersecurity, data, and automation is expected to continue growing over the next decade. They are difficult to fully replace with AI — requiring human problem-solving, decision-making, creativity, and domain expertise that automated systems currently cannot replicate entirely. Further Reading: Click to discover more: 20 common tech jobs explained in simple terms. Top 10 Artificial Intelligence Skills Understand these Skilled Trades Foreword: If I weren’t in the digital marketing field, or if I had a time machine to travel back to when I was 18 or in my early 20s, I would definitely push myself to learn at least one of these high-income tech skills. My background is in digital and search marketing, so I don’t personally possess the skills listed here. That’s why this article isn’t about the learning curve or the difficulty level of each skill.  Instead, it’s simply a general overview based on what I’ve observed in the current job market, meant to share insights with young people, especially those who feel a little lost when choosing a career path. Ultimately, this list is about awareness and options. I hope it helps spark ideas and guide those who are considering a future in tech. The list is arranged in hierarchical order,  from the best (at number 1) to the least. Advertisement: 1. Cybersecurity Cybersecurity focuses on protecting computer systems, networks, applications, and data from unauthorized access, attacks, or damage. In simple terms, cybersecurity professionals help organizations stay safe from digital threats, such as malware, phishing, data breaches, and other cyber risks. As more businesses move online, the need to secure sensitive information (banking, healthcare, cloud systems, etc.) continues to grow, which is why cybersecurity remains one of the strongest and highest-paid tech fields. Notable Certifications in Cybersecurity Field: While not always mandatory, certifications help build credibility and open career doors. Some widely recognized ones include: CompTIA Security+ (great for beginners) Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) These certifications signal practical knowledge in network security, risk management, and ethical hacking. Career Path Examples: With cybersecurity skills, you can work in various roles like: Cybersecurity Analyst Ethical Hacker (for legal and authorized security testing) Network Security Engineer Incident Response Specialist Security Consultant Penetration Tester Beyond employment, you can also build your own business or freelance services such as: cybersecurity consulting vulnerability assessment services managed security services for SMEs security awareness training 2. Cloud Computing Cloud computing is about delivering computing resources, like servers, storage, databases, and software, over the Internet instead of physical hardware. In simple words:Instead of companies owning and maintaining their own servers, they rent or use cloud services from providers like Amazon, Google, or Microsoft. This helps businesses: scale faster reduce IT costs store and access data anywhere improve performance and security As more companies move from traditional in-house systems to the cloud, cloud specialists are in high demand. Notable Certifications in Cloud Computing Field: Certifications are a huge advantage in the cloud world. Some of the most recognized ones include: AWS Certified Solutions Architect Microsoft Azure Administrator / Azure Solutions Architect Google Cloud Associate / Professional Cloud Engineer CompTIA Cloud+ Cisco CCNA Cloud (or relevant networking certs) AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud are the “big three,” and holding certifications in any of them significantly boosts employability. Career Path Examples: With cloud computing skills, you can explore roles such as: Cloud Engineer Cloud Solutions Architect Cloud Administrator DevOps Engineer (cloud-focused) Cloud Security Specialist Site Reliability Engineer (SRE) And there are strong business / freelance opportunities too, like: cloud migration consulting managed cloud services for SMEs serverless app development cloud cost optimization services Setting up cloud infrastructure for startups Even small businesses are moving to the cloud, which creates a huge potential market for consultants and freelancers, not only big enterprises. 3. AI & Machine Learning Engineer AI (Artificial Intelligence) and Machine Learning focus on building systems that can learn from data, recognize patterns, and make decisions with minimal human intervention. In simple terms:AI & ML engineers teach computers how to solve problems, like predicting sales, recognizing faces, recommending products, or powering chatbots. These skills combine programming, math, and data to create intelligent solutions used in finance, healthcare, self-driving cars, e-commerce, automation, and more. Notable Certifications in AI & Machine Learning Field: While a degree helps, certifications are becoming increasingly popular and accessible. Some recognized options include: Google Professional Machine Learning Engineer AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty Microsoft Azure AI Engineer Associate TensorFlow Developer Certificate IBM AI Engineering Certification Career Path Examples: With AI & ML skills, you can pursue roles such as: AI Engineer Machine Learning Engineer Data Scientist Deep Learning Specialist NLP (Natural Language Processing) Engineer Computer Vision Engineer Automation / AI Solutions Developer Business Opportunities: Beyond employment, AI skills open doors for entrepreneurship, such as: building AI automation tools for SMEs offering AI consulting or integration services creating chatbots or virtual assistants developing predictive analytics solutions AI-powered SaaS products training datasets and model development services From marketing automation to industrial robotics, companies are actively investing in AI, which makes this field one of the fastest growing and potentially highest paying in tech. 4. Full-Stack Development Full-stack development is the ability to build both the front-end (what users see) and the back-end (server, database, and application logic) of a website or application. A full-stack developer creates a

Top 10 AI Skills You May Need to Learn in 2026

What are AI Skills? AI skills refer to the abilities required to utilize, comprehend, and operate with artificial intelligence tools and systems. They don’t only apply to engineers or data scientists. Today, AI skills encompass a range of areas, including using AI tools effectively, understanding how AI makes decisions, working with data, and applying AI to real-world business or work problems. As AI becomes part of everyday software, from search engines and chatbots to marketing tools and automation platforms, having basic AI skills is quickly becoming as important as knowing how to use spreadsheets or email. Skill #1: Prompt Engineering Prompt engineering is the skill of writing clear, structured instructions (prompts) to get better, more accurate results from AI tools like chatbots, image generators, and AI assistants. Instead of asking vague questions, prompt engineering focuses on telling the AI exactly what you want, in what format, and for what purpose. Example usage: For text-to-image, a simple prompt like “Create a marketing image” may return an unfocused visual. A prompt-engineered version such as “Create a 1:1 marketing image of a modern coffee shop interior, warm lighting, minimal design, suitable for Instagram ads” produces a far more usable result. For text-to-video, instead of “Make a product video”, a clearer prompt like “Generate a 15-second product demo video showing a smartphone app interface, with smooth transitions and captions explaining key features” helps the AI create content that matches real business needs. Real-world business application: Companies could use prompt engineering to create social media visuals, ad creatives, explainer videos, product mockups, and promotional content at scale. This allows marketing, design, and sales teams to produce visual assets quickly, without relying heavily on designers or video editors. Skill #2: AI Automation AI automation is the skill of connecting AI tools (e.g, ChatGPT) with workflows to automatically handle repetitive tasks, without manual effort. With no-code AI workflow automation, users can build logic-based processes that trigger actions, analyze data, and generate outputs using AI, all without writing code. Example usage: A no-code workflow can automatically receive a form submission, summarize the content using AI, classify the lead type, and send a personalized follow-up email, all triggered in real time using tools like n8n or Zapier. Real-world business application: Businesses use AI automation to streamline customer support, lead qualification, content generation, reporting, and internal operations. This reduces human workload, minimizes errors, and allows teams to scale processes efficiently without hiring additional staff or developers. Skill #3: AI Literacy (Understanding How AI Works) AI literacy is the ability to understand how different AI tools work, what they are good at, and when to use each one. It’s not about building AI models, but about knowing their capabilities, limitations, strengths, and weaknesses so you can choose the right tool for the right task. Example usage: An AI-literate user knows that ChatGPT is strong at reasoning and structured writing, Gemini works well with Google ecosystem data, Claude excels at handling long documents, while tools like DeepSeek, Qwen, or Copilot may perform better in coding, enterprise workflows, or specific regional use cases. Real-world business application: In business, AI literacy helps teams select the right AI tool for tasks like writing, coding, data analysis, customer support, or research, instead of relying on one tool for everything. This leads to better output quality, lower costs, fewer mistakes, and smarter AI adoption across departments. Skill #4: AI Image Generation & Design AI image generation and design is the skill of using AI tools to create, edit, enhance, and design visuals from text prompts or existing images.  This includes text-to-image generation, AI photo retouching, background removal, image enhancement, and AI-assisted web or UI design, without traditional design software or skills. Example usage: A user can generate creative visuals from text prompts, enhance low-quality product photos, remove or replace backgrounds, or create website layout mockups using AI design tools, all within minutes. Real-world business application: Businesses use AI image generation to produce ad creatives, social media posts, product images, landing page designs, and branding assets at scale. This could reduce design costs, speed up content production, and allow non-designers to create professional-looking visuals quickly. Advertisement: 🙏 Skill #5: AI Video Generation & Video Editing AI video generation and editing is the skill of using AI to create, edit, and enhance video content faster and more efficiently. This includes automatic video clipping, text-to-video (generative video), AI-assisted editing, and intelligent b-roll search, allowing creators to produce videos without advanced editing skills. Example usage: AI tools can clip long videos into short-form content using platforms like FireCut or Opus Clip, generate videos directly from text prompts, and automatically find relevant b-roll footage to match a script or voiceover. Real-world business application: Businesses could use AI video tools to produce social media videos, ads, tutorials, product demos, and training content at scale. This helps marketing and content teams reduce editing time, maintain consistent output, and repurpose long-form content across multiple platforms efficiently. Skill #6: AI-Assisted Software Development & No-Code AI Web Development AI-assisted software development is the skill of using AI tools to help write, review, debug, and improve code, while no-code AI web development focuses on building applications and internal tools without traditional programming. These tools allow users to turn ideas into working software much faster. Example usage: Developers can use AI-powered editors like Cursor or Replit to generate code, fix bugs, and explain unfamiliar logic. Non-developers can use platforms like Retool to create dashboards, admin panels, and workflows by connecting databases and APIs with minimal coding. Real-world business application: Businesses use AI-assisted development to build internal tools, prototypes, dashboards, and customer-facing apps faster and at lower cost. This reduces reliance on large engineering teams, speeds up product development, and enables non-technical teams to create useful software solutions independently. Skill #7: API Integration for AI Workflows API integration for AI workflows is the skill of connecting AI services to other software systems using APIs so data can flow automatically between tools. Instead of using AI manually through a chat interface, APIs allow AI

30 High-Value Trade Skills & Trade Jobs Explained

What Are Trade Skills and Trade Jobs? Trade skills are practical, hands-on abilities used to solve real-world problems, things like building, fixing, installing, and maintaining essential systems that people rely on every day. Unlike many office jobs, most trade jobs do not require a four-year university degree. Instead, they are typically learned through apprenticeships, on-the-job training, vocational programs, and industry certifications or union licensing, which can take 3–5 years. “You are earning while learning.” This path allows people to enter the workforce without student debt. With certain years of experience, some of these trade skills and trade jobs can earn a high, stable income, and in some cases, significant long-term wealth. Disclaimer: I’m not currently working in a trade profession myself, though I might seriously consider it one day if I ever grow tired of office work. I may also have accidentally left out some trade jobs, and the list below is not in any particular order or hierarchy. I have genuine respect for all skilled trades and manual professions. These are people who create real value, solve real-world problems, and keep the economy functioning every day. 1. Electrical | Electrician An electrician is a skilled tradesperson who installs, maintains, and repairs electrical systems that power homes, buildings, factories, and infrastructure.  This includes wiring, circuit breakers, lighting systems, power distribution, and safety controls. Electricians typically learn their trade through apprenticeships, on-the-job training, and licensing, rather than a four-year university degree. Many electricians go beyond basic residential work by specializing in higher-value areas. As aging infrastructure needs upgrades, skilled electricians are in strong demand to modernize old wiring and electrical systems.  Others focus on green and renewable energy, such as solar panel systems, energy storage, and smart grids. With the rise of electric vehicles, EV charger installation has also become a fast-growing and well-paid specialty.  After completing training and exams, a journeyman electrician can work independently, and those who move into commercial or industrial projects — such as factories, data centers, and large buildings — often earn premium rates compared to residential-only work. 2. Plumber A plumber installs, repairs, and maintains water supply, drainage, and gas systems in homes, commercial buildings, and industrial facilities. Their work includes pipes, fixtures, water heaters, sewage systems, and leak detection, essential services that people and businesses depend on every day.  Like other trade jobs, plumbing is learned through apprenticeships, hands-on training, and licensing, not a university degree. Plumbers can specialize in residential, commercial, or industrial work, with commercial and industrial projects often paying higher rates due to complexity and scale.  There is also strong demand for emergency plumbing, aging pipe replacement, and water-efficiency upgrades. Because plumbing problems cannot be delayed or outsourced, skilled plumbers enjoy steady demand, job security, and solid earning potential. 3. HVAC Technician An HVAC technician installs, maintains, and repairs heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems that keep homes, offices, hospitals, and factories comfortable and safe. This trade is typically learned through apprenticeships, technical training, certifications, and licensing, rather than a four-year degree. HVAC work goes beyond residential air-conditioners. Technicians who handle commercial and industrial systems, energy-efficient upgrades, smart climate controls, or heat pumps and green cooling systems often earn higher pay due to system complexity. Because climate control is essential—and systems need constant maintenance—HVAC technicians benefit from year-round demand and strong income stability. 4. Welder (Including Specialized Welders) A welder joins, cuts, and repairs metal parts used in construction, manufacturing, energy, and infrastructure projects. Welding is a hands-on trade learned through vocational training, apprenticeships, and certifications, not a university degree.  Welders work with steel, aluminum, and other metals to build everything from buildings and bridges to pipelines and heavy machinery. Some welders move into highly specialized and higher-paying fields.  Pipeline welders work on oil, gas, and utility lines, often in remote locations with premium pay.  Structural steel welders handle large-scale construction such as skyscrapers and bridges.  At the extreme end, underwater welders combine commercial diving with welding skills for offshore and marine projects.  These specialized roles are physically demanding but can offer exceptionally high income due to risk, skill level, and the shortage of qualified workers. 5. Heavy Equipment / Industrial Equipment Operator A heavy or industrial equipment operator runs large machinery used in construction, mining, manufacturing, and infrastructure projects. This includes excavators, bulldozers, cranes, forklifts, and other specialized machines.  Operators who handle large-scale or high-risk machinery, such as cranes, port equipment, or industrial production systems, often earn higher wages due to the skill, precision, and safety responsibility involved. These roles are critical for building roads, factories, ports, and energy projects, making them high-demand, well-paid trade jobs that cannot be easily automated or outsourced. 6. Elevator / Escalator Technician An elevator and escalator technician installs, maintains, and repairs vertical transportation systems used in high-rise buildings, malls, hospitals, airports, and transit hubs. This trade combines mechanical, electrical, and electronic skills, and is typically learned through apprenticeships, strict licensing, and manufacturer certifications, not a university degree. Because elevators and escalators are safety-critical systems, technicians are highly regulated and in limited supply. Those working on commercial buildings, high-rise towers, and transit systems often earn premium wages, especially with experience or union membership. As cities grow taller and infrastructure ages, this trade remains one of the most stable and lucrative paying skilled trades available without a degree. 7. Power Line Technician / Electric Lineworker (Lineman) A power line technician, also known as an electric lineworker or lineman, is responsible for installing, maintaining, and repairing high-voltage power lines that deliver electricity from the grid to cities, industries, and homes. This role is different from an electrician; lineworkers operate outside, often at great heights, working on poles, towers, and substations.  This is one of the highest-paying trade jobs because the work is dangerous, physically demanding, and critical to public infrastructure. Lineworkers are essential during storms, blackouts, and emergencies, and many earn premium pay through overtime, hazard pay, and union agreements. With aging power grids, renewable energy expansion, and rising electricity demand, power line technicians remain highly respected, in-demand, and well-compensated skilled trades.

Traditional SEO vs GEO: The differences and the overlapping

What is the difference between SEO and GEO? SEO focuses on ranking in traditional search engines, such as Google. In contrast, GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) focuses on making your content discoverable, understandable, and citable by AI systems like ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and DeepSeek. Foreword: Much of what we “know” about GEO is still based on educated guesses. It’s early days, and there’s plenty left to uncover. The good news is, if you’ve been doing traditional SEO for years, you’re already most of the way there. The fundamentals remain the same. The foundation of GEO, LLMO, or AI SEO (whatever it’s called) remains approximately 80% based on traditional SEO practices — including optimizing website content, enhancing site performance (Core Web Vitals and speed), and establishing a robust link profile, along with securing brand mentions across Google and Bing. Why GEO Getting More Attention? AI chatbots are increasingly reshaping how people search online, offering less friction and more natural, conversational interactions. As users shift from traditional search engines to AI-generated answers, Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is becoming critical for publishers, brands, and marketers. Search marketing has evolved beyond traditional SERP rankings to focus on AI citations, AI mentions, and AI-driven visibility. To stay visible in this new digital landscape, businesses must create content that large language models (LLMs) can easily retrieve, trust, and cite in their responses.  What Makes GEO Different from Traditional SEO? Below are key differences based on my personal perspective: 1. Objective(s) SEO focuses on ranking in traditional SERPs, driving users directly to your website through search engines. GEO focuses on ensuring your brand is represented in AI-generated responses, making it part of the conversation within AI answers. SEO emphasizes keywords, backlinks, and page optimization with the goal of ranking.  GEO aims to be cited AI-generated answers 2. Ranking Signals SEO considers 100+ ranking signals, which predominantly include high-quality and relevant backlinks in your business niche. GEO relies more on content structure, authority citations, and mentions. In traditional SEO, your authority and rankings depend heavily on the quality of your backlink profile. In AI optimization, where your brand is cited across the web matters more than just the links themselves. 3. Authority In SEO, dofollow backlinks are an important ranking signal. In GEO, mentions and citations by authoritative industry sources carry more weight. Visibility depends on how trusted third parties in your niche reference you. In traditional SEO, backlinks work like votes of trust for your website. In AI search, public relations and brand mentions work in a similar way. The more people talk about your brand online, the more AI systems notice and trust you. 4. KPI Measurement SEO typically tracks organic search in GA4. GEO leans toward referral traffic in GA4 and citations as success indicators. 5. Keyword Research SEO keyword research is based on search volume, keyword difficulty, and intent. GEO keyword research involves reverse-engineering AI queries and analyzing how LLMs surface content. Backlinks vs Brand Mention In traditional SEO, backlinks (hyperlinks from other domains) are a key ranking signal. In GEO, however, unlinked brand mentions are becoming just as important. Even without a hyperlink, AI systems may treat casual mentions of your brand across the web as valuable signals, boosting your chances of being cited in AI-generated results. Keywords Ranking vs Prompt Monitoring Prompt Monitoring vs SERP Rank Tracking Instead of tracking keyword rankings on search results pages, you’re now tracking brand mentions and sentiment within conversational AI responses. Prompt Monitoring is becoming increasingly important as more users rely on LLMs, because it offers another way to understand how users discover your brand. Diverse citation source Note that the sources cited by LLMs can shift and change over time, so the results you see today may not be the same tomorrow. Further reading: The Most-Cited Domains in AI: A 3-Month Study Image Source: Semrush Refer to Semrush’s study Unlike traditional SEO, which relies heavily on relevant and local backlinks, large language models pull citations and mentions from a far more diverse set of sources. Studies show that platforms like Reddit (40%), Wikipedia (26%), YouTube (23%), and even Google (23%) play a major role, along with review sites like Yelp and TripAdvisor. This means visibility today depends not just on backlinks, but on being present and credible across multiple content types and platforms where AI actively gathers information. GEO Tools GEO Toolkits Starter Pack Google Analytics (GA4) Free and versatile. In traditional SEO, you track organic search traffic. In GEO, you also focus on referral traffic coming from AI-driven sources. Google Search Console (GSC) Essential for monitoring indexing, coverage, and visibility. Still important for GEO since your content needs to be crawled, indexed, and retrievable by AI systems. Bing Webmaster Tools Similar to GSC but for Bing. Valuable because Microsoft integrates AI heavily into Bing Chat and Copilot. Log File Analyzer Helps you understand whether AI crawlers (like GPTBot, ClaudeBot, PerplexityBot) are accessing your site. e.g., Screaming Frog, Botify Schema Markup Generators Useful for structuring content so AI can parse and cite it more easily. E.g., Schema Markup Tool, RankMath, Yoast Brand Mention Tracking Tools GEO favors brand mentions (linked or unlinked), monitoring them is important. E.g., Brand24, Google Alerts, Ahrefs Alert Otterly AI – Prompt-Specific GEO Tracking.  Otterly helps track your brand’s visibility in AI search platforms like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google’s AI Overviews. It shows which prompts surface your content, monitors the exact queries users ask, and detects when AI platforms cite your pages. Review Platforms & Aggregators (e.g., Trustpilot, G2, Capterra) Collect and showcase reviews — AI models often use these as trusted data sources. AI Citation Tracking Tools LLMRefs Semrush AI Search Visibility Checker (Free) Semrush AI SEO Toolkit (Paid) Ahrefs AI Citation (Paid) How to Choose a Generative Engine Optimization Tool? Choose a tool that fits your goals—whether that’s attracting more traffic from LLMs or strengthening brand presence. The best tools do more than just track AI visibility; they help you take action. Look for features like: Actionable insights: Sentiment analysis, share of voice, competitor benchmarking, and identifying missed opportunities. Optimization

Content Types That LLMs Actually Love | GEO Part 2

These are the types of content you should consider for GEO and LLMs. SEO Experts say LLMs like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity favor content such as problem-solving guides, listicles, comparisons, alternatives, decision-making aids, FAQs, case studies, research with statistics, testimonials, and pricing. The goal is to create content that AI systems can easily find, understand, and cite — so they recommend your business in generative search results. Problem-Solving / Solution-Provider Blog Posts Create at least 10+ blog posts that position your business as the best solution for different customer needs and scenarios. These posts act as “spoon-feeding” signals for AI, making it easy for generative engines to recognize your business, product, or service as the top choice. Examples of queries to target: Who’s the best artificial turf installer in Kuala Lumpur? Who’s the best logo designer for F&B businesses? What’s the best nanny placement service for working parents? Who’s the best pest control service provider for getting rid of ants in Singapore? Content structure tips: Use each question as the headline (H1, H2, or H3). Provide a conversational, straightforward answer—short and clear, no fluff. Highlight your features and benefits. Include real testimonials or case studies for credibility. Listicle Content E.g. Top 10, Best 5, Six reason to buy from and etc Create a “Top Reasons” listicle that highlights why customers should choose your business for the service you offer. Include: Your key features The benefits customers get Your pricing and value proposition Any unique offerings that set you apart in your category This format makes it easy for both users and AI crawlers to quickly understand why your business is the best choice. Comparison Content E.g. Entity A vs Entity B/ X vs Y vs Z AI platforms thrive on comparison content because users constantly ask them to weigh options like “Slack vs Microsoft Teams” or “HubSpot vs Salesforce.” Generic blogs or overly promotional posts won’t cut it — AI needs detailed, structured comparisons, often in tables or feature breakdowns. To capture visibility, create comprehensive comparison pages (e.g., “Asana vs Monday vs ClickUp for Creative Teams”) that directly address these high-demand queries. Comparison Table RankMath has a pricing comparison table on one of its pages with its direct competitors. Include a full comparison table between your business and 3–5 competitors. Highlight differences in features, benefits, pricing, and unique value. This structured format not only helps customers make informed decisions but also makes it easier for AI systems to cite your business in generative answers. Direct Answer Structure your content for direct answers. AI and LLMs prioritize clear, straightforward responses with minimal filler. Write standalone sections that fully answer a question without relying on other parts of the page for context. Use question-based headings such as “How to Reduce Website Loading Time?” instead of vague titles like “Performance Tips.” Then answer the question immediately. For example: “You can reduce website loading time by optimizing images, enabling compression, and choosing faster hosting.” After that, you can expand with additional details. Keep the content updated Regularly updating your content is a traditional SEO technique that may be even more important for AI search visibility. We could see this when you conduct a search that triggers an AI Overview; even evergreen topics often highlight recent content. The ideal update frequency is twice a year, or at least once a year. Authoritative Large language models (LLMs) assess credibility using more refined criteria than traditional search. When deciding which sources to cite, they often prioritize: Clear authorship: Pages written by identifiable experts or individuals with a relevant background Original Content: Original research, personal insights, or authoritative explanations. Clean Structure: Well-structured HTML, logical headings, and easy-to-navigate content. Reputable referring domains: Strong backlink profile and recognition across trusted, niche-specific websites. Top ways to ensure your content performs well in Google’s AI experiences on Search Content that is related and helpful to decision making Content that supports decision-making includes pieces like “Brand X Alternatives,” “Top X Lists,” Popular roundup articles, and Guides on “common mistakes to avoid”. These formats help users quickly compare options, discover trusted recommendations, and make more confident choices, all of which also increase the chances of being cited by AI platforms. For Page(s) Consider Adding These Pages (Not Posts): FAQ Page Create a dedicated FAQ page that answers as many common questions as possible. This makes it easy for both users and AI systems to find clear, structured answers. Frame headers as questions (e.g., “What is the best AI SEO strategy?”) and provide a clear answer upfront before expanding with details. Add an FAQ schema to make your content easier for AI to parse.  Case Studies Page Showcase real examples of how your customers benefited after choosing your brand. Case studies demonstrate proof of value and help potential buyers see themselves in similar success stories. Case study–style content works well for posts, too. Use real examples and data to demonstrate EEAT. Testimonials Page Build trust by collecting authentic feedback from real users. Pull testimonials from Google Reviews, social media, Yelp, Trustpilot, and other review platforms, then display them in a centralized page. Showcase Industry Certifications and Awards Create a dedicated page, or highlight them on your homepage or About page, to showcase any relevant certifications or awards your brand has received. Pricing Page Provide transparent pricing information. Not only does this improve user trust, but it also helps AI crawlers surface your brand in budget-based queries (e.g., “Suggest 10 solar panel installers under $2,000”). RankMath Pricing Page Tips for writing content that AI and LLMs love: Be direct and concise when answering question-based queries — provide the immediate answer upfront. Use a conversational tone to make content more natural and engaging. Structure your headings properly (H1, H2, H3) with clean HTML for better readability and indexing. Include a TL;DR or key takeaways section to give readers (and AI) a quick summary. Audit your brand’s presence on AI-driven platforms. For example, you may ask ChatGPT: “What can you tell me about [Brand/Website]?” “What does [Brand/Website] do?” Build credibility

What Is GEO? Generative Engine Optimization | SEO in AI & LLMs

Define Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is the practice and process of optimizing your content, brand, and digital presence to be retrieved, cited, and recommended by generative AI systems, such as Google AI Overviews, Bing Copilot, Perplexity AI, Claude, ChatGPT, DeepSeek, and other LLM-powered search engines. Foreword: You might have come across terms like LLMO, AI Search Optimization (AIO), AEO, or ChatGPT SEO. With the emergence of numerous new buzzwords in the AI era, it can become confusing. In this article, I’ll stick with GEO (Generative Engine Optimization), since it’s the term most industry experts use, and it helps keep things simple and consistent. Side Note: GEO is “generative engine optimization”, LLMO is “large language model optimization”, and AEO is “answer engine optimization”. Three names for the same idea. Traditional SEO Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the practice of improving a website’s content, structure, and authority to increase its visibility and ranking on traditional search engine results pages (SERPs), such as Google or Bing.  Unlike traditional SEO, which focuses on ranking in search engine results pages (SERPs), GEO ensures your information is structured, trustworthy, and AI-friendly so that large language models can easily find, interpret, and surface it in their answers. Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) is the practice of structuring content — using schema markup, FAQs, and conversational formats, so AI systems can easily crawl, understand, and extract precise answers. The focus is on clarity, accuracy, and instant response delivery, often optimized for featured snippets and similar answer boxes. Meanwhile, an Answer Engine is an AI-powered technology that delivers direct answers to user queries, rather than just a list of clickable blue links. Its goal is to understand the intent behind a question and provide the exact information in a clear, accessible format. SEO is dead? Many people think traditional SEO is becoming obsolete due to AI search, especially with the rise of zero-click searches. To address this concern, I’ve compiled 20 GEO strategies and best practices from leading industry experts such as Semrush, Ahrefs, Neil Patel, Nathan Gotch, Search Engine Journal, and RankMath. 20 GEO strategies, tactics and best practices How to Optimize Search for LLMs 1. Get listed on trusted sources/ sites To improve your brand’s visibility in generative search results (Google AI Overviews, Gemini, Perplexity, ChatGPT answers), make sure your business is consistently listed and verified across trusted data sources: Google Business Profile Google Map Bing Places Apple Maps Yelp/ Yellow Pages LinkedIn Company Page Crunchbase  PudMed (for scientific/ medical content) Wikipedia/ Wikidata Tripadvisor Mapbox/ OpenStreetMap These platforms serve as authoritative reference points. LLMs frequently pull data and entity information from them when generating answers.  Having accurate and consistent listings not only boosts Local SEO but also increases your chances of being cited as a trusted source in AI-driven responses. 2. Participate in Social Discussions and Industry Forums RankMath SEO suggests that Reddit (≈80%) and Quora (≈12%) have some influence on the content Google selects for its AI Overview results. These platforms provide user-generated discussions that generative engines often treat as authentic, community-driven insights. SEO expert Nathan Gotch advises prioritizing the optimization of all Google-owned properties, such as Google Business Profile (GBP), YouTube, and other Google platforms, as Google naturally favors its own ecosystem. Afterward, expand into social forums like Reddit, which Google AI Overview may also pull from. In short: own as much Google real estate as possible, then diversify into influential social platforms where conversations are shaping generative search outputs. 3. AI Keyword Research Traditional SEO relies on marketing intelligence tools (e.g., SEMrush, Ahrefs, Similarweb) that reveal search volume, keyword difficulty, and user intent. These insights help marketers understand what people are typing into search engines. However, generative AI platforms such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity do not disclose query data or keyword volumes. This creates a gap for SEO professionals. To adapt, marketers can use reverse-engineering methods — for example: Analyzing AI-generated answers to see which topics and entities are consistently referenced. Tracking citations and sources in tools like Perplexity. Monitoring Google AI Overviews for recurring queries and phrasing. Click here for a complete guide to keyword research, covering both traditional SEO and AI-driven methods. 4. Create an llms.txt file A simple, human- and machine-readable text file placed at the root of your domain (e.g., https://example.com/llms.txt).  It declares your preferences for how LLMs and answer engines may use, cite, and discover your content (e.g., preferred citation name/URL, licensing, important pages). It’s not an official standard and is not enforceable by itself. For actual allow/deny control, you still use robots.txt 5. Be everywhere (omnichannel marketing) Maintain a presence on GBP, Bing Places, LinkedIn Company Page, all relevant social profiles (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Discord, etc), and owned YouTube channel. 6. Third-party validation Participate in interviews, podcasts, videos, research papers, and collaborations with influencers or KOLs. Look at both “what others say about you” and “what you say about yourself”. 7. Get listed in relevant directories Add your business to Yelp, BBB, the Chamber of Commerce, or whatever makes sense for your industry. 8. Be authoritative sources Build authority through partnerships and mentions: Contribute to trusted websites in your niche, collaborate with high-Domain Rating sites on listicles and comparison content, and secure guest features or mentions in authoritative articles. Engage in strategic Public Relations by earning high-quality mentions in reputable publications to build topical authority, and consistently monitor web mentions to track your brand’s presence in online discussions. 9. Listicle Inclusion You may also target ‘Top Lists’ or ‘Best X in Y location’ articles in your niche and work to get your brand included; this is essentially a link-building approach. Identify the ‘Top X’ or ‘Best of’ listicles that AI search results frequently cite for your target keywords, then reach out to authors or earn placements so your brand is featured.  For example, an SEO agency in Bangkok should aim to appear in ‘Best SEO Agencies in Thailand’ articles that AI might reference. Being included in these curated lists increases the

What Is Google AdSense? How It Works (2026 Guide)

What Is Google AdSense? Google AdSense is a free advertising program that allows bloggers, publishers, and media websites to earn money by displaying Google-served ads on their pages. Advertisers pay Google to show their ads, and website owners earn a share of that revenue when visitors view or interact with those ads, such as through clicks or impressions. For beginners, AdSense is often the first and easiest way to monetize a website, as Google automatically matches ads to your content and audience, handling the ad setup, targeting, and payments on your behalf. So, how does Google AdSense actually work behind the scenes?In the next section, we’ll break down the AdSense process step by step—from how ads are selected to how publishers earn money from clicks or impressions. How Google AdSense Works (Step by Step) At a high level, Google AdSense connects advertisers, Google, and publishers in a simple process that runs automatically in the background. You apply and get approved After signing up for Google AdSense and getting your website approved, Google gives you a small piece of ad code to place on your site. Google displays relevant ads on your pages When a visitor lands on your blog or article, Google uses its systems to show ads that are relevant to your content and, where allowed, the user’s interests. Visitors see or interact with the ads You earn money when users either view the ads (impressions) or click on them, depending on the advertiser’s bidding model. Advertisers pay Google Businesses (Advertisers) pay Google to display their ads across the AdSense network. You earn a share of the revenue Google shares a portion of that advertising revenue with you, and your earnings accumulate in your AdSense account before being paid out monthly once the minimum threshold is reached. For beginners, the advantage of Google AdSense is that everything is automated — from ad selection and placement to payment — making it an accessible monetization option for blogs and media sites. AdSense Workflow (Simple Diagram): Advertisers↓Google Ad Auction & Matching↓Ads Shown on Your Website↓Visitors View or Click Ads↓You Earn Revenue Google AdSense Approval Requirements To get approved for Google AdSense, your website needs to meet a few basic requirements: Original, helpful content (not thin or copied) Clear site structure (About, Contact, Privacy Policy pages) Policy-compliant topics (no prohibited or restricted content) Good user experience (working pages, readable design) Some initial traffic (no strict minimum, but real visitors help) For beginners, the most common reason for rejection is low-quality or incomplete content, not traffic volume. Further reading: Ad placement policies Pros and Cons of Google AdSense Pros: Free and easy to use – No setup cost and minimal technical knowledge needed Beginner-friendly – Ads are automatically selected and optimized by Google Trusted ad network – Access to a large pool of global advertisers Flexible ad formats – Works well for blogs and media-style content Cons: Lower earnings for small sites – Revenue is limited without steady traffic Strict policies – Violations can lead to warnings or account suspension Limited control over advertisers – You can’t choose individual brands Ads may affect user experience – Poor placement can hurt readability if not managed carefully Overall,  AdSense works best as traffic grows and content quality improves. How Much Can You Earn With Google AdSense? There is no fixed amount you can earn with Google AdSense. Your earnings depend on factors such as your website traffic, content niche, audience location, and ad placement. For most beginner blogs, AdSense typically earns a few dollars to a few hundred dollars per month. Media sites with consistent traffic and high-value niches may earn more, but growth is usually gradual rather than instant. Key factors that affect AdSense earnings include: Traffic volume – More pageviews generally mean more ad impressions Audience location – Visitors from countries with higher ad demand tend to generate higher revenue Content niche – Topics like finance, technology, and business often pay more than general topics User engagement – Longer time on page increases ad visibility Further reading: How publishers monetize with AdSense Types of Google AdSense Ads AdSense offers several ad formats that allow publishers to monetize their websites while maintaining a good user experience. Display Ads (Responsive Ads) These are the most common AdSense ads. They automatically adjust in size and format to fit different screen sizes and layouts. In-Feed Ads In-feed ads appear within content lists, such as blog feeds or category pages, and are designed to blend naturally with surrounding content. Auto Ads (Including In-Article Ads) Auto Ads are placed automatically by Google across your site. This includes ads shown between paragraphs within articles when appropriate. Multiplex Ads Multiplex ads display multiple ads in a grid layout and work best on content-heavy pages with high engagement. AdSense for Search AdSense for Search allows you to add a Google-powered search box to your site and earn revenue from ads shown in search results. For beginners, Auto Ads and responsive display ads are usually the easiest way to start monetizing with minimal setup. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Is Google AdSense Worth It in 2026? Yes, Google AdSense is still worth it in 2026 for beginner bloggers and content-focused websites. It is easy to set up, trusted by advertisers, and works well as a starting monetization method while traffic grows. What Is RPM in Google AdSense? RPM (Revenue Per Mille) shows how much you earn for every 1,000 pageviews. It helps publishers understand overall performance beyond just clicks or impressions. Google AdSense Alternatives Google AdSense is beginner-friendly and works with smaller traffic volumes. Many alternatives offer higher earnings but usually require more traffic, stricter approval, or manual ad management. E.g., Adsterra, PropellerAds, Media .net, Ezoic AdSense vs Google Ads: What’s the Difference? Google AdSense is for publishers who want to earn money by showing ads on their websites. Google Ads is for advertisers who pay to run ads across Google Search, YouTube, and partner sites. AdSense vs Google Ad Manager: What’s the Difference?

AISEO | GEO | LLMO Audit Framework: My Checklist & Workflow

Before we get started, let’s clarify the terminology to avoid confusion. AISEO, GEO (Generative Engine Optimization), LLMO (Large Language Model Optimization), and AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) all refer to essentially the same concept (or are at least 80% identical).  They describe the process of optimizing your content for AI-generated answers and responses, similar to how traditional SEO focuses on optimizing for search engines. AI SEO | GEO | LLMO Audit When users begin searching across AI platforms such as OpenAI ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Perplexity, Microsoft Copilot, Anthropic Claude, xAI’s Grok, DeepSeek, Alibaba’s Qwen, or even glance at answers from Google AI Overview or Google AI Mode, one crucial question emerges: “How do I make my brand visible in AI search?” Step by step checklist: Step 1: Identify the AI / LLM Platforms You Want to Monitor Start by listing the AI search and LLM platforms where you want your brand to appear: ChatGPT Google Gemini Google AI Mode Google AI Overview Perplexity Microsoft Copilot DeepSeek Qwen Anthropic Claude Grok You can prioritize them based on your target market, traffic potential, or where your audience is most active. AI SEO Report Step 2: Identify the Queries Your Prospects or Target Audience May Ask LLMs Unlike traditional SEO, AI search doesn’t provide search volume. The goal in Step 2 is to understand what questions your audience is likely to ask on LLMs and generative search engines. To make a guess on these prompts and question patterns, we may use: Answer Socrates AlsoAsked Google SERP features such as People Also Ask and People Also Search For Google Search Console long-tail queries  Reddit communities in your industry niche This helps us map out the natural-language questions, prompts, and conversational queries that LLM users may ask—so we can create content that answers them. Step 3: Measure Your Brand Presence Check whether your brand is mentioned or referenced when these queries are asked on AI platforms. Key questions: Is your brand appearing in the answers to these queries? If yes, how is your brand being mentioned — positively, neutrally, or negatively? If your brand does not appear at all, this indicates a need to strengthen your content, entity signals, and topical authority so LLMs can recognize your brand and include it in relevant responses. Step 4: Uncover the Sources LLMs Use (And How to Become One) Identify which sources LLMs are citing when answering the queries you’re monitoring.This helps you understand what content formats, domains, and authority signals AI systems prefer. Key question: What sources are LLMs citing or referencing in their answers? Once you know this, you can model your content, structure, and expertise signals to increase your chance of becoming a cited source. Step 5: Analyze Competitor Brands (Response Analysis) Identify which competitor brands appear in the AI-generated answers for the queries you’re monitoring. By comparing the gap between your brand and your competitors, you can determine: Which content do you need to create Which existing content should you optimize Which backlinks or mentions you may want to pursue This gives you a clear roadmap to strengthen your brand’s visibility in LLM-generated responses. Some Example of Prompt Monitoring/ Tracking for different niche Best website builders for SME businesses Best cordless lawn mowers for small yards Best protein powders for women Best noise-cancelling headphones Best productivity apps for remote work Actionable Strategy for AI SEO 1. Confront the LLM’s answer to understand its citation logic If your target brand does not appear in the AI-generated answer, you can use a diagnostic prompt to reveal how the LLM selected and weighted its sources. Example prompt to ask ChatGPT or any LLM: ” I’m trying to understand how you selected the items in your list. I reviewed all the sources you cited. Please list all app names mentioned in those sources and count how many times each one appears. Why did you include WalletHub when it appears only once across all citations?SAP Concur is mentioned four times — why wasn’t it included?QuickBooks and Zoho Expense appear as frequently as Rocket Money and Monarch Money — why were they excluded? It seems some apps that were mentioned many times weren’t included, yet others mentioned only once were selected.What was your decision-making process?“ 2. Do not block AI crawlers Allow AI crawlers to access your site so LLMs can read, understand, and reference your content.  3. Outreach to high-authority sources that LLMs cite Identify the websites LLMs frequently reference and build relationships through outreach, interviews, contributions, or citations. Being mentioned on these sources increases your chance of being included in AI-generated answers. According to Ahrefs data: Google AI Overviews relies heavily on YouTube, Reddit, and to a lesser extent Quora. ChatGPT tends to cite publishers, authoritative blogs, and news outlets. Perplexity often references niche, regional, and domain-specific websites. 4. Build topical authority with relevant, high-quality content Create content that deeply covers your niche, answers real user questions, and demonstrates expertise. LLMs favor brands that show consistent authority across related topics. 5. Update content regularly (at least once a year) Fresh, up-to-date content signals reliability to both Google and LLMs. Updated pages are more likely to be crawled, cited, and included in generative answers. 6. Publish research, data, or studies — ChatGPT heavily cites them LLMs prioritize factual, data-backed sources. Original research, surveys, and statistics significantly increase your chance of becoming a cited reference. AISEO | GEO | LLMO Audit Conclusion: In summary, you’ll need to: Identify what queries users are asking on LLMs like ChatGPT and Gemini. Audit your brand’s presence across major generative engines. Improve your visibility and ranking within AI-generated answers. Understand which sources LLMs cite — and position yourself to be one of them. Monitor traffic from ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, and other LLMs using GA4’s referral traffic reports. Further Reading: AI Search Optimization FAQs & Terms Explained Google AI Overview How Google AI Overview shown in SERP Google AI Overview is Google’s generative search feature that provides AI-generated summaries at the top of search results.