DIGITAL MARKETING: Google’s Nuclear Button

How Google’s AI Mode Button Has Changed Search Forever & What Every Business Needs to Know

There’s a seismic shift underway in the world of online search, and if your business or brand relies on visibility in Google, you cannot afford to ignore it. With the introduction of the new AI Mode button, now placed right at the top left and in the first position of Google’s search interface, everything you thought you knew about search engine optimisation is changing fast.

What Is Google’s AI Mode Button?

Google’s AI Mode button instantly transforms traditional search into a conversational, AI-powered experience. When users click (or, increasingly, tap by default) the new button, classic blue links and ten-result lists give way to something different. The search results page now delivers an intelligent, summarised answer, drawn from across the web, bolstered by only a few cited sources.

Why This Placement Is a Game-Changer

Let’s not underestimate the significance of the AI Mode button sitting right at the top left, in prime position. Most users won’t even think twice before clicking it. For businesses, this spells both fantastic opportunity and real risk – because user behaviour is shifting, and it is shifting fast.

The New Reality for Search and SEO

– Goodbye Clicks, Hello Summaries: AI Mode is designed to answer queries directly on the search page. This means fewer people clicking through to websites. The familiar flow from search to site is being replaced by instant answers, right there in Google.

– SEO Is No Longer Just Rankings: Traditional methods focused on keywords and moving up the search ranks. That isn’t enough now. To stand out, your content must be picked as a trusted source for Google’s AI-generated answers. If your site isn’t cited, it risks being invisible.

– Semantic Relevance Is Everything: The days of gaming Google with repetitive keywords are over. AI Mode matches user queries with content that best answers the meaning, not just the wording. Your content needs to be rich, informative and genuinely authoritative to even be in the running.

– Expertise and Trust Are Essential: Only the most reputable, accurate and well-presented information gets chosen. Demonstrating true expertise and trustworthiness is now the entry fee for being cited.

– Analytics Have Changed, Too: Old metrics like clicks and impressions don’t tell the whole story any more. Success is about being seen and cited within AI-generated answers. That means rethinking both how we track results, and how we report on them.

What Every Business Must Do Now

– Review your website’s content and update it to offer real, valuable answers to your audience’s questions.
– Focus on creating and highlighting expertise, clear authority and trust. Use facts, current data, and cite reputable sources within your content, not just opinions.
– Diversify your content formats, including summaries and key points – make it easy for Google’s AI to pick out your insights.
– Monitor your visibility in AI responses, not just classic search rankings.

Ready or Not, Change Is Here

Google’s AI Mode button marks a new era for search. It rewards brands and businesses who invest in high-quality, well-crafted content that genuinely helps users. Those who continue clinging to short-term tactics or keyword stuffing risk losing out as Google continues to drive users towards more efficient, AI-powered synthesised answers.

Don’t be left behind. Start adapting your content strategy today – audit your website, rewrite your key pages, and ensure your most important insights are unmissable and authoritative.

Book a call with our team now to future-proof your SEO for the age of AI search. Your digital presence and future viability depends on it.

 

DIGITAL MARKETING: AFFORDABLE AI & SEO HEALTH CHECK

Is your business visible when it matters most?

With Google’s AI summaries now dominating search results, the digital landscape has shifted dramatically – and quickly.

What worked last March might be costing you customers today.

As an SME owner or director, you’re juggling countless priorities. But here’s the reality: whilst you’ve been focused on running your business, the way customers discover and evaluate companies has fundamentally changed. Google’s AI now determines which businesses get featured in those crucial summary boxes that appear before traditional search results.

The question isn’t whether you need a digital presence – it’s whether your current one is working.

Many SME owners assume their website and social media are “sorted” because they exist. But an empirical analysis often reveals:

• Your ideal customers can’t find you when they’re actively searching

• Competitors with weaker offerings are appearing ahead of you

• Your digital messaging doesn’t reflect your actual business strengths

• You’re missing opportunities in channels where your customers actually spend time

This isn’t about expensive overhauls or complex tech solutions. It’s about getting an objective, data-driven assessment of where you stand and what simple changes could make the biggest impact.

The businesses thriving right now aren’t necessarily the biggest – they’re the ones that understand their digital footprint and have aligned it with how customers actually behave online.

If you’ve been putting off that digital review because it feels overwhelming or expensive, consider this: the cost of not knowing where you stand is likely far higher than finding out.

The bonus is that my service is not only invaluable, but very affordable – I’ve started and run SME sized businesses so I understand cost control and value.

Don’t let your competitors steal tomorrow’s customers whilst you’re serving today’s.

Message me to get the ball rolling. 

AUTOMOTIVE WRITING: Tesla In Reverse

Tesla faces its gravest crisis yet with plummeting sales, legal battles, and brand toxicity. Can Musk’s desperate sales intervention save the company he built?

Tesla Sales Slump. A Company In Reverse.
The numbers tell a brutal story. Tesla’s second-quarter deliveries plummeted 13.5% year-on-year to just 384,000 vehicles, whilst European sales collapsed by as much as 45% in early 2025. Even in Tesla’s stronghold markets of China and the United States, rivals including BYD, Volkswagen, and Hyundai are systematically dismantling the company’s once-impregnable market position.

What began as isolated competitive pressure has metastasised into an existential crisis encompassing product stagnation, mounting legal challenges, and a brand toxicity that would have been unthinkable just two years ago. Elon Musk’s response – personally commandeering Tesla’s sales operations from the company’s headquarters – represents either inspired leadership or desperate theatre. The evidence suggests the latter.

Tesla’s troubles extend far beyond routine quarterly fluctuations. Industry analysts point to a fundamental product problem: the company has launched no genuinely new mainstream models since the divisive Cybertruck, leaving its core range looking increasingly antiquated. The Model S and Model X, now approaching their second decade, lack the technological edge that once justified premium pricing, whilst even the refreshed Model 3 and Model Y variants have failed to generate meaningful market excitement.

Manufacturing bottlenecks from Model Y production transitions have exacerbated inventory buildups, creating the paradox of falling sales alongside unsold stock. “Tesla is caught between worlds,” explains one former executive who departed the company last year. “They’re trying to maintain premium positioning whilst competing on volume, and it’s not working.”

The human cost of these missteps extends beyond shareholders. Recent months have witnessed an exodus of senior talent, including the head of North American sales and key battery engineering leaders, suggesting internal recognition that current strategies are failing.

Perhaps more damaging than operational setbacks is Tesla’s reputational crisis. Musk’s increasingly vocal political alignment, particularly his association with Donald Trump, has triggered what industry observers term a “consumer revolt” in traditionally progressive markets where Tesla once dominated.

The “Tesla Takedown” movement, documented across social media platforms, encompasses everything from organised boycotts to physical vandalism of vehicles. Resale values have declined accordingly, with specialist automotive data firms recording measurable drops in Tesla’s brand perception scores throughout 2025.

“We’re seeing something unprecedented,” notes Professor Sarah Davidson, who studies automotive consumer behaviour at Warwick Business School. “Political polarisation is directly impacting purchase decisions in ways we’ve never measured before. Tesla owners are reporting embarrassment about their vehicles.”

Tesla’s troubles extend into America’s courtrooms, where multiple high-stakes cases threaten both immediate operations and long-term viability. California’s Department of Motor Vehicles is pursuing a 30-day sales ban over allegedly misleading advertising of Autopilot and Full Self-Driving capabilities, a move that would devastate Tesla’s largest single market.

Simultaneously, a wrongful death trial in Miami centres on Autopilot’s role in a fatal 2019 crash, with potential punitive damages that could establish precedents for autonomous vehicle liability. Legal experts suggest the outcome could fundamentally reshape how self-driving technologies are marketed and deployed. Tesla’s very own Trolley Car Problem.

Beyond these headline cases, Tesla faces a growing constellation of “phantom braking” complaints, quality control lawsuits, and antitrust challenges to its repair monopoly. Each represents not merely financial exposure but further erosion of consumer confidence in Tesla’s core technologies.

Central to Tesla’s current predicament is a business model that once represented revolutionary thinking but now appears increasingly anachronistic. The company’s rejection of traditional franchise dealerships delivered early advantages in pricing control and customer experience, yet state-level dealership protection laws have created a patchwork of legal restrictions that limit Tesla’s expansion opportunities.

More problematically, Tesla’s insistence on controlling all aspects of vehicle servicing has created what consumer advocates term a “repair monopoly.” Owners face extended delays, higher costs, and limited alternatives when vehicles require maintenance, issues that traditional franchise networks handle through distributed infrastructure and competitive pricing.

“The direct-to-consumer model worked brilliantly when Tesla was a premium niche player with devoted customers,” observes automotive retail consultant James Morrison. “But mass-market consumers expect convenience and choice that Tesla’s current structure simply cannot deliver at scale.”

Industry data supports this assessment. Whilst traditional manufacturers leverage dealer networks to manage demand fluctuations and regional variations, Tesla must shoulder these burdens independently. The resulting bottlenecks in service capacity and inventory management become particularly acute during periods of market stress.

Reports from Tesla’s Fremont headquarters suggest Musk has resumed the hands-on approach that characterised the company’s early years, reportedly employing Musk’ peculiar trademark of sleeping at the facility whilst personally directing sales strategy. The company has rolled out aggressive incentive programmes including discounted financing, complimentary software trials, and targeted offers for military veterans and educators.

These measures represent classic demand stimulation tactics, designed to shore up quarterly numbers ahead of Tesla’s earnings announcement. However, automotive industry veterans express scepticism about their long-term effectiveness.

“Incentives are a sugar rush,” explains former General Motors executive Patricia Williams, now an independent consultant. “They can mask underlying problems temporarily, but they don’t address fundamental issues of product competitiveness or brand perception. Tesla’s challenges are structural, not tactical.”

Stock market analysts echo this assessment, noting that Tesla’s current crisis encompasses precisely the factors that discount-driven sales campaigns cannot address: ageing product lines, manufacturing inefficiencies, legal liabilities, and consumer sentiment.

Tesla’s recovery requires acknowledgement that its original advantages have largely evaporated. The company’s technological lead has narrowed considerably, with competitors matching or exceeding Tesla’s capabilities in areas from battery range to autonomous features. Meanwhile, manufacturing cost advantages have disappeared as established automakers achieve economies of scale in electric vehicle production.

Perhaps most critically, Tesla must confront the limitations of its direct-to-consumer model. Industry experts suggest hybrid approaches, incorporating elements of traditional franchise or agency partnerships, could address current bottlenecks whilst maintaining some operational control.

“Tesla needs to swallow its pride about the dealership model,” argues automotive strategist David Chen. “The best aspects of direct-to-consumer can be preserved whilst addressing the very real scalability and service issues that are alienating customers.”

Similarly, product renewal cannot wait for revolutionary technologies. Tesla requires incremental but meaningful updates to its existing range, coupled with genuinely new models that recapture market imagination.

Where is the Tesla equivalent ‘Dolphin Surf’ or WuLing Baojun’s funky “Yue Ye” a Suzuki Jimny impersonator, on price and desirability?

Tesla’s current predicament represents more than routine corporate turbulence. The company faces simultaneous challenges across every aspect of its operations, from product development to legal compliance to consumer perception. Musk’s personal intervention in sales operations, whilst symbolically significant, addresses none of these fundamental issues.

The electric vehicle market Tesla created has matured beyond recognition, populated by government funded capable competitors offering consumers genuine alternatives. Tesla’s survival depends not on charismatic leadership or promotional campaigns, but on systematic operational reform that acknowledges this new reality.

Whether Musk and his leadership team possess the humility to undertake such reform remains the critical question facing Tesla shareholders, employees, and customers. The company’s next chapter will be written not in boardrooms or Twitter feeds, but in the quotidian work of building better products and serving customers more effectively than increasingly capable rivals.

The Tesla revolution may be ending. What comes next depends entirely on the company’s willingness to evolve beyond the mythology that created it.

AUTOMOTIVE WRITING: China Crisis?

China’s electric vehicle sector has emerged as one of the most significant industrial transformations of our time, fundamentally reshaping global automotive markets through strategic state investment and genuine technological innovation. From Manchester offices to Berlin showrooms, Chinese EVs are capturing consumer attention with competitive pricing and advanced features, whilst raising important questions about trade fairness, data security, and technological sovereignty. This comprehensive analysis examines how coordinated industrial policy, supply chain integration, and genuine market innovation have enabled Chinese manufacturers like BYD and NIO to challenge established Western competitors, exploring both the legitimate security concerns and economic opportunities presented by this automotive revolution.

The rise of Chinese EV Around The World Security Threat

A sleek electric vehicle charges quietly outside a Manchester office block. In Berlin, a young professional considers a Chinese-made EV for half the price of its German equivalent. Across Southeast Asia, affordable electric cars are transforming urban transport. These scenes reflect one of the most significant industrial shifts of our time, driven by China’s remarkable rise in the electric vehicle sector.

This transformation raises important questions about trade, technology, and national security that deserve careful examination beyond the headlines about trade wars and technological threats.

China’s dominance in electric vehicles did not emerge by accident. Following decades of playing catch-up in traditional automotive manufacturing, Beijing identified electric mobility as an opportunity to leapfrog established competitors. The timing was astute: Western manufacturers were still heavily invested in combustion engine technology, creating space for new entrants.

Between 2009 and 2023, the Chinese government invested approximately $230 billion in subsidies across the EV supply chain, from battery research to charging infrastructure. This approach enabled companies like BYD, NIO, and CATL to achieve scale and vertical integration that would have taken decades through market forces alone.

However, this state support, whilst substantial, occurred alongside similar programmes in other nations. The United States has committed over $100 billion through the Inflation Reduction Act, whilst the European Union has allocated €3 billion specifically for battery manufacturing. The difference lies not in the presence of state support, but in its coordination and timing.

China’s approach also reflected genuine domestic priorities. With 70% of oil imports traversing potentially contested sea lanes, electric vehicles offered a path towards energy security that aligned with both economic and strategic interests. This convergence of commercial and security considerations helped sustain long-term investment even when short-term returns remained uncertain.

Chinese EVs succeed internationally because they offer genuine value to consumers. Modern Chinese electric vehicles combine competitive pricing with advanced features, often incorporating software capabilities that rival Silicon Valley products. The price advantage, typically 30-50% below Western equivalents, reflects not just subsidies but also manufacturing efficiencies and supply chain integration.

European consumers increasingly choose Chinese EVs based on practical considerations: lower purchase prices, competitive range, and modern infotainment systems. This market response suggests that Chinese success stems from meeting consumer needs, not merely undercutting competitors through state support.

Yet this consumer appeal operates within a broader industrial context. Chinese manufacturers benefit from controlling much of the battery supply chain, from lithium processing to cell production. This vertical integration creates cost advantages that would be difficult to replicate quickly, regardless of subsidy levels.

The data collection capabilities of modern electric vehicles do raise genuine privacy and security concerns. Contemporary EVs function as mobile data centres, gathering information about location patterns, driving habits, and even conversations through voice assistants. Under China’s 2017 National Intelligence Law, domestic companies must cooperate with intelligence gathering when requested.

These concerns apply broadly to connected vehicles regardless of origin. Tesla vehicles collect extensive data, as do European manufacturers increasingly reliant on Chinese components. The issue is not unique to Chinese brands, but rather reflects the broader challenge of data governance in an interconnected automotive sector.

Security analysts have identified potential vulnerabilities in vehicle connectivity systems that could theoretically enable remote interference. However, documented cases of such interference remain limited, and automotive cybersecurity standards are evolving to address these risks across all manufacturers.

The more immediate concern may be economic rather than directly security-related. As Chinese companies gain market share, they increasingly influence technical standards for charging protocols, battery interfaces, and vehicle software. This standardisation power could create long-term dependencies that extend beyond individual purchase decisions.

The rapid expansion of Chinese EV exports has created significant pressure on established automotive manufacturers. In 2023, Chinese firms exported 1.5 million electric vehicles, compared to fewer than 200,000 three years earlier. This growth has coincided with mounting challenges for European manufacturers, from Volkswagen’s plant closures to Ford’s restructuring plans.

However, attributing these difficulties solely to Chinese competition oversimplifies complex market dynamics. European manufacturers also face regulatory pressure to accelerate electrification, supply chain disruptions, and changing consumer preferences that favour software-defined vehicles over traditional automotive engineering.

Some European companies are adapting by forming partnerships with Chinese firms or sourcing Chinese components whilst maintaining design and assembly operations in Europe. This approach suggests that the relationship need not be purely adversarial, though it requires careful management of technological dependencies.

Western governments are implementing various measures to address the challenges posed by Chinese EV expansion. The United States has imposed tariffs exceeding 100% on Chinese electric vehicles and restricted federal subsidies for vehicles containing Chinese components. The European Union has launched anti-subsidy investigations and is considering additional trade measures.

These responses reflect legitimate concerns about fair competition and technological dependency. However, they also risk delaying the transition to electric mobility and increasing costs for consumers. The challenge lies in balancing security considerations with the benefits of technological competition and innovation.

More constructive approaches might focus on strengthening domestic capabilities whilst maintaining open markets. This could include accelerating investment in European and American battery manufacturing, developing robust cybersecurity standards for all connected vehicles, and creating reciprocal market access agreements that ensure fair competition.

China’s success in electric vehicles occurs within a larger context of technological competition between major powers. Similar dynamics are visible in renewable energy, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence. The question is not whether such competition will occur, but how it can be managed constructively.

The electric vehicle sector demonstrates both the benefits and risks of economic interdependence. Chinese innovation has accelerated global EV adoption and reduced costs for consumers worldwide. Simultaneously, the concentration of production capabilities raises questions about supply chain resilience and technological sovereignty.

China’s rise in the electric vehicle sector represents a significant shift in global industrial capabilities that reflects both strategic planning and genuine technological achievement. Whilst legitimate concerns exist about data security and market dependencies, addressing these challenges requires nuanced policies that distinguish between different types of risks.

The success of Chinese EVs demonstrates the effectiveness of coordinated industrial policy combined with genuine innovation. Rather than simply restricting market access, Western nations might focus on strengthening their own capabilities whilst developing frameworks for managing technological interdependence constructively.

The electric vehicle revolution will continue regardless of trade disputes or security concerns. The question is whether this transformation can occur in ways that benefit consumers whilst addressing legitimate national security considerations. This balance requires sophisticated policy responses that move beyond simple narratives of technological conflict towards more constructive approaches to managing global industrial competition.

The Chinese EV challenge is real, but it is also an opportunity to develop better frameworks for technological cooperation and competition in an interconnected world. How we respond will shape not just the automotive sector, but the broader relationship between economic integration and national security in the twenty-first century.

AUTOMOTIVE WRITING: Enter The Dragon

China’s EV brands are conquering the UK market faster than Japan did in the 1970s. How BYD, MG, and others are reshaping British motoring through technology, pricing, and perfect timing.

Chinese EV Surge In U.K.

How China’s U.K. EV Assault Surpasses Japan’s Seventies Invasion.

There’s a familiar tremor running through the British motor trade. A certain déjà vu. The showroom floors, now electrified with pixel-heavy infotainment and suede-trimmed crossovers bearing names like BYD, Omoda and Jaecoo, are humming not just with battery current – but with history. We’ve seen this play out before. Back in the oil-slicked, strike-riddled 1970s, when Japanese badges like Datsun and Toyota crept into British driveways while the unions down at Cowley and Longbridge were still arguing over tea breaks.

But here’s the kicker: this isn’t just a rerun with better batteries. It’s something bigger, bolder, and infinitely faster.

Let’s rewind to the early 1960s. Britain was still clinging to its imperial swagger, and its car industry was a global heavyweight. We were second only to the Americans in output, churning out Cortinas, Minxes and Victors at a blistering pace. But beneath the bonnet lay a wheezing, smoke-belching machine that hadn’t seen a proper rebuild in decades. Chronic underinvestment, fractious management, and mass walkouts meant the rot was deep-set long before anyone uttered the word “Datsun”.

By the close of that decade, Japan had quietly overtaken us, not with muscle cars or motoring romance, but with small, efficient, no-nonsense machines that started every morning and didn’t eat their own gearboxes. British Leyland, our great white hope, was a bureaucratic Frankenstein built to paper over the cracks. The Japanese, meanwhile, had mastered kaizen, built factories that ran like Swiss watches, and tapped into a global shift toward smaller, thriftier motoring just in time for the 1973 oil crisis.

Now? Britain’s car industry still exists, but mostly as an assembly annex for global players; Jaguar Land Rover (Indian-owned), Mini (German), Nissan (Japanese). There’s no national champion, no coherent industrial policy, and certainly no answer to what’s happening in 2025.

If the Japanese invasion of the Seventies was a creeping tide, China’s EV offensive is a tsunami and it’s already at the top of the high street.

Brands like BYD aren’t interested in mimicking Europe. They’re not building cut-price Golfs or knock-off 3 Series. They’re building next-generation tech ecosystems, cars integrated with their own batteries, software, semiconductors and AI platforms. Vertical integration gives them control over cost, quality, and pace that would’ve made Soichiro Honda weep with envy.

MG, once the darling of leafy Home Counties motoring is now a Chinese spearhead, its ZS EV undercutting legacy rivals by thousands while offering more kit, more range and fewer reasons to say no. Omoda and Jaecoo, still unfamiliar to British tongues, are bringing cars that wouldn’t look out of place in a Mercedes showroom but cost the same as a base Focus.

Unlike the Japanese back in the day, these newcomers don’t need to earn trust through decades of reliability reports and mechanically sound mediocrity. They’ve entered a market that wants disruption. Today’s car buyer shops online, trusts tech reviews more than showroom patter, and is more concerned with charging speed and infotainment updates than whether the badge has a Le Mans win.

The Seventies were no picnic; oil shocks, inflation, a government more concerned with surviving until Thursday than with industrial strategy. But crucially, consumers shifted toward Japanese imports because of price and economy. The Datsun 120Y, the darling of driving school cars, wasn’t just cheaper, it went further on a gallon, didn’t need fettling every weekend, and looked vaguely modern compared to a Maxi.

Today, the driver isn’t petrol prices, it’s policy. The UK’s net-zero mandate has lit a fire under EV adoption, and with the 2030 ICE ban looming, demand is being turbocharged not by market whim, but by regulation.

The Chinese have timed it to perfection. While European and Japanese marques scramble to electrify ICE platforms and untangle semiconductor bottlenecks, Chinese firms are shipping fully electric, ground-up platforms by the boatload. And they’re doing it without the millstone of legacy dealerships or brand baggage.

The UK, still licking its post-Brexit wounds, has kept tariffs off the table. Although just this week has excluded Chinese EV from the £3750 EV Subsidy redux. Unlike the EU, which has slapped Chinese EVs with duties up to 45% and minimum pricing, Britain remains wide open. The logic? Lower prices accelerate EV adoption. There’s no domestic champion to shield, and Downing Street would rather see a car plant in Swindon even if it flies a red star than an empty field.

In the Seventies, faced with growing Japanese dominance, the UK government tried the polite approach: voluntary export restraints, 20% tariffs, and veiled threats in Hansard. It didn’t work and by the time ministers finished their brandy, Nissan was already laying foundations in Sunderland.

This time, we’re not even pretending to resist. Open markets, loose regulation, and generous tax incentives make the UK a Chinese dream. While Brussels rattles sabres, Whitehall rolls out the red carpet.

Strategically, it’s a gamble. We’re hoping that in return for market access, Chinese brands will localise production, build battery plants, and create jobs. It’s industrial policy by osmosis. If it works, we’ll get investment without picking winners. If it doesn’t, we’ll be left with a forecourt full of imports and no local stake in the future of motoring.

Let’s put it in context. Japanese brands took a decade to crack the UK market. Chinese brands have done it in less than five years. BYD sells more EVs than Volkswagen globally. Their battery division, CATL, probably supplies half the industry. This isn’t incremental progress it’s industrial domination.

Technologically, the difference is night and day. Japan gave us better-built Escorts. China is giving us cars that update over-the-air, offer Level 2 autonomy, and come with smartphone apps that track your tyre pressure from Tenerife, they’re also safe with the top 5 Star NCAP safety rating. The EV isn’t just a new drivetrain – it’s a software platform, and China with 1.5 Billion inhabitants to test new tech on is miles ahead on that front. They can launch in foreign markets with proven new tech.

British car buyers in the 1970s were brand-loyal, suspicious of imports, and only changed their tune after being burned too many times by dodgy electricals and engines that were engineered to throw con-rods for fun at sixty five thousand miles (cough Ford). Today’s buyers are patently open to new brands and don’t care where a car is built – they care if it syncs with Spotify and charges in under 30 minutes.

Younger buyers, the key demographic for EVs, have no nostalgic attachment to Ford or Vauxhall. They trust influencers more than dealers. They’re digital natives in a world where Tesla has already redefined what a car can be and how it’s sold. Chinese brands, with their TikTok-savvy launches and online sales funnels, get this. The legacy players mostly don’t.

Will Chinese EVs kill off what remains of the British car industry? Unlikely, it’s already on life support. But they will dictate the pace, the technology, and the price point of Britain’s motoring future. That, more than anything, is the lesson we should have learned in the Seventies.

Then, we tried to shield British brands behind tariffs and pride. Now, we’ve flung the gates open and invited the dragon to dinner.

POSTSCRIPT:

In the Eighties, the Japanese built factories here. They hired local. They became part of the landscape. The Chinese? That’s still up in the air. The smart money says we’ll see BYD or Chery setting up UK operations soon – if not for patriotism, then for EU access via a tariff-free back door.

And when they do, remember this: we weren’t conquered. We just let them in. Smiling, silent, and WiFi-enabled – and that, is another story.

COMMENTARY: No Mate, 12 Weeks Minimum.

Why the best businesses don’t need social media (and what that means for the rest of us)

I’m knee-deep in renovating a nearly 50-year-old property on the south coast U.K.

The place is solid as a stick of rock but needs everything doing after years of neglect.

Here’s what’s fascinating: every tradesman I’ve contacted is booked solid for months. No fancy websites, no Instagram presence, barely even a Google listing or review. They survive entirely on word of mouth, repeat customers and replying to messages. Quality work speaks louder than any marketing campaign.

Meanwhile, a talented abstract artist friend in Hove with 12,200 genuine Instagram followers is lucky to get 50 views on her posts. The algorithm has throttled her reach to nothing unless she pays to play. She’s not alone. Countless creative professionals are watching their organic reach disappear.

It’s the same story on LinkedIn. Despite upgrading to Premium, my posts struggle to reach even 50 people. The platform that promises professional networking seems more interested in pushing paid promotion than genuine connection.

There’s a lesson in this contrast. The trades flourish because they’ve built something social media can’t replicate: trust through consistent quality. But for those of us trying to grow beyond our immediate network, the digital landscape feels increasingly pay-to-play.

I help businesses navigate this challenge through strategic digital marketing that focuses on building genuine relationships rather than chasing vanity metrics.

Sometimes the old-school approach of quality and referrals is exactly what modern marketing needs.

How are you finding social media for your business? Are you seeing the same decline in organic reach, or have you found strategies that still work?

DIGITAL MARKETING: More Creator Content Intel

Authentic creator content is now proving more effective than traditional advertising methods when it comes to audience engagement and building brand trust.

Recent research shows that creator-led campaigns consistently outperform standard digital ads, both in terms of engagement rates and return on investment. For example, 94% of brands now believe creator content delivers better ROI than traditional ads, a significant jump from previous years.

The reason is clear: creators offer *real stories and honest opinions*, which audiences find far more relatable than polished, scripted adverts. This authenticity leads to higher levels of trust, with consumers more likely to value recommendations from creators they follow over direct brand messaging. In fact, creator content has been found to perform better than 77% of traditional ads in delivering new information and 72% in terms of credibility.

Engagement rates are also much higher. Influencer-generated content receives up to eight times more engagement than brand-produced content, and campaigns featuring creators often spark meaningful conversations rather than just impressions. Brands are responding to these results by shifting more of their marketing budgets towards creator partnerships, recognising that authentic content not only captures attention but also drives action and loyalty.

In short, authentic creator content is not just a trend but a proven strategy that now outpaces traditional advertising in effectiveness, building stronger connections and trust with today’s audiences.

If you are interested in applying my digital transformation research, strategies and philosophy to improve your business marketing endeavours please contact me.

DIGITAL MARKETING: The 2025 Creator Content Premium

Why Creator Content is Outperforming Traditional Advertising

The marketing landscape has changed dramatically in recent years, with the rise of the creator economy at the heart of this transformation. New research confirms what many marketers have suspected: content made by creators doesn’t just match the impact of traditional advertising, it actually outperforms it. This is true for both long-term brand equity and short-term sales.

What the Research Tells Us

Several recent studies have compared creator content directly with standard industry advertising. The findings are compelling:

– Superior Performance: Creator content consistently beats traditional adverts on measures such as emotional resonance, memorability, and trustworthiness.
– Emotional Connection: Viewers are much more likely to feel an emotional response to content made by creators. In some cases, up to a third of people reported a genuine emotional reaction, which is invaluable for brands aiming to stay top of mind.
– Real Results: Brands aren’t just seeing warm feelings. Around 70% of brands say their most successful campaigns have involved creators, and most believe that creator-led content delivers a better return on investment than conventional adverts.
– Driving Action: Research shows that 80% of consumers have taken action after engaging with creator content, whether that’s looking up a brand, following them on social media, or making a purchase.

Why Are Creators So Effective?

There are a few key reasons why creators deliver such impressive results:

– Authenticity: People trust real voices more than polished adverts. Creators speak directly to their followers, often sharing personal stories and honest opinions. This authenticity is especially valued by younger audiences, who are increasingly sceptical of anything that feels too scripted.
– Emotional Engagement: Creators are skilled at building genuine connections with their communities. When a creator is enthusiastic about a product, that excitement rubs off on their audience, making a real difference to brand recall.
– Relevance: Creator content is often tailored to the interests and needs of a specific audience, making it far more relevant and effective than generic advertising.

The Power of Short-Form Video

Platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts have amplified the impact of creator content. Short-form videos are quick, engaging, and perfectly suited to the way we consume media today. Nearly half of UK social shoppers say they’ve bought something after seeing it featured by a creator.

What Does This Mean for Brands?

The message is clear: if you want to make a real impact, it’s time to invest in creator partnerships. As the digital world becomes more crowded and AI-generated content becomes more common, the human touch offered by creators will only become more valuable.

Brands that embrace this shift and work with creators who genuinely align with their values are set to reap the rewards, both now and in the future.

–  “When creators grab and hold attention in social feeds, it generates an extended emotional reaction that fosters deep connections with the brand, driving brand memory and making it easier and faster for audiences to recall brands when making purchasing decisions.” Ben Jeffries, CEO of Influencer.

In summary, creator content isn’t just a passing trend. It’s the new gold standard for building brands and driving sales in the digital age.

DIGITAL MARKETING: Get An Upgrade

Get An Upgrade Website SEO Offer

Ready to transform your digital presence? Introducing a state-of-the-art website offer that’s designed to elevate your brand, engage your audience, and drive results.

Six great reasons to refresh your website and digital presence today:

– Instantly boost your credibility and authority with a modern, professional design.

– Enhance user experience and keep visitors engaged with seamless navigation and updated features.

– Improve security and reduce the risk of hacks by upgrading to the latest technology.

– Stay ahead of competitors by integrating the newest tools and functionalities your audience expects.

– Save time and improve customer service with easier site management and automation.

– Expand your reach and connect with a global audience 24/7 – your website never sleeps.

Don’t let an outdated site hold your business back. Ready for a digital upgrade? Let’s chat and unlock your brand’s full potential!

A website is for life, not just for Christmas. Take a look at the projects page for more details about Steve Coulter Creative, the team and our work to update and fine tune your digital marketing.

DIGITAL MARKETING: AI Overviews – Vital Intel

AI Overviews* Are Redefining SEO: What Every Marketer Needs to Know in 2025

[*The summary you now see at the top of search results.]

AI-generated overviews are fundamentally changing the rules of SEO in 2025. Instead of relying on traditional blue links, search engines now deliver instant, AI-powered summaries at the top of results pages. This shift is having a profound impact on how businesses approach search visibility and content strategy.

AI overviews, which synthesise information from multiple sources, dominate informational queries and are responsible for a dramatic drop in click-through rates, sometimes by as much as 50%. Users increasingly find answers without ever visiting a website, making it harder for brands to drive organic traffic through classic ranking tactics.

To adapt, SEO professionals are focusing less on keyword stuffing and more on creating authoritative, well-structured content that AI models can easily digest and cite. Structured data, clear topical expertise, and unique insights are now essential for being featured in these AI summaries.

Competition is fiercer, as brands and companies must not only rank well but also be selected as a trusted source for AI-generated answers. As a result, SEO metrics are shifting: visibility within AI overviews and brand mentions are now as important as clicks and traffic.

In summary, AI overviews are forcing a strategic pivot in SEO to one that rewards quality, authority, and adaptability over traditional ranking alone.

I’m available to talk to or message on the subject of AI Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO). This is now the direction of travel for search and the reason I have been studying this for months and adapting website content strategies accordingly. You have a great opportunity to put your brand or business at the spearhead of trust and authority for your industry and gain those vital citations.

DIGITAL MARKETING: The Zero Click Threat

Generative Search AI: The Game-Changer SME Owners and Marketers Can’t Ignore

Google’s new Generative Search AI overviews are shaking up the search results page (SERP) in ways not seen since featured snippets first appeared. Instead of the familiar list of blue links, users increasingly see AI-generated summaries called AI Overviews, right at the top, directly answering their questions in a conversational, richly formatted manner.

Why does this matter for your business?

AI Overviews are rising fast: by March 2025, over 13% of all searches triggered them, up from just 6% in January. These overviews dominate informational queries, but even navigational searches are seeing more AI summaries. For SMEs, this means your customers may get what they need from the overview, sometimes without ever clicking through to your site (the so-called “zero-click” effect).

What’s changing for marketers and SMEs?

– Visibility is being redefined: AI Overviews often appear above traditional organic listings and even push ads further down, reducing click-through rates for both organic and paid results.

– Trust and authority matter more: Google’s AI draws on content it deems trustworthy and authoritative. Brands with strong reputations and high-quality, relevant content are more likely to be featured.

– Optimisation is evolving: Traditional SEO isn’t enough. Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) is emerging, focusing on how your brand is mentioned and cited within AI-generated answers, not just how you rank for keywords.

– Content needs to improve: Informational, expert-led and up-to-date content is most likely to be surfaced by AI. This raises the bar for what gets seen and trusted.

What should SMEs do now?

– Audit your content for authority and clarity.

– Build brand mentions and citations across trusted sources.

– Adapt ad strategies to offer unique value that AI summaries can’t replicate.

– Stay agile – this landscape is evolving monthly.

The bottom line: Generative Search AI is rewriting the rules of digital visibility. For SMEs and marketers who adapt quickly, there’s now a real opportunity to stand out as trusted voices in your field.

Contact me today to get ahead of your competition and be the trusted source of information in your industry.

More about Generative Engine Optimisation

DIGITAL MARKETING: AI Search Is Here Don’t Get Left Behind

Is your content strategy ready for the generative AI revolution?

Fed up with throwing money at content that’s getting lost in the search abyss? You’re not alone. The rules of the game have changed, and yesterday’s SEO tactics simply won’t cut it anymore.Introducing my Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) service, because ranking well with AI search engines requires a completely different approach.

While your competitors are still obsessing over keywords, I’m helping forward-thinking brands like yours create content that actually performs in the age of AI search.

What makes our GEO approach different?

* I don’t just guess what works – I’ve reversed engineered how the major generative engines actually process and prioritise content
* I craft nuanced, context-rich content that generative engines love to reference
* You’ll get content that serves both human readers AND satisfies the complex needs of AI systems.

The future of search is already here. Don’t get left behind call or message today.

Steve Coulter has a 35+ year sales and marketing career both pre & post Internet. A serial innovator and early adopter of technology and new media. In a world of recombinant business ideas and disruption, increasingly involved in digital transformation and the cutting edge of search. I enjoy partnering with companies who scan the horizon and wish to stay ahead of the competition. 

DIGITAL MARKETING: The Generative Engine Optimisation Virtuous Circle

The Virtuous Circle of GEO Content: Aligning with Google’s EEAT and YMYL Standards

Introduction

The digital landscape has evolved dramatically in recent years, with search engines and generative AI tools becoming increasingly sophisticated in how they interpret and prioritise content. While Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) remains vital, forward-thinking organisations are now embracing Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) creating content that performs well not just in traditional search, but also as a foundation for AI-generated responses. When properly executed, this creates a virtuous circle that simultaneously satisfies the vital Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness and Trustworthiness (EEAT) and Your Money or Your Life (YMYL) which are Google’s requirements to rank.

Understanding GEO and Its Relationship with EEAT / YMYL

Generative Engine Optimisation refers to the practice of structuring content in ways that make it ideal for AI systems to comprehend, extract information from, and reference. Unlike traditional SEO, which focuses primarily on keyword placement and technical optimisation, GEO prioritises clear information architecture, factual accuracy, comprehensive coverage, and proper attribution – qualities that perfectly align with Google’s EEAT standards.

The Virtuous Circle in Action

When businesses create content that excels in both SEO and GEO, a positive feedback loop emerges:

  1. Content Creation with EEAT at the Core: Producing content that demonstrates genuine expertise and provides valuable experiences for users.
  2. Enhanced Discovery: This high-quality content ranks well in traditional search results while also being favoured by generative engines for their responses.
  3. Amplified Reach: When generative engines cite your content, it drives additional visibility and traffic.
  4. Trust Building: Citations by trusted AI systems implicitly endorse your content’s reliability, enhancing your domain authority.
  5. Improved Rankings: The additional signals of quality and authority lead to better search rankings.
  6. More Data for Refinement: Increased visibility provides more user interaction data to further refine content.

Key Principles for GEO-Optimised Content

1. Structured Information

Content should be logically organised with clear headings, concise paragraphs, and well-defined sections. This structure makes it easier for both human readers and AI systems to extract and understand key information.

2. Factual Precision

Generative engines prioritise content that provides accurate, verifiable information. Citing credible sources, including relevant statistics, and maintaining factual rigour not only improves GEO performance but directly supports the Expertise and Trustworthiness components of EEAT.

3. Comprehensive Coverage

Content that thoroughly addresses a topic from multiple angles provides AI systems with a robust information base. This completeness signals expertise to both search algorithms and generative engines.

4. Clear Attribution

Properly attributing information, quotes, and research findings enhances trustworthiness. Generative engines are increasingly designed to value and reference content that itself follows good citation practices.

5. Regular Updates

Maintaining content currency demonstrates ongoing expertise and commitment to accuracy. Both search algorithms and generative engines favour recently updated content when recommending authoritative sources.

Balancing Human and Machine Audiences

The most successful GEO strategy recognises that content must serve dual masters providing genuine value to human readers while being optimally structured for machine interpretation. This balance is achieved by:

  • Writing in natural language that flows logically
  • Avoiding unnecessary jargon while maintaining industry-appropriate terminology
  • Including rich contextual information that enhances human understanding
  • Implementing structured data markup to aid machine comprehension
  • Focusing on answering genuine questions rather than simply targeting keywords

Measuring GEO Success

Traditional SEO metrics remain relevant, but GEO success requires additional measurement considerations:

  • Citation Tracking: Monitoring when generative engines reference your content in their outputs
  • Featured Snippets: Assessing selection for these prominent search features (which often feed into generative responses)
  • User Engagement: Analysing how users interact with content after finding it through AI-assisted search
  • Authority Growth: Tracking improvements in domain authority and topical authority metrics

Conclusion

As AI systems become more deeply integrated into how people discover and consume information, optimising for generative engines represents not just a tactical advantage but a strategic necessity. The virtuous circle created by GEO-optimised content that aligns with Google’s EEAT standards delivers sustained benefits; higher visibility, increased authority, and greater trust among both human users and the AI systems that increasingly mediate their online experiences.

By focusing on creating genuinely valuable content that serves real user needs whilst maintaining technical excellence, businesses can position themselves advantageously in both traditional search results and generative AI responses. This comprehensive approach to content strategy represents the future of digital visibility, one where quality, authority and trustworthiness are rewarded across all discovery channels.

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Steve Coulter has a 35+ year sales and marketing career both pre & post Internet. A serial innovator and early adopter of technology and new media. In a world of recombinant business ideas and disruption, increasingly involved in digital transformation and the cutting edge of search. I enjoy partnering with companies who scan the horizon and wish to stay ahead of the competition. 

DIGITAL MARKETING: Can I Integrate GEO Into SEO?

Is your current Digital Marketing provider integrating Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) aka AI Conversational Search into your SEO page coding? If not, you are already missing out on customers who prefer to use AI tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity to search queries and click through the citations highlighted. i.e. Your content.

Please contact me if you would like to remedy this and make your website pages and weblog posts state of the art for AI search.

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How to Integrate Generative Engine Optimisation Into Your Existing SEO Strategy

As artificial intelligence transforms the way people search, Generative Engine Optimisation is rapidly becoming a vital extension to traditional SEO. Rather than replacing your current strategy, GEO enhances it-ensuring your content is visible not only in classic search results but also within AI-generated answers and summaries on platforms like Google’s AI Overviews, ChatGPT, and Perplexity.

Why GEO Matters Now

AI-driven search engines are reshaping user behaviour. Instead of scrolling through lists of links, users increasingly receive direct, conversational answers. If your content isn’t optimised for these new engines, you risk losing visibility-even if your SEO is strong. Integrating GEO now will help future-proof your digital presence.

Practical Steps to Blend GEO With SEO

1. Expand Keyword Research for Conversational Queries
Continue using classic SEO metrics, but place greater emphasis on long-tail, conversational phrases and related questions. Focus on semantic fields and natural language that reflect how people actually ask questions in AI tools.

2. Structure Content for AI Summarisation
Organise your content with clear headings, bullet points, and concise summaries. This makes it easier for AI to extract and present your information in response to user queries. Use schema markup and structured data to clarify context for both search engines and AI models.

3. Demonstrate E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness)
Create unique, high-quality content that showcases your expertise. Include data, statistics, expert quotes, and references to build authority-key factors for both SEO and GEO performance.

4. Strengthen Authority and Brand Mentions
Encourage user-generated content, reviews, and discussions about your brand on forums, Wikipedia, and social platforms. AI engines often reference widely discussed and cited sources1.

5. Maintain Technical Excellence
Ensure your website is fast, mobile-friendly, and secure. A strong technical foundation supports both traditional SEO and the requirements of AI crawlers. Pay attention to page structure, metadata, and user experience.

6. Monitor and Adapt With Data
Track both classic SEO KPIs and new metrics such as AI-driven referral traffic and citation patterns in generative search results. Continuously refine your strategy based on how your content appears in AI-generated responses.

GEO and SEO: A Unified Approach

GEO is not a replacement for SEO, but a powerful extension. By optimising for both, your content will reach a wider audience-whether they’re searching the old-fashioned way or relying on generative AI for answers. Start by experimenting with conversational content, structured data, and regular performance monitoring. As AI-driven search continues to evolve, those who adapt early will lead the way.

Ready to future-proof your digital strategy but too busy? Contact me today to begin integrating GEO into your SEO and ensure your brand remains visible and relevant in the new age of AI-powered search.

The Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) tipping point?

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Steve Coulter has a 35+ year sales and marketing career both pre & post Internet. A serial innovator and early adopter of technology and new media. In a world of recombinant business ideas and disruption, increasingly involved in digital transformation and the cutting edge of search. I enjoy partnering with companies who scan the horizon and wish to stay ahead of the competition. 

 

DIGITAL MARKETING: The Generative Engine Optimisation Tipping Point?

Generative Engine Optimisation: Why It’s Overtaking SEO in Google Search and Why You Must Act Now

Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) is fast becoming more important than traditional SEO, especially when it comes to visibility in Google Search Results and across the latest AI-powered platforms.

GEO vs SEO: What’s Changing?

While SEO has always been about climbing the rankings in search results and attracting clicks, GEO is about ensuring your content is referenced, cited, or summarised directly within AI-generated answers. This shift is significant. Instead of users scrolling through a list of blue links, they’re increasingly receiving instant, conversational answers from AI tools such as Google’s AI Overviews, ChatGPT, and Perplexity.

Industry analysts are already predicting a sharp decline in traditional search. By 2026, organic search traffic could fall by more than half as users turn to AI-powered search for immediate answers. The numbers speak for themselves: the majority of consumers now trust generative AI results, and adoption of AI-enhanced search is rising rapidly. Have we reached the tipping point where innovators and early adopters are replaced by a majority?

Why Taking Action Now Is Critical

  • User behaviour is evolving: People are moving away from sifting through search results and are instead asking AI tools for clear, direct answers. Google’s AI Overviews are already replacing featured snippets, and platforms like Perplexity and ChatGPT are seeing a surge in use, particularly among younger audiences.

  • Visibility is on the line: If your content isn’t optimised for GEO, you risk being left out of these new AI-driven answer boxes, even if your SEO is strong. AI engines favour content that is authoritative, conversationally written, well-structured, and easy to extract for their responses.

  • Influence over clicks: With GEO, your brand can be referenced in AI-generated answers, keeping you front-of-mind even if users don’t immediately visit your website. This is the new battleground for digital influence.

What You Should Do

  • Update your content: Make sure your information is clearly structured, answers questions in a conversational manner, and demonstrates genuine expertise and trustworthiness.

  • Optimise for AI platforms: Don’t focus solely on Google. Ensure your content is accessible and easily referenced by all major AI engines.

  • Move quickly: Early movers are already gaining a significant advantage. Delaying could mean losing both visibility and influence as AI-driven search becomes the norm.

GEO isn’t just the next step after SEO – it’s the new standard for digital presence. Those who adapt now will secure their place in the AI-powered future of search. I can guide you through this transformative phase.

Can I integrate GEO into SEO?

Steve Coulter has a 35+ year sales and marketing career both pre & post Internet. A serial innovator and early adopter of technology and new media. In a world of recombinant business ideas and disruption, increasingly involved in digital transformation and the cutting edge of search. I enjoy partnering with companies who scan the horizon and wish to stay ahead of the competition. Please contact me to discuss your digital marketing strategy.