Where did summer go?! In Mammoth it’s firewood-stacking and pellet-hauling season, and my condo complex is still trying to fix broken windows and balconies from the winter.
My brain is in back-to-school mode, and one thing that keeps coming up lately is AI. It feels like it’s everywhere, but I’m wondering if that’s because of my industry bubble or if you’re feeling it too.
The Squarespace editor now has an AI copywriting tool built in. WordPress doesn’t offer built-in AI tools currently but there are dozens of AI plugins available, more added daily it seems.
I’m a frequent ChatGPT user, and my web designer community recently had a call to share the ways we’re all using ChatGPT in our businesses. Many of the apps I use have started pushing their AI integrations, but most don’t feel helpful yet.
Are you using AI? Are you thinking about AI? Or are you just aware it’s out there and that’s it?
For my delights this month: getting my first PSL of the season, interviewing a couple pro running coaches for an Outside Magazine article, and squeezing in as many summer hikes as possible. What’s delighting you this month?!
Monthly Tip: Use a Chrome extension to check out your competitors’ SEO setup.
If you’re working on improving your website’s rankings in search and have a decent understanding of SEO, you might want to try using an SEO Chrome extension.
Many things that go into SEO can be seen without looking into a website’s code, but a Chrome extension like Mangools’ SEO Extension or AIOSEO’s Extension can make checking the slightly-deeper things easier and get you in the habit of reviewing how other websites are set up. If you use a platform like Squarespace, or don’t use an SEO plugin on your WordPress website, you can get a better sense of your own on-page SEO too.
Here’s a video overview of how to use these Chrome extensions.
Website & SEO Updates from Around the Web
Google Search testing new “mentioned in” search snippet
This seems like a helpful feature showing news/media mentions.
Google releases August 2023 broad core update
This is the second core update this year. What to do about it? Nothing – just know you may see your search rankings shift a bit.
12 environmental nonprofits with unique and engaging websites
I’m always on the hunt for website inspo and loved these nonprofit sites Margo found.
Equalize Digital Accessibility Checker Plugin adds new frontend highlighting feature funded by NASA
Such a cool story with the NASA connection! If you have a WordPress website, install Accessibility Checker to play around with this and learn more about your site’s accessibility.
What the Justice Department web accessibility guidance means
TL;DR: keep working on accessibility and aiming for WCAG 2.1 level AA compliance.
Website policies explained: the what, why, how, and how much
I love that Stefani included a “you need this if…” section in her blog post about website policies.
Cool tool: create a new Google Doc with docs.new
My colleague Christina recently shared this tip. If you’re a frequent Google Docs user, this URL is so helpful for workflow. Sheets.new is a thing too!
Podcast Rec: Ready or Not, Driverless Cars Are Here
What I loved about this podcast from The Daily was the way it talked about our tolerance for safety issues with technology, even though human-driven cars are plenty risky.
“We as human beings trust human skill and ingenuity, and we trust our own judgment to make the right decision when lives are at stake. Do we trust this technology, which in so many ways is not as adept as we are, that cannot reason like we can, does not have the common sense that you and I really depend on and depend on others to have?”
As things often do, it made me grateful to be a human.
