What Trustworthy Looks Like to a Machine, According to Google
Google shipped version 0.2 of the Open Knowledge Format (OKF) last week, and on the surface it has nothing to do with search. It is a spec for data teams: a way to store the context AI agents need (table schemas, metric definitions, runbooks) as plain markdown with a bit of structured metadata on top, […]
OpenAI’s New Ads Manager Rundown
OpenAI is now an advertising business. That would have sounded odd a year ago, when Sam Altman was openly skeptical about putting ads in ChatGPT. But the company is reportedly chasing $2.5 billion in ad revenue this year and far more by 2030, and in May it made its biggest move yet: a self-serve Ads […]
WordPress Security Alert: 2 Plugin Vulnerabilities
If you run a WordPress website, plugin updates might feel like routine maintenance. But occasionally, an update signals something more important — a security vulnerability that needs immediate attention. Recently, security researchers identified two serious vulnerabilities in widely used WordPress plugins, potentially affecting hundreds of thousands of websites. The plugins involved are: Both issues highlight […]
ChatGPT 5.2 vs Gemini 3 Flash
Artificial intelligence is no longer a supporting tool in marketing. It is becoming the operating system behind strategy, content, search, analytics, and creative execution. With OpenAI’s ChatGPT 5.2 and Google’s Gemini 3 Flash now live, marketers are faced with a practical question, not a theoretical one: which model is better for which type of work? […]
December 2025 Google Core Update
Google closed out the year with the release of its December 2025 Core Update, officially rolling out on December 11. As the third core update of the year, this release reinforces a clear message Google has been steadily repeating throughout 2025. Search visibility is no longer about chasing tactical shortcuts. It is about long term […]
Beyond the Hype: Why AI Max Demands More Human Oversight, Not Less
Every time Google or Meta launches a “next generation” ad product, such as, Responsive Ads, Dynamic Search Ads, Advantage+, Performance Max, the core promise is always the same: efficiency, scale, and “set-it-and-forget-it” gains. AI Max is just the latest frontier in that narrative. But through our work, we’ve discovered what many early adopters are beginning […]
Mid-Year 2025: Driving Vision and Growth at Sandstorm Digital
As we cross the midpoint of 2025, I’m proud to reflect on the bold strides Sandstorm Digital has made in just six months. Our vision of being the strategic growth partner for businesses is more alive than ever – fueled by cutting-edge innovation, a slate of new industry-leading clients, and accolades that reaffirm our commitment […]
How to Track and Analyze AI Traffic to Your Website
AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google Gemini aren’t just reshaping how we access information—they’re also emerging as unexpected drivers of web traffic. If your brand or content gets mentioned in AI-generated responses, that visibility can translate into engaged visitors on your site. While AI-generated traffic is still a small slice of the total referral […]
Understanding Google’s New AI-Powered Search Experiences
At Google I/O 2025, the company unveiled major updates to its core search experience, marking a transformative shift in how users interact with search results. The standout announcement was the expansion of AI Overviews and the introduction of a dedicated AI Mode within Google Search. These innovations reflect Google’s push to stay competitive in the […]
GEO + SEO: The Next Frontier of Search Strategy for 2025
In my role as a strategy lead in SEO, one thing has become crystal clear: traditional SEO alone is no longer enough. The rise of AI-driven search means we must expand our playbook. Enter Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) – the practice of optimizing your brand and content for AI-powered answer engines (think ChatGPT, Google’s AI […]
