Barry Adams 📰
@polemicdigital.com
Specialised SEO & audience growth consultant for publishers. Co-founder of the News & Editorial SEO Summit.
Consulting: https://www.PolemicDigital.com
Newsletter: https://www.SEOforGooglenews.com
Podcast: https://youtube.com/@beersandseowithbarryandsteve
Consulting: https://www.PolemicDigital.com
Newsletter: https://www.SEOforGooglenews.com
Podcast: https://youtube.com/@beersandseowithbarryandsteve
Pinned
Barry Adams 📰
@polemicdigital.com
· Nov 22
No, we don’t need a new acronym. Or a new name. Or a new ‘paradigm’.
Whether search is done on a system built on classic information retrieval or on a large language model, it’s a search engine.
Search engine optimisation. SEO.
Don’t be all Hubspotty and try to create a new industry name.
Whether search is done on a system built on classic information retrieval or on a large language model, it’s a search engine.
Search engine optimisation. SEO.
Don’t be all Hubspotty and try to create a new industry name.
Out in Belfast city centre yesterday with some English friends. I thought Belfast was one of the friendliest cities, but was proven quite wrong last night.
Had a handful of moments where various young locals were quite rude to my friends, without any provocation.
What happened to Belfast?
Had a handful of moments where various young locals were quite rude to my friends, without any provocation.
What happened to Belfast?
January 18, 2026 at 2:18 PM
Out in Belfast city centre yesterday with some English friends. I thought Belfast was one of the friendliest cities, but was proven quite wrong last night.
Had a handful of moments where various young locals were quite rude to my friends, without any provocation.
What happened to Belfast?
Had a handful of moments where various young locals were quite rude to my friends, without any provocation.
What happened to Belfast?
North Coast sunset.
January 16, 2026 at 7:27 PM
North Coast sunset.
Reposted by Barry Adams 📰
Were you affected by Google's December core update? @polemicdigital.com gives his perspective on what happened...
Catch up with more conversation on the pod (link in comments).
#publishing #seo #journalism #google
Catch up with more conversation on the pod (link in comments).
#publishing #seo #journalism #google
January 15, 2026 at 10:22 AM
Were you affected by Google's December core update? @polemicdigital.com gives his perspective on what happened...
Catch up with more conversation on the pod (link in comments).
#publishing #seo #journalism #google
Catch up with more conversation on the pod (link in comments).
#publishing #seo #journalism #google
Reposted by Barry Adams 📰
The second instalment of 'Beers and SEO with Barry and Steve' is back! @polemicdigital.com and I discuss 'AI Survival Strategies for Publishers' - why publishers should double-down on SEO while also building audience on other platforms.
youtu.be/hX8TQDQHOqs?...
#publishing #seo #journalism #podcast
youtu.be/hX8TQDQHOqs?...
#publishing #seo #journalism #podcast
AI Survival Strategies for Publishers
YouTube video by Beers and SEO with Barry and Steve
youtu.be
January 13, 2026 at 2:35 PM
The second instalment of 'Beers and SEO with Barry and Steve' is back! @polemicdigital.com and I discuss 'AI Survival Strategies for Publishers' - why publishers should double-down on SEO while also building audience on other platforms.
youtu.be/hX8TQDQHOqs?...
#publishing #seo #journalism #podcast
youtu.be/hX8TQDQHOqs?...
#publishing #seo #journalism #podcast
Reposted by Barry Adams 📰
Another pod in the bag with @polemicdigital.com - coming out soon!
January 12, 2026 at 5:31 PM
Another pod in the bag with @polemicdigital.com - coming out soon!
Reposted by Barry Adams 📰
It does seem odd considering the traffic volumes from Google here! It's interesting to also think now how much effort YouTube will receive in 2026...
January 12, 2026 at 11:35 AM
It does seem odd considering the traffic volumes from Google here! It's interesting to also think now how much effort YouTube will receive in 2026...
“Most publishers who responded to the report now expect to put less effort into traditional Google search in 2026”
Yeah, because of course when something gets harder to do, you’re gonna put less effort in, that’s definitely going to make it better.
You’ll surely win a marathon by slowing down.
Yeah, because of course when something gets harder to do, you’re gonna put less effort in, that’s definitely going to make it better.
You’ll surely win a marathon by slowing down.
Global publisher Google traffic dropped by a third in 2025 according to new Chartbeat data
Since May 2023, Google search referrals were down 21% globally, with Google Discover down 18%
pressgazette.co.uk/media-audien...
Since May 2023, Google search referrals were down 21% globally, with Google Discover down 18%
pressgazette.co.uk/media-audien...
Global publisher Google traffic dropped by a third in 2025
Google search traffic was down globally by a third in the year to November, according to new Chartbeat data.
pressgazette.co.uk
January 12, 2026 at 10:07 AM
“Most publishers who responded to the report now expect to put less effort into traditional Google search in 2026”
Yeah, because of course when something gets harder to do, you’re gonna put less effort in, that’s definitely going to make it better.
You’ll surely win a marathon by slowing down.
Yeah, because of course when something gets harder to do, you’re gonna put less effort in, that’s definitely going to make it better.
You’ll surely win a marathon by slowing down.
Reposted by Barry Adams 📰
Times and Substack among few UK news publisher winners in December Google core update
See full Sistrix data of winners and losers here
pressgazette.co.uk/media-audien...
See full Sistrix data of winners and losers here
pressgazette.co.uk/media-audien...
Times and Substack among few UK winners in December Google update
The Times, Substack and Money Saving Expert were among the winners from a "rough" Google core update rolled out in December 2025.
pressgazette.co.uk
January 7, 2026 at 4:40 PM
Times and Substack among few UK news publisher winners in December Google core update
See full Sistrix data of winners and losers here
pressgazette.co.uk/media-audien...
See full Sistrix data of winners and losers here
pressgazette.co.uk/media-audien...
I’ve had a very productive morning.
January 3, 2026 at 12:16 PM
I’ve had a very productive morning.
The AI Doomers argument sounds to utterly ridiculous to me. “If someone builds AGI we’re all gonna die!”
Yeah, okay, right, and if someone builds a Death Star we’re all gonna die too.
And yes any realistic perspective on AI tells us we’re about as far from AGI as from building a Death Star.
Yeah, okay, right, and if someone builds a Death Star we’re all gonna die too.
And yes any realistic perspective on AI tells us we’re about as far from AGI as from building a Death Star.
December 29, 2025 at 9:03 PM
The AI Doomers argument sounds to utterly ridiculous to me. “If someone builds AGI we’re all gonna die!”
Yeah, okay, right, and if someone builds a Death Star we’re all gonna die too.
And yes any realistic perspective on AI tells us we’re about as far from AGI as from building a Death Star.
Yeah, okay, right, and if someone builds a Death Star we’re all gonna die too.
And yes any realistic perspective on AI tells us we’re about as far from AGI as from building a Death Star.
Reposted by Barry Adams 📰
Google is hosting a CBP app that uses facial recognition to identify immigrants, while simultaneously removing apps that report the location of ICE officials because Google sees ICE as a vulnerable group. “Big tech has made their choice.”
www.404media.co/google-has-c...
www.404media.co/google-has-c...
Google Has Chosen a Side in Trump's Mass Deportation Effort
Google is hosting a CBP app that uses facial recognition to identify immigrants, while simultaneously removing apps that report the location of ICE officials because Google sees ICE as a vulnerable…
www.404media.co
December 28, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Google is hosting a CBP app that uses facial recognition to identify immigrants, while simultaneously removing apps that report the location of ICE officials because Google sees ICE as a vulnerable group. “Big tech has made their choice.”
www.404media.co/google-has-c...
www.404media.co/google-has-c...
If you understand this reference, we can be friends.
saw a friend post about getting this for Christmas and I had to rush here to inform @catacalypto.bsky.social
December 26, 2025 at 6:22 PM
If you understand this reference, we can be friends.
Balcony view. This is going to be a lovely Christmas holiday.
December 24, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Balcony view. This is going to be a lovely Christmas holiday.
Reposted by Barry Adams 📰
I've spoken w/several news publishers that got hit hard w/the Dec core update and lost a ton of Discover visibility. I know it's hard to hear, but relying on Discover is super risky. Google has explained that, I've seen that many times when publishers contact me after core updates roll out, etc.
Google Search Traffic Drops 25 Points To News Publishers In Two Years
Google Search has been sending 25 percentage points less traffic to news publishers over the past two years, according to the folks over at Newzdash. In 2023, Google Web Search made up over 51% of tra...
www.seroundtable.com
December 23, 2025 at 5:23 PM
I've spoken w/several news publishers that got hit hard w/the Dec core update and lost a ton of Discover visibility. I know it's hard to hear, but relying on Discover is super risky. Google has explained that, I've seen that many times when publishers contact me after core updates roll out, etc.
December 21, 2025 at 9:27 PM
I’m having a gin & tonic the size of a baby’s head because it’s been a mental few weeks and I’m now officially clocked off for two weeks.
December 19, 2025 at 7:18 PM
I’m having a gin & tonic the size of a baby’s head because it’s been a mental few weeks and I’m now officially clocked off for two weeks.
Reposted by Barry Adams 📰
December 18, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Reposted by Barry Adams 📰
I discuss with @polemicdigital.com The POWER of case studies to WIN SEO strategy approval. Start small, demonstrate credibility, get buy-in for future projects.
#publishing #seo #geo #journalism
#publishing #seo #geo #journalism
December 18, 2025 at 11:06 AM
I discuss with @polemicdigital.com The POWER of case studies to WIN SEO strategy approval. Start small, demonstrate credibility, get buy-in for future projects.
#publishing #seo #geo #journalism
#publishing #seo #geo #journalism
I just learned that Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa passed away on December 5th. Such an icon, one of the formative villain actors of my childhood. Rest in peace.
December 18, 2025 at 10:58 AM
I just learned that Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa passed away on December 5th. Such an icon, one of the formative villain actors of my childhood. Rest in peace.
All social media is poison, but TikTok is a special kind of brain-rotting industrial-scale astroturfed poison.
NEW: A hacker gained control of 1,100 mobile phones powering covert, AI-generated ads on TikTok. Then, he shared details of the operation with 404 Media.
A look inside how startup Doublespeed, which is backed by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), is creating AI spam pages on TikTok to promote products.
A look inside how startup Doublespeed, which is backed by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), is creating AI spam pages on TikTok to promote products.
Hack Reveals the a16z-Backed Phone Farm Flooding TikTok With AI Influencers
A hacker gained control of a 1,100 mobile phone farm powering covert, AI-generated ads on TikTok.
www.404media.co
December 17, 2025 at 6:51 PM
All social media is poison, but TikTok is a special kind of brain-rotting industrial-scale astroturfed poison.
Reposted by Barry Adams 📰
NEW: A hacker gained control of 1,100 mobile phones powering covert, AI-generated ads on TikTok. Then, he shared details of the operation with 404 Media.
A look inside how startup Doublespeed, which is backed by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), is creating AI spam pages on TikTok to promote products.
A look inside how startup Doublespeed, which is backed by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), is creating AI spam pages on TikTok to promote products.
Hack Reveals the a16z-Backed Phone Farm Flooding TikTok With AI Influencers
A hacker gained control of a 1,100 mobile phone farm powering covert, AI-generated ads on TikTok.
www.404media.co
December 17, 2025 at 2:22 PM
NEW: A hacker gained control of 1,100 mobile phones powering covert, AI-generated ads on TikTok. Then, he shared details of the operation with 404 Media.
A look inside how startup Doublespeed, which is backed by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), is creating AI spam pages on TikTok to promote products.
A look inside how startup Doublespeed, which is backed by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), is creating AI spam pages on TikTok to promote products.
When @jono.id speaks, I (usually) listen. Here are the highlights from his 2025 newsletters for @sistrix.com:
www.sistrix.com/blog/what-jo...
www.sistrix.com/blog/what-jo...
12 op-eds from 2025
All the original content written by Jono Alderson for the SISTRIX newsletter in 2025.
www.sistrix.com
December 17, 2025 at 3:27 PM
When @jono.id speaks, I (usually) listen. Here are the highlights from his 2025 newsletters for @sistrix.com:
www.sistrix.com/blog/what-jo...
www.sistrix.com/blog/what-jo...
Removed by idiotic Reddit mods for being too infuriating. Mods are a special kind of stupid.
December 17, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Removed by idiotic Reddit mods for being too infuriating. Mods are a special kind of stupid.
Reposted by Barry Adams 📰