Ep 79: Shopify influencers, Google’s Human Content Update: why now?, Google’s AI-first approach is flawed

Shopify creates an influencer marketplace; Google’s Helpful Content Update, why now?; Google’s AI-first approach is often wrong for business and society.

Ep 79: Shopify influencers, Google’s Human Content Update: why now?, Google’s AI-first approach is flawed
Photo by Laura Chouette / Unsplash

Part 1 Video start 0:13 - Shopify Creates an Influencer Marketplace

Part 2 Video start 8:20 - Google’s Human Content Update; Why now?

Part 3 Video start 15:27 - Google’s AI First Approach is clearly flawed

Reference Articles:

Shopify launches Collabs, a new way for creators to earn revenue on the platform

Google's HCU to Make Landfall

A Dad Took Photos of His Naked Toddler for the Doctor. Google Flagged Him as a Criminal

Summary Recap:

Shopify Creates an Influencer Marketplace -  Of all of the networks that have attempted to create a way for businesses to easily connect with influencers to help market their products, Shopify’s newest effort, Collabs, seems like the most logical fit and the easiest to use.

Google’s Human Content Update; Why now?  Google’s language in announcing the Human Content Update, that is rolling out this week and next, largely reflected the language that the marketplace has been using to laud Tik-Tok and to criticize Google’s search efforts. We look at a number of questions surrounding this rollout and what it says about Google’s needs and their practices.

Google’s AI First Approach is wrong - The recent case highlighted by the NY Times of a parent who sent photos of his child to their nurse being investigated by police AND having their lifelong Google accounts canceled point out the many problems of an AI first approach to societal issues. We see similar issues happening every day in the GBP forums around images, reviews and suspensions. We discuss ways that Google might be able to achieve scaled moderation AND live up to their obligations to society.

The Near Memo is a weekly conversation about Search, Social, and Commerce: What happened, why it matters, and the implications for local businesses and national brands.