Hey there, big moves this week! 👋

Google’s latest algorithm update rewards original, high-value content while penalizing fluff. If SEO matters to your growth, take note. Meanwhile, Klarna is diving into crypto, raising questions about its future in online payments.

For Shein and Temu sellers, tariffs are back—pushing costs up 30% and squeezing margins. AI chatbots are booming, but Google search traffic is holding steady—for now.

Let’s break it all down!

ECOMMERCE SEO

Google’s ‘Helpful Content’ Update: What You Need to Know

Google’s latest search guidelines emphasize effort, originality, and clear purpose in content, shaping how pages are ranked. The update reinforces Google’s EEAT principles—Expertise, Experience, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness—while adding more focus on user experience.

Key Takeaways:

Effort & Originality Matter: Pages should add value beyond repurposed content. Generic “best” lists or copied reviews may get a low rating.

Content Placement: Essential information should appear at the top. Example: A recipe page should start with the recipe, not a long personal story.

Accuracy & YMYL Pages: For finance, health, and safety topics, Google expects fact-checking with trusted sources.

Avoid Filler & Misleading Titles: Google penalizes pages that bury useful content under unnecessary text or sensational headlines.

Intrusive Ads Hurt Rankings: Ads aren’t inherently bad, but if they block key content, they signal low quality to Google.

What does this mean for you?

To stay competitive in search rankings, ensure your content:

✅ Has a clear goal and purpose
✅ Presents key info upfront
✅ Adds unique value to users
✅ Avoids disruptive ads or unnecessary pop-ups

Is your site optimized for Google’s latest standards? Now’s the time to review your content strategy!

SPONSORED BY OMNISEND

THE MOST BORING MARKETING TACTIC.

Let’s be real. Email marketing is not the “sexiest” member of the marketing family. And that’s okay. As a business owner, you have enough “exciting” stuff happening. Who wants more excitement when you can have stable and effective instead? Let us be boring, in the best way possible.  

No guessing whether that marketing campaign will pay off. Brands using Omnisend on average make $73 for every $1 spent.* 

No need to learn anything new here. A platform so boringly intuitive, it’s like you designed it yourself. 

No venturing into the great unknown. Our support team is available 24/7 to make sure you don’t have any unwanted adventures.

Same same, but for less. Get everything you expect from other platforms, except for those rollercoaster prices that make your heart race.

Check out Omnisend and take a nap!

ECOMMERCE SOCIAL MEDIA

72% of Zillennials Trust Recommendations More Than Ads

Social media is shaping how zillennials shop, with 72% relying on recommendations from friends, family, and influencers over traditional advertising. This generation—born 1991 to 1999—is redefining how brands engage consumers.

Social Media’s Role in Zillennial Shopping

90% of zillennials check social media multiple times daily.

40% are “highly impressionable shoppers”, influenced by social media in more than half of their purchases.

YouTube (81%), Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are the top platforms for this group.

Ads vs. Trust: The Shift in Consumer Behavior

72% trust recommendations from friends and family over paid ads.

80% of highly impressionable zillennials say reviews play a key role in buying decisions.

66% have purchased based on influencer recommendations—jumping to 81% among highly impressionable shoppers.

Key Takeaways for Brands

🔹 Prioritize authentic engagement over traditional ads.
🔹 Leverage influencers & user reviews to build trust.
🔹 Optimize marketing for social platforms where zillennials are active.

To win over zillennials, brands must focus on credibility, word-of-mouth, and social proof—not just ads.

ECOMMERCE PAYMENTS

Klarna CEO: “We Will Embrace Crypto”

Klarna is joining the crypto movement, with CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski announcing plans to integrate digital assets into the global payments network.

Klarna’s Crypto Pivot

Siemiatkowski posted on X: “I give up. Klarna and me will embrace crypto.”

He invited crypto fans to suggest ideas on how Klarna should integrate digital assets.

Klarna processes $100B in volume, serves 85M users, and partners with 500,000 merchants globally.

Klarna’s IPO and Market Moves

Klarna is reportedly preparing for an April IPO with a $15B valuation, up from $6.7B in 2022.

Recent partnerships include Stripe, WooCommerce, and eBay, expanding Klarna’s BNPL options worldwide.

Klarna’s Apple Pay integration in Canada further strengthens its payment ecosystem.

What’s Next?

🔹 Klarna’s crypto strategy remains open-ended, with Siemiatkowski seeking input.
🔹 The fintech giant’s BNPL, debit, and crypto adoption could reshape digital payments.
🔹 Klarna’s IPO could boost its market influence, making its crypto plans even more impactful.

As Klarna enters the crypto space, its impact on fintech and eCommerce will be one to watch.

ECOMMERCE SEO

Google Search Traffic Holds Steady Despite AI Chatbot Surge

Google search traffic remains largely unaffected by the rise of AI-powered chatbots like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Claude, according to a Bank of America Global Research report.

In January, Google’s daily global visits rose 1% month-over-month (MoM) to 2.7 billion and were down just 1% year-over-year (YoY). Meanwhile, ChatGPT visits soared 148% YoY to 128 million, fueled by OpenAI’s expanded search capabilities.

Despite this growth in AI chatbot usage, analysts say these tools are not significantly impacting Google’s search dominance. Instead, they may be capturing new AI-driven user activity rather than replacing traditional search queries.

To counter AI competition, Google introduced AI Overviews, which summarize search results. However, analysts found no evidence that AI Overviews increased search traffic.

In the U.S., Google’s daily visits reached 542 million, reflecting a 2% MoM rise but no YoY growth. Meanwhile, AI chatbots gained ground:

ChatGPT visits climbed 96% YoY to 18 million.

Perplexity surged 429% YoY to 800,000 visits.

Claude jumped 331% YoY to 600,000 visits.

Google’s search market share remains dominant at 89.8%, though it fell 1.69% YoY. Bing holds 3.9% of global search traffic, showing modest YoY growth.

Looking ahead, Google faces challenges from AI-driven ad models, potential shifts in search budgets, and ongoing antitrust battles in the U.S. and Europe. Last year, Google lost a high-profile antitrust lawsuit and is now appealing the ruling, while also reconsidering its exclusive deals with Apple and other partners.

As AI-powered search tools evolve, Google’s ability to retain market share will be put to the test.

ECOMMERCE TRENDS

Trump Tariffs Hit Shein and Temu Retailers with 30% Cost Increase

Chinese sellers on Shein and Temu are now paying 30% more on exports due to tariffs imposed under former President Trump, Bloomberg reports.

Merchants were informed that logistics agents will collect a 30% deposit on the retail value of goods, adjusting payments based on final U.S. customs charges. This sudden change has raised concerns about major shipping delays as businesses navigate the new tax landscape.

In addition to the 10% tariff increase on Chinese goods, Trump also revoked the “de minimis” rule, which previously allowed duty-free imports under $800—a category covering most Shein and Temu shipments.

With costs rising and logistics uncertain, many sellers fear losing customers. Wang Lun, a sales manager for a Chinese cross-border retailer, told Bloomberg he feels forced to pay the increased fees, even at a loss.

As U.S.-China trade tensions persist, businesses are shifting from a “just-in-time” to a “just-in-case” supply chain model, prioritizing supplier diversification to mitigate geopolitical risks.

Signing off,

The Merchant @CartHustle