Welcome to this week’s edition of the EasyWP Dispatch! In this installment, we delve into the latest digital landscape developments. From new, potentially concerning partnerships between Automattic and AI companies to essential book recommendations for web design enthusiasts. Plus, we explore the potential SEO impact of Google’s groundbreaking Gemini AI model. So, let’s uncover what’s been going on in the world of web design and development.

Tumblr & WordPress.com AI data dealings

Reports suggest that Tumblr and WordPress might be striking deals with AI companies like OpenAI and Midjourney. The parent company, Automattic, is allegedly in talks to provide user data for training AI models. However, concerns arise about the privacy implications, as internal documents hint at the inclusion of private data in the deal. 

According to Engadget, Automattic reassured users that only public content would be shared and that there was a way to opt out, emphasizing its commitment to user control and privacy protection on WordPress.com. However, deals such as this validate the importance of partnering with tech companies that prioritize privacy and an open Internet.

Must-read web design books

For many freelance web designers and developers, affordable self-education is critical for business. The team at Elementor recently curated a list of 15 must-read web design books, covering a wide range of topics from coding to UX design and project management. 

Their first recommendation is The Principles of Beautiful Web Design, which covers basic design principles like color, composition, and texture. Another top rec is Web Design Playground, which delves into HTML/CSS coding and responsive design. 

Check out their full list of essential reads and find something to take your web design skills to the next level.

Google’s Gemini AI and its SEO impact

Google’s latest AI model, Gemini, has been making headlines, and the potential to impact SEO standards is significant. With its advanced capabilities in multimodal understanding, Gemini could usher in significant changes in search behavior. Search Engine Journal has made several predictions about how this new model will affect SEO, user interaction metrics, and the importance of Core Web Vitals in website optimization. 

Gemini’s current capabilities include understanding text, video, voice, and images, making it a versatile tool for enhancing search experiences. Therefore, keywords could truly become a thing of the past, giving way to a focus on query context and how website content works together to respond to user needs. So what should site owners do now? Begin engaging with Gemini, and learning how this technology is already serving your data. 

That’s all for this edition of The EasyWP Dispatch! Don’t forget to join our Telegram channel for real-time updates on all things web design and development. Whether you’re improving webpage performance, enhancing data presentation, or upgrading your graphic design tools, read our weekly news roundups to keep you informed and inspired.