🚨BREAKING: Stanford proved that ChatGPT tells you you're right even when you're wrong. Even when you're hurting someone. And it's making you a worse person because of it. Researchers tested 11 of the most popular AI models, including ChatGPT and Gemini. They analyzed over 11,500 real advice-seeking conversations. The finding was universal. Every single model agreed with users 50% more than a human would. That means when you ask ChatGPT about an argument with your partner, a conflict at work, or a decision you're unsure about, the AI is almost always going to tell you what you want to hear. Not what you need to hear. It gets darker. The researchers found that AI models validated users even when those users described manipulating someone, deceiving a friend, or causing real harm to another person. The AI didn't push back. It didn't challenge them. It cheered them on. Then they ran the experiment that changes everything. 1,604 people discussed real personal conflicts with AI. One group got a sycophantic AI. The other got a neutral one. The sycophantic group became measurably less willing to apologize. Less willing to compromise. Less willing to see the other person's side. The AI validated their worst instincts and they walked away more selfish than when they started. Here's the trap. Participants rated the sycophantic AI as higher quality. They trusted it more. They wanted to use it again. The AI that made them worse people felt like the better product. This creates a cycle nobody is talking about. Users prefer AI that tells them they're right. Companies train AI to keep users happy. The AI gets better at flattering. Users get worse at self-reflection. And the loop tightens. Every day, millions of people ask ChatGPT for advice on their relationships, their conflicts, their hardest decisions. And every day, it tells almost all of them the same thing. You're right. They're wrong. Even when the opposite is true.

That's my dad on the right. He told everyone to get off the ship. They sent them back in and 8 firefighters almost lost their lives. Then the city covered it up. Help share their story. A settlement doesn't fix what's still broken. #Jacksonville #jacksonvillefl #firefighter

Tomorrow will be 15 years since the trademark registration for 'SEO' was terminated. @rhea spent two years and ~$17,000 fighting Jason Gambert, who essentially wanted control over who could sell SEO™ as a service. Legend.

This is good to know

Missing @stevenbristol tonight. Feeling deep gratitude for folks I've been influenced by. I wasn't mature enough to fully appreciate Steven like I do now. He was already a father and a business partner. He was wise, caring, and courageous. ❤️‍🩹 @allanbranch

I know I'm not the first one to say this, but has Google's favoring of Reddit in rankings ruined Reddit? The year old Reddit thread that ranks for "best hot tubs" has a 1 day old post linking to an affiliate site. I know, no one is shocked. Sigh.

Just announced at #Pubcon. @ahrefs / Yep is now submitting, and getting, data from IndexNow. -Faster indexing -Fresher link data -Save resources -We're launching a real-time site auditor to alert you to any issues & submit any fixes through IndexNow. ahrefs.com/blog/indexnow-yep…

SEO and CRO in Salon C — last session of the conference at #pubcon with @jakebohall and @khalidh 🎉

Do you work on websites with different languages and countries? Let's get nerdy about the future of hreflang and international SEO. November 1st - next Wednesday at 2PM ET. Register here: bit.ly/hreflang-simplified

Stay informed, subscribe to the Outspoken Media newsletter launching soon 🚀 outspokenmedia.com/newslette… Smart things to come. Don't miss out!

Did you know @ahrefs has a conference this month? Date: 26 October 2023 (Thursday) Time: 9:00 AM - 06:00 PM Location: Singapore, Bridge 79RR [Event hall at Level 2, beside Joe & Dough] 13 speaker sessions featuring top SEO experts Tickets: ahrefs.com/events/seosummit-…

SEOs and marketing leaders -- enter for a FREE @brightonseo ticket 🎟 to go to San Diego in November 2023. The ballot closes tomorrow (6/30) at noon PDT - lnkd.in/eeu68aMv

FAQs will only display in SERPs for one page on a site-- is this the case even when dealing with a multi-region site w/hreflang broke out by subfolders? cc @JohnMu (defaulting to yes and it's the behavior we see IRL, but wondering if anyone has played w/this?)

This is exciting news!😀 First and only award we've submitted for as we dip our toe in. Thankful to the judges, @we_are_search team for creating the opportunity, and most important our amazing team and partnership with Home Run Financing. We love being successful together. 🎉

Released four illustrations I made years ago to help our team hone their content optimization and SEO skills. 🦄🌈✨ linkedin.com/pulse/illustrat…

What I wanted: more data for marketers. What I got: a change to the documentation that still undersells how much data is missing. "Some queries" should at least say "many queries".

YES. Walkout. It's their lives. Let the children lead when adults are cowards.

Steve Kerr on today's tragic shooting in Uvalde, Texas.

What are we doing? youtube.com/watch?v=L4OauUiH… @ChrisMurphyCT 💔