Business Roundup Week Ending May 31

HubSpot Acquisition: Google’s $30B Cloud Apps Bet

• Google’s parent company Alphabet is exploring an acquisition of HubSpot.
• The deal would be Google’s largest ever acquisition, boosting their ability to compete against Microsoft in cloud apps.
• The deal could face antitrust scrutiny given recent regulatory concerns over tech acquisitions.
• Google views advertising tied to AI as a key opportunity for HubSpot acquisition.
• Are you using Hubspot in your agency? How could this move affect your work?
• Read the details in this Reuters article.

Apple Embraces AI Assistants, Striking Deals with OpenAI and Eyeing Google Gemini

• Apple has signed a deal with OpenAI to bring ChatGPT to iOS 18, which should be released in September.
• While not officially confirmed by Apple, the announcement is expected at Apple’s WWDC 2024 event on June 10th.
• Sources claim Apple is also in talks with Google to potentially offer Gemini AI as an option in the upcoming iOS release.
• Apple aims to integrate other AI assistants as Siri has become outdated and is consistently outperformed.
• The spike in ChatGPT iOS downloads after GPT-4 launch proves that users want this as an option.
• Meanwhile, Microsoft is apparently willing to pay billions for a similar iPhone search deal.
• Get the details we know so far over on Windows Central.

Google Leak Sparks Controversy Over Ranking Factors

• Leaked Google documents suggest user engagement metrics directly influence rankings, contradicting statements they have made in the past.
• The documents mention metrics like click through rate affecting search ranking, which Google has specifically said do not affect rank.
• Google has confirmed that the documents are authentic but explains that the data should be interpreted with care.
• SEOs are debating the implications of the leak – some see a smoking gun, others urge caution until we know more.
• If you offer SEO services, this is certainly a topic to watch.
• Read SearchEngineJournal’s take on the Google Search leak.

Worth a Look

• WordPress Studio, the free local dev environment from WordPress.com, is now available for Windows. Give it a try!
• Automattic has won a landmark battle for free speech in the Turkish courts.
• Doctors and scientists developed a bilingual AI chip and implanted it into a 20-year-old’s brain following a stroke. It translates his brainwaves into speech – in both Spanish and English. Read more about this incredible case.