Author Update

🎙️ Author Update – Episode: The End of Google (for Authors?)
Hosts: Jonathan Shuerger & Thomas Umstattd Jr.
🕒 Runtime: \~57 minutes
📚 Topics: AI Search, SEO, Voice Cloning, Book Marketing, Author Tools

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🔍 Episode Summary:
Is this the beginning of the end for Google? In this episode, Jonathan and Thomas explore how AI is disrupting traditional search and discovery—and what that means for authors. From SEO and Pinterest to AI audiobooks and “Not a Literary Agent,” this is your update on everything changing in the publishing world.

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🧭 What You'll Learn:

* Why Google is losing market share—and what’s taking its place
* How to optimize for AI-driven search (semantic SEO explained)
* Why Gen Z is using Pinterest instead of Google
* How to structure content for AI overviews
* What voice cloning means for audiobooks
* Tools for analyzing your publishing contracts
* How to stay discoverable as bots change the rules

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🛠️ Tools & Resources Mentioned:

* Yoast SEO: [https://yoast.com](https://yoast.com)
* Not a Literary Agent: [https://authormedia.com](https://authormedia.com)
* 11 Labs (voice cloning): [https://elevenlabs.io](https://elevenlabs.io)
* Opera’s Neon AI Browser: [https://www.opera.com/neon](https://www.opera.com/neon)
* Pinterest Marketing (for Gen Z outreach)
* ChatGPT, Grok, and AI-powered search tools

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🔥 Hot Takes:

* “Pinterest is now more useful than Instagram or TikTok for authors.”
* “First-person POV dominates because it’s easier—not better.”
* “AI-generated content is training new AI—welcome to the feedback loop.”
* “You can't have a cyborg baby with an AI girlfriend… yet.”

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🧠 Author Action Steps:

1. Add rich, structured content to your blog
2. Focus on being *the answer* for AI bots
3. Experiment with voice cloning for budget audiobooks
4. Explore Pinterest as a discovery tool
5. Stay current—these shifts are accelerating

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**🎁 Bonus for Patrons:**
Thomas hosts a monthly bonus Q\&A episode exclusively for patrons. Get your questions answered live!
👉 Support the show: https://authormedia.com
 

Author Update New Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Author-Update

Blog Version: https://www.authormedia.com/book-bans-copyright-trolls/

Here’s what you can expect from Author Update:

Publishing News: Stay in the loop on what’s happening in the industry.
Advice That Matters: Learn how to make your book irresistible to readers.
Live Q&A: Bring your questions and get answers from Thomas Umstattd and Jonathan Shuerger.

Links: 

 - Novel Marketing Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/novelmarketing
 - First Email Challenge: https://training.authormedia.com/courses/2751846
 - Patron Toolbox: https://www.authormedia.com/patron-toolbox/
 - AI Thomas:  https://www.authormedia.com/patron-toolbox/ai-thomas/
 - Jon’s Substack Link: https://jonathanshuerger.substack.com/p/for-authors-amazon-ad-words?r=2i152j

Affiliate Link: 
 M4 MacBook Air: https://amzn.to/3XAF8TN

# YouTube Chapters for Author Update

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:43 Amazon Ads Expansion to New Countries
02:25 Technology News: AI Updates in Publishing
03:58 Traditional Publishing Embracing AI
04:17 ChatGPT's New Image Generator
09:51 AI Ethics: Taking Jobs from Artists?
14:13 The Future of Creativity: Authenticity as Currency
17:16 Google's Gemini 2.5 AI Model
20:41 Overcoming Procrastination for Authors
25:04 The Future of the Internet: Smaller Communities?
32:04 IMLS Cuts to Libraries: Impact on Authors
39:22 Canadian Booksellers Fighting US Tariffs
51:04 Amazon Beta Testing Sponsored Ads on Retailer Websites
53:52 Q&A: Budget-Friendly Advertising for Authors
56:23 Using AI for Developmental Editing
58:22 Targeting Your Ideal Readers
1:00:36 Ethics of Using AI-Generated Content
1:06:40 Sponsor Message and Closing

Publishing news and advice from Novel Marketing host Thomas Umstattd Jr. and indie author Jonathan Shuerger. Join live to get *your* questions answered.

Links:
Novel Marketing Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/novelmarketing
How to Make Your Author Website Amazing: https://training.authormedia.com/p/amazing-author-websites
First Email Challenge: https://training.authormedia.com/p/send-your-first-email-challenge 
Patron Toolbox: https://www.authormedia.com/patron-toolbox/
AI Thomas:  https://www.authormedia.com/patron-toolbox/ai-thomas/

00:00 – Introduction & Welcome
01:53 – Breaking News: Meta’s AI Trained on a Pirate Database
06:08 – New AI Writing Tool: Sudowrite’s Muse
10:58 – Tech Spotlight: Apple’s New M4 MacBook Air & Laptop Guide Insights
14:55 – Announcing the Reader Magnet Brainstormer
18:36 – Marketing Insights: ChatGPT, SEO & AI in Publishing
35:02 – Culture Corner: Assassin’s Creed and Video Game Controversies
45:37 – Publishing Trends: Book Talk and Industry Shifts
51:22 – Listener Q&A and Final Thoughts