🐹 Hamsterdam Part 123: Weekly SEO & AI News Recap (11/8 to 11/14, 2025)
By Ethan Lazuk
Last updated:
A weekly look-back at SEO & AI news, tips, and other content shared on social media & beyond.
Opening notes, thoughts, and musings:
- Welcome to another new week of Hamsterdam! 🐹
- I appreciate you being here, and look forward to sharing the week’s news! 🙌
If you’re in a rush, hop down to the news portion. 📰
Or continue reading for two vocabulary lessons plus an introduction.
And we’re off …
🧑💻 Marketing word of the week: “Brand Personality”
Brand personality refers to the human characteristics or traits that are attributed to a brand. In other words, it’s how a brand acts, feels, and communicates and gives that brand a distinct emotional identity that helps people relate to it on a personal level.
Consumers don’t just choose brands for their functional benefits. They can also see part of themselves in the brand or aspire to what it represents. For example, Jeep drivers may see themselves as adventurous, while Apple users may see themselves as creative or forward-thinking.
There are multiple dimensions to brand personality, including sincerity, excitement, competence, sophistication, and ruggedness. Each brand typically embodies one dominant dimension but can show aspects of others, depending on the context or audience.
🤖 AI word of the week: “Bias (in models)”
In the context of AI and machine learning, bias in models refers to systematic errors that cause an algorithm to consistently favor certain outcomes or groups over others. Sources of bias can include the data, the model’s design, or human assumptions built into the system.
There are different types of bias in models. Data bias happens when the training data doesn’t represent the real world. Label bias occurs when the labels used in supervised learning reflect human prejudice or inconsistency. Algorithm bias is when the design of the algorithm amplifies or introduces new bias. Selection bias is when certain groups are overrepresented (or underrepresented) in training data. Lastly, confirmation bias is when developers unintentionally design or test models in ways that confirm their expectations.
Bias is different from variance. While bias is the error from overly simplistic assumptions, variance is the error from being too sensitive to small changes in data. It’s basically model underfitting (bias) vs. model overfitting (variance). A good model balances both, called a bias-variance tradeoff.
😊 Introduction to week 123: “Digital PR”
I recently worked on a project that required a PR initiative. It was interesting to see how press releases and news coverage contribute to the narrative about a brand in real time.
Whether it was top-stories carousels or AI Overviews, the trending news of the moment played a pivotal role in how consumers perceived the brand.
As AI search increases in prominence, off-site SEO becomes a greater focus, particularly brand mentions.
Consider what about your own brand(s) is newsworthy and try writing a press release about it. You might be surprised how quickly you can shape the conversation.
Thank you for supporting Hamsterdam and the cause of SEO & AI learning. 🙏
Enjoy the vibes:
Missed last week? Don’t worry, I got you! Read Part 122 to catch up.
🌟 Other great sources of weekly SEO news:
- The SEO Weekly – Garret Sussman, iPullRank
- SEOFOMO – Aleyda Solis
- Weekly Video Recaps – Barry Schwartz, SER
- Weekly SEO News YouTube channel – Olga Zarr, Seosly
- Niche Surfer – Yoyao Hsueh
Time for our weekly review of SEO social posts, articles, & more …
Now, let’s step inside the white flags of Hamsterdam …
⏩ Jump to a section:
- News, Google updates, & SERP tests
- SEO tips & tidbits
- Fundamentals & resources
- Articles, videos & case studies
- Local SEO
- Technical SEO
- Content marketing
- Local SEO
- Data analysis & reporting
- AI, LLMS, & machine learning
- Miscellaneous & general posts
- Older stuff that’s good!
Or keep scrolling to see it all. ⏬
📰 SEO news, Google updates, SERP tests & notable posts
Notable updates or news related to Google Search or related SEO topics.
🍟 SEO tips & tidbits
Actionable tips, cool tidbits, and other snackable findings and observations that can be teaching moments.
Essential information, concepts, or resources to learn about SEO or AI
Longer-form content pieces shared on social, in newsletters, and elsewhere.
🧑💻 Technical SEO
Everything from basics to advanced moves (and also tools).
✍️ Content marketing
From what is helpful content to user journeys and beyond.
📍 Local SEO
From Google Business Profiles to reviews and more!
📊 Data analysis & reporting
Showing that what you’re doing is helping.
🤖 AI, machine learning, & LLMs
News related to models, papers, and companies.
🤔 General marketing & miscellaneous
This is for great content that isn’t necessarily SEO or marketing-specific. PPC, PR, dev, design, and social friends, check it out!
💎 Older stuff that’s good!
Not everything I find worth sharing is new as of this week, so these are gems I came across published in the past.
Great job making it to the end. You rock! 🪨
Let’s connect!
Hit me up anytime via text or call at 813-557-9745 or on social or email:
Cheers! ✌️
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