The Hidden Environmental Impact of AI

The Hidden Environmental Impact of AI

by | Content Creation

The Hidden Environmental Impact of AI

As we discover more opportunities in AI, we also face challenges. In this article, I share more insights about AI and its impact on the environment to help you stay informed in this ever-expanding AI world. I have followed this issue since AI became widely accessible to the public. 

When you think of using Artificial Intelligence, you would not think of the environment because it is technology-related. On the other hand, you have to think further and find out that you need computers to run AI queries and train large language models. These computers are massive and are in data centers. 

So why is this an issue for the environment? 

Image with robot mask surrounded by smoke symbolizing how training ai models increases greenhouse gas emissions.

Training AI Models Increases Greenhouse Gas Emissions

High use of electricity is made by big data centers that house large computers to run AI models.

Generative AI and queries in various AI search engines use a huge amount of electricity. In a Snopes article, it was laid out how AI impacts an increase in fossil fuel emissions and pollutants. Training AI models uses large data centers that house large computers. 

To give you a better idea of this environmental impact, Snopes mentioned two studies using ChatGPT that increase these emissions. The first one mentioned that writing a 100-250 word email in GPT produces about a quarter to half a pound of carbon emissions. The second one laid out that a single GPT query uses 10 times more electrical energy than a regular Google search. 

Graphic showing a workflow on how data centers are cooled, symbolizing how AI queries use large amounts of fresh water.

AI Queries Use Large Amounts of Fresh Water

Additionally, in using more electrical energy, generative AI and AI queries use huge amounts of fresh water to cool large computers that are housed in data centers. Now, imagine how that use is multiplied because there are a lot of these centers.

In a study on the water footprint of AI models, they explained how large amounts of clean fresh water can just evaporate. So you can better understand how much water is consumed by AI, the above-mentioned article in Snopes has explained that writing an up to 200-word email in GPT consumes about 3 liters of water, and generating 10-50 responses in GPT ‘drinks’ roughly a 500 ml water bottle. 

What is even further disturbing is that massive amounts of data centers are being built on the continent of Africa, where water scarcity already exists, and this poses critical challenges for the future of these regions.

Graphic of a robot holding an AI sign next to stop signs illustrating to stop using AI or reduce the use of AI.

Reduce the Use of AI or Stop Using AI Altogether?

After reflecting on this, one might question whether to continue using AI, reduce its usage, or completely stop using it. These are the thoughts that are running through my mind. I use ChatGPT minimally, around 2 hours a week for some of my writing projects. However, this still has a considerable impact, especially since many others are also using AI. When you multiply that by millions of users, the overall effect on our environment is already significant.

While I have my reservations, I recognize the significant advantages AI can bring to some industries, especially the healthcare sector. Using AI as a tool to help with research can be instrumental in finding more treatments for various diseases, where we don’t have any cures yet. 

Nevertheless, making AI available to the public presented tremendous challenges and a huge environmental impact. To reduce my impact, I will limit using AI each week; this continues to encourage independent thinking. Additionally, I will continue using regular search engines (ie, Bing, Google, etc.) for my research and minimize AI search engines.

As we navigate a world driven by AI technology that creates environmental and ethical challenges, it is important to stay informed and open-minded. I encourage you to share your insights, experiences, or concerns regarding AI usage in the comments section below.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss your online presence, click on the following link to schedule a meeting with me.

AI Overview Impacts Search Results and Website Traffic

AI Overview Impacts Search Results and Website Traffic

by | On Page SEO

AI Overview Impacts Search Results and Website Traffic

Has AI taken over your life yet? Whenever I open my email or any writing applications, there is now AI suggesting to help write, summarize, etc. Sometimes, this interruption gets on my nerves. I am determined to maintain my mental sharpness and stay engaged, refusing to fall into complacency or lethargy.

I want to share some insights regarding results from search engines with AI gaining more control and how it affects website owners and internet users. Below, I listed some issues to look out for and what I do to stay cautious. In addition, I will discuss how we implement adjustments to our SEO strategies at Online Presence Care to positively impact search engine rankings.

AI Overview ‘AIO’ Takes Over

For some search results, AI now summarizes answers at the very top, called AI Overview or AIO. A search engine gathers information from multiple online sources, and some websites can be less reputable. This means that the user has to take the answers with a ‘grain of salt.’ 

Whenever I conduct an online search, I make it a point to sift through the results until I locate a website that I trust for its credibility and reliability. I typically look for established sources, such as reputable news organizations, academic institutions, and science and government sites.

Image of a person using a laptop computer with an overlay of a graphic with data graphs showing how AI impacts search results.

Search Result Rankings Impacted by AIO

In many search results, AIO pushes relevant websites down because the context-rich answers, including a list of websites, take up a lot of space at the top. This impacts rankings for many website owners. I tend to glance at the list of sources in AIO, and if I don’t recognize the source, I scroll down to a website that I know. 

This shift in search visibility means that even well-optimized websites may struggle to attract clicks if they aren’t included in AIO’s sourced list. As a result, brand recognition and trust play a bigger role than ever. For website owners, this emphasizes the importance of not only ranking well but also building authority through consistent, high-quality content, strong branding, and collaboration with other content creators to increase the chances of being referenced in AIO.

AI Search Engines Impact Website Traffic

There is also an issue where some website owners have seen a decline in traffic due to people using AI search engines such as ChatGPT, Copilot, or Perplexity AI (to name a few). I have noticed, though, that ChatGPT now includes UTM tags in link sources that it includes in some answers. This means that some of that traffic can be tracked now.

While the integration of UTM tags marks a step forward in tracking, it also presents an opportunity for website owners to adapt. Analyzing the tagged traffic allows to gain insights into user behavior and evaluate the effectiveness of various content pieces. This data enables more informed decision-making regarding content creation, marketing efforts, and overall website optimization.

Mobile phone showing an online presence report with positive results on screen; it's important to keep up with AI and expanding SEO efforts.

Keep Up with AI and Expanding SEO Efforts

Knowing these challenges, our team constantly adjusts SEO optimizations. To keep up with high search result rankings, there are several factors. Website speed, adjustability to different mobile devices, and security are still relevant. Creating helpful, easy-to-understand content written by professionals in the field also holds great importance. Furthermore, the text needs a structure that makes reading easy and allows readers to find answers to questions and information quickly. Another factor is that keywords now need to also include more user-intent phrases. 

We are constantly expanding our efforts to keep up with AI. I’ll make sure to share updates on my blog as we progress. If you have any questions, send me a message through my contact form or schedule an online meeting with me.

I invite you to share your thoughts and experiences regarding AI usage here in the comments section below.

Encountering AI Copyright and AI Ethical Issues

Encountering AI Copyright and AI Ethical Issues

by | Content Creation

Encountering AI Copyright and AI Ethical Issues

With Artificial Intelligence (AI) becoming more ubiquitous, I am inclined to write about this topic more often. I will touch on various issues about why or why AI is not a good tool, how it affects search engines, and more. For this article, I have not used AI to write this, except Grammarly to check grammar. I want to limit AI so I can think independently and express my unique voice and style. 

In this piece, I focused on ethical and copyright issues and outlined a few sections that highlight issues when using AI tools and my opinions.

Image of blocks with the words AI writing showing how AI ethical issues arise with using it to write content.

Creative Writing with AI

Writing with AI using its tools as support to get ideas for topics or editing is a good way to enhance your creative writing. Furthermore, you don’t have to disclose to the reader that you used AI because AI was only used sparingly. If your content is mostly AI created, you have to disclose it to your reader; more about this in the next section. When I write, I sometimes use ChatGPT or Gemini to brainstorm ideas for topics or help me with making a phrase clearer. When I am in the editing phase, I use Grammarly to make sure grammar and punctuation are correct.

Ethical Use of AI Generated Images

When you use AI-generated images, remember you may be using someone’s art without permission. Due to unauthorized use, there have already been several cases filed to resolve copyright infringements.   

There are some exceptions when you use software that uses licensed images for training data (e.g., Adobe Firefly). When I use images, I use my Adobe Stock account and I filter out all AI-generated art so I get images created by actual artists.

Image of a computer screen with a cityscape created by AI instead of designed by a person.

Navigating AI Driven Content Creation

In some cases, there is AI-driven content creation where you can train AI models to create new work using your own words and style. However, you must disclose this to the reader since AI contributes significantly to that work. It is important to remember that using any AI models relies on Large Language Models (LLMs) that were developed by copying content from the internet without permission.

As the integration of AI continues to evolve, it becomes increasingly crucial to navigate the ethical and copyright challenges it presents. By leveraging AI as a supportive tool for brainstorming and editing while being mindful of its limitations and potential issues, we can enrich our creative processes without compromising our artistic integrity. Remember, vigilance is key when utilizing AI-generated content and images, and always strive to uphold transparency with your audience. Whenever searching online or using an AI search engine, remain vigilant about the results because AI hallucination (i.e., nonsensical or inaccurate information) is still a problem. Therefore, fact-check anything generated by an AI model.

If you have any questions, send me a message by submitting my contact form or schedule an online meeting with me.

I invite you to share your thoughts and experiences regarding AI usage here in the comments section below.

How to Handle Negative Online Reviews Like a Pro

How to Handle Negative Online Reviews Like a Pro

by | Local SEO

How to Handle Negative Online Reviews Like a Pro

Hey there, small business owners! In this blog post, we’re diving into a topic critical for your online success – how to handle negative online reviews. Let’s face it, they happen, but how you handle them can make all the difference.

Here at Online Presence Care, we offer local search marketing services, including online reviews and reputation management.

We understand the power of positive online presence, and that starts with knowing how to address negative online reviews constructively.

Responding to Negative Online Reviews: A Guide to Growth

Getting a negative review can be frustrating, but it’s an opportunity to turn a frown upside down (and potentially even win a loyal customer). Here are some key steps to remember:

  • Stay Calm and  Respond Professionally: Don’t react impulsively! Take a deep breath and draft your response when emotions are settled. Having someone else review your reply before posting is also a good idea.

  • Acknowledge and Empathize: Start by thanking the reviewer for their feedback. Show empathy with phrases like “I am sorry to hear…” or “I understand your frustration…”

  • Take Ownership (For What’s Yours): Only apologize if there has been a genuine mistake on your part. Take responsibility for any error your company has made.

  • Propose a Solution: Offer solutions to rectify the situation. Is it a refund, a discount, or a personalized service? Offer a tangible way to address their concerns.

  • Respond Publicly and Privately: Acknowledge the online review publicly, but then discuss the issue further through a private message or e-mail.
Remember the power of positivity responding to happy customers.<br /> Image of many different faces for online reviews with a happy face as the one chosen.

Remember the Power of Positive Responses

Negative reviews happen online, but don’t forget the power of positive ones! Responding to happy customers reinforces their positive experiences and encourages others to trust your brand. 

Keep in mind the power of Three Actions

  1. Acknowledge All Reviews
  2. Respond Quickly
  3. Express Gratitude to Satisfied Customers
Build a strong online reputation with our services. Image of person holding a sign stating: A satisfied Customer is the best business strategy of all.

Ready to Build a Strong Online Reputation?

Let us help you! Here at Online Presence Care, we manage over 60 online listings (ie. Google Business Profile, Yelp, BBB, Bing Places, Nextdoor, etc.), to keep the information accurate and updated along with online review and reputation management services. We can help you improve your local search visibility and attract more customers.

Contact us today to discuss how we can help you build a strong local online presence or go to my calendar to schedule a meeting.

I would love to hear from you …

Have you ever had to deal with a negative review online? How did you handle a negative online review? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below. 

Let’s build a community of small business owners who can support and learn from each other.

Optimize Your Email Marketing Strategy For Maximum ROI

Optimize Your Email Marketing Strategy For Maximum ROI

by | Email Marketing Strategy

Optimize Your Email Marketing Strategy For Maximum ROI

Email marketing is among the most effective marketing tools available to you. By implementing an email marketing campaign effectively, you can reach a large audience through a personalized message and witness a substantial profit on your investment.

Nevertheless, just like any promotional tool, there is a correct and incorrect manner in which to approach it. In this blog article, we provide guidance on how to optimize your email marketing strategy to achieve the highest possible return on investment.

1. Personalization is key

When it comes to email marketing, personalization is key. Your recipients are more likely to engage with an email that feels like it’s been written specifically for them. To personalize your emails and to have higher open rates, you can use dynamic content to insert the recipient’s name or other information into the email subject line and body. You can also segment your list so that you only send relevant content to each subscriber.

2. Keep your emails short and sweet

No one likes to read a long, rambling email. Keep your emails concise and to the point so that your readers can easily digest the information. If you have much information to share, consider breaking it into a series of shorter emails.

3. Use engaging visuals

Humans are visual creatures, so take advantage of that by using engaging visuals in your emails. Include images, infographics, and videos to break up the text and add some visual interest. Just make sure that all of your visuals are properly tagged with alt text so that they can be properly read by screen readers.

Karina of Online Presence Care teaches how to optimize your email strategy open rate graphic of the wrods call to action with many types of calls to action around it.

4. Make use of CTA’s

Your email should always have a clear call-to-action (CTA). Whether you want recipients to click through to your website or simply reply to the email, make sure that your CTA is clear and easy to find. And don’t forget to track clicks so you can measure your email campaign’s effectiveness.

Final Thoughts

Optimize your email marketing strategy to reach a wide audience with a personalized message. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind if you want to maximize your ROI. Personalization, conciseness, engaging visuals, and clear CTA’s are all key elements of an effective email marketing campaign. Keep these things in mind when planning your next email campaign; you’ll surely see great results!

If you need assistance with your email marketing efforts, contact Karina so our team can help you get started and elevate your email marketing strategy. Additionally, if you have any experience with email marketing, please share your thoughts in the comments below. We would love to hear from you!

How to get better online reviews and turn negative reviews around

How to get better online reviews and turn negative reviews around

by | Local SEO

How to get better online reviews and turn negative reviews around

Get Better Online Reviews

In our last post, we talked about the importance of online reviews and how to avoid fake reviews. This time, we’ll focus on how to improve our own reviews, and what to do when negative reviews happen. Here are several tips to improve reviews, and your business in general:

  • Build reviews into your process. Perhaps the single best advice for businesses looking to improve reviews is to put them on auto-pilot. Systematically asking for reviews with each transaction helps you learn more about your audience, and your team’s performance, good or bad.
  • Timing is important in building a bank of positive reviews. For example, a mortgage lender we know automatically sends a satisfaction survey at the closing of each loan, when clients are excited about moving into their new homes. They also make it a practice to turn compliments into referrals. Staff members are trained so that at the moment they receive a compliment, they ask the client if they have friends or family who may also need financing.
  • More specific reviews are more powerful, so don’t be afraid to ask for details. For example, a review like “Online Presence Care is great!” sounds positive, but is very general and forgettable.  One of my favorite reviews came from a client who said “Online Presence Care has managed our website and social media for the last 3 years. And in that time, my business has quadrupled!”
  • Strive for visual impact and personalization. A positive review in print is good. One with a client’s full name, photo and some additional information such as a job title or background is better. A video review featuring a client talking about your business packs a powerful emotional appeal.

Online Presence Care Tips Blog Online Reviews How to Deal with Negative ReviewsTurn Negative Reviews Around

Good news about negative reviews
In fact, some negative reviews can actually drive more customer engagement and sales, according to HubSpot. However, it’s important to treat negative reviews with care to make sure your business won’t suffer:

  • Any response to is better than no response.  In fact, a business owner apologizing to a client online and describing the steps taken to make the situation right can build credibility and leave prospects with a favorable impression.
  • State the facts. Likewise, don’t let online misstatements about your business or unfounded criticism go unanswered. You don’t want an argument, but it’s a good opportunity for you to explain the situation and politely set the record straight. Stick to the facts, even if your reviewer does not.
  • Empathy counts. Remember, you can still acknowledge your client’s concern and disappointment even if the issue was not your fault. Sometimes, just by listening and letting people vent their frustrations, you can turn the situation around and salvage a relationship that could lead to future business.

Comments? If you’ve got questions or your own tips concerning online reviews, please share in the comments below!


Photo credit: PixaBay by freeGraphicToday

Online Presence Care
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.