May 10, 2023

Accessible Writing, GA4 is Almost Upon Us, and What Worries Chatbots

Hello Ruth Ann,

I think a lot about website accessibility and how I can support this in my writing. Many SEO techniques boost accessibility, which gives adopters a double win - more site visitors boost SEO, and vice versa.

If you haven't migrated your Universal Analytics to GA4, there's still time - but not much. This isn't as much of a pain in the neck as you'd think.

Lastly, I know I've been less than welcoming to chatbots that seek to replace actual human writers. So I was heartened to learn that they're as concerned about my future as I am (/s).

Til next week,

Ruth Ann Monti

Writing and Accessibility

Access covers a lot of real estate, both physical and on the web. Most of us understand the basic points of web accessibility. Writing can also be made more accessible.

As it happens, accessible writing practices are also good for SEO.

Short sentences and paragraphs
White space for easier navigation
H1, H2, and even H3 headers to improve content organization
Bullet point any lists

Aim for inclusive language. geralt/Pixabay

Language is also important for accessibility.

Define acronyms upfront
Use descriptive links to other sources

Although this isn't an accessibility tip, I'd include using gender-neutral pronouns to boost inclusivity.

UA is Sunsetting - Get Ready for GA4

Google will sunset Universal Analytics (UA) in less than two months - on July 1 to be exact. If you haven't already done this, take steps now to transfer to Google Analytics 4, or GA4.

If you can't find any of the emails Google has sent to UA users over the past year-plus, don't panic. Google created a GA4 setup assistant that even yours truly was able to get working for her site and a couple of others.

If you can't stand Google-speak, Search Engine Land published a user-friendly GA4 transition guide in the fall.

Visitor maps are my favorite

Google Analytics statistic.

What happens if you do nothing? Google will create a GA4 property for you, but it won't carry over historic data.

Your Google history will more or less reflect on your website as a brand-new one.

My Content Services

Chatbots Have Feelings Too!

Well no, they don't. That didn't stop David Gewirtz, a senior editor with ZDNet, from asking chatbots what worries them.

ChatGPT responded, Spock-like, that it doesn't have "emotions or worries like humans do." It is, however, concerned about displacing human writers, among other ethical issues. Ahem.

Google's Bard is most worried about people using it for malicious intentions like spreading propaganda and creating harmful content.

Do chatbots really care? Alexandra_Koch/Pixabay

Microsoft's Bing doesn't want to talk about it. Perhaps it's still, developmentally speaking, in its teen years.

Share This Email

Visit My Website

TIMESTORM COMMUNICATIONS LLC

Call/text, or email me.

Link With Me