768 | Social News from the EDGE | Week of 8.18.2025

AI Mode goes global, Google's giving users the easy button, and Reddit and Wikipedia are snagging prime AI real estate. This week, the EDGE dives into the explosion of AI Mode, the changing landscape of web traffic, and the wild world of social media innovation—with plenty of insights from Duncan Alney of Firebelly and the EDGE team.

Get the latest on Google's brand-new AI Mode launching in 180 countries (but only in English for now), and why letting AI do the reasoning for you might make us all a little lazier. Plus, referral traffic from ChatGPT is plummeting while Reddit and Wikipedia become citation royalty—what's that mean for content creators? Throw in TikTok's geopolitical drama, Threads' big user milestone, Instagram's not-so-secret engagement hack, and the verdict on whether posting more really boosts your Insta clout.

Is the age of critical thinking officially in peril? Erin and Duncan muse on whether AI is boosting collective intelligence—or just making us all a little dumber—while Jacob chimes in with some "errant humor" and privacy warnings about sharing too much with large language models.

From new social platforms (hello, Bluesky!) to Meta's voice-dubbing shenanigans and Instagram's latest creator tools, EDGE of the Web brings you an effervescent, strategic look at how digital marketing and social media keep rewriting the rules. Don't forget to check the show notes and catch our next facetious, fast-paced news roundup—because you don't want to be a piece of cyber driftwood.

News from the EDGE:

[00:00:24] EDGE is back at BrightonSEO US in San Diego - 15% off tickets for EDGE listeners!

[00:04:20] Google Expands AI Mode to 180 Countries With Personalized Features

[00:07:50] ChatGPT Referral Traffic Nosedives 52% in Just One Month

[00:11:30] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: EDGE Media Studios

[00:14:27] China Rejects Selling TikTok Algorithm Despite U.S. Demands

Social News Segment:

[00:19:22] Instagram Chief Dispels Engagement Myth, Says Using Edits Boosts Reach

[00:23:26] One to watch: What is Bluesky?

[00:30:20] New Study Suggests That Posting More Often Is Key to IG Growth

[00:34:12] Threads Reaches 400M Users, Closing in on X's Usage

[00:38:23] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: WAIKAY

[00:39:46] Instagram Launches Re-Posts, Friend Map and More

[00:43:52] Facebook upgrades Professional Dashboard with new insights

[00:46:43] Meta rolls out AI-powered translations to creators globally, starting with English and Spanish

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