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Hey Reader,

Happy Juneteenth! While we love summertime (nothing beats a summer farmers market haul), we've already started to notice the summer slump here at FBP — traffic and social media engagement are both down. This is a pattern we see every summer, so we know not to get discouraged! It's a great time to lean into updating old content, working on a new social media strategy (we're looking at you, carousels), or even taking a step back to refresh before Q4 hits!

Let's dive into the latest news in the industry, shall we? 🤿

1. Google Tests Recipes With Interactive AI Overviews

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Google has started testing a new AI-powered recipe search feature. 🙃 The feature presents interactive recipe ideas in a carousel format, allowing users to filter by ingredients and substitutions.

This tool appears to use AI Overviews to streamline meal inspiration — something that could significantly impact how food bloggers reach audiences through search.

​Check out the full demo of it on Search Engine Roundtable.​

2. Learn how to grow your email list on Kit with Recommendations and the Creator Network

Food bloggers looking to grow their email list faster, and with more engaged subscribers, should check out Kit’s Creator Network and Recommendations features. These tools let you cross-promote newsletters with like-minded creators (like fellow food bloggers) to help you grow your email list without much effort.

It’s an easy, low-maintenance way to build a community of readers who actually want your content. In this article from Kit, they share 8 tips for using Recommendations more effectively, including creating a skimmable profile, curating public posts, collaborating with other creators, and more.

​Read the full article on Kit here.​

3. How to Get Backlinks: 12 Strategies You Don’t Want to Miss

We often get asked by FBP members about how to increase quality backlinks to your site. We all know how important they are for ranking highly on Google, but they feel like one of the most elusive aspects of SEO, dont they?

You really do have to earn backlinks — and this article dives into the nitty gritty of how you can start doing that! The key is to offer real value, like original content, unique insights, or even an infographic (like for your go-to baking substitutions or meal planning formula) that people want to link to.

You’ll have a much better shot if your site looks legitimate (think branded domain, author bios, E-E-A-T signals) and you keep your outreach short, friendly, and personal. And don’t forget: sharing love first — like linking to others or giving testimonials — often gets you love (and links) back.

​Read the full article from Neil Patel here.​

4. The Science Behind Good Social Media Hooks + 18 Examples

We've been hearing over and over again in recent podcast interviews about the importance of a powerful hook in Reels and on TikTok.

So what is a hook? A social media hook is a compelling element (like a catchy phrase, intriguing question, or striking visual) that grabs the viewer's attention within the first few (ideally 2) seconds of a post.

The most effective hooks are clear, relevant to your audience, and communicate the value of the rest of the content (aka why someone should keep watching)!

​Improve your hook strategy with these tips on the Hootsuite blog.​

5. YouTube Begins Showing Posts In The Shorts Feed
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YouTube recently started displaying community posts directly in the Shorts feed, allowing creators to share polls, images, and text updates alongside their short videos.

This feature allows creators to reach Shorts viewers without creating vertical videos by publishing text or even still images to the Shorts Feed. Worth a try!

​Get all the details on the Search Engine Journal site.​

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