#299 🐼 It might never be as huge as Google, but for now…

Reading time: 3 minutes

Heyaa Bee

Ever had the disappointment when you want to eat something, but your tummy is full? A situation in which your heart wants a dish, but your body asks the brain to tell you to stop. Heartbreaking, ain’t it?

Happened to me multiple times over the last week. Was on a short family trip, and (in case you didn't know until now) trips mean food trials for me. Checking out new, unfamiliar dishes.

I generally have no qualms about what I’m eating as long as the tongue says it’s good. But sometimes, it just isn’t your day.

OK, it’s another day, another newsletter. And I’ve no idea how the week flew away.

It was a good week overall, even if I did nothing “productive.” Took a clean break from work after, maybe, three months, and spent some time in peace.

Ha, if you count food tasting as something productive, then, yes, I did do work. Productive work. I guess, enough to cross the borderline overweight range… to be overweight. I envy those who remain skinny even after eating a truck full.

These days, I couldn’t even continue proper reading, you know. There was no routine as such. Plenty of time, but no time still. Didn’t feel like picking a book (or Kindle) on most days. So, instead of maintaining a reading streak anyhow, I gave up.

But now, I’ve started again. Trying to build up the habit as I’m gearing up to get to work. Have a few review deadlines coming up.

The good thing is that everything’s manageable. I didn't approach loads of authors this month… to get my hands on their pre-release books.

Last month was taxing, and I learnt my lesson (hopefully). One book review was late. I might be posting another late review in May as well. A book I’m reading isn’t that interesting. And it’s a common practice to delay not-so-good reviews until after a week (or two) of release.

I want reading to be a calming affair… not a stressing one. We already have too many of those, right?

By the way, an author reached out this week for me to read and review their book. Came through my blog. I guess I should keep working on keeping my Google search appearances firm.

I have been lax about Google SEO this year, due to the belief that netizens are switching to ChatGPT for their answers. Honestly, many are. Even I do, more Cgpt than Google or Bing.

Earlier this month, I saw a Gumroad product download… referred via ChatGPT.

So, Cgpt is increasingly becoming a search platform. It might never be as huge as Google, but for now… it is something. You will probably see sponsored answers soon.

And there could be a demand for ChatGPT search optimisation. Conversational keywords, you know, in your website content. If you still haven’t been paying attention, now is the time.

Only if Google can integrate a reliable AI search into its interface, it might pull some traffic back from Cgpt.

I’ll wait and watch, and in the meantime… keep an eye on general search traffic on my blog.

My Kindle availability article is currently the most visited one on the blog. Not that it gets thousands of clicks, but it has some clicks even on generic keywords like Kindle, Kindle India and Amazon Kindle.

However, I do need some other burning topic before this goes off the trend. I think I’ll write only about selected topics… apart from quotes and reviews. Not enthusiastic enough to post articles in bulk right now.

I’m just hoping to find time to read as much as possible. Not for any numbers or targets. All I care about right now is reducing my list of physical books that are pending read.

I haven’t bought a single paperback (or hardcover) so far this year. Mostly because self-imposed buying ban. But I also believe that part of this is because I’m away from Instagram. With reduced “exposure” to bookish photos, my urge to buy books has faded as well.

I was going to buy a few books from April onwards, but I have no clue what to buy. Yes, I’ve a wishlist. But seeing that all I can think of is that I already have some books to read.

My Kindle reading list is, anyway, uncontrolled. And being more focused on indie authors, I’m getting more ebooks these days. Not everyone publishes paperbacks. Those who do… aren’t always from India.

Ahhh let it be… I’ll be taking your leave now.

See you next week.

Bidding adieu. Enjoy your day. Live long and prosper.