NEWS
WordPress Out of Touch with Publisher Needs? via @martinibuster
Web publishing is trending toward providing a quality user experience to site visitors. These goals are embodied in Google’s Core Web Vitals metrics that measure important user experience metrics. But the WordPress coding ecosystem does not appear to have addressed those concerns.
WordPress doesn’t seem aware of the what publishers need in terms of better user experience. As a consequence the WordPress development community appears to have no plans for giving publishers what they need.
A WordPress publisher opened a support thread asking why their WordPress site scored so low for Core Web Vitals (Google Core Web Vitals Fix and Google PageSpeed Insight Rank in Mobile).
Google’s PageSpeed Insight provides feedback as to what issues need to be fixed in order to present a better user experience as measured by the Core Web Vitals metrics.
Advertisement
Continue Reading Below
Many of the user experience shortcomings in WordPress that are highlighted by Google are due to standard coding practices that are typical WordPress installations.
The coding issues that Google’s tools highlight happen through no fault of the publisher themselves.
The problems are built-into WordPress itself, the themes and the plugins. But the problems are not happening through the negligence of the WordPress developer ecosystem, either.
Common issues consist of sliders that add code bloat, forms that add code bloat, even the new WordPress Gutenberg site design and publishing platform is inherently bloated.
The Gutenberg bloat happens in that WordPress loads every script needed for every single Gutenberg block that could potentially be used, regardless if the block is used or not.
Advertisement
Continue Reading Below
The reason for the bloat is because it’s a simple thing for developers to add all the code needed into one file and be done with it. It’s not that the developers are lazy or inconsiderate. This is a common coding practice, it’s the way sites have always been developed.
But the Internet is evolving at this very moment to embrace a set of user experience standards that are encompassed by the Core Web Vitals metrics.
What is happening is that the Internet is moving in one direction but the WordPress coding practices have not yet responded to the trend.
This reality is reflected in a recent WordPress support thread where a publisher asked for help regarding their low Core Web Vitals score.
The response from WordPress was that the publisher shouldn’t come to WordPress for help. WordPress answered that the publisher should seek a solution from Google.
The publisher came to the WordPress support forums for help about the shortcomings in the coding practices inherent in the WordPress core. And the publisher was told by a volunteer WordPress enthusiast (not an official developer) to go to Google for help with WordPress.
Screenshot of WordPress Enthusiast Response to Question About Core Web Vitals
In another example,in a WordPress Facebook group someone asked about the performance hit that the Jetpack WordPress plugin would cause.
Advertisement
Continue Reading Below
Jetpack is a WordPress plugin by Automattic that can add many functions like social sharing, customization tools, security tools, backup tools, and many other functions that a user may or may not need.
The person asking the question said they were involved in the development of a non-profit site. Their concern was that the site development team wanted to use Jetpack but they were concerned that because Jetpack had features they didn’t need, that perhaps Jetpack would introduce unwanted site bloat and with it a negative user experience from the excess code that a user would have to download.
Some of the WordPress site developers who answered the discussion expressed the opinion that Jetpack wasn’t bad. But they also said that they avoided installing Jetpack because of what they said was the code bloat and other activities initiated by the Jetpack plugin that they felt was unacceptable.
Advertisement
Continue Reading Below
That is why one publisher answered that they preferred to use plugins that did the one thing they needed and avoid having to download a plugin that came with functionality they did not need.
This is what Automattic said about Jetpack:
“…the code for each feature is not loaded until you activate it. This allows each person to control how much code is loaded onto their site, ensuring it isn’t bloated any more than using the average plugin, which has been confirmed by independent benchmark tests. And for users that need multiple features, using Jetpack will actually improve site performance compared to using multiple plugins.”
Many publishers are trending toward is the simplicity of lean code, faster websites and a quality user experience. So it’s good to see that Jetpack responds to that trend by tackling the issue of code bloat.
Advertisement
Continue Reading Below
The more complex a site is the more likely that the cumulative impact of sitewide scripts loading will have an impact on the user experience.
With more plugins installed to solve problems inherent in the WordPress core comes the increased possibility of a conflict with another plugin that is solving a different problem.
With Page Speed and Core Web Vitals metrics quickly becoming an important concern that cannot be ignored, publishers are right to focus on a quality user experience.
NEWS
OpenAI Introduces Fine-Tuning for GPT-4 and Enabling Customized AI Models
OpenAI has today announced the release of fine-tuning capabilities for its flagship GPT-4 large language model, marking a significant milestone in the AI landscape. This new functionality empowers developers to create tailored versions of GPT-4 to suit specialized use cases, enhancing the model’s utility across various industries.
Fine-tuning has long been a desired feature for developers who require more control over AI behavior, and with this update, OpenAI delivers on that demand. The ability to fine-tune GPT-4 allows businesses and developers to refine the model’s responses to better align with specific requirements, whether for customer service, content generation, technical support, or other unique applications.
Why Fine-Tuning Matters
GPT-4 is a very flexible model that can handle many different tasks. However, some businesses and developers need more specialized AI that matches their specific language, style, and needs. Fine-tuning helps with this by letting them adjust GPT-4 using custom data. For example, companies can train a fine-tuned model to keep a consistent brand tone or focus on industry-specific language.
Fine-tuning also offers improvements in areas like response accuracy and context comprehension. For use cases where nuanced understanding or specialized knowledge is crucial, this can be a game-changer. Models can be taught to better grasp intricate details, improving their effectiveness in sectors such as legal analysis, medical advice, or technical writing.
Key Features of GPT-4 Fine-Tuning
The fine-tuning process leverages OpenAI’s established tools, but now it is optimized for GPT-4’s advanced architecture. Notable features include:
- Enhanced Customization: Developers can precisely influence the model’s behavior and knowledge base.
- Consistency in Output: Fine-tuned models can be made to maintain consistent formatting, tone, or responses, essential for professional applications.
- Higher Efficiency: Compared to training models from scratch, fine-tuning GPT-4 allows organizations to deploy sophisticated AI with reduced time and computational cost.
Additionally, OpenAI has emphasized ease of use with this feature. The fine-tuning workflow is designed to be accessible even to teams with limited AI experience, reducing barriers to customization. For more advanced users, OpenAI provides granular control options to achieve highly specialized outputs.
Implications for the Future
The launch of fine-tuning capabilities for GPT-4 signals a broader shift toward more user-centric AI development. As businesses increasingly adopt AI, the demand for models that can cater to specific business needs, without compromising on performance, will continue to grow. OpenAI’s move positions GPT-4 as a flexible and adaptable tool that can be refined to deliver optimal value in any given scenario.
By offering fine-tuning, OpenAI not only enhances GPT-4’s appeal but also reinforces the model’s role as a leading AI solution across diverse sectors. From startups seeking to automate niche tasks to large enterprises looking to scale intelligent systems, GPT-4’s fine-tuning capability provides a powerful resource for driving innovation.
OpenAI announced that fine-tuning GPT-4o will cost $25 for every million tokens used during training. After the model is set up, it will cost $3.75 per million input tokens and $15 per million output tokens. To help developers get started, OpenAI is offering 1 million free training tokens per day for GPT-4o and 2 million free tokens per day for GPT-4o mini until September 23. This makes it easier for developers to try out the fine-tuning service.
As AI continues to evolve, OpenAI’s focus on customization and adaptability with GPT-4 represents a critical step in making advanced AI accessible, scalable, and more aligned with real-world applications. This new capability is expected to accelerate the adoption of AI across industries, creating a new wave of AI-driven solutions tailored to specific challenges and opportunities.
This Week in Search News: Simple and Easy-to-Read Update
Here’s what happened in the world of Google and search engines this week:
1. Google’s June 2024 Spam Update
Google finished rolling out its June 2024 spam update over a period of seven days. This update aims to reduce spammy content in search results.
2. Changes to Google Search Interface
Google has removed the continuous scroll feature for search results. Instead, it’s back to the old system of pages.
3. New Features and Tests
- Link Cards: Google is testing link cards at the top of AI-generated overviews.
- Health Overviews: There are more AI-generated health overviews showing up in search results.
- Local Panels: Google is testing AI overviews in local information panels.
4. Search Rankings and Quality
- Improving Rankings: Google said it can improve its search ranking system but will only do so on a large scale.
- Measuring Quality: Google’s Elizabeth Tucker shared how they measure search quality.
5. Advice for Content Creators
- Brand Names in Reviews: Google advises not to avoid mentioning brand names in review content.
- Fixing 404 Pages: Google explained when it’s important to fix 404 error pages.
6. New Search Features in Google Chrome
Google Chrome for mobile devices has added several new search features to enhance user experience.
7. New Tests and Features in Google Search
- Credit Card Widget: Google is testing a new widget for credit card information in search results.
- Sliding Search Results: When making a new search query, the results might slide to the right.
8. Bing’s New Feature
Bing is now using AI to write “People Also Ask” questions in search results.
9. Local Search Ranking Factors
Menu items and popular times might be factors that influence local search rankings on Google.
10. Google Ads Updates
- Query Matching and Brand Controls: Google Ads updated its query matching and brand controls, and advertisers are happy with these changes.
- Lead Credits: Google will automate lead credits for Local Service Ads. Google says this is a good change, but some advertisers are worried.
- tROAS Insights Box: Google Ads is testing a new insights box for tROAS (Target Return on Ad Spend) in Performance Max and Standard Shopping campaigns.
- WordPress Tag Code: There is a new conversion code for Google Ads on WordPress sites.
These updates highlight how Google and other search engines are continuously evolving to improve user experience and provide better advertising tools.
Facebook Faces Yet Another Outage: Platform Encounters Technical Issues Again
Uppdated: It seems that today’s issues with Facebook haven’t affected as many users as the last time. A smaller group of people appears to be impacted this time around, which is a relief compared to the larger incident before. Nevertheless, it’s still frustrating for those affected, and hopefully, the issues will be resolved soon by the Facebook team.
Facebook had another problem today (March 20, 2024). According to Downdetector, a website that shows when other websites are not working, many people had trouble using Facebook.
This isn’t the first time Facebook has had issues. Just a little while ago, there was another problem that stopped people from using the site. Today, when people tried to use Facebook, it didn’t work like it should. People couldn’t see their friends’ posts, and sometimes the website wouldn’t even load.
Downdetector, which watches out for problems on websites, showed that lots of people were having trouble with Facebook. People from all over the world said they couldn’t use the site, and they were not happy about it.
When websites like Facebook have problems, it affects a lot of people. It’s not just about not being able to see posts or chat with friends. It can also impact businesses that use Facebook to reach customers.
Since Facebook owns Messenger and Instagram, the problems with Facebook also meant that people had trouble using these apps. It made the situation even more frustrating for many users, who rely on these apps to stay connected with others.
During this recent problem, one thing is obvious: the internet is always changing, and even big websites like Facebook can have problems. While people wait for Facebook to fix the issue, it shows us how easily things online can go wrong. It’s a good reminder that we should have backup plans for staying connected online, just in case something like this happens again.
