Newsletter · August 2026
Google's spam update, Squarespace price rises, EU AI rules
August has been a busy month for anyone running a business online. Here are three things that could affect your website, your costs, or your legal obligations — and what to do about each.
01
Google's new spam update hit on 18 August
Google launched its August 2026 Spam Update on 18 August, targeting thin AI-written pages, dodgy link tactics and hidden doorway pages — and it's the first spam update to formally cover generative AI content, according to Brafton and Bloom Agency. If your site has pages that exist to chase Google rather than help customers, this update may already have trimmed your visibility. Lost rankings means fewer enquiries, fewer bookings, less footfall.
Do this: Log into Google Search Console this week and check for any drop in impressions or clicks since 18 August — then delete or rewrite any pages that don't genuinely help a customer.
From us: If your site has taken a hit, our rescue service starts at £1,400 and we'll tell you honestly what needs fixing.
02
Squarespace is charging 19–26% more
Squarespace restructured its plans and raised prices by 19–26% in 2026, according to Reviewify UK and Fstoppers. UK accounts now pay roughly £12 to £79 per month on annual billing depending on plan — and if you're still on monthly billing or a lapsed promo rate, the gap is wider still. A salon or restaurant on an older plan could see a meaningful jump at renewal without any warning.
Do this: Log into your Squarespace billing dashboard before your next renewal and check whether you're on monthly billing or an expired promo rate — then compare what you'd pay on Wix or Shopify for the same features.
03
EU AI transparency rules are now in force
From 2 August 2026, the EU AI Act's Article 50 rules require any business with an AI chatbot or AI-generated content visible to EU customers to label it clearly — and Brexit does not get UK businesses off the hook, as Digital News UK and KINTAL both confirmed. The Act applies wherever the output lands, not where the business is registered. Fines run up to €15 million or 3% of global turnover.
Do this: Check your website this month for any AI chat widget or AI-written content that EU visitors might see, and add a clear label — even 'Powered by AI' on the chat window is a reasonable starting point.
From us: If you're thinking about adding AI to your business and want to do it properly, our AI service starts at £6,800 and covers compliance alongside the build.
One thing to do this month
Check who can actually find you
Open an incognito browser window and search for your business by name, then by what you do and your town. If you're not showing up where you expect, note which searches are missing. It takes ten minutes and tells you more than most paid audits.
As always, if anything in here raises a question, just reply and I'll give you a straight answer.
Get the next one.
One email a month: what actually changed for small businesses in tech, what to do about it, and the guides we published. No pitch, and you can leave with one click.