David Condon Finds

Blogging in the Age of AI Overviews If you’ve used Google lately, you’ve probably noticed something different. Instead of clicking into websites, you’re getting answers straight from the search page thanks to AI Overview. Sounds handy, right? Maybe it is to the casual browser but for small creators like me, it’s a real kick in the teeth. Traffic has dropped to my website and new blog. Affiliate links don’t get seen and I have the Analytics to prove it. Product reviews and personal blog posts are being buried under summaries scraped from… well, blogs like mine.

Here’s what I learned when my entire blog urls disappeared from Google Search overnight and how I’m trying to fix it. I woke up one morning, logged into Google Search Console, and saw something that made my stomach drop, there were  ZERO pages indexed . My new Blogger blog wasn’t even a week old, but just the day before, 11 of my posts were indexed and starting to show impressions. Now? Gone. No warnings. No explanations. The only faint silver lining? GSC was now for the first time detecting all 26 URLs on my blog but none of them were indexed.

 Aside from the Revitive Circulation Booster, I’ve tried several other things that help with foot pain and neuropathy symptoms. Some surprised me like socks and eventually even a grounding mat of all things. I’m not claiming miracles, just sharing what’s helped. I've spent quite a lot of money testing various things out, not for the good of humanity but for my own relief. Hopefully If I can help you avoid wasting time or money, then it’s worth writing this. So if you're curious about what’s worked for me, stick around and I’ll walk you through it. 📝 Part 3  of 3 Posts:  This is a follow up to my Revitive Circulation Booster Post

Dear Google Ads, I’m writing this post, not as a digital marketing expert, but as a small business owner who’s genuinely trying to use your platform and to be honest, I'm struggling. I’ve worked in IT, built and maintained websites, written blog posts, learned SEO basics, and made countless improvements to my online presence over the years. But when it comes to Google Ads? It feels like I’m trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube blindfolded. I’m not a luddite, I’m not afraid of tech. But your platform seems designed for ad agencies and highly advanced individuals, not small business owners like myself trying to promote handcrafted products, services, or local offerings. There’s so much potential here but the interface, terminology, and campaign setup make it feel like I need a degree in advanced computing just to run a simple ad.  Red Mist Loading! Explained below.

 Let me ask you something. When was the last time you saw more than one staffed checkout in a major supermarket? Lately, I’ve found myself standing in front of rows of glowing self-checkout machines with no real choice at all. No staffed tills open or a single one with a long queue, no one to talk to, just a machine and a scanner. I’m not against technology.  Far from it but something about this shift feels off. It’s not convenience anymore. It’s replacement. Staff are being sidelined, and shoppers like you and me are being quietly turned into unpaid workers. This post isn’t a rant, but a reflection. What started as a mild irritation has grown into something that bothers me and judging by the conversations I’ve seen online and in person, I’m not alone. Self-checkouts only work because most people are honest. If theft were the norm, these machines wouldn’t exist. That trust is being exploited, we’re expected to do the work and prove we didn’t steal.

Places to Eat in Tralee During the Day I often get asked by my Airbnb Experience Guests about where to get breakfast in Tralee before their Experience starts in the morning — and once it’s over, the same question about lunch. It was something that never really occurred to me to research beforehand, so I’ve been caught out unprepared a few times. No longer though — I’m finally typing the keys on this Blog Post. If you’d like a bit of local knowledge, please read on. As someone who regularly hosts Airbnb Experience Guests and Woodturning Students, I get these questions all the time — and now I’m finally prepared to answer properly. This post is pulled together from my own experiences, with a few trusted recommendations from locals thrown in for good measure. Whether you're in town for a course, a short break, or just passing through, I hope this helps you find a great spot to eat during the day in Tralee.

A Local Guide to Evening Dining in Tralee So you’ve found yourself in Tralee - maybe it’s the morning, late afternoon, or early evening - and you’re thinking about where to eat later. If you’d like a bit of local insight from someone who actually lives here (and eats here), read on. I wrote this because my Airbnb Experience guests and woodturning students often ask me for restaurant recommendations, and I’m never as prepared as I should be. So this blog post is my go-to answer from now on - yes, I’ve Googled a bit, but most of this comes from places I’ve personally tried, my Family have been to or trust through reliable local word of mouth. This updated version first appeared on my original blog at davidcondonwoodcraft.ie. (linked below)

Let’s be honest, if you’re visiting Tralee or anywhere in the Kingdom of Kerry or indeed Ireland, a bit of rain is all part of the charm and fairly guaranteed rather than happenstance. When the weather turns damp and your outdoor plans fall through, why not try something completely different, indoors and hands-on? That’s where my Woodturning Experiences and Woodturning Tuition come in.

 Military Books That Made it to the Big Screen  For most of my life I have been fascinated by all things Military and I have collected Movies, Magazine Publications, Books and now Kindle Books with Wars and Military Themes as subject matter. Even better, I loved to find out that a movie is based on a Military Book, from a real life event. That way, the movie didn't end at the title credits and offered me something more. When I was younger I couldn't wait for the next high production War movie to come out. If you are looking for great Amazon Kindle books then read on below.

 Thinking About Switching from Amazon UK to Amazon Ireland? Here's What to Know   You're not alone. With the launch of Amazon Ireland, many Irish shoppers wonder if it’s worth making the move. From delivery speeds to product availability, this guide breaks down everything before you switch—and how it might change your shopping habits. This updated version first appeared on my original blog at davidcondonwoodcraft.ie. (linked below)

 Is Amazon Prime Worth It in Ireland – or the UK? Short answer: Definitely worth it. Based on my years of experience as a Prime member and customer on the UK site, I can honestly say the perks, from fast shipping to exclusive deals; make it a smart choice, especially for people in Ireland and the UK. If you’re on the fence, keep reading. Still unsure after that? You can use one of my links below to sign up for a 30-day free trial—I doubt you’ll want to cancel once you see everything Prime offers.

Why I Wrote This Post When the first symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy hit—those strange pin pricks in my feet, tingling in my legs, numb patches came out of nowhere—I was blindsided. I didn’t know what was happening, and like many people, I went searching for answers. If you’re feeling the same way, you’re not alone. That’s exactly why I wrote this post: to share what I’ve learned, what I wish I’d known sooner, and maybe bring a bit of calm to what can feel like a really chaotic time. Because those first weird sensations? They were just the beginning... This updated version first appeared on my original blog at davidcondonwoodcraft.ie. (linked below) 📝 Part 1 of 3 Posts: 

 SEO felt like a tangled mess when I first started my website. Every article said something different, every tool gave mixed signals, and I was left more confused than before I’d begun. If that sounds familiar, this post is for you. I'm not here to sell an expensive strategy — just to show you how I simplified my own SEO approach using a few basic strategies and a little common sense. This updated version first appeared on my original blog at davidcondonwoodcraft.ie. (linked below)

In a change from my usual woodturning and craft-related posts, I need to address something I feel very strongly about—TV shows and movies, and how negativity online is slowly killing them and causing fewer and fewer new productions. From cancel culture to endless reboots, social media and media companies alike are taking a toll on creativity and storytelling. This updated version first appeared on my original blog at davidcondonwoodcraft.ie. (linked below) Why Boba Fett Was the Final Straw