Your Go-To Marketing Nerds 🤓

SEO vs AI Search: a not-so-epic battle I’m testing AI search against organic search, so you don’t have to.

So, for you, dear reader, we ran two tests. Find out what we uncovered, and what you should *actually* do to prep for AI search over on The Radical Marketer.

Here's the write-up: https://www.theradicalmarketer.com/seo-vs-ai-search-a-no

#UpsweptCreative

But, we were curious:

Why do users turn to AI search?
Does AI search find relevant results?
Are they accurate results?

Whether our predictions come true or not, from what we’re seeing so far, optimizing for AI won’t look especially different from optimizing for search engines.

#SearchOptimization

As Grumpy AI Skeptics, we're not surprised to see the recent rush to optimize for AI search. The trouble is, we also lowkey expect that the extreme push to optimize will basically make AI search worthless.

#NoAI
#MarketingAgency

Why do we stay on the same social media spaces, even when we want to leave?

Subscribe to The Radical Marketer and get the full rundown in your inbox every Tuesday: https://www.theradicalmarketer.com/#/portal/

As we navigate a world that feels especially heavy, remember to seek out and celebrate trans joy, ideas, businesses, and support networks of care. Together, we can move toward a future where trans folks belong everywhere. 💛

#CommunitySupport

We can’t dismantle capitalism, smash the patriarchy, or save our dying planet while trans and queer people are still forced to fight for basic human rights. The fight for justice is interconnected – we need to dig deep and must show up for each other, now more than ever.

#TransRightsAreHumanRights

As a BIPOC- woman-owned business, we have proudly hired and worked alongside trans folks as part of our team. Creating an inclusive business and a more inclusive world has been at the roots of Upswept Creative from the very beginning.

Trans rights are human rights. Everyone deserves to live with dignity, safety, and respect. When those rights are ignored, criticized, or stripped away, we all lose.

My team and I stand in support of our trans colleagues, friends, and community members. Let’s take a moment today to remember the trans lives we've lost this year. @transequality.bsky.social has reported that, so far, 58 trans lives have been lost in 2025 to fatal violence.

#TransDayOfRemembrance

Three people at a table with bread, meats, and cheeses, making sandwiches

Person at a table with bread, meats, and cheeses, holding sandwiches they made

Three people at a table with bread, meats, and cheeses, making sandwiches, looking at the camera and smiling

Assortment of omnivore, plant-based, and gluten-free sandwiches in a PDX Free Fridge

Today for our Community Day, we made dozens of sandwiches to distribute thru the PDX Free Fridge project. Even with SNAP benefits restored in Oregon, food insecurity is still an ongoing problem.

Sammies are now at fridges in SE, NE, and N PDX. Learn more about it: sites.google.com/view/pdx-fre...

If your website is getting in the way of YOUR business’ mission, it’s high time for a change. Get on our calendar and we’ll build you a website that fits your organization as it is now, not five years ago. 😉

https://www.upsweptcreative.com/small-business-web-design

#PDXSmallBusiness

So, they called on us, because they knew they’d outgrown their website, and they needed expert help.

#WebDesigner
#WebDeveloper

They’d built a vast collection of online actions and resources as the org grew. One by one, new additions got awkwardly stuffed into existing pages or new menus, making it harder and harder for their supporters to find what they needed.

Take, for instance, a nonprofit client of ours. They’re regularly up to their ears in news, policy proposals, collective actions, webinars, and in-person event. They send out a lot of emails, blogs, and social content each week. There’s SO MUCH to communicate that it's a struggle to fit it all in.

You might have noticed that, as your business has grown, you don't need the same website support as a brand-new business does.

And those years of experience often come with some growing pains. Sometimes, those growing pains clog up your website and ruin your user experience.

#UserExperienceDesign

The match has been made, but you should absolutely help the delightful, inclusive wonderland that is Books With Pictures.

And while you’re at it, if you’re in PDX and you haven’t experienced it for yourself yet, go do that, too!

👉 Ready for an awesome online presence that fits you like a glove? Get in touch with me and my team!

https://www.upsweptcreative.com

#UpsweptCreative
#MarketingAgency

I also love gaming and baking! I’ve been enjoying introducing (very basic) tabletop games to my 4-year-old, and we have a ton of fun baking together. (pro tip: it’s way easier for kids to measure baking ingredients when the recipe lists the ingredients by weight!)

When I’m not at my desk, I referee with @rosecityrollers.bsky.social. Before that I spent 9 years with the league as a derby skater and coach.

I also throw barbells around, and do a bit of personal training on the side, because everyone deserves to have more fun living in their body.

#RollerDerby

I’m the one envisioning the big picture view of your online marketing, and nerding out about all the little details that make your website a problem-solving powerhouse.

In case you’re new here, hey there 👋 I’m Sarah – your Creative Director and Benevolent Overlord. I oversee and help out with website design + development, and content strategy.

#WebDesignerLife

It goes without saying that we couldn't have done it without your support. A big thank you from Sarah, Anna, Kaïa, and Chynna!

Want to become our next client? Head over to our website to learn more.

#UpsweptCreative

We’ve also learned a lot about ourselves, in the process. We niched down to the areas where we shine brightest – websites, email marketing, and social media. Our vision has extended outward, as we seek new ways to bolster positive change in our community.

#WebDesigner

We've gone from a one woman show to a team of four. Over the past fourteen years, we've helped countless small businesses and nonprofits build websites, cultivate consistent social media habits, and market their businesses online.

Now, Upswept Creative is the radical, practical, community-minded online marketing squad of her dreams, and wow, y'all, it's been a journey to get to here!

#MarketingAgency

She began as a small website, design, and photography studio, dreaming of bringing together her own team of creatives. That team grew into a values-driven online marketing agency, guided by the intention of doing things differently from all of the other marketing bros.

Fourteen years ago, way back in 2011, Sarah said good riddance to her corporate life and set out on her own.

#BusinessAnniversary

We realize that we're quickly becoming a bit of a sparkly unicorn in the realm of marketing. If you're on the hunt for a marketing team that DOESN’T rely on AI, send us a message to learn all about our website, email marketing, and social media services.

#UpsweptCreative
#PortlandOregon

AI holds us back from growing our skills by relying on a robot to do the work for us... and a sub-par job at that!

AI prioritizes speed, money, and growth over quality, connection, and values.

#QualityOverQuantity