Part 3/10:
According to commentators from the industry, these algorithm changes seem explicitly tailored to favor larger sites with whom Google likely has lucrative partnerships, leaving smaller sites struggling to survive. Many independent publishers, like Brandon from Retro Dodo, have had to lay off staff or close down altogether, unable to sustain operations under the weight of drastically reduced web traffic. From a once-sustainable model, these sites are now on the brink of collapse, leading to a broader conversation about the viability of independent content creation and journalism.