I'm pretty much doubt so many people involved in reading the news now, and not like in the first days.
As a generalisation people are in a preparatory panic mode! In my county yesterday petrol stations were running out of fuel, local supemarkets are seeing people stocking-up on basic foodstuffs.
Furthermore, especially in the UK however I do realise it is happening elsewhere, the reality of massive energy prices is suddenly dawning on many people since the increases are far, far higher than being reported and it is something I have been reporting since last September yet no one took any notice. Many people are calculating their new energy costs and inevitably general spending will be hit.
As an example my energy costs, I work from home, for several years has been USD 150 per month, my current rate is USD 450.00 per month HOWEVER my new rate from April will be USD 550.00 per month. My gas unit price alone will have increased 276% in 6 months and, believe me, this is an increase the vast majority of Brits will be seeing unless they have a very long-forward supply agreement. PLUS there will inevitably be another increase this Sept/Oct too .!.!.!
Therefore USD 400.00 per month over 12 months is USD 4,800 of less discretionary spending money only going one way, from me to energy companies ... Obviously I am looking at ways to reduce this consumption and have already put this into action.
To put it another way, in the UK imagine 1 million households with USD 5000 per annum less discretionary spending, that is USD 5,000,000,000, that is USD 5 billion, remember this when you wonder why traffic is down and spending is less.
Google Updates and SERP Changes - February 2022
