Today's Digital Marketing Pulse
Ad tech vendors pivot to cloud‑hardware ownership to cut latency and costs
Vendors are splitting between owning their own cloud infrastructure and renting from public clouds such as AWS, Google Cloud and Azure. SSPs PubMatic and Index Exchange introduced containerized solutions—Decision Fabric and Index Cloud—that let DSPs run models on‑premise, lowering latency and data‑transfer expenses. The shift balances cost savings against control of the stack.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Accenture Song acquires influencer marketing agency Whalar
The PPC Skills That Won’t Be Replaced By Automation
Automation is handling routine PPC tasks, pushing specialists toward consulting roles. The most valuable PPC experts now blend profit‑focused economics with campaign execution, moving beyond ROAS to contribution margin. They diagnose when paid search isn’t the answer, integrate cross‑channel insights, and improve post‑click experiences. By mastering stakeholder management and data storytelling, they become growth partners rather than mere ad managers.
Ask 13 Critical Questions Before Building AI Projects
Most AI projects fail before you write a single line of code. Not because the tech is hard. Because you skipped the questions that actually matter. Most teams choose tools based on hype, not requirements. They pick frameworks before understanding scope. And start building before...
Accel Doubles Down on Fibr AI as Agents Turn Static Websites Into One-to-One Experiences
Fibr AI announced a $5.7 million seed round led by Accel, bringing total funding to $7.5 million. The Boston‑based startup uses autonomous AI agents to convert static webpages into real‑time, one‑to‑one experiences for each visitor. Early adoption is picking up among large...
Perfection Paralyzes; Launch Fast, Iterate, Succeed
I'm thoroughly convinced that "perfect" is the enemy of success. It's just a fancy way to stall. And it crushes so many people. They sit around: - Tweaking fonts - Changing colors - Selecting new tools I call it "Rocking...
Google On Serving Markdown Pages To LLM Crawlers
Google’s John Mueller warned that serving raw Markdown files to large language model (LLM) crawlers poses significant technical risks. He highlighted uncertainties around link parsing, internal navigation, and whether bots even recognize Markdown as anything beyond plain text. Mueller also...
Google Ad Network Invalid Clicks Report: Fraud vs Accidental
Mike Ryan examined over 550 million ecommerce clicks from Q4 2025 using Google’s new “general invalid clicks” metric. He found the Google Display Network (GDN) registers the highest invalid‑click rate—nearly one in five clicks—though most are accidental. In contrast, the Search Partner...
Employee‑Created Video Boosts ROI: 2.5×
If you ever needed convincing that people-powered marketing is the way forward in 2026, check out this article from Lindsey Brummer . Packed full of latest insights from LinkedIn , she walks you through why people are better influencers than...
Catalyst IQ Unveils Intelligent SEO/AEO Technology to Increase Automotive AI Search Results
Catalyst IQ introduced an AI‑focused SEO, AEO and GEO platform at the NADA convention, targeting automotive dealers. The solution uses real‑time market intelligence to match keywords with actual inventory and local demand, updating content as AI‑driven search trends evolve. Powered...
Similarweb and Bloomberg Expand Data Available on the Bloomberg Terminal
Similarweb’s premium digital performance metrics are now embedded in Bloomberg Terminal’s Alternative Data Analytics Platform (ALTD ). Bloomberg selected Similarweb as its premium alternative data provider, delivering near‑real‑time signals such as unique visitors, average visit duration, bounce rate and page...
Marketing Email Campaigns Reflected Tariffs, TikTok Trends in 2025
Omnisend’s 2025 analysis shows that three‑quarters of marketing email campaigns referenced tariffs or broader trade‑policy news, underscoring how supply‑chain costs dominate brand messaging. Thirteen percent of those emails highlighted “Made in USA” to reassure shoppers about product origin and pricing...
‘Incestuous’ and ‘Harmful’ Mobile Ad Ripped Down by ASA
The UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned a mobile ad for the game Animals Solitaire: Protect after finding it promoted a potentially incestuous scenario and objectified a step‑daughter character. The ad featured a lingerie‑clad woman with text suggesting sexual...
Samsung Ads Expands Integration with Amazon DSP Into Europe
Samsung Ads announced that its premium Samsung TV Plus inventory is now available to marketers through Amazon DSP across Europe, extending the existing U.S. and Canada integration. Samsung TV Plus, the free ad‑supported streaming service on Samsung Smart TVs, serves...
What Is an Integrated Campaign? 2026 Guide for E-Commerce
In this episode, host Loieto Tugas and guest William Gasner break down what an integrated campaign is and why it’s essential for e‑commerce brands in 2026. They explain the 4 Cs—Coherent, Consistent, Continuous, Complementary—and outline the key steps: clear goals, a...
IG Turns to AI to Transform Marketing Compliance
IG Group has partnered with fintech compliance platform Adclear to embed AI‑driven checks across its UK and Ireland marketing and product content. The technology automatically scans promotions for finprom rule breaches, flagging required edits and accelerating approvals. In the first...
Hey Papi Promotions Launches AI Marketing Services to Help Businesses and Organizations Get Discovered on AI Platforms
Hey Papi Promotions, an award‑winning Christian digital agency, announced AI Marketing Services designed to make businesses, churches, nonprofits and event organizers discoverable on AI chatbot platforms such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini and Microsoft Copilot. The offering blends ethical, values‑driven marketing...
Marketers Have the Data. Audience+ Finally Puts It to Work.
Stirista launched Audience+, a next‑generation audience platform that consolidates first‑party data, third‑party identity graph information, and website interactions into a single workspace. The tool offers real‑time audience building, multichannel activation and built‑in compliance safeguards, aiming to eliminate data silos that...
AI Surpasses Google: 53% Of Marketers Turn To AI Over Search Engines For Information
A CoSchedule survey of 900 marketers reveals that 53% now turn to AI tools for information discovery, overtaking the 35% who still rely on Google search. This marks the first time AI has surpassed Google as the primary research source...
CoSchedule Expands Social Media Management Capabilities With Mobile Publishing To Every Network
CoSchedule has upgraded its mobile app to let users publish content to every major social network, adding support for TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Mastodon, and Google My Business. The enhancements mirror the desktop experience, offering improved previews, color‑coded labels, first‑comment insertion,...
Co-Op Price-Match Ad Banned After Aldi Complaint
The UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) issued three rulings on Co‑op’s price‑match campaign that compared its "Everyday Essentials" to Aldi. While two complaints – about the overall clarity of the claim and the completeness of the product list – were...
When Shoppers Become the Audience: How Retail Theatre Is Rewriting the Store
Retail theatre is shifting stores from pure transaction hubs to staged experiences, where staff act as cast and purchases become props. In Melbourne, the MC Takeaway pop‑up replaces food with plush collectibles, turning a simple order into a nostalgic performance....
The Modern Retail Marketing Summit Heads to Huntington Beach This April
The Modern Retail Marketing Summit will convene top brand and retailer marketers in Huntington Beach from April 20‑22, spotlighting how companies are navigating rapid shifts in SEO, influencer, and AI-driven channels. Speakers include ThredUp’s SVP Kristen Brophy, Thrive Market’s CMO Amina Pasha, PacSun’s CMO...
Clear Calls-to-Action Boost Conversion Rates
clear CTA = higher conversion
What Is a UX Competitive Analysis & How To Conduct One
The episode explains what a UX competitive analysis is and why it matters for conversion rates, focusing on how users complete key tasks on rival sites. It walks listeners through a six‑step process—identifying direct and indirect competitors, comparing features, mapping...
X Adds Images to In-Stream Polls
X has launched a new feature that lets users attach images to each option in in‑stream polls. The visual poll format mirrors similar tools on platforms like Facebook, aiming to make polls more eye‑catching and interactive. Users add images via...
How to Turn Packaging Into a Revenue Driver (Not Just Another Cost)
Packaging is no longer a hidden expense but a strategic growth lever. By treating packaging like a marketing asset, brands can boost conversion rates, lower customer acquisition costs, and increase average order value. Real‑world tests—such as a beauty brand’s $1.00...
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GrowthRise Mastermind Recap Feb 3, 2026
The GrowthRise Mastermind on February 3, 2026 highlighted three core challenges for B2B marketers: low demo show‑up rates, confusion between demand generation and capture, and inefficient platform spending. Experts advised retargeting engaged audiences, layering educational content before live demos, and separating US‑Canada...
Microsoft Launches Publisher Content Marketplace for AI Licensing
Microsoft Advertising unveiled the Publisher Content Marketplace (PCM), a platform where publishers can license premium articles and media to AI developers and receive usage‑based payments. The system lets publishers set licensing terms while AI builders discover content for grounding specific...
Google Updates Googlebot File Size Limit Docs via @Sejournal, @MattGSouthern
Google has reorganized its documentation, moving default file size limits to the broader crawler overview and refining Googlebot‑specific limits on its own page. The crawler infrastructure now lists a 15 MB default limit for all crawlers, while Googlebot is capped at...
Intent-Based Marketing Guide + Tips For Small Businesses
In this episode Dave North explains intent‑based marketing, a strategy that uses online behavior signals to differentiate shoppers who are merely researching from those ready to buy. He outlines a five‑step process—identifying intent signals, gathering first‑ and third‑party data, segmenting...
Top ECommerce Templates That Make Checkout Faster And Reduce Cart Abandonment
The episode explores how choosing the right eCommerce templates can dramatically reduce cart abandonment by streamlining checkout for a global audience. It highlights key design elements such as localized payment options, transparent shipping costs, guest checkout, mobile‑first optimization, and clear...
Downloads of TikTok Alternatives Slow in the US
TikTok’s U.S. joint venture resolved a data‑center outage, restoring service after a week of zero‑view counts and restricted searches. The brief controversy sparked a surge in downloads for alternatives like UpScrolled and Skylight Social, but both have since slipped back...
Top Amazon SEO Agencies in 2026 That Actually Improve Ranking
The episode breaks down how Amazon SEO has evolved in 2026 and why high‑quality visuals, conversion rates, and data‑driven keyword research now dominate ranking. It outlines a rigorous agency evaluation framework—emphasizing Amazon‑only expertise, transparent reporting, full‑funnel optimization, proven results, and...
LinkedIn Shares Key Trends in B2B Marketing
LinkedIn’s latest B2B marketing report highlights a shift toward human‑centric content, emphasizing video, events, and creator‑driven storytelling. The platform reports that 75% of decision‑makers view thought‑leadership pieces as more trustworthy than traditional product materials. Employee advocacy amplifies reach, with staff...
Marketing Inflation Is Real: Insights From Omar Akhtar
Marketing inflation is real. Great clip via Omar Akhtar on... The Transaction
Arc’teryx Brings on Tommy Hilfiger Vet as First Chief Brand Officer
Arc’teryx has appointed Avery Baker, a former Tommy Hilfiger chief brand officer, as its first chief brand officer. Baker will oversee global brand strategy, marketing, communications and a new consumer‑experience team, reporting to CEO Stuart Haselden. The move coincides with the...
Machines Are Your Content’s New Audience
The episode explores how AI is reshaping content creation and consumption, introducing the new Business‑to‑Agent (B2A) model alongside B2B and B2C. It highlights that while many firms adopt generative AI, legacy workflows and siloed repositories limit impact, leading to wasteful,...
6 Ways Growing E-Commerce Brands Can Improve Site Performance Without Overspending
The episode outlines seven practical ways e‑commerce brands can boost site performance without costly infrastructure upgrades, focusing on server response time, smart caching, image optimization, selective CDN use, database indexing, real‑device testing, and streamlining checkout. Key takeaways include cutting oversized...
New eBay for Sellers Webinars: Ad Strategies, Store Enhancements & AI
eBay announced a series of free, monthly live webinars aimed at its seller community, beginning on February 19 with a focus on advertising strategies for 2026. Each session will spotlight a single topic, with the March 26 webinar covering store enhancements and...
Revenue Marketing VP Replaces Demand Generation as B2B Priority
The hottest job in B2B marketing right now is the VP of Revenue Marketing. Two years ago this would have been VP of Demand Generation. In just the past week I've talked to four CMOs who are prioritizing a VP...
Agentic Commerce Is Here and It Changes Everything
In this episode Richard and Tony demystify agentic commerce, explaining how AI‑driven shopping experiences are supplanting traditional websites, checkout flows, and even ad placements. They highlight the pivotal role of product data feeds and Shopify’s new agentic checkout, which links...
Walmart Offers Incentives for Reviews – Don’t Try This at Home
Walmart’s Post‑Purchase Reviews program lets eligible sellers offer shoppers a promo code incentive for leaving feedback after purchase. Participation is restricted by an internal eligibility algorithm, and sellers are barred from direct email solicitations or external gift‑card offers. The retailer...
Clutch Play: Advance Auto Parts Shifts New Loyalty Program Into Gear
Advance Auto Parts has introduced a three‑tier Advance Rewards loyalty program, replacing its Speed Perks scheme. The free‑to‑join tiers—1st Gear, 2nd Gear and Top Gear—award five to ten points per dollar and allow members to stack up to $100 in...
Introducing the Agentic Customer Platform
HubSpot unveils the Agentic Customer Platform, a unified system that embeds business context into AI agents to bridge the gap between AI output and real‑world results. The platform layers a Smart CRM that aggregates structured records, unstructured communications, and industry...
2026 B2B Conference Guide: AI, Privacy, RevOps, Sustainability
As B2B marketers, we’re constantly challenged to generate new ideas and stay up to date with the latest trends. The landscape shifts rapidly — new strategies, tools, and technologies are always emerging. Attending marketing conferences, places you right in front...
New Blog's Visibility Lags Despite 1,420 Posts
This software company's blog has only existed since July 2025. It has 1,420 indexed posts on Google. 61 of them are self-promotional listicles (4% of the blog). First chart shows their blog's visibility. Second chart shows the entire site's visibility. Playing with fire... https://t.co/3kNGq7CsBO
One AI Prompt Audits Your Email Program with Dollar Insights
One AI prompt to audit your entire email program. Fill in your data. Get a real breakdown with dollar amounts. Works with ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini - whatever you use. Full prompt in the tweet below 👇 https://t.co/Viz4mdJwZe
Six Proven Copywriting Formulas for Powerful Ads
Marketers, Here’s a table with 6 copywriting formulas for writing effective ads. Bookmark this 🔖 https://t.co/7S7kP7Bs6C
Google AI Overviews Retain Penalized Pages Briefly
I still see that pages hit by algorithm updates/manual actions appear in Google's AI Overviews for a few days after they fall in traditional search results. Are others seeing the same?
Founders Lose Track When Funnels Convert at 12%
Everyone in the office: Counting down to 5pm. Ecom founders: Lost track of time testing a new funnel that's converting at 12%. Different mindset. Different life.
Google Appears to Target Self‑promotional Listicles
As I was digging into companies affected by recent volatility on Google yesterday, I noticed a pretty major pattern I felt I had to share. Is Google finally cracking down on self-promotional listicle content? https://t.co/3pLNYcXoSZ https://t.co/DCPS2h1Y7o