Today's Digital Marketing Pulse
Accenture Song Acquires Whalar to Bolster Influencer Marketing
Accenture Song announced the acquisition of Whalar, adding a 170‑person global creator agency and keeping co‑CEOs Emma Harman and Jo Cronk in place. The deal also includes a three‑year strategic partnership that gives Accenture access to Whalar’s talent‑management, technology and venture assets, integrating the creator network with Accenture’s data and AI capabilities.
Meta's Ad Policy Gaps Let Scam Ads Target Seniors, Report Finds
A Center for Countering Digital Hate report reveals that 30 repeat scam advertisers delivered 215 million ad impressions to seniors on Meta’s platforms, despite the company’s claim of removing 159 million scam ads last year. The findings raise fresh regulatory and legal pressure on Meta’s ad‑policy enforcement.
Blend Human Appeal and Bot Authority for SEO Success
You don't want "SEO" or "GEO", you want CLIENTS that come through Google and ChatGPT. So you have to think like them. In that sense, SEO is just like Social Media, Ads, etc. You won't get the traffic you need if you...
Discussing SEO, GEO, and Discovery Future at London Summit
On my way to London to speak at Pulse eCommerce Summit tomorrow in a panel with the awesome Max Woelfle & Lewis Sellers about SEO, GEO and the future of discovery 🙌 if you don’t have a ticket yet, register...
Screencore Expands Its Global Programmatic Infrastructure with the Launch of SuiteDSP
Screencore has launched SuiteDSP, an omnichannel demand‑side platform that adds CTV, video, native, display and mobile buying to its existing programmatic suite. The company now serves more than 150 markets, 30,000 publishers and delivers over 2 billion ad impressions each month...
Google Tests AI Search Tool Built Around YouTube. What Affiliate Marketers Need to Know
Google is piloting an AI‑driven feature called Ask YouTube that answers natural‑language queries using video content directly within the YouTube interface. The tool adds a video‑first layer to Google Search, potentially diverting traffic that traditionally landed on text‑based affiliate pages....
Digest: Alibaba Pushes ‘Chat-to-Buy’ With Qwen AI; Amazon Data Coming to Netflix Inventory Next Week; Instagram Eyes Long-Form CTV Push
Alibaba is embedding its Qwen AI assistant into Taobao and Tmall, enabling chat‑to‑buy experiences where users can search, compare, and purchase via text or voice. Amazon’s shopping data will be integrated into Netflix’s ad inventory in the UK and EMEA...
2026 FIFA World Cup Audiences Are Growing and Fragmenting in Australia, Nexxen Forecast Finds
Nexxen released a forecast report on Australian viewership for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, using its proprietary data to map how fans will consume the tournament across linear TV, streaming and digital platforms. The study finds that 88% of Australians...
The 90-Day AI Search Sprint: How To Rebuild Your Marketing For 2026 Visibility via @Sejournal, @Hethr_campbell
Search Engine Journal’s 90‑Day AI Search Sprint offers a step‑by‑step playbook for brands to capture visibility in emerging AI‑driven search platforms such as Gemini, Claude, and Perplexity. The program outlines current AI search signals, a phased framework for auditing, experimenting,...
CAPIs Won't Solve CTV's Outcomes Problem Until Another Key Issue Is Fixed
Netflix announced a conversion API for its ad‑supported tier, signaling a push toward performance‑based measurement in CTV. However, the article argues that without reliable placement verification—knowing exactly which shows or genres an ad ran against—conversion data remains shaky. Current CTV...
Semify Launches Industry’s First Scalable AI Optimization Service Built for Agency Success
Semify announced the launch of its AI Optimization (AIO) service, the first scalable, white‑label solution built to help marketing agencies secure visibility on emerging AI‑driven search platforms such as ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, Google AI Mode, and Perplexity. The offering...
The Tech SEO Audit for the AI Search Era: How to Maximize Your AI Visibility via @Sejournal, @JetOctopus
In 2026 a growing share of search traffic originates from AI agents like ChatGPT, Claude and Perplexity, which evaluate pages without generating clicks. These "phantom impressions" reveal that traditional keyword rankings are losing relevance as machines prioritize fast, structured content...
Why Duluth Trusts AI Agents with Bidding, but Not Brand Storytelling
Duluth Trading Company is using AI agents to handle ad‑bidding and creative‑iteration tasks while keeping brand storytelling under human control. Marketing director Ellie Uberto told the Digiday Programmatic Marketing Summit that the AI‑driven workflow frees the team to focus on...
Screendragon Launches AI Hub to Embed Custom AI Agents in Live Workflows
Screendragon announced the AI Hub, a new capability that lets enterprise marketing and agency teams create and run custom AI agents directly inside live workflows. The launch aims to shift AI use from ad‑hoc experiments to controlled, revenue‑impacting execution across...
Zero‑Click Search Drives Marketers to Sharpen GEO Targeting Strategies
Marketers are reacting to AI‑driven zero‑click search, which has cut organic referral traffic by up to 25%, by tightening geographic targeting and adopting new AI‑monitoring platforms. A recent survey of 142 brand and agency professionals shows 37% see upper‑funnel traffic...
Meta Can’t Duck Majority of Android Advertising Tracking Claims
A federal judge in San Francisco ruled that Meta must face the bulk of a class‑action lawsuit alleging the company secretly circumvented Android’s sandbox to link users’ web‑browsing activity with their Facebook and Instagram accounts. The decision allows claims of...
Meta Sees Sharp Drop in Instagram Feed and Stories Traffic
Meta's performance this month has been incredibly odd. We're seeing a LOT of really poor traffic coming from IG. This is both Feed and Stories.
New Online Rules Target Scam Adverts
Thailand has introduced new electronic‑transaction regulations requiring social media platforms to verify advertiser identities before ads are published. Published on May 5 and effective 180 days later, the rules mandate facial‑matching verification with government‑issued documents and a 90‑day data‑retention period, while...
Google Overhauls GA4 Attribution Model in April 2026, Prompting Major Reporting Adjustments
Google announced a comprehensive redesign of its GA4 attribution logic effective April 2026. The change adds granular conversion controls, richer cross‑channel reporting, and tighter integration with Google Ads, compelling marketers to overhaul measurement frameworks and budget allocation models.
Your Instagram Followers Can’t Pay Your Bills.
Wellness entrepreneurs are finding that Instagram and TikTok no longer deliver reliable organic reach, with typical post visibility dropping from about 20% of followers to just 4‑8%. At the same time, the cost to acquire a lead on paid social...
EP264: Leveraging TikTok Shop for Amazon PPC Efficiency
In episode 264 of the High Voltage Business Builders Podcast, host Neil Twa explains how adding TikTok Shop to an Amazon catalog can slash advertising costs. Sellers who run both channels report a 30‑50% drop in Amazon ACoS, with a...
Brands Must Master Fundamentals to Win LLM Visibility
Most brands are being overlooked in the LLMs and they have no idea how to change that… The key is embracing fundamentals: Ensure you’re publishing high value content. Study and incorporate EEAT best practices. Distribute your content relentlessly. Embrace SEO best...
Lovesac Channels Malevolent 4-Year-Old In New Campaign
Lovesac unveiled its first brand‑wide campaign, “Here for Life,” starring a chaotic four‑year‑old named Megann. The ads, produced by agency Gus, run on connected TV, YouTube, MLB broadcasts and digital out‑of‑home, emphasizing real‑life messes over polished interiors. The push reflects...
Lessons From the Social Media Food Battle
In March, a promotional video of McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski taking a tiny bite of the new “Big Arch” burger went viral for all the wrong reasons, prompting memes and criticism for its lack of authenticity. Competing chains and grocery...
Pinterest Recommendation Engine Update Aims For Enhanced Ad Relevance
Pinterest unveiled a Contextual Sequential Two‑Tower Model that injects real‑time browsing signals into its ad candidate generator, delivering a 3‑10× lift in per‑user ad relevance and boosting median relevance by roughly 275‑300%. The upgrade addresses a prior shortfall where less...
Mom Community Touts AI Chatbot With A Dig At AI Powerhouses
Peanut, a seven‑year‑old community app for mothers, introduced an AI‑powered chatbot called Ask Peanut alongside an anti‑AI Instagram campaign that lampoons ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini. The campaign stresses that AI lacks the lived experience of pregnancy, sleep regressions and 3 a.m....
Thirst Trap: Hint Water's Campaign Uses Seduction To Sell Hydration
Hint Water launched the "MMMMM Water" campaign, using sensual imagery to make plain water feel irresistible. The 30‑second "Lured into Hydration" spot features an attractive couple at a luxury pool, linking desire to drinking water. The campaign runs across streaming,...
Advertisers Shift $13.2B to Streaming, Favor Sports and Spectacle at Upfront
Advertisers entering Upfront are prioritizing sports, streaming and large‑scale spectacles, driving $13.2 billion in streaming commitments—a 17.9% jump from last year—while broadcast primetime dollars dip 2.5% to $9.1 billion. The shift pressures networks to deliver mass‑audience events, with Disney’s $10 million Super Bowl...
How the Shuffle Crypto Trend Is Shaping Streaming, Sponsorship, and Entertainment Coverage
The Shuffle crypto platform has become a touchstone for how streaming services, sponsorship models, and entertainment coverage are evolving. Ad‑supported tiers on major streamers now attract fintech, crypto and esports brands, while writers’ rooms embed Web3 plotlines to keep shows...
OpenAI Rolls Out ChatGPT Ads Manager Beta, Opening New Channel for Marketers
OpenAI today launched a beta version of Ads Manager, a self‑serve portal that lets advertisers run campaigns inside ChatGPT. The platform relies on conversational context rather than keyword matching and promises transparent labeling and user‑controlled data use.
Google Ads to Auto-Link YouTube Channels Starting June 10
Google Ads will automatically link eligible YouTube channels to ad accounts starting June 10, 2026, eliminating the manual linking step. The change gives advertisers native access to organic video metrics, such as view counts and subscriber growth, directly within the...
The Complete Guide to LinkedIn for Nonprofits: Fundraising, Networking, and Growth Strategies
LinkedIn has become a strategic channel for nonprofits, with 2.2 million organizations leveraging its professional network to boost awareness, partnerships, and donations. The platform’s 1.3 billion members include 40% of U.S. high‑net‑worth individuals, making it a fertile ground for fundraising and corporate...
Six Months of Daily Posts, Then Everything Shifted
I posted on Threads every day. Always. For 6 months, it was: Post at 7am. Reply to everyone. Check analytics. Repeat. I kept this routine for a long time. Until...
When Credibility Comes First, Capability Sells Itself: The Case for News-Led Marketing
B2B marketers are reallocating budgets toward original research and editorial‑grade content as hidden decision‑makers favor thought leadership over traditional sales collateral. The 2025 Edelman‑LinkedIn report shows 71% of these influencers trust thought leadership, while a 2026 TopRank study finds 47%...
How Digital Marketing Transforms Local Businesses Into Regional Powerhouses
Digital marketing is reshaping local Shopify merchants into regional competitors by prioritizing local SEO, email, content, and paid channels in a strategic sequence. The framework targets businesses earning $10K‑$500K monthly, promising early signals within 90 days and measurable regional reach...
Thailand Mandates Biometric IDV for All Social Media Advertisers to Curb Scams
Thailand’s government has issued a new regulation mandating biometric identity verification for every social‑media advertiser, including foreign entities, using facial recognition linked to a national ID or a recognized digital ID. The rule also obliges platforms to retain advertiser records...
Identify AI Citation Gaps to Boost Search Visibility
🤖 Want to Improve Your AI Search Visibility? @semrush Enterprise AIO has one of the easiest ways to identify quick wins for AI citations... coincidentally called "Improve AI Visibility". 😉👇 It lists the URL sources that most strongly influence your...
Facebook Deep Linking for Fintech: A Practical Guide and Best Practices
Fintech marketers depend on Facebook for high‑intent traffic, but the platform’s deep‑link handling can turn qualified clicks into costly drop‑offs. Paid ads support direct app redirection and deferred deep linking, while organic posts open in Facebook’s in‑app browser, which on...
What Is Generative Engine Optimization and Why Every Business Needs It Now
Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is a new discipline that prepares businesses for AI‑powered search platforms such as ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, Perplexity and Microsoft Copilot. It shifts focus from traditional ranking positions to earning citations within AI‑generated answers. The framework...
Schema Additions Don't Boost AI Citation Rankings
Interested in Schema impact on AI citations? Here's the latest study from @ahrefs -> We Tracked 1,885 Pages Adding Schema. AI Citations Barely Moved "We tracked 1,885 web pages that added JSON-LD schema between August 2025 and March 2026, matched them...
Avoid CPC Sponsorships; Brand Building Isn’t Just Clicks
Turned down newsletter sponsorship offers from Lovable and Superhuman this month bc the pricing was CPC, and that feels a bit too transactional for my taste. Brand-building and visibility with hyper- relevant audiences does not always translate cleanly to cost...
We Tracked 1,885 Pages Adding Schema. AI Citations Barely Moved.
A study of 1,885 web pages that added JSON‑LD schema between August 2025 and March 2026 found no measurable boost in AI citations. Using a matched difference‑in‑differences test against 4,000 control pages, citations on Google AI Overviews fell 4.6% on treated pages,...
Your Rescue Depends on the Right Ad Platform
You’re stranded on an island. Your only connection to the outside world is a media buying UI you can use to run ads and call for help. You only get access to one AdTech company’s platform. Which one are you choosing?
ChatGPT Generates $39K, Just 0.2% of Sales
Agentic Commerce on a real store: $39,015 total sales attributed to ChatGPT or 0.2% of store revenue for the same period. Yes, AI makes sales... but it's also still a rounding error. Both can be true. https://t.co/xubN6B0T4r
Rumblings Unveils AI Decision Platform Aiming at $82B MarTech Market
Rumblings, founded by former Woolworths analytics lead Tom Crawford and agency veterans Annabelle Jones, Lori Susko and Jenny Ringland, launched an AI decision platform that blends cultural signals with business context. Targeting a market projected to reach $82 billion by 2030,...
Amazon Owns Full‑Funnel Advertising with Proprietary Data
Two upfronts in… Both highlighted “Full Funnel” advertising and we are not yet at Amazon that owns the phrase leveraging a wealth of proprietary outcome data Here is how Amazon explains Full Funnel advertising https://t.co/QZkAa6yZ05
International TripAdvisor Sites See US Traffic Surge
.@sistrix is showing some interesting movement among travel sites, like a few international TripAdvisor sites surging in the US: https://t.co/2XZo03axJy
Stop Buying Unneeded Backlinks; Fix Your Orphaned Pages
Every entrepreneur that wants my help is paying for backlinks they don't need and ignoring the 50 orphaned pages they do.
Brands Gain Edge With Dedicated Educational Accounts
This is the power of educational content as a brand and as a creator. So many brands would benefit from having a separate account dedicated to educational content.
April 2026 Digital & Email Marketing Highlights You Missed
The Last Word on April 2026: A roundup of #digitalmarketing and #emailmarketing articles, posts, and social buzz you might have missed last month… https://t.co/jTTjJyhPjt https://t.co/Y5PKtr2dSV
Amazon Uses Tech to Combat Ad Fatigue
Amazon wants to conquer 'ad fatigue'-- the result of seeing the same commercial stream on your screen again and again -- with technology... https://t.co/SCHcp5ugM8