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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.

Different Skills Needed: Content Creation vs Live Selling
SocialMay 8, 2026

Different Skills Needed: Content Creation vs Live Selling

On a previous #TeawithGaryVee I was asked "Can you break down the skill set required to be a great content creator on social versus the skill set to be a great live seller?" if you have a question for me, drop...

By GaryVee
Google to No Longer Support FAQ Rich Results
NewsMay 8, 2026

Google to No Longer Support FAQ Rich Results

Google announced that FAQ rich results will be discontinued on May 7, 2026, ending the display of FAQ snippets in organic search. The change also removes the FAQ appearance from the Rich Results Test and the Search Console report in June 2026, with...

By Search Engine Land
SpeedyIndex Emerges as a Disruptive Semrush Alternative, Launching Live JS-Rendered Backlink Audits Within Its Unified SEO Ecosystem
NewsMay 8, 2026

SpeedyIndex Emerges as a Disruptive Semrush Alternative, Launching Live JS-Rendered Backlink Audits Within Its Unified SEO Ecosystem

SpeedyIndex launched a Live JS‑Rendered Bulk Backlink Checker that scans webpages in real time, replacing traditional cached databases. The tool offers pay‑as‑you‑go pricing, letting users audit up to 100,000 URLs without a mandatory monthly subscription. By rendering JavaScript on the...

By MarTech Series
See What Happens when Creative Legends Use AI to Make Ads for Small Businesses.
NewsMay 8, 2026

See What Happens when Creative Legends Use AI to Make Ads for Small Businesses.

Google today unveiled The Small Brief, an initiative that teams three advertising legends—Jayanta Jenkins, Tiffany Rolfe and Susan Credle—with local businesses to produce studio‑quality campaigns. The creatives were given unrestricted access to Flow, Google’s AI‑driven creative studio, to craft ads...

By Google Analytics Blog
14 SEO Trends 2026: What's Real, What's Hype and What We Don't Know Yet
NewsMay 8, 2026

14 SEO Trends 2026: What's Real, What's Hype and What We Don't Know Yet

In 2026 AI search has moved from pure keyword matching to Retrieval‑Augmented Generation (RAG), where search engines first retrieve relevant pages and then generate answers. Studies show AI overviews appear in nearly half of queries, but the sources they cite...

By SurferSEO
New Marketing Skills v1.10 Adds Co‑Marketing Toolkit
SocialMay 8, 2026

New Marketing Skills v1.10 Adds Co‑Marketing Toolkit

Marketing Skills v1.10.0 is out. What shipped: 🆕 /co-marketing — Partner identification and joint campaign planning. Partner scoring framework, campaign types (content, webinars, integrations, community), outreach templates, partnership structuring, and checklists. Tools: Crossbeam, Introw, PartnerStack. Now shipping 41 skills and 52 tool integrations. Free, open...

By Corey Haines
Creator Agency NewGen Launches AI Platform to Help Brands Scale Creator Campaigns With Compliance Controls
NewsMay 8, 2026

Creator Agency NewGen Launches AI Platform to Help Brands Scale Creator Campaigns With Compliance Controls

London‑based creator agency NewGen has unveiled Multiple, an AI‑driven platform that consolidates every stage of influencer campaigns—from creator matching and outreach to contract generation, payment tracking and performance reporting. The system promises to cut campaign launch times by up to...

By Net Influencer
Levanta Makes the Case That Creator Channels Belong Alongside Every Amazon Ad Budget
NewsMay 8, 2026

Levanta Makes the Case That Creator Channels Belong Alongside Every Amazon Ad Budget

Levanta, the Seattle‑based affiliate and creator platform, announced the acquisition of Perch+, an early Amazon‑focused affiliate network. The deal brings hundreds of brands and publishers into Levanta’s marketplace, consolidating two of the longest‑standing players in the Amazon affiliate space. Levanta...

By Net Influencer
Your Offer, Not Leads, Holds Back Sales
SocialMay 8, 2026

Your Offer, Not Leads, Holds Back Sales

Harsh truth: You don’t have a lead generation problem. You have an offer problem. Weak offers struggle even with great traffic.

By Premlata (Meta + Google Ads)
Duluth Trading Launches Cheeky Underwear Marketing Campaign
NewsMay 8, 2026

Duluth Trading Launches Cheeky Underwear Marketing Campaign

Duluth Trading Company unveiled a cheeky underwear campaign featuring its new mascot, Max Gluteus, timed with March Madness. The initiative leveraged humor to position low‑priced underwear as a gateway product, driving first‑time purchases and long‑term loyalty. On Meta the campaign...

By Chief Marketer
How to Run Prompt-Level SEO Experiments for AI Search
NewsMay 8, 2026

How to Run Prompt-Level SEO Experiments for AI Search

As large language models (LLMs) become primary answer engines, brands must ensure they appear in AI‑generated responses. The article outlines a hypothesis‑driven, prompt‑level SEO framework that structures tests with an if‑then‑because format to isolate variables such as content tweaks or...

By Search Engine Land
Amazon Brings Content-To-Commerce Technology Into Publisher Services
NewsMay 8, 2026

Amazon Brings Content-To-Commerce Technology Into Publisher Services

Amazon Publisher Services has added Shopsense, an AI‑driven content‑to‑commerce platform, to its Connections Marketplace. Shopsense analyzes images in articles, videos and photos, automatically generating product‑listing ads that link to more than 1,000 retailers. The integration requires no code and promises...

By MediaPost
How IAB Sweden Expelled Meta—And Why It Might Not Happen in Other Chapters Anytime Soon
NewsMay 8, 2026

How IAB Sweden Expelled Meta—And Why It Might Not Happen in Other Chapters Anytime Soon

Meta has been expelled from IAB Sweden after a year‑long campaign by Swedish publishers over a surge of fraudulent advertisements on its platforms. The move follows a Reuters investigation that accused Meta of earning billions from scam ads and a...

By Marketing Brew
Renting Customers or Building a Business: Ishan Manchanda on LTV, Retention, and the Next Wave of B2B Growth
NewsMay 8, 2026

Renting Customers or Building a Business: Ishan Manchanda on LTV, Retention, and the Next Wave of B2B Growth

Ishan Manchanda, CEO of GrowthSpree, explains how his agency fills the missing playbook for B2B SaaS growth, emphasizing LTV over vanity revenue metrics. He warns that static LTV calculations and weak retention undermine unit economics, while a 5‑point boost in...

By SaaS Mag
PubMatic’s Agentic AI Is Going Beyond Direct Deals
NewsMay 8, 2026

PubMatic’s Agentic AI Is Going Beyond Direct Deals

PubMatic announced that its AgenticOS platform has run more than 30 fully autonomous, end‑to‑end campaigns and over 1,000 direct publisher deals, signaling a shift from agentic ad tech being limited to direct buys. The AI‑driven product helped lift emerging‑revenue growth...

By AdExchanger
Amazon Data Will Be Available on Netflix Inventory in the UK May 18
NewsMay 8, 2026

Amazon Data Will Be Available on Netflix Inventory in the UK May 18

Amazon’s demand‑side platform will let UK and EMEA advertisers overlay Amazon shopping data onto Netflix’s connected‑TV inventory starting May 18. The feature, first rolled out in the United States on April 13, enables Amazon Audiences to be applied to Netflix campaigns via...

By Adweek
Google Unlikely to Tailor Spam Policy for EU Advantage
SocialMay 8, 2026

Google Unlikely to Tailor Spam Policy for EU Advantage

I have a hard time believing that Google will adjust a spam policy for just the EU. That would give news publishers in the EU an unfair advantage. And I highly doubt Google will get rid of the spam policy...

By Glenn Gabe
HMH Names Jessica Naeve CMO to Drive Data‑Driven Global Marketing
NewsMay 8, 2026

HMH Names Jessica Naeve CMO to Drive Data‑Driven Global Marketing

HMH announced Jessica Naeve as its new chief marketing officer. Naeve will steer the publisher's global, data‑informed digital marketing across curriculum, assessment and professional learning solutions. The hire signals HMH’s push to modernize outreach to educators worldwide.

By Pulse
On‑site Shoot Creates Fresh Content for Client Marketing
SocialMay 8, 2026

On‑site Shoot Creates Fresh Content for Client Marketing

On site for another client this morning, capturing photos and videos that will be used for social media and marketing #video #videoshoot #marketing #smallbusiness

By Kyle Benjamin
Meet Stan, Caitlin Clark's New Teammate
NewsMay 8, 2026

Meet Stan, Caitlin Clark's New Teammate

State Farm has transformed its long‑standing stanchion‑pad logo into a animated robot mascot named Stan, pairing him with WNBA star Caitlin Clark in a new advertising campaign. The spots debut with the opening night of the WNBA season and will...

By MediaPost Social Media & Marketing Daily
SEO’s New Goal in 2026: Recognition, Not Rankings
NewsMay 8, 2026

SEO’s New Goal in 2026: Recognition, Not Rankings

The search ecosystem has shifted from ranking‑centric tactics to a recognition‑first model as AI overviews, large language models and zero‑click answers now dominate user journeys. Traditional #1 SERP positions no longer guarantee visibility because generative AI draws on brand citations,...

By Search Engine Land
Week in Review: CTV and AI Dominate Ad Tech Earnings, Major Distributors Back Microdramas, and Kraft Heinz Ramps Up Ad...
NewsMay 8, 2026

Week in Review: CTV and AI Dominate Ad Tech Earnings, Major Distributors Back Microdramas, and Kraft Heinz Ramps Up Ad...

Ad‑tech leaders The Trade Desk, PubMatic and Magnite all highlighted CTV and AI in their Q1 earnings, with mixed market reactions. The Trade Desk’s shares dropped 15% despite 12% revenue growth, while PubMatic and Magnite posted modest revenue gains driven...

By VideoWeek (UK/Europe)
New Claude Plugin Generates Viral LinkedIn Posts Instantly
SocialMay 8, 2026

New Claude Plugin Generates Viral LinkedIn Posts Instantly

Last week, I spent 7+ hours building a set of Claude Skills to help you write viral LinkedIn posts faster. The result? A Claude Cowork plugin anyone can install to write publish-ready LinkedIn posts in minutes. Now, I originally built this to share...

By Nicolas Cole
New AI Search Links, Core Update Winners And Losers – SEO Pulse via @Sejournal, @MattGSouthern
NewsMay 8, 2026

New AI Search Links, Core Update Winners And Losers – SEO Pulse via @Sejournal, @MattGSouthern

Google rolled out five tweaks that add inline links, end‑of‑answer citations, and public‑forum previews to AI Overviews and AI Mode, giving each reference more context. A March core update analysis shows aggregators such as YouTube, Reddit and travel OTAs losing...

By Search Engine Journal
Google Ads Expands Out‑of‑stock Display Options
SocialMay 8, 2026

Google Ads Expands Out‑of‑stock Display Options

Running Google Ads? This is a good change -> Out-of-Stock Product Landing Page Requirements Updated It used to be a single requirement for a grayed-out button... Advertisers can now indicate out-of-stock products with several options: *Display text such as “Sold Out” or “Item...

By Glenn Gabe
One Skillset that Everyone in the Industry Needs to Master
PodcastMay 8, 20261 min

One Skillset that Everyone in the Industry Needs to Master

In this 1‑minute‑43‑second episode of The Voices of Search, host Jordan Cooney chats with growth advisor Kevin Indig about the common missteps teams make with AI‑driven search and the true drivers of online visibility. They argue that the essential skill...

By Voices of Search
Why Intent Alignment Matters More than Perfect Technical SEO
NewsMay 8, 2026

Why Intent Alignment Matters More than Perfect Technical SEO

Once a site reaches technical parity with its rivals, further technical tweaks yield diminishing returns, and Google’s ranking algorithm shifts focus to relevance. Relevance is measured by how well a page’s content aligns with the searcher’s intent, influencing signals such...

By Search Engine Land
Google AI Search Evolves; New Tools, Rankings Shift
SocialMay 8, 2026

Google AI Search Evolves; New Tools, Rankings Shift

SEO Video Recap covering Google Search black box AI systems, links improves in Google AI search, UCP checkout expands, ChatGPT Ad Manager live, Ask.com shutters, ranking volatility and so much more https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyZx4i5UM3U Sponsored by @ahrefs

By Barry Schwartz
Google Ranking Volatility Spikes, Possible Unconfirmed Update
SocialMay 8, 2026

Google Ranking Volatility Spikes, Possible Unconfirmed Update

Google Search ranking volatility heating up today - May 8th - may be an unconfirmed Google update - what are you seeing https://www.seroundtable.com/google-search-ranking-volatility-heated-41293.html #google #googleupdate #googlealgorithmupdate #googleseo #seo

By Barry Schwartz
Google Ads To Require Passkey For Certain Sensitive Actions After July 15
NewsMay 8, 2026

Google Ads To Require Passkey For Certain Sensitive Actions After July 15

Google announced that, beginning July 15, 2026, Google Ads will require advertisers to use passkeys for certain sensitive actions. The policy shift follows a recent spike in account hijacks targeting the platform. Passkeys are password‑free credentials that rely on device‑based cryptography, making...

By Search Engine Roundtable
Doctors Must Google Themselves to Avoid Misidentification
SocialMay 8, 2026

Doctors Must Google Themselves to Avoid Misidentification

Tag a physician who has never Googled their own name. They need to. Dr. Stephanie Waggel did, and the top result wasn’t her. It was a large corporate clinic she has no affiliation with. Save this before the next time...

By Kevin Pho, MD (KevinMD)
AI Companies Are Selling Heartwarming Ads – They’re Racing To Automate Your Job via @Sejournal, @Gregjarboe
NewsMay 8, 2026

AI Companies Are Selling Heartwarming Ads – They’re Racing To Automate Your Job via @Sejournal, @Gregjarboe

OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic are running heart‑warming consumer ads that portray their AI as friendly household helpers, while simultaneously developing agentic systems that automate complex professional workflows. Their latest models—OpenAI’s GPT‑5.5, Google’s Gemini 3.1 Pro, and Anthropic’s Claude Opus 4.7—are being positioned to replace...

By Search Engine Journal
Earning Buyer Trust in an AI Driven Marketing World
NewsMay 8, 2026

Earning Buyer Trust in an AI Driven Marketing World

Artificial intelligence now powers most demand‑generation tactics, with 96% of marketers deploying some form of AI. Yet the 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer shows only 32% of U.S. respondents trust AI, creating a confidence gap that can stall B2B deals. The...

By Demand Gen Report
Soralios Launches AVAATR, an AI-Based Digital Cloning Platform for Professional Communication and Automation
NewsMay 8, 2026

Soralios Launches AVAATR, an AI-Based Digital Cloning Platform for Professional Communication and Automation

Soralios announced AVAATR, an AI‑powered digital cloning platform that acts as a 24/7 “Better Self” for professionals. Unlike static clones, AVAATR can conduct voice and video conversations, integrate a user’s entire knowledge base, and operate across social, CRM, and meeting‑room...

By MarTech Series
The New York Times Grew Digital Ad Revenue 32% in Q1. Here’s How to Copy It
NewsMay 8, 2026

The New York Times Grew Digital Ad Revenue 32% in Q1. Here’s How to Copy It

The New York Times posted a 31.6% year‑over‑year rise in digital advertising revenue in Q1 2026, reaching $93.3 million. The growth follows a 24.9% increase in the prior quarter, marking two straight quarters of outsized ad performance. Chief advertising officer Joy Robins credits a clear...

By Adweek
Advertising Week’s Tech Editorials Spotlight Agency Debt, Martech Overload and Quantum Marketing
NewsMay 8, 2026

Advertising Week’s Tech Editorials Spotlight Agency Debt, Martech Overload and Quantum Marketing

Advertising Week’s tech editorial series this week highlighted five key themes: cultural roots of agency tech debt, the paradox of 15,000 martech tools, mid‑market programmatic complexity, collaborative data as a competitive edge, and a quantum‑marketing mindset. The pieces, authored by...

By Pulse
How to Connect Social KPIs to Larger Business Objectives
NewsMay 8, 2026

How to Connect Social KPIs to Larger Business Objectives

Patrick Pho, head of the content studio at Volkswagen of America, stresses that social media must be tied to clear business objectives to avoid wasted effort. He outlines a three‑step process: define a specific objective (exposure, consumption, or engagement), set...

By PR Daily (Ragan)
CTV Evolves Into Guaranteed Performance Channel with LG Partnership
SocialMay 8, 2026

CTV Evolves Into Guaranteed Performance Channel with LG Partnership

Last week at Possible Miami, I had the pleasure of hitting the stage with Serge Matta, President of LG Ad Solutions ((@LG_Ad_Solutions). Serge made the points that CTV is no longer just about "awareness" - it’s officially a performance channel. In fact...

By Adam Singolda
AEO Beats SEO: Get Cited in AI Answers
SocialMay 8, 2026

AEO Beats SEO: Get Cited in AI Answers

SEO focused on ranking pages. AEO focuses on being cited in the answer. That changes: • how content is written • how it’s structured • what gets rewarded Buyers ask AI differently than they search Google. The companies getting cited are adapting to that first. https://t.co/oPV35z2aVm

By devbasu
A Love Letter to Hong Kong, a Fictional Country Star, and Thierry Henry in a K-Drama
NewsMay 8, 2026

A Love Letter to Hong Kong, a Fictional Country Star, and Thierry Henry in a K-Drama

Ad5’s latest roundup spotlights five standout campaigns across Asia and Europe. Cathay Pacific marked its 80th anniversary with a 10‑minute film that weaves Hong Kong nostalgia into brand storytelling. Thailand’s insurance‑driven road‑safety sign flips conventional messaging, while Woodstock Bourbon introduced a...

By Branding in Asia
TikTok: Musicians' Ultimate Guide to Audience Growth
SocialMay 8, 2026

TikTok: Musicians' Ultimate Guide to Audience Growth

TikTok is the most powerful music discovery tool ever built. Here's everything you need to know about using it to grow your audience, straight from the musicians who've figured it out. https://t.co/qRVoz0fI6E

By Eric Alper
Content Marketers Must Evolve Into Editorial Guardians
SocialMay 8, 2026

Content Marketers Must Evolve Into Editorial Guardians

Content marketers need to shift into more editorial roles. AI makes content *production* easier than ever, but you still need someone to oversee all the various activities and act as the quality bar/voice of taste. https://t.co/MvWpoOG3Gs

By Kaleigh Moore
Write2Sell: My Welcome Email Formula Behind 21% On-the-Spot Upgrades
BlogMay 8, 2026

Write2Sell: My Welcome Email Formula Behind 21% On-the-Spot Upgrades

Writer Yana G. reports that 21% of new paid Substack subscribers upgrade on the spot after receiving her welcome email, far above industry norms. She attributes the lift to a conversion‑focused email built on a four‑part PPSA (Pain → Proof...

By Unplugged by Yana G.Y.
Research-Backed Content Earns Links and Authority
SocialMay 8, 2026

Research-Backed Content Earns Links and Authority

If your content is not earning links, ask why. Research does. It gives writers proof. It gives journalists sources. It gives your brand authority. Tools matter. Research dominates. https://t.co/PNytCOQeuq

By Ross Simmonds
Tailor Content per Platform: Subtle Remixes Boost Repurposing
SocialMay 8, 2026

Tailor Content per Platform: Subtle Remixes Boost Repurposing

Slight remixes of your content across every channel is the key to repurposing. https://t.co/M8688t4CuW modifies content based on your voice and the platform best practices.

By Ross Simmonds
Is ChatGPT Turning Into Yahoo! Or Netscape? (531)
PodcastMay 8, 20261h 12m

Is ChatGPT Turning Into Yahoo! Or Netscape? (531)

In this episode the hosts dissect a wave of corporate missteps, from Apple’s $250 million settlement over misleading AI claims to OpenAI’s turbulent week, including missed user‑growth targets, revenue worries, internal lawsuits, and a new self‑service ad platform. They also explore...

By This Old Marketing
2026 Social Media Job Ads: New Strategies Unveiled
SocialMay 8, 2026

2026 Social Media Job Ads: New Strategies Unveiled

Brainfood Live On Air - Ep377 - Job Advertising on Social Media in 2026 https://t.co/RdC3dRlfGy

By Hung Lee
SEO Delivered $80K Annual Value for SaaS
SocialMay 8, 2026

SEO Delivered $80K Annual Value for SaaS

10 months of SEO for this SaaS. If you were paying for all this traffic, you'd be paying $6,638 per month. That's about $80,000/year. It'll increase further because the client won't stop doing SEO. What we did in the next tweet....

By Flavio Amiel
Netflix Awards India Media Mandate to Omnicom Media Group
NewsMay 8, 2026

Netflix Awards India Media Mandate to Omnicom Media Group

Netflix has transferred its India media planning and buying mandate from Wavemaker to Omnicom Media Group after a multi‑agency pitch. The new contract covers both traditional and digital media channels, reflecting Netflix’s broader strategic overhaul of its Indian market approach....

By afaqs! (India)