What you need to know – December 2, 2024 Update

Hello everyone. Happy Monday! We hope you had a great Thanksgiving full of food, family and football! Welcome back to our lovingly curated list of the best digital marketing and business news. These are the key stories that we think you need to know about, all in one place.

To get started let’s look forward 2025…

2025 is shaping up to be a year of significant shifts in marketing budgets. Here are just a few takeaways. According to a survey of 11,093 people, marketers are increasingly prioritizing organic growth and long-term brand building, with a focus on SEO and all forms of content creation — including video (See additional link below) and podcasts which they referred to as an “essential” channel.

It was interesting to note that 58% plan to decrease their organic social budget. The main reason was that their reach is continually getting worse year after year, no matter what they try. As far as paid search goes, many are planning to spend less on Google and spend more on Bing. It’s becoming harder to make a profit with rising costs so marketers are shifting budgets to more affordable platforms.

Alternative channels like affiliate marketing, podcast advertising, community building, and influencer marketing are also gaining prominence. While traditional channels like television, radio, and print continue to experience huge declines in budget allocation.

The big takeaway is that marketers are seeking more digital, affordable, sustainable,e and lasting investments to reach their target audience. They’re also generally optimistic and willing to spend more in 2025 on these investments as well. Read more here.

Video First: The Future of Content

Video content is taking center stage in the digital marketing world. From short-form videos on TikTok to long-form explainer videos on YouTube, video is a powerful tool for engaging your audience and driving conversions. Search Engine Land

ChatGPT’s Market Share Grows, But Google Still Dominates Search

ChatGPT is making waves in the search marketing world, but Google remains the undisputed king of search. Currently, ChatGPT holds 4.33% of the market share, while Google sits at a comfortable 83.54%. Search Roundtable

LinkedIn Prioritizes Professional Posts in New Content Guidelines

The platform is cracking down on promotional posts and engagement bait in favor of industry insights, career tips, and business advice. Sharing your expertise is the key to getting noticed on LinkedIn these days. Search Engine Journal

Links: Not All Social Media Platforms Are Created Equal

Thinking about sharing a link on social media? Think twice! Some platforms, like Facebook, tend to throttle posts with links, while others are more link-friendly. Knowing the platform’s policy can help you maximize the reach of your content. Social Media Today

DOJ and Google Clash Over Digital Ad Market Share

The battle between the DOJ and Google over the digital ad market heats up. The DOJ claims Google has a whopping 91% market share, while Google counters that the number is closer to 10%. This lawsuit could have major implications for the future of online advertising. Search Engine Journal

LinkedIn’s Dos and Don’ts for Better Post Visibility

Want to get more eyes on your LinkedIn posts? The platform has shared some valuable tips on what to do and what to avoid. From using strong visuals to engaging your audience with thought-provoking questions, these tips can help you boost your visibility and reach a wider audience. Social Media Today

Advertisers Concerned About Digital Ad Transparency and Privacy

A recent report highlights the growing concerns among digital ad buyers about transparency and privacy issues. As advertisers seek greater control and accountability, they are demanding more transparency from ad platforms. Social Media Today

LinkedIn’s AI Assistant: Your New Sales Powerhouse

LinkedIn is rolling out AI-powered assistance tools for its Sales Navigator platform. These tools can help sales professionals identify leads, personalize outreach, and improve their sales efficiency. Get ready to supercharge your sales efforts! Social Media Today

Google Faces Antitrust Scrutiny: Chrome Sale Sparks Debate

The Department of Justice is investigating Google’s dominance in the digital advertising market, and the potential sale of Chrome has sparked debate within the industry. This could have significant implications for online advertising and competition. Search Engine Land

Google Lens In-Store and Local Shopping Features

Google Lens is getting smarter! The visual search tool is now expanding its capabilities to help users find products in stores and discover local businesses. This could revolutionize the way we shop and explore our surroundings. Search Engine Land

Preparing for 2025: Key SEO Priorities and Challenges

As we head into 2025, SEO professionals are facing a new set of challenges and opportunities. This article explores the top SEO priorities for the coming year, including technical SEO, content creation, and voice search optimization. Search Engine Journal

Marketing in 2025: Trends and Predictions

Need more predictions about 2025? This article explores the top marketing trends for 2025, including the rise of AI, the importance of personalization, and the need for data-driven decision-making. WordStream