What you need to know this week – September 27, 2024

Hello everyone. Happy Friday!

Welcome to our lovingly curated list of the best digital marketing and business news that we think you should know about from the week. There may also be a sprinkling of general news and commentary that we find to be interesting or just fun.

We’ve provided concise summaries for your convenience along with a link to one of the best articles on the topic if you’d like to read more.

If you’d like to read more please sign-up for our newsletter for more advice, commentary and news about how to grow your business.

Read? Let’s jump into it…

Moo Deng Update

First, let’s focus on something really important and fun… Moo Deng. I found out today that his name means bouncy pig or pork patty! Now, if that doesn’t brighten your day and make you laugh out loud, I don’t know what will!

WordPress Tightens Its Grip on Hosting with Trademark Moves

If you use WordPress for your website, they’re taking their hosting game to the next level—by trademarking “Managed WordPress” and “Hosted WordPress.” Because, you know, why stop at powering over half the internet when you can own the words for it too? 😂

By staking a claim on these popular terms, WordPress is setting itself up as the go-to service for bloggers, businesses, and everyone in between. It’s a clever move to keep competitors at bay and protect its brand identity. Click here to read more

TikTok Takes on the Big Players in Search Ads

TikTok is no longer just about dancing teens and viral challenges—it’s getting serious about search ads. By stepping into the U.S. search ads market, TikTok aims to rival giants like Google and Bing, hoping to leverage its massive user base and unique algorithm to attract advertisers. It’s a bold play, and one that could shake things up in the digital advertising world. Click here to read more

Google AI Overviews: Should We Panic or Chill?

Google’s AI Overviews are now a thing, generating summaries for search queries and leaving us all wondering: is SEO dead or just evolving? Don’t freak out just yet. AI is here to help, not replace—unless, of course, you’re still doing keyword stuffing like it’s 2005. The key takeaway? Embrace the AI revolution, or risk becoming the next MySpace. Click here to read more

Google Reviews Gone Missing? You’re Not Alone

If you’ve noticed your glowing Google reviews suddenly vanishing into thin air, you’re not alone. Businesses across the U.S. are reporting a suspicious surge in legitimate reviews being removed. So why should you care? Because those reviews could be the lifeblood of your online reputation. If Google keeps ghosting them, it could mean bad news for your business credibility. Click here to read more

Google Cloud’s Gemini at Work: AI Isn’t Just a Trend

Google’s Gemini at Work event showcased how businesses are embracing generative AI to boost productivity. Should you care? Absolutely. The takeaway here is that AI isn’t just a buzzword—it’s becoming integral to how companies operate, making work smarter and more efficient. If you’re not keeping up, you’ll get left behind. Click here to read more

Google Ads Now Does AI Video Magic

Google Ads has introduced a Video Enhancement feature for Performance Max campaigns, which means AI is stepping in to tweak your video ads for better results. Why does this matter? Because it’s 2024, and if you’re not using AI to up your marketing game, your competitors definitely are. Click here to read more

Reddit’s AI Ads

Reddit has unleashed a new set of AI tools designed to help advertisers create ads that actually work (and maybe don’t get downvoted immediately). If you’re a small business, this means less time writing copy and more time counting those upvotes. Bottom line? AI is here to make advertising on Reddit easier and less cringe-worthy. Click here to read more

How Inflation is Making SMBs Sweat in 2024

A whopping 46% of small and midsize businesses have had to cut back on spending thanks to inflation, according to new research. Why does it matter? If you run a small business, it’s time to tighten your belt and strategize. Knowing how inflation is impacting others can help you navigate these tough times. Click here to read more

Review Requests: It’s Not Just About Asking Nicely

A new study shows that review requests should be treated like customer service. The big takeaway? If you’re not putting in as much effort into how you ask for reviews as you do into handling complaints, you’re missing out. Good reviews can be game-changers for your reputation—handle with care. Click here to read more

Meta Rebuilds Instagram & Facebook for VR: Because Why Not?

Meta’s annual Connect event revealed shiny new VR-compatible versions of Instagram and Facebook. What’s the deal? Meta is betting big on the future of social in virtual reality. If you want to see your Instagram feed in 3D, this is why you should care. Whether or not this sticks remains to be seen, but it’s a bold move. Click here to read more

Spotify as a $2B Ad Giant? Believe It

Spotify’s ad revenue is growing faster than your playlist, and it’s expected to exceed $2 billion. The takeaway? If you haven’t considered Spotify as an ad platform, it’s time to give it a listen—literally. Music and podcasts are the next frontier for advertisers looking to make a splash. Click here to read more

Google Updates Its Search Spam Policies: Stay Clean, Folks

Google has updated its web search spam policies, with a particular focus on site reputation abuse. Translation: if you’re engaging in shady SEO practices, it’s time to clean up your act. The big takeaway? Play by the rules, or watch your search rankings disappear faster than yesterday’s memes. Click here to read more

Meta Grabs Threads.com: Simplifying the Web Confusion

Meta’s acquisition of Threads.com might just clear up the confusion around finding its new social app. Why should you care? Because if you were one of the people googling “Threads” and ending up on a sewing website, your search just got easier. Click here to read more

Call Tracking vs. NAP Consistency: The Ultimate Showdown

The debate is on—does using call tracking ruin your business’s Name, Address, Phone (NAP) consistency? For local SEO experts, this is the existential crisis of 2024. The verdict? It depends. If you care about local rankings, you’ll want to keep a close eye on how this plays out. Click here to read more

LinkedIn’s Top Voice Badges: Gone But Not Forgotten

LinkedIn is removing its Top Voice badges for collaborative article contributors, leading many to wonder if this also spells the end of Collaborative Articles. What does this mean for you? If you’ve been contributing, your efforts might need to pivot. Time to find another way to stand out. Click here to read more

The Small Business Tax Deduction is on Thin Ice

The 20% tax deduction, could expire in 2025. The big takeaway? If you’re a small business owner, it’s time to start lobbying or preparing for potential tax hikes. This could be a game changer. Click here to read more

Gmail’s Smart Replies Just Got a Whole Lot Smarter

Google’s Gemini update is making Gmail’s Smart Replies smarter than ever, tailoring responses to the full context of your email thread. Why should you care? Because your days of sending awkward, one-liner responses are finally over. Email just got a little less robotic and a lot more human. If you’ve ever wished Gmail could read between the lines, now it kind of can. Click here to read more

NerdWallet’s SEO Secrets: What You Need to Know

NerdWallet isn’t just good at giving financial advice—they’ve mastered SEO, with over 70% of their traffic coming from organic search. What’s the takeaway here? If you’re not leveraging SEO to drive unpaid traffic like they are, you’re leaving money on the table. Time to get nerdy about your SEO strategy. Click here to read more

Bing’s Short Videos: Now With Extra Info!

Bing’s short video carousel just got a facelift, with added details like video length and descriptions. Bing’s trying to be more useful, and if you’re a content creator, this could help your videos stand out in search results. Time to start optimizing for Bing’s new features. Click here to read more

B2B Marketing Strategies: How to Boost Your Growth

Looking to grow your business? SEMrush has laid out the top B2B digital marketing strategies, covering everything from SEO to social media. The takeaway? If you’re not diversifying your marketing channels and staying on top of trends, you’re missing out on serious growth opportunities. Click here to read more

Gmail’s Gemini-Powered Replies: A Game Changer for Quick Responses

Google is rolling out Gemini’s contextual Smart Replies for Gmail, making those quick responses smarter and more accurate. Why does this matter? If you’ve ever felt like Gmail’s automated replies were a bit off, this update should smooth things out, helping you communicate more naturally and efficiently. Click here to read more

Meta Fined Big for 2019 Password Breach

Remember when Meta had that big 2019 security breach? Well, they’re finally paying the price, with a hefty $101.5M fine. It’s a reminder to always keep your passwords safe—and maybe think twice about trusting platforms with your personal data. Click here to read more

Marketing in the Future: What’s Next?

With AI tools and evolving consumer expectations, marketing could look totally different in the next 2-3 years. What’s the takeaway? If you’re not thinking ahead and adapting your marketing strategies, you could get left behind. Now’s the time to innovate and stay ahead of the curve. Click here to read more

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