Heyo,

I am still in the boat that we can trust AI… with a human babysitter. 

And the news is constantly reiterating this point. Catch the specifics below. ⬇️

• Prompt research: the next layer of SEO and GEO. SEL shares some insights on how prompt research can identify opportunities for new content with intent-based clustering to help map your current content strategy.

• Most consumers use AI, but few fully trust it — only 13% according to a MarTech study. Sorted into four AI personas: Enthusiasts, Evaluators, Skeptics, and Holdouts. Knowing the general buckets in which your audience falls can determine SAIO strategy.

• If you’re thinking about jumping on the mass-produced, AI content bandwagon, please read this article first: “You’re Not Scaling Content. You’re Scaling Disappointment.” It includes a historical timeline of how volume-content plays have consistently failed for one basic reason: the “qualitative wall.” Quality always matters over quantity. A-L-W-A-Y-S.

• Google is testing regenerating page titles through AI in traditional search results. This could be a real eeeek if the new title doesn’t accurately represent what the article is about. If that’s the case, Google could be causing clickbait, something it has been actively fighting against with each Google Core Update.

• Meta’s content moderators are being replaced by AI. As there weren’t enough human moderators to the amount of flagged content, this makes sense in a way. This does not come without risks, as a rogue AI agent exposed sensitive Meta employee data. I’m curious to see how human oversight will be implemented, because it seems we still need that. 

• Meta’s Horizon Worlds, their virtual reality social network, is shutting down on VR to be just a standalone mobile app. It seems Meta is shifting focus from the metaverse to AI. Honestly, it may have been too early to introduce Ready Player One, sci-fi concepts and may stay a dream for when VR is more readily used and available.

Habitat loss is the single largest threat to birds. For 30 years, the American Bird Conservancy has been championing the bird conservation movement throughout the Americas. They innovate and build on rapid advancements in science to halt extinctions, protect habitats, eliminate threats, and build capacity for bird conservation. Check them out: American Bird Conservatory.

Flow state – complete immersion in the moment.

If I could sum up total presentness, it would be in the band Jungle’s music videos.

From each coordinated dancer to the camera person running around to get it all in one take — they are all completely engrossed in their art.

What things in your life cause you to forget time and live mindfully? And can you do more of them?

For your viewing and listening pleasure: Busy Earnin’, Keep Moving, & Heavy California.

Sending good vibes your way, ✌🏼

Natalie

In case you’re a new Jungle fan, find more funky fun music here!

Welcome! 📺

You’re tuning in to DBE Channel Digital Marketing News. I’m your host, Natalie, and we’ve got stories to shock, awe, and make you think. Here’s the 4-1-1:

• Meta’s jumping on a bandwagon trend (that we’re not sure works yet). Meta is testing a subscription verification service for Instagram and Facebook. If the verification check mark increases account reach, what will that mean for boosted posts? For ads? We’ll have to see…

• B2B is ch-ch-ch-ch-changin’ 🎶
  • Buying power is shifting between generations. King Data’s reign is becoming ever more expansive. Ecommerce is the fast-growing channel. See more trends here.
  • For B2B marketers: The Martech marketing automation buyer’s guide can help define the scope of marketing automation platforms (MAPs). The list of MAP categories is far more wide-ranging than you would think. (You may be already using some of them without thinking of them as marketing automation.)

• SEO is still not dead yet, in spite of recent AI developments. This Search Engine Land article encapsulates the potential of AI for SEO’s future but couples the advantages with reasons why human input remains a vital and needed component for SEO success.

• We’ve been keeping a close eye on Google’s Performance Max (Pmax for short). 👀 They’re offering some new updates including brand exclusions, page feeds, and easier video creation. Check it out on Search Engine Journal.

Do Good Spotlight
🌟 JDRF 🌟

Their vision: a world without type 1 diabetes (T1D). JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research and has been actively searching for a cure since 1970. In addition to research, they offer many resources to those affected by the disease. See how you can help: JDRF.

• 🤖 There a few things robots can’t take away from us. One of them is the power of personality. ChatGPT may be able to (almost) write like a pro, but part of the joy of reading is an author’s flavor of word-choice and solely unique world view. Ann Handley’s playful piece reminds us of the potency of human writing.

• Looking to expand beyond Google? Check out these alternatives for analytics and search engines!

Just some thoughts… 💭

Wellness and well-being are integral values in healthy organizations. However, I feel we live in a “fix it when it breaks” culture. What if we, instead, focused on preventing breaks in the first place? The proposal: let’s bring mindfulness into the workplace.

• Microsoft’s got moves. Insider Intelligence notes 5 advertising moves in particular. See how they’re making strides against competitors.

Wishing you the best as we march into this windy month!

Natalie

Hurry – you gotta send them this signup link!

Boo! 👻

If that didn’t scare you, our spooky issue of What’s Hot Wednesday will! 🦇🎃 Commence the spooky Halloween tunes!

• Looking into our crystal ball 🔮 … marketers are predicting heightened adoption of metaverse tech in 2023. They’re even looking to create a new role in their team for a “metaverse coordinator.” Get the full outlook in this MarketingTech article.

• *ghoulish voice* They’re coming… and they’re raising privacy concerns. Uber ads are going to be formally released soon and people have already brought up concerns on location privacy. While some advertisers may be jumping up in their seats about this, we will all have to wait and see how everything rolls out.

• Here lies the thumbs up emoji 💀. That’s right, the thumbs up emoji has been canceled by Gen Z for being abrupt and sometimes rude, according to Forbes. My take on this: Gen Z has experienced much, if not most, of their communication through technology. The meanings encoded in the pictographic and technical communication are deeper than earlier generations. With that lens, it’s no surprise that emojis can get canceled.

Do Good Spotlight
🌟 Children First PA 🌟

Through “developing initiatives and advocating for quality health care, child care, public education, and family stability,” Children First PA works to improve children’s lives, particularly around the Philly area. They continually release research, including insights on Covid’s impact on children. Learn more about their noble cause here: Children First PA.

• Something new is lurking in your feeds… YouTube handles, that is. Creators will be choosing (or already have chosen) handles for their accounts. They will be visible in Shorts and channel pages near you this month!

• If you’ve been on the fence about starting a podcast for your business, or if your team is having challenges getting a rhythm going with its marketing, you may want to check out Rise25. Since 2008, they’ve been helping businesses generate high ROI from podcasts. How? By connecting them—faster—to high caliber prospects, referral partners, strategic partners, and industry influencers. Rise25 has innovated a “done-for-you” podcasting model with tiers of services that can be aligned for any B2B business. One conversation with co-founder Dr. Jeremy Weisz and I instantly understood why this agency is so highly regarded. Here’s how to learn more and connect: Rise25.

• Holding a party this weekend? Here are some jams for your spooktacular playlist! 🎶

I hope you all enjoy the upcoming weekend!

Creep it real, y’all,

Natalie

🎶 When you need some news … about digital marketing…

🎶 Who ya gonna call?

You get the gist, but really, send your friends the signup link.

Hiya!

Fun fact: Wednesday is one of the most misspelled words in the English language. (Makes sense with such a sneaky silent letter!) Anyway, here is some digital marketing news to start your Wenesday off right! 😁

• Calling all PPC professionals 📞 Looking for a way to level up your PPC knowledge AND have a beach view in Palermo, Buenos Aires? The [Exact Match] Conference is exactly what you need. Check out the one-pager and the website!
• We all know the marketing “funnel”. What about the marketing “möbius strip”? Delve into the increasingly complicated customer journey with this LinkedIn article.
• Metaverse Meddling
  • As a digital metaverse, it looks like Roblox has it all… or do they? 🤔 Amidst all the brand partnerships, you’d expect to see higher revenues. Read how the gaming platform is really doing.
  • “Virtual worlds, real money” sums it up nicely for this McKinsey chart on metaverse spending. Their recent survey found consumers are already spending more money each year on digital assets (e.g., NFTs) … and they expect to be spending more in years to come. 🌐💰
  • Check out this “reality check” from Econsultancy as it looks at consumer attitudes toward this new realm. It includes a wide range of data on feelings regarding both the perceived benefits, the potential drawbacks, and general confusion about joining the metaverse.
• As you have heard us say frequently, “real” SEO requires the strategic planning and tactical implementation of a variety of best practices. Search Engine Watch offers an overview of one of those practices in this article on “How to write effective title tags in 2022“. In short, keep the title tag relevant and short while putting the target keyword phrase first.

Do Good Spotlight
🌟 Heroes to Heroes 🌟

Heroes to Heroes provides emotional strength, spiritual healing, and peer support for Combat Veterans of all conflicts and all faiths who have attempted suicide or are on a path to self-destruction due to moral injury/PTSD. Heroes to Heroes’ coaching, events, and programs have helped countless veterans and their families. Learn more about this organization: https://heroestoheroes.org/

We’d like to thank Michael Haltman for showing us this impactful organization.

If you have an organization you’d like us to feature and donate to, just reach out!

• This is probably not a surprise, but Gen Z is using Facebook less and less. TechCrunch notes that the population views the platform as a “utility and an obligation” rather than a new, exciting platform of choice. Pew reports that Gen Z’s attention is mainly drawn to YouTube. Only the future knows what the platform will become!
• Speaking of generational differences in the digital world, have you heard of the “millennial pause?” Apparently as millennials age (it happens to the best of us), Gen Zs are finding some of Gen Y’s habits hysterical. This fun read from The Atlantic may create some entertaining conversations for you.
• Looking to spice up your short-form content game? Check out these interactive tips from Facebook! 🎦

Sending positivity your way while wishing you have a great day! 😊

Stay cool 😎

Natalie