Is Google Choosing The Middle Way?
Google pushed hard into AI-in-search, but has (reportedly) scaled that back a bit. This is after the zero click revolution, of course.
Now it seems like maybe Big G is figuring out there is a middle ground where humans like to be. Clicking and exploring, but not having to do all the filtering work themselves (especially in a post-SEO hellscape).
Google recently rolled out “read more” links in Google search results, which appear at the end of the snippet’s description. When you click on the read more link, you are anchored down to a specific portion of the web page that you clicked on.
Or maybe this is just wishful thinking.
Discovery is no longer a search engine activity. And for many users, social is becoming the internet (AOL 2.0?).
When asked which were their main sources of website traffic, SMBs named social media (64%) more often than even SEO (52%).
In fact, 35% of small businesses operating without a website said that the traffic and leads they get from social (and other platforms like marketplaces) are the primary reason they don’t plan on launching one.
Beware building on rented land.
Technicality monster argument, everything is a search engine now so all content has SEO.
via Wordstream
Brilliant
Travelodge introduces free wrapping rooms in three of its UK hotels, giving parents a private space to wrap gifts and keep Christmas surprises intact.
via TrendWatching
2026 might let you run ads in Apple Maps.
This is a good time to get your Apple Maps listing in order either way.
A helpful Monday thought from James Clear, especially as the sprint to the holidaze is in full swing
Greatness takes guts. And often, it’s the courage to eliminate the things you can do fairly well so you have the capacity to do one thing exceptionally well. Have the courage to take more off your plate.
Delegate to elevate.
You’re renting something (attention, server space, distribution).
The key is knowing what you’re renting.
And building something you own while you rent.
Is hope the trending gift of this holiday season?
Consumer sentiment lifted 2.3 index points in early December
This month’s increase was concentrated primarily among younger consumers. Overall, while views of current conditions were little changed, expectations improved
but…
the overall tenor of views is broadly somber, as consumers continue to cite the burden of high prices
Mass culture is dead, replaced by a collection of fandoms of varying sizes.
Some 91% of 18- to 25-year-olds say “mainstream” pop culture no longer exists
KPop Demon Hunters is Netflix’s most successful property ever and has, on average, basically been viewed by every subscriber once. Which equates to ~4% of the global population.
But plenty of people have watched it multiple times (kids LOVE KPDH).
culture is driven by consumers constructing their identities around their interests that matter most to them
Mass is dead. Meaning is key.
via EMARKETER
Theory comes first but is useless without practice. Like ideas and execution.
-Musonius Rufus
A useful quote for marketers, specifically strategists (and plenty of non-marketing humans as well).