SMX Next returns online Nov. 18, focusing on navigating today’s complex search landscape and mastering the tactics that will define success in 2027 and beyond. Search marketing isn’t just changing; it has evolved into an entirely new beast. SEO has shifted to mastering AI Overviews, search everywhere optimization, and consideration for autonomous AI agents that […]

OpenAI rolled out a new feature to let ChatGPT Ads generate ads for you – I suspect using AI. The feature is available under the “Add new ad” option, and says “generate ads for you.” The advertiser or marketer can then opt to let ChatGPT create the ad, and then review, edit and approve the […]

After several days of complaints from businesses, Google has confirmed it is investigating reports of missing reviews from Google Local listings and has paused the ability of Google Business Profile listings to receive reviews. What Google said. A Google spokesperson told us: “When our systems detect suspicious reviews, we take a range of actions including […]

ChatGPT’s high-reasoning mode acted like a different search surface for brand visibility in a Semrush analysis with Kevin Indig. It cited different domains than in minimal reasoning mode and ran nearly five times as many web searches. By the numbers. Only 25.6% of cited domains overlapped between minimal and high reasoning for the same prompts. […]

Every PPC professional has a story they wish they could erase. For Danny Gavin, founder of Optidge, it wasn’t a failed bidding strategy or a campaign that overspent. It was something far simpler—and arguably much more painful. Danny joined me on PPC Live The Podcast, to talk about the technical issue that meant leads generated […]

We’ve all seen dashboards that don’t make sense when you look into the numbers, but now that same data could be training your campaigns to spend your budget chasing the wrong people. As automation takes over more of the ad-buying process, from creative generation to bidding, data has become one of the last inputs advertisers […]

Google updated its AI Max for Search reporting documentation with new guidance on performance reporting, optimization best practices and a key timeline for Dynamic Search Ads advertisers. The most notable addition: Google says campaigns using Dynamic Search Ads (DSA) will automatically be upgraded to AI Max beginning in February 2027. What’s happening. Google refreshed its […]

Google Ads is automatically enabling conversion-based customer lists for eligible advertisers starting, with data processing scheduled to begin on Aug. 18. The update applies to advertisers already using both Enhanced Conversions and Customer Match but who have not yet activated conversion-based customer lists. Why we care. As privacy changes continue to reshape digital advertising, Google […]

Meta is introducing new commerce features across Facebook and Instagram as it looks to turn more AI-driven product discovery into completed purchases. What’s happening. Meta is expanding Live Video Ads globally on Facebook and bringing them to Instagram, allowing businesses to promote livestreams to larger audiences and drive sales directly from live shopping experiences. In […]

Google is broadening its Limited ad serving policy on Search, giving itself more authority to restrict impressions from advertisers it considers unqualified or potentially confusing to users. The update could affect how frequently ads appear on certain searches, particularly for newer advertisers, brands with poor user feedback or advertisers whose identity is not clearly communicated […]