Marketing Minutes: 2nd Edition

If you’re looking to stay ahead of the marketing curve, you’re in the right place. This week, in the 2nd edition of Marketing Minutes, we’ve got some major updates.?

Plus, we’re diving into Google’s latest advertising updates and the potential TikTok ban that has marketers scrambling for alternatives. Let’s get into it.

1. DeepSeek AI: The New Kid on the Block Shaking Things Up

DeepSeek has launched its DeepSeek R1 AI model, surpassing OpenAI’s ChatGPT in downloads within just a week!?

The model uses a Mixture-of-Experts (MOE) architecture that activates only relevant parameters, drastically reducing operational costs by up to 90% compared to traditional AI models.

This new MOE architecture is a game-changer for AI infrastructure costs. It’s an example of how innovation can help make AI more energy-efficient and cost-effective, opening doors for smaller companies to compete with the giants.

What you can do: If you're looking to adopt AI, focus on cost-efficient models like DeepSeek's MOE architecture to maximize performance while keeping costs low.

2. The TikTok Ban: Marketers Caught in Limbo

TikTok’s legal battle continues, creating uncertainty for brands that rely on the platform. The app was banned in the US, reinstated, and now has 75 days before a final decision is made. The confusion has driven a 5000% increase in searches for:

  • "TikTok ban update"
  • "Best TikTok alternatives"
  • "What is RedNote?"
  • "Will Lemon8 be banned too?"

When India banned TikTok in 2020, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts filled the gap, leading to a 40% increase in ad spend on those platforms within six months. If a U.S. ban happens, expect a similar shift.

What you can do: Prepare now. Diversify your social media presence across Reels, Shorts, and emerging platforms to avoid over-reliance on TikTok. Brands with strong multi-platform video strategies will come out ahead.

3. GA4 Just Made Reporting Easier… With a Catch

Google Analytics 4 (GA4) now allows users to copy custom reports across properties, a long-awaited feature that will save marketers significant time. However, there are limitations:

  • Only report configurations are copied—not the data itself.
  • Default reports and overview reports cannot be copied
  • Custom dimensions, metrics, and audiences do not transfer automatically.

This update simplifies multi-account reporting, but marketers will still need to manually configure key metrics. If you rely on customized GA4 reports, test the feature before assuming a seamless transition.

What you can do: Set up standardized reporting templates in GA4 now to avoid potential data inconsistencies across properties.

4. HubSpot’s SEO Nightmare: A 36% Traffic Drop

HubSpot’s organic traffic plunged from 13.5M to 8.6M visitors in one month—a staggering 36% drop. The culprit? Google’s recent algorithm updates.

Google’s focus on EEAT (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) is reshaping search rankings:

  • SEO-first content (like listicles, generic blogs, and AI-generated articles) is being deprioritized.
  • "Thin content" sites—even if high-traffic—are losing visibility.
  • Blogs on resignation letters, cover letters, and generic templates are no longer ranking as well as before.

A similar trend hit recipe blogs in 2023, where low-authority, high-ranking sites lost up to 50% of their traffic to platforms with stronger EEAT signals.

Strategic Takeaway: SEO is shifting toward expertise-driven content. If your strategy relies on volume-based blogging, pivot to content built around subject matter experts, original research, and in-depth analysis.

5. Google Performance Max: More Advertiser Control

Google just rolled out major updates to Performance Max (PMax) campaigns, giving marketers more control over targeting and optimizations:

  • Negative keywords can now be added at the campaign level.
  • “High-value mode” enables AI-driven targeting of long-term, high-LTV customers
  • ?Brand exclusions can now be set separately for Search and Shopping ads.

Early tests show that adding negative keywords to PMax campaigns can increase ROAS by up to 27% by eliminating wasted spend.

What you can do: If you’re running PMax, update your negative keywords and brand exclusions now to refine your audience targeting and maximize ROI.

6. Threads Adds Post Analytics

Threads just launched detailed post analytics, providing brands with new data points to optimize their content strategy. The update includes:

  • ?Likes, replies, and reposts
  • Quotes and engagement trends
  • Audience demographics (age, gender, location)

Pro Tip: This is a major step for Threads as it competes with X (Twitter). Marketers who leverage real-time analytics to refine their content strategy will see stronger engagement.

7. Google Retires Maximum CPV Bidding for Video Ads

Google is phasing out Maximum CPV (Cost Per View) bidding and replacing it with Target CPV. The key change?

?Advertisers can now set a desired average cost-per-view, instead of being limited to a max bid.

If you’re running video ads, switch to Target CPV now for better cost efficiency and campaign performance.

8. Google Ads Spend Increases 10% YoY

Google Ads continues to dominate digital ad spending, with recent Q4 data showing:

  • 7% increase in cost-per-click (CPC)
  • 95% of retailers now use Performance Max
  • PMax campaigns drive 67% of Google Shopping revenue

What you can do:: Google Ads remains a top-performing channel for eCommerce. If you haven’t optimized your PMax and Shopping ad strategies, now is the time.

9. New "Used Since" Column in Google Ads

Google Ads introduced a "Used Since" column in the asset library, helping advertisers track when an asset was first deployed.

Pro Tip: Use this feature to audit and refresh underperforming creatives, ensuring ad fatigue doesn’t hurt performance.

10. Google Removes Breadcrumbs from Mobile Search

Google is removing breadcrumb trails from mobile search results—users will now see only the domain name.

What you can do: No immediate action is needed, but structured data still plays a critical role in search visibility. Ensure your site schema is fully optimized.

That’s a wrap for this week! Stay sharp, stay ahead, and we’ll catch you next time with even more cutting-edge insights.

Don’t forget to drop your thoughts in the comments below, and feel free to reach out if you want to discuss any of these updates further.

P.S. Got something I missed? Don’t be shy! TAG me and let’s keep the conversation going!

Lawrence Ng

Chief Conversational AI Disruptor @ ChatFusion/ContactLoop | E&Y Entrepreneur of the Yr '08 | $150mn Exit ‘08 | AI Insights for Marketers & Sales Executives

1 个月

Great share Ishita! Super helpful, thx

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