September 4, 1998 – Things Changed. Google was launched. On that fateful day new careers were born while others would soon find out that they would need to forever change the way they do business or perish. Since that day in the late 90’s we have come a long way in the world of Search Engine Marketing. Gone are the days where we would buy links or change a few keywords and rankings would double. Those days were simpler, easier times. Welcome to the dawn of the new era of SEM – where content rules. Continue reading “Status of the SEM Industry”
Instagram's Answer to Snapchat, Bolt, Is Here — But There's a Catch
It’s official, Instagram’s SnapChat rival Bolt is launching in New Zealand, Singapore and South Africa. But don’t worry, Instagram plans on rolling it out to other countries soon.
What is bolt?
Bolt is a new messaging app that allows users to send short-lived photo and video messages from mobile devices.
Isn’t Instagram owned by Facebook, and didn’t Facebook launch SnapChat-like app Slingshot recently?
Yes, you are correct. Last month Facebook launched Slingshot, an app similar to SnapChat except that you can’t view an incoming “shot” until you send a shot back to the sender. Check out the Slingshot app here.
Learn more about the launch of Bolt on Mashable: Instagram’s Answer to Snapchat, Bolt, Is Here — But There’s a Catch.
Inside AdWords: Introducing Dynamic Sitelinks
Last week, AdWords introduced dynamic site links and announced that they would be rolling out globally. On their blog they define dynamic site links as:
Automatically generated sitelinks that appear below your ad text, connecting potential customers to relevant pages on your website more easily.
So what does this mean for you?
Well the good news is that dynamic sitelinks are free to use (for now)! But, you will still be charged for clicks on the headline of your ad or on any other ad extensions.
Should I continue to optimize sitelinks like normal?
Yes keep adding and optimizing sitelinks like normal. In the blog Google AdWords states the following:
It’s important to continue adding and optimizing sitelinks because impression share for dynamic sitelinks will be low. In fact, the sitelinks you set up will always show, except for the few instances when the dynamic sitelink might perform better.
But I like my AdWords ads the way they are!
No need to fret, advertisers have the option to this disable this feature if they would like to. However, Google predicts that these links are likely to boost the performance of an ad.
If you would like to disable dynamic sitelinks just click here to fill out a request form.
Check out the official blog post from Google AdWords to learn more: Inside AdWords: Introducing Dynamic Sitelinks.
How to Use Social Listening to Drive Pull Marketing
The nature of advertising is changing, just think about your online experience and how companies interact with you. In the 90’s companies set up websites and hoped for traffic. Later, they started to use email marketing. Next came the ever-so-popular pop-up ad, and now companies are able to purchase ad space on websites and social media. Using data from the user’s browsing habits, companies are able to target who they think will be interested in their product, thereby maximizing the effect of their advertising budget. Continue reading “How to Use Social Listening to Drive Pull Marketing”
Smart TVs Are On Pace To Take Over The Entire TV Market – Business Insider
“Smart TVs are on pace to dominate the television market. They will account for 73% of global flat screen TV shipments by 2017, up from just 33% in 2013, according to Strategy Analytics.” – Mark Hoelzel via Business Insider
Read the full article: Smart TVs Are On Pace To Take Over The Entire TV Market – Business Insider.
The Programmatic Ad Report
THE PROGRAMMATIC ADVERTISING REPORT: Mobile, Video, and Real-Time Bidding Will Catapult Programmatic Ad Spend
Read more: The Programmatic Ad Report – Business Insider.
Report: Google to acquire streaming site Twitch
Venture is reporting that Google will be acquiring live streaming site Twitch very soon. Twitch’s services allow video game players to stream live action from their devices. Read the full article on USA Today: Report: Google to acquire streaming site Twitch.
Instagram Leaks What Looks A Lot Like A Snapchat Clone
Last week, Instagram users started receiving a notification in their feeds announcing Blot, a “one tap photo messaging app” similar to SnapChat. Learn more about the unintended leak on Huffington Post: Instagram Leaks What Looks A Lot Like A Snapchat Clone.
New App-Based Search Engine Startup Relcy Tries to Reset SEO – SEW
When we think SEO we automatically think of the search engine giant Google. But, what if SEO didn’t include Google? Hard to imagine, but just think about it. Actually, check out this article on Search Engine Watch by Dan Cristo about a new app-based search engine that may truly change the SEO game: “New App-Based Search Engine Startup Relcy Tries to Reset SEO – SEW“.
10 ways St. Louis can grow its startup scene
There are so many reasons that we love St. Louis, but one is the fantastic “emerging” startup scene. Check out this article by Brian Feldt of the St. Louis Business Journal “10 ways St. Louis can grow its startup scene – St. Louis Business Journal“.