September 2023 Digital Marketing News You Can Use

Google Gemini: What We Know So Far

Topic: AI | Research

Key Point: The much-anticipated launch of Google’s next-generation large language model AI engine, Gemini, may be close. Early reports by Google said the team was “seeing impressive multimodal capabilities not seen in prior models” and that Gemini is “designed from the ground up to be multimodal, integrating text, images, and other data types.”

Here’s the current update on Gemini:

  • Reports still promise exceptional multimodal capacity
  • API calls and tools will be usable with Gemini
  • More than one model is under development
  • Early test results are promising
  • Outside developers are helping with testing

SEJ says “Gemini could represent a significant advancement in natural language processing.” Much of the excitement and expectation arise from “the fusion of DeepMind’s AI research” with “Google’s vast computational resources” … making “the potential impact challenging to overstate.” 

Meanwhile on the AI front, Bard received another update. Users can now validate results with Google Search and integrate Bard with Google apps and services. Will Bard + Gemini signal next-level AI possibilities? Marketers will soon find out.

WhatsApp Channels are Going Global

Topic: Online Advertising | Social Media

Key Point: Meta says over 150 countries now have access to WhatsApp Channels. The stated goal is “to build the most private broadcast services available.” 

Meta put it this way:

We’re welcoming thousands of organizations, sports teams, artists, and thought leaders that people can follow, right within WhatsApp.  If you’re new to Channels, our goal is to build the most private broadcast service available. Channels are separate from your chats, and who you choose to follow is not visible to other followers. We also protect the personal information of both admins and followers.

Along with the expansion, WhatsApp gets these updates:

  • Enhanced Channel directory
  • Emoji reactions
  • Edits to Updates for up to 30 days
  • Forwarding now includes a link back to your Channel

Meta says “that is just the beginning” for Channel features. Future changes will rely on feedback from users for additional updates. Is your team using the platform? Are you running ads in conjunction with WhatsApp? Meta wants to know.

ALSO SEE: WhatsApp Channels: Here’s Everything You Need To Know

A 6-Minutes Process to Diagnose E-E-A-T Issues

Topic: SEO

Key Point: Google’s addition of an extra E to the former E-A-T (expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness) formula bumped SEO chatter up a level. Some say the additional E (experience), coupled with AI developments, indicates a gamechanger for marketers hoping to gain better positioning in search engine results.

So, how do you evaluate a website for E-E-A-T compliance? This SEL article says the entire process should only take six minutes. You begin by checking Google Trends, next use Search to pull up the brand name, then look for evidence of E-E-A-T indicators — things like testimonials, case studies, and published papers on the site.

You’ll even get further instructions for a deep dive, then the ominous ending statement “And this is the general direction SEO is heading.” 

Question: Do you agree? Has E-E-A-T changed the way you approach SEO?

5 Charts That Explain the New Era for Social Media

Topic: Social Media Marketing

Key Point: The death of social media may be exaggerated, but researchers say user posting is on a downtrend — a phenomenon sometimes called “posting fatigue.” Surprisingly enough, the flipside of that finding is that users are spending more time on social media. They seem to be leaving the posting up to influencers and focusing on consumption.

What does that mean for marketers?

Insider Intelligence constructed five charts to outline “the new era of social media.” Those illustrations help illuminate the following:

  • Gen Z social media use is increasing
  • TikTok is taking the lead
  • Ad spend is still funneling to Meta
  • Influencer marketing is still in vogue
  • Threads usage dropped severely after the launch

The article provides take-aways for each chart, but here’s the real question: How important do you see social media marketing to your mix? Are your best prospects still using the same old social media platforms or are they transitioning to new ones? 

ALSO SEE: 3 Important Social Media Trends

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