Marketing Mouse (2026)

09/10/2023

In an unexpected move, Twitter, now rebranded as "X," has formed a strategic alliance with the Google Display Network. This collaboration comes in response to a sharp decline in X's advertising revenue earlier this year.

This partnership will allow advertisers to access X's home feed inventory through Google Ads Display campaigns, presenting a lucrative opportunity to reach X's vast audience of over 200 million daily users. However, it's worth noting that X's advertising guidelines are not as strict as some other platforms, potentially exposing advertisers to less regulated content.

The collaboration has the potential to create a powerful marketing database by merging Google and X's data, revolutionising the user journey across search and display campaigns. However, success depends on effective data integration. The intricate details of this deal remain undisclosed.

As X transforms and adapts, the advertising world watches closely to see whether this alliance will revive its ad revenue and bring a fresh chapter to the X story.

Visit https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/uk-households-3bn-worse-off-retailers-lose-billions-over-hopkins/ for the full article and latest digital marketing news.

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06/10/2023

In the ongoing U.S. vs. Google antitrust trial, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has voiced strong opinions about Google’s stranglehold on the search engine market. Nadella dismissed Google’s claims of genuine competition in the search engine industry as “bogus” and emphasised the futility of artificial intelligence (AI) in challenging Google’s dominance in web search.

Nadella expressed concerns about Google’s tactics, such as raising ad prices to meet revenue targets and highlighted Google’s plan to pay publishers for exclusive content rights which, if implemented, would render other search engines irrelevant.

Nadella also discussed the challenges faced by Microsoft’s Bing in competing with Google - despite the launch of Bing Chat, which failed to gain significant market share from Google.

Nadella's candid remarks seem to acknowledge the challenges Microsoft Bing faces in competing with Google's monopoly. He views the antitrust trial as a pivotal moment to address Google's dominance and its potential harm to consumers, competitors, and the broader advertising ecosystem.

Will the outcome of this trial may determine whether Google will be forced to change its practices? We can only wait and see.

Visit https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/uk-households-3bn-worse-off-retailers-lose-billions-over-hopkins/ for the full article and latest digital marketing news.

05/10/2023

Gary Illyes, an analyst on the Google Search team, recently confirmed that links are no longer among the top three Google Search ranking factors.

Does this revelation suggest a fundamental change in how SEO professionals should approach their strategies?
The downplaying of backlinks is not new from Google. Duy Nguyen from Google's search quality team previously mentioned that backlinks had a diminishing impact on ranking compared to the early days of Google Search. John Mueller, another Google representative, echoed this sentiment in a recent Search Off the Record podcast episode, stating that over time, links would become less critical as the algorithm improved its understanding of web content.

Illyes' statements align with Google's ongoing efforts to prioritise quality content and deter manipulative SEO practices centred around generating links without delivering valuable content. Google's primary goal has been to provide users with the most relevant and useful search results, and this includes minimising the importance of backlinks in favour of content quality.

Despite these expert opinions, it's worth noting that whenever a Google representative makes a statement like this, it often sparks debate within the SEO community. Many SEO professionals view it as typical Google disinformation or even accuse Google of being less than truthful.

What do you think?

Visit https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/uk-households-3bn-worse-off-retailers-lose-billions-over-hopkins/ for the full article and latest digital marketing news.

05/10/2023

A recent survey of over 2,000 UK consumers has highlighted the significant impact of accessibility issues on online retail, with 55% of respondents admitting to discarding a purchase due to accessibility problems. The study underlines the urgent need for retailers to address these issues, as they risk losing billions in sales and alienating a substantial portion of British consumers.

Key findings from the survey revealed that retailers should involve people with disabilities in testing their e-commerce websites. However, it also revealed that many individuals who do not identify as disabled still face accessibilities challenges, such as confusion during checkout or difficulty with fonts and colours. Additional concerns were also expressed about the absence of audible information or difficulty understanding videos due to missing captions.

The impact of neglecting accessibility is not just financial; it also carries moral implications.

Visit https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/uk-households-3bn-worse-off-retailers-lose-billions-over-hopkins/ for the full article and latest digital marketing news.

04/10/2023

McVities - There Is Only One

Fifteen years after his retirement from ITV’s News at Ten, acclaimed newsreader Sir Trevor McDonald returns to the news desk in a new TV advert for biscuit brand McVitie’s.

We love a McVitie’s biscuit at Marketing Mouse.

Visit https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/uk-households-3bn-worse-off-retailers-lose-billions-over-hopkins/ for more great ads and the latest digital marketing news.

04/10/2023

As the cost-of-living crisis continues to tighten its grip, UK households are expected to have £3 billion less to spend this Christmas compared to the previous year according to a joint research effort by ShipEngine, ShipStation and Retail Economics.

The research reveals that 79% of UK consumers plan to cut back on non-food spending during the upcoming Black Friday and Christmas period. The primary reasons cited for this cautious approach are the impact of inflation and a lack of savings.

However, retailers maintain a more optimistic outlook - with most online merchants expecting sales volumes to remain steady compared to 2022, and a few anticipating an increase in sales.

To navigate the challenges presented by the cost-of-living crisis, consumers are planning to start their Christmas shopping earlier this year - increasingly turning to online marketplaces to stretch their budgets. With many UK consumers planning to commence their festive buying before the end of October. This approach is driven by the desire to secure discounts and deals and is further accelerated by retailers who plan to initiate promotions earlier than ever.

Research suggests that consumers’ delivery priorities also shift during the peak season - whilst cost remains important, speed becomes equally crucial (with some willing to pay extra for same-day delivery). Late deliveries are the foremost concern for UK consumers, followed closely by worries concerning missing and stolen parcels.
In summary, the UK’s festive season is expected to be marked by cautious spending, early shopping, and a strong reliance on online marketplaces, with consumers increasingly prioritising delivery speed to ensure a seamless shopping experience.

Visit https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/uk-households-3bn-worse-off-retailers-lose-billions-over-hopkins/ for the full article and latest digital marketing news.

29/09/2023

Visit https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/tiktok-amazon-compete-google-meta-verified-businesses-jesse-hopkins/ for more great ads and the latest digital marketing news.

28/09/2023

Specsavers UK - The joy of ordinary sounds

This ad is phase two of the brand’s ‘Lost & Found’ campaign that highlights its audiology services. A beautifully simple idea executed well - what sound would bring you joy? Give it some thought - the outcome might surprise you.

Visit https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/tiktok-amazon-compete-google-meta-verified-businesses-jesse-hopkins/ for more great ads and the latest digital marketing news.

27/09/2023

On 14 September 2023, Google officially launched its latest algorithm update - the September 2023 Helpful Content Updated. This update is aimed at improving the quality of search results and providing more clarity for content creators and SEO professionals.

Here’s what you need to know:

AI-generated content is accepted - Google now simply emphasises that content should be “created for people” instead of "created by people for people" - suggesting that AI-generated content is acceptable to Google as long as it provides valuable information that serves users.
Google’s update clarifies that high-quality, expert content can be either “written by an expert or reviewed by an expert”. This means that content reviewed and verified by an expert can be considered as having expertise, even if the expert did not write the content themselves.

Google has also provided new guidelines regarding hosting third-party content on websites.

Google is combating the practice of changing publication dates without making substantial updates.
Despite these algorithm tweaks, Google’s overarching advice remains consistent: Create valuable and helpful content for human users rather than trying to manipulate search algorithms.

Visit https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/tiktok-amazon-compete-google-meta-verified-businesses-jesse-hopkins/ for the full article and latest digital marketing news.

26/09/2023

In recent developments, both TikTok and Amazon have made noteworthy enhancements to their search functionalities.

Both developments pose a threat to Google’s dominance in the search industry. The company has acknowledged that almost 40 percent of young people, when they are looking for a place to lunch, do not use Google Maps or Search - instead they go to TikTok or Instagram. Thus underscoring the evolving preferences of the younger demographic.

TikTok has been quietly diversifying its search results, signalling a significant shift in its approach. The platform has now introduced Wikipedia snippets into select search results (relating to people, places, and events), marking its first foray into providing users with information from the broader web.

Amazon is also making significant strides in the realm of search, signifying intent to capture more product searches and potentially redirect search traffic away from Google. It is launching a new search and discovery tool for mobile users which will include a multimodal search, expanded augmented reality features, and Find-on-Amazon (innovative tool enabling users to search for products using photos from various sources).

Visit https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/tiktok-amazon-compete-google-meta-verified-businesses-jesse-hopkins/ for the full article and latest digital marketing news.

18/09/2023

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has unveiled a new search functionality on the Threads platform, enabling users to search for posts. This feature has been rolled out in most English and Spanish-speaking countries, including the US and UK, and is available on both the Threads mobile and web apps. Previously, Threads only allowed searches for users, but this expansion opens up new possibilities for users to discover brands and content on the platform.

However, it’s important to note that this new search capability comes with restrictions - blocking certain “potentially sensitive” keywords and topics, including terms related to COVID-19 and vaccines. This move is aimed at preventing the spread of misinformation and controversial content on the platform. The challenge for Meta lies in striking the right balance between safety and openness in online discussions.

Visit https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/googles-core-update-analysed-international-ecommerce-seo-hopkins/ for the full article and latest digital marketing news.

15/09/2023

Google has confirmed the completion of its August 2023 update (the second core update of the year), which commenced on 22nd August 2023 and concluded on 7th September 2023. This update had significant implications for search rankings across various sectors.

Core updates by Google are essential for website owners to monitor, as they can significantly impact a site’s performance in search results, affecting organic traffic, conversions, and revenue. They also help website owners understand if the ranking algorithm has influenced their site’s rankings. Now is an opportune time for website owners to delve into their analytics and identify potential areas for improvement in their web pages and content.

Winners and Losers

The update saw significant shifts in visibility for various types of websites. Reddit, for example, emerged as a big winner, whilst sites employing “Parasite SEO” tactics saw a rapid decline. Health, government, education and real-experience-focused review sites all experienced gains. Many music and entertainment websites, however, saw declines in visibility during this update.

Visit https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/googles-core-update-analysed-international-ecommerce-seo-hopkins/ for the full analysis of this update and latest digital marketing news.

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