Internet Marketing – Page 301

Oil Price and Business Impact Over the Years

Home Business Magazine Online

When there is a spike in oil prices, home businesses and small businesses can be affected in several ways: increased Operating Costs: Higher oil prices typically lead to increased costs for transportation, heating, and electricity. Small businesses that rely on transporting goods or providing services may face higher fuel costs, which can impact their profitability. Additionally, businesses operating from home that rely on electricity for production or services may experience increased energy costs.

Rising Input Costs: Many small businesses rely on oil-derived products, such as plastics, chemicals, or packaging materials. When the price of oil rises, the cost of these inputs also tends to increase. This can lead to higher production costs and reduced profit margins for small businesses.

Home businesses and small businesses often have limited resources and flexibility to absorb sudden changes in costs. However, some businesses may be able to adapt and adjust their operations to mitigate the effects of oil price spikes. For example, businesses may explore alternative energy sources, optimize transportation logistics, or innovate to reduce their reliance on oil-based inputs.

It is important to note that the impact of oil price spikes on home businesses and small businesses can vary depending on the industry, location, and specific circumstances of each business. Additionally, the duration and severity of the oil price spike will also play a significant role in determining the overall impact on businesses.

The following is a general overview of crude oil prices over the past few years

2017: In 2017, crude oil prices began the year relatively low, with Brent crude oil averaging around $54 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil averaging around $50 per barrel. Prices gradually increased throughout the year due to a combination of factors, including OPEC-led production cuts and improving global demand. By the end of the year, Brent crude oil price reached an average of around $55 per barrel, while WTI crude oil averaged around $51 per barrel.
2018: Crude oil prices saw significant volatility in 2018. The year started with strong upward momentum, with Brent crude oil reaching around $70 per barrel and WTI crude oil approaching $65 per barrel by May. However, prices started to decline in the latter half of the year amid concerns of oversupply and slowing global economic growth. By the end of the year, Brent crude oil averaged around $71 per barrel, while WTI crude oil averaged around $65 per barrel.
2019: Crude oil prices faced several uncertainties in 2019, including geopolitical tensions and concerns about global economic growth. Prices experienced volatility throughout the year, with Brent crude oil ranging from around $50 to $75 per barrel, and WTI crude oil ranging from around $45 to $65 per barrel. By the end of 2019, Brent crude oil averaged around $64 per barrel, while WTI crude oil averaged around $57 per barrel.
2020: The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on crude oil prices in 2020. As countries implemented lockdowns and travel restrictions to contain the spread of the virus, global oil demand plummeted. This led to a drastic drop in crude oil prices, with Brent crude oil falling to historic lows of below $20 per barrel in April 2020, while WTI crude oil even briefly traded in negative territory. Prices gradually recovered over the year as economies reopened and demand picked up but remained lower compared to previous years. By the end of 2020, Brent crude oil averaged around $42 per barrel, while WTI crude oil averaged around $39 per barrel.
2021: Crude oil prices in 2021 have seen a rebound from the lows of 2020. Prices have been influenced by factors such as COVID-19 vaccine distribution, OPEC+ production agreements, and broader economic recovery. As of August 2021, Brent crude oil has averaged around $66 per barrel, while WTI crude oil has averaged around $62 per barrel.

It’s important to note that crude oil prices can be influenced by various factors, including global supply and demand dynamics, geopolitical events, and market sentiment. Prices will continue to fluctuate based on these factors in the coming years.

Political landscape

Political unrest can have a significant impact on crude oil prices. Here are a few ways in which political unrest can affect oil prices:

Supply Disruptions: Political unrest in oil-producing regions can disrupt oil production and supply chains. Protests, civil conflict, or political instability can lead to the shutdown or reduced output of oil wells, refineries, pipelines, or ports. Any disruption in supply can constrain the global oil market and push prices higher.
Geopolitical Tensions: Political conflicts and tensions between countries can also affect oil prices. For example, if there is a threat of military action or trade sanctions targeting major oil-producing nations, it can create uncertainty and fear of supply disruptions, leading to increased oil prices.
Change in Government Policies: Political unrest can result in changes in government policies related to oil production, exports, or energy sector regulations. These policy shifts can impact the production capacity, investment climate, or trading relationships of oil-producing countries. Uncertainty around such policy changes can influence oil prices.
Global Sentiment and Risk Appetite: Political unrest, especially if it occurs in major oil-producing or oil-consuming regions, can create market sentiment and risk aversion. Investors might perceive higher geopolitical risks, leading to increased oil prices as a safe-haven asset. Similarly, concerns about the stability of oil supply can influence market sentiment, leading to higher oil prices.

Examples of how political unrest has impacted oil prices include the Arab Spring in 2011, which resulted in supply disruptions from oil-producing countries like Libya, Egypt, and Syria, leading to increased oil prices. In more recent years, the tension between the United States and Iran, conflicts in Iraq and Nigeria, or political crises in Venezuela have all had impacts on oil prices.

It’s important to note that political unrest is just one among many factors that can influence oil prices. The overall supply-demand dynamics, economic conditions, and other market forces also play a significant role. Moreover, the duration and severity of political unrest can vary, leading to varying impacts on oil prices

The post Oil Price and Business Impact Over the Years appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/money/financial-trading/oil-price-business-impact-over-the-years/

Navigating the Ever-Changing Landscape of SEO Algorithms and Updates

Home Business Magazine Online

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, so does the world of Search Engine Optimization (SEO). SEO algorithms and updates are part of the fluid nature of the internet, ever-changing and ceaselessly morphing to improve user experiences and ensure high-quality and relevant content. For businesses and digital marketers, understanding and adapting to these changes is not an option, it’s a necessity. Neglecting to do so may lead to reduced visibility, decreased web traffic, and subsequently, a decline in conversions. However, seeing through the dense fog of SEO updates can be a challenge. Let’s break down how to navigate this ever-changing landscape.

Understanding SEO Algorithms and Updates

At their core, SEO algorithms are sets of rules that search engines use to determine the rankings of websites in search results. Google, the most common search engine, uses a complex algorithm, which considers over 200 factors to rank websites. A small change to these algorithms could mean a noteworthy modification in your site’s SERP (Search Engine Results Page) ranking. Google and other search engines frequently update their algorithms to improve search accuracy, eliminate spam, and overall enhance the user experience. Some updates are minor tweaks that go mostly unnoticed, while others can have major effects on search rankings. That’s why staying updated on these changes is crucial for any SEO strategy.

Navigating SEO Algorithm Changes

Here are some steps you can take when navigating SEO algorithm changes.

1. Keep Informed

When it comes to staying on top of SEO updates, the first and arguably most critical step is to actively keep informed. This can be achieved by regularly visiting key news websites related to search engine optimization, subscribing to industry newsletters, and following key influencers in the field. By taking these measures, you will be able to stay abreast of new developments and emerging trends in the SEO world. Additionally, it is important to note that search engines are constantly evolving so it is essential to always remain vigilant in order to properly react quickly and appropriately when necessary. Staying informed on the latest updates will allow you to make sure that your website is optimized for the current landscape of SEO practices. Ultimately, keeping up with changes in SEO will enable you to develop more effective strategies for increasing your web traffic and search engine rankings.

2. Avoid Over-Optimization

When attempting to optimize a website for Google updates, it is important to maintain balance in order to avoid the pitfalls of over-optimization. Although optimizing certain features of your website can help boost your rankings, trying to do too much at once can be counter-productive. The key is to develop strong SEO foundations by focusing on quality content and keywords relevant to your business, as well as building reputable backlinks. This approach will yield long-term benefits that are more sustainable than short-term superficial fixes that can ultimately lead to negative effects such as being penalized or demoted in search engine results. All in all, when it comes to SEO and optimizing your website for Google updates, it pays to be patient and prudent: focus on creating solid foundations and lay the groundwork for long-term success rather than engaging in risky practices that could jeopardize the overall health and visibility of your website.

3. Adapt Your SEO Strategy

It is essential to regularly review and adapt your SEO strategies in order to stay competitive in the online marketplace. As changes and updates occur in the world of search engine optimization, you need to ensure that your website is up to date with those changes. For example, if Google releases an update placing increased emphasis on mobile responsiveness, you must make sure your website is mobile-optimized so as not to be left behind. This includes ensuring that all text, images, links, and other elements are user-friendly when accessed via a mobile device. Furthermore, take time to evaluate any keyword changes or adjustments to local search parameters that might be applicable to your business and adjust your content accordingly. By keeping abreast of the latest SEO developments and adapting your strategies accordingly, you will remain competitive in the digital landscape for years to come.

4. Analyze Traffic Patterns

When analyzing website traffic patterns, it is important to closely monitor any sudden dips or increases as this could indicate a recent SEO update or a shift in the relevance or quality of your content. SEO, or search engine optimization, is an important tool for establishing visibility in search engine results and thus increasing website traffic. Regularly making adjustments to optimize the website’s content structure can be beneficial in maintaining high levels of traffic. Additionally, changes to content such as formatting, length, topics, etc may affect traffic levels; staying faithful to best practice tips when it comes to crafting quality content will help ensure consistency in terms of website hits. By monitoring website traffic carefully, you can quickly identify any changes and take appropriate action accordingly.

5. Embrace the User Experience

When considering any algorithmic updates, it is essential to keep in mind that their primary purpose is to optimize the user experience. Businesses should, therefore, focus on this aspect when making changes, aiming to improve website performance with fast page load times as well as a simple and intuitive layout. Further improvements can be made by ensuring that all content is of high quality and relevance to the users’ needs. Adopting this approach will enable businesses to stay ahead of the curve in terms of algorithm adjustments and enhance their prospects for success in the long run. Ultimately, having an eye for user experience will help ensure that any updates are made with both efficiency and effectiveness in mind.

6. Audit Regularly

Auditing your website on a regular basis is an important step in ensuring online success. By checking key metrics such as keyword rankings, backlink quality, content relevance, and website speed before and after updates, one can ensure that their site is always optimized for peak performance. Keeping track of your website’s progress over time can provide valuable insights into areas that require improvement and help protect against any issues arising from new updates. Regular audits can also help identify opportunities for further growth, such as boosting keyword rankings or streamlining page load times to offer a better user experience. It is important to keep in mind that the landscape of web optimization is always changing; hence periodic reviews are essential to staying ahead of the competition and achieving long-term success.

7. Consider Google E-A-T Guidelines

Google’s E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) guidelines are an important part of any SEO strategy. With the ultimate goal of providing quality search results, Google considers these elements when indexing websites. The website must have content that is accurate, well-informed, and written by professionals in the field. It must also be authoritative in its subject area by having an established presence through backlinks from established and reputable sources. Additionally, the website must demonstrate trustworthiness through safety protocols such as HTTPS encryption, positive user reviews, and awards or recognition from relevant organizations. All of these factors together contribute to a website’s ranking on Google’s search engine results page (SERP). By adhering to E-A-T guidelines during site optimization efforts, businesses can ensure that their content will reach the right target audience and increase their chances of capturing higher SERP positions.

Robust SEO is no longer just about embedding keywords. The playing field is broader now, and the rules are less clear but more rewarding. By mastering these dynamics, businesses stand not only to benefit from greater online exposure but also to create genuine value for their audience. Remember, SEO is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. The key is to remain adaptable and steadily progress in this ever-changing landscape to achieve long-term success. Incorporating an SEO service white label into your offerings can also prove to be an effective strategy, allowing businesses to offer comprehensive and professionally managed SEO services without the burden of mastering every detail of this ever-changing landscape. To enhance your business’s digital footprint, consider seeking assistance from a reputable SEO service white label provider, who can effectively navigate you through this dynamic landscape, while adapting to the changing algorithms and updates.

The post Navigating the Ever-Changing Landscape of SEO Algorithms and Updates appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/businesses/seo/navigating-ever-changing-landscape-seo-algorithms-updates/

The Art of Decision-Making: Why Every Business Needs a Consultant

Home Business Magazine Online

In the world of business, every decision counts. From hiring the right talent to choosing which market to expand into, the choices a company makes can determine its success or failure. Often, the weight of these decisions can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re steering the ship alone. This is where the invaluable expertise of a business consultant comes into play.

In this article, we’ll explore why every business, regardless of its size or industry, can benefit from hiring a consultant.

1. Access to External Expertise and Insights

When you’re too close to a problem or an opportunity, it can be difficult to see things from a fresh perspective. Enter the business consultant. Firms like Origin Business Consultants pride themselves on bringing an external viewpoint and specialized knowledge to the table.

With extensive experience across multiple industries and challenges, consultants can identify potential pitfalls, uncover hidden opportunities, and offer solutions that might not have been evident from an internal viewpoint.

2. Saving Time and Resources

Time is money in the business world. Rather than spending weeks or even months researching or trying to figure out a solution, a consultant can offer guidance swiftly. They can fast-track solutions, having dealt with similar challenges before. With their assistance, businesses can direct their resources more efficiently, ensuring that they are investing in the right places.

3. Encouraging Unbiased Decision Making

Bias, whether intentional or not, can sometimes cloud judgment. This is especially true when decisions are tied to emotions or past experiences. A business consultant provides an unbiased, third-party perspective. They are not influenced by company politics, past decisions, or personal relationships. This ensures that the decisions taken are in the best interest of the company, not individual stakeholders.

4. Skill Gaps Are Bridged

No matter how talented your team is, there will always be areas where the skillset isn’t as strong. A consultant can bridge these gaps.

Whether you need assistance with market research, financial modeling, or crafting a marketing strategy, a consultant can provide expertise that might not be present internally. This ensures that decisions are made with the best possible information and expertise.

5. Flexibility and Scalability

Hiring a full-time employee can be a lengthy and expensive process, especially if the need is temporary. Consultants offer flexibility. Businesses can engage them for a specific project or time frame, ensuring that you’re only paying for the expertise when you need it.

This can be especially helpful for smaller businesses that might not have the resources to hire full-time experts for every department.

6. Facilitating Change Management

Change is inevitable in business. Whether it’s adapting to new technologies, regulations, or market shifts, companies need to evolve to stay relevant. However, implementing change can be challenging, especially when there’s resistance from within.

Consultants can act as change agents, facilitating the transition by offering strategies, training, and support. Their outsider perspective can also help in pointing out areas of resistance that might not be visible to internal stakeholders.

7. Providing Training and Development

Consultants don’t just offer advice; they can also play a crucial role in upskilling your team. Many consultants offer training sessions, workshops, and seminars to impart their knowledge. This not only solves the immediate challenges but ensures that your team is better equipped to handle similar issues in the future, making your business more self-reliant and informed.

8. Risk Management

Business is fraught with risks. Whether it’s financial, operational, or market-related, risks can severely impact a company’s bottom line. Consultants, with their wide-ranging experience, can identify potential risks that might not be immediately evident. They can then help in strategizing on how to mitigate these risks, ensuring that your business is better prepared for any eventualities.

9. Enhancing Creativity and Innovation

While it might sound counterintuitive, bringing in an external consultant can spur innovation. They come with a wealth of experiences from other industries or businesses which can be applied in new and creative ways. Their fresh perspective can lead to innovative solutions that might not have been considered otherwise.

Conclusion

In today’s complex business landscape, the right decision can propel a company to new heights, while a misstep can be costly. The art of decision-making is not just about choosing between two options but navigating through a myriad of possibilities, risks, and opportunities.

While some might view consultants as an unnecessary expenditure, the value they bring in terms of expertise, perspective, and solutions is unparalleled. In essence, hiring a consultant is not an expense but an investment — an investment in informed decisions, future-proof strategies, and the overall success of a business.

The post The Art of Decision-Making: Why Every Business Needs a Consultant appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/businesses/consulting/art-decision-making-why-every-business-needs-consultant/

Inflation falls to 6.8%

Inflation falls to 6.8%

New figures show that the inflation rate fell by 1.1% in the year to July, landing at 6.8%. This is expected to be, in part, due to lower energy costs – however prices of many commodities, specifically food, remain high.

Down from 7.9% in June, inflation starting to cool off will bring hope to many, however it is likely to take a while for prices to fall. Due to the cost of restaurants and hotel stays remaining high, as well as goods such as alcohol, it’s expected that there could be a further increase in interest rates.

6.8% is far lower than it was last October, when it hit a staggering 11.1% at its peak – but this is still over three times more than the target base rate of 2%, set by the Bank of England.

It’s also to remember that although inflation is falling, it doesn’t necessarily mean pr-ices will start to fall immediately. Inflation means prices are still rising, just at a slower rate. However, some prices are starting to go down as the effects of falling inflation slowly trickle down to the consumer, with basics such as milk and eggs slowly starting to drop.

Danni Hewson, head of financial analysis at AJ Bell, comments:

“Whilst the latest headline inflation numbers have finally followed the Bank of England’s repeatedly re-written script, there will be little cause for celebration in the hallowed halls of Threadneedle Street.

“The introduction of the new energy price cap, which reflects falling gas and electricity prices, was always going to impact July’s numbers and has been primarily responsible for the significant fall in the headline rate.

“Households will also be relieved to see the rate at which food prices are rising has continued to slow, with some staples on supermarket shelves actually costing less than they did earlier in the year.

“The price of stuff is falling, and the latest producer prices suggest that trend will only accelerate as we head towards the back end of the year.

“And with wage growth of 7.8% people should start to feel the benefit in their pockets as the worst of the cost-of-living crisis seems to be drawing to a close.

“But this is a decidedly cup half full moment. Firstly, inflation is still significantly above that two percent target and even if it is cooling off faster than a sun burnt Brit diving into a hotel pool, prices are not falling, they’re just not rising as fast as they have been.

“Then there are the secondary effects that have indeed become embedded in the UK economy.

“Wage increases and price pressures have forced up service costs and that’s weaving its own nasty spell on core inflation.

“And it’s the core figure that will keep pressure on the Bank of England to keep raising interest rates until the sticky tendrils have been eradicated like weeds denied water.

“Today’s figure does buy the government a bit of breathing space and it seems Rishi Sunak’s five percent target is now achievable.

“But there remains a question for many families facing the prospect of spiralling mortgage costs – is the new pain worse than that which is being cured?”

The post Inflation falls to 6.8% appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Original source: https://www.moneymagpie.com/make-money/inflation-falls-to-6-8

Google Ads trials enhanced customer service for small businesses

Google Ads will offer enhanced customer service for small businesses as part of a new paid pilot.

A select number of agencies and advertisers have been invited to test the new program, which offers one-on-one support tailored to specific customer needs.

Why we care. Small business owners using the program can get specialized advice faster by using this premium service, which has historically only been accessible to Google Ads’ biggest clients.

What’s next? Google will collect feedback from participants. In time, Google hopes to roll the service out to more small- and medium-sized businesses. A Google spokesperson said:

“These changes are part of a long-term strategy that we’ll be building on over time, testing, and learning as we go.”

Why now? Google launched the pilot in response to a “common complaint” from small businesses that they more specialized advice from the search engine’s experts, along with ideas for how they can improve their ads campaigns and optimize their budgets – a level of service not provided by Google’s automated self-service system.

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What has Google said? A spokesperson from Google told Search Engine Land:

“The paid pilot is intentionally small in scope so we can take feedback and iterate based on what works best for our customers.”
“As part of this evolution, we’ve made significant upgrades to the Help Center to help customers resolve issues on their own, more easily. This includes multimedia additions, such as videos and GIFs, across articles related to how to edit your campaign settings, edit your bids, and resolve data inconsistencies in Google Ads accounts. We will continue to invest in this area.”
“Agencies working with customers included in this pilot will also be able to schedule specialized paid support consultations tailored to their clients’ specific needs.”

The post Google Ads trials enhanced customer service for small businesses appeared first on Search Engine Land.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/google-ads-enhanced-customer-service-small-business-430773

X (Twitter) paywalls XPro (TweetDeck)

X (Twitter) has paywalled XPro (TweetDeck) for both brand and personal accounts.

Users now need to be Blue subscribers to access the tool, which has been rebranded as XPro under Elon Musk’s reign.

Why we care. Some people will feel disgruntled about paying for a tool that has historically been free, so may leave the platform and look for alternatives. This is likely to negatively impact the discoverability of content.

Disappointing. Julie F Bacchini, PPC expert and managing director of PPC Chat, told Search Engine Land that the move would have a significant impact on the marketing community:

“For Twitter based communities, like PPC Chat, it is a serious blow to community interactivity. PPC Chat has historically been a Twitter based community with lots of activity centered on our community hashtag.”
“Unfortunately, due to changes in the past six months and culminating with making XPro a paid only feature, we have had to move our weekly chats off of Twitter and onto our other channels.”
“It also potentially really hampers discoverability of content and like minded follows as it is a lot more difficult to follow lists without a tool like XPro. I get that X is trying to increase its revenue, but putting a historically free tool that really enhanced the Twitter user experience behind a paid subscription is disappointing.”

Final nail in the coffin. Anu Adegbola, PPC expert and founder of PPC Live UK, told Search Engine Land that this change was a disappointing move for the marketing community. She said:

“TweetDeck was a platform X offered for free – and it didn’t make many updates to it whilst it was free. Yet now they are going to make it a paid service? That is not on!”
“It was a nice way to organise follows and see multiple groups of follows at once without actually having to follow people – for example, you could just view by lists. This change is going to mean a lot less time on X and people seeing important tweets a lot less.”
“X has really become a mess lately and this is the final nail in the coffin for me. TweetDeck was essential for me to drown out troll noise and only pay attention to people who I thought were worth paying attention to. This now goes away.”

Why now? X announced that it was going to paywall XPro after rolling out several improvements to its functionality last month. Following the modifications, the platform now supports:

Full composer functionality
Spaces
Video docking
Polls
And more

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How to switch over. X explained that all your saved searches, lists, and columns will carry over to the new XPro. You’ll be prompted to import your columns when you load the application for the first time. However, in order to access the new platform, you will need an X Premium subscription, which starts at $8 a month.

Teams functionality in XPro is still temporarily unavailable, however, X has confirmed that the service will be restored in the coming weeks.

What has X said? X is yet to comment on putting TXPro behind a paywall since initially announcing its plans to do so back in July.

Deep dive. Visit the X Help Center for more information.

The post X (Twitter) paywalls XPro (TweetDeck) appeared first on Search Engine Land.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/tweetdeck-is-no-longer-free-430811

You can now sign up for Google Demand Gen campaigns, which will replace Discovery ads

The end is near for Google Discovery ads.

You can now sign up for access to Google Ads’ Demand Gen, the new campaign type announced at Google Marketing Live in May.

Once you’re in the beta, your Discovery campaigns will be automatically upgraded to Demand Gen.

All Discovery campaigns should be “upgraded” to Demand Gen by early 2024.

What is Demand Gen beta? “Demand Gen campaigns combine image + video ads in one place and can be used to drive conversions, site visits and actions like sign-up and add-to-cart across YouTube, Discover and Gmail,” Google Ads Liaison Ginny Marvin explained in a thread on X, formerly known as Twitter.

In addition to YouTube Home, Search and Watch Next, Discover, and Gmail, Demand Gen campaigns work across:

YouTube Shorts.
YouTube in-stream.

RIP, Discovery ads. Google introduced Discovery ads in 2019.

Why we care. Being able to see how your creative will look across Demand Gen placements is great for advertisers, especially brands with strict compliance and/or brand teams, as PPC expert and SMX speaker Sam Tomlinson points out in an X thread full of reactions and takeaways.

Who is eligible for an upgrade? Right now, all you need is an active Discovery campaign. Google Ads will open Demand Gen campaigns to everyone in October 2023.

How to upgrade. Sign up for the Demand Gen beta via this short form.

New features. Once you sign up for the Demand Gen beta, you can explore these new features:

Different ad formats in one campaign: You will be able to experiment with a variety of different ad formats, including short-form videos, carousels, portraits, and square images to try to engage your audience more effectively.
Lookalike segments: This feature will help you find customers similar to those who have already engaged with your brand through a custom-built Seed list. The ability to test from Narrow to Broad also provides the ability to restrain or expand reach.
Unique goals: Similar to Discovery ads, you can optimize Demand Gen for conversions or use value-based bidding strategies.
Maximize Clicks bidding: You can use this tool to optimize for site visits and actions, helping to drive high-value customers to your website.
Ad previews: This feature lets you see how your creatives will look across different surfaces.
A/B experimentation: Use this feature to optimize placements and find the perfect mix for your campaigns.

What Google is saying. Demand Gen was “built to help advertisers who buy on social platforms find and convert consumers with immersive, relevant, and visual creatives that grab attention and spur action in the right moment,” a Google spokesperson said:

“Demand Gen drives conversions, site visits, and actions (like sign-ups and adds-to-carts) on our entertainment-focused touchpoints — YouTube, including Shorts, Discover and Gmail.”
“In the coming months, we’ll share more resources and best practices to help ensure your upgrade process is as smooth as possible.”

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Timeline. Here’s what’s coming next:

October: All Discovery campaigns will become eligible to move to Demand Gen. Some Discovery campaigns will automatically migrate to Demand Gen.
January – March 2024: Google will launch automatic upgrades for all remaining Discovery campaigns.

Google’s announcement. Get ready to upgrade your Discovery ads to Demand Gen

The post You can now sign up for Google Demand Gen campaigns, which will replace Discovery ads appeared first on Search Engine Land.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/google-demand-gen-beta-upgrade-discovery-ads-430734

Email subject line tips and best practices (with examples!) by Digital Marketing Depot

Your subject line communicates your email’s value to the recipient and encourages them to read further and, potentially, to engage with your brand on a deeper level by responding to your call to action (CTA). A poor subject line is more than just bad: It can contribute to your email being marked as spam, dinging your reputation with your customer and search engines.

That’s why it’s important to focus on your subject lines as an important part of your email marketing campaigns, instead of leaving them as a last-minute item to be completed right before you hit send.

This eBook from Marigold outlines email subject line best practices, and shows some examples of subject lines that really work.

Don’t miss this opportunity to optimize your email marketing strategy! Visit Digital Marketing Depot to download Email Subject Line Tips and Best Practices.

The post Email subject line tips and best practices (with examples!) appeared first on Search Engine Land.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/email-subject-line-tips-and-best-practices-with-examples-430753

RetroElectro wants your old toys, games and everything in between!

This is a sponsored post by RetroElectro.

If you came of age in the 1980s and 90s, you’ll have a particular brand of nostalgia for the toys, games and music you grew up loving. Maybe the 2000s were when you started to become obsessive about a particular line of plastic figures.

Whenever and wherever you’re from, RetroElectro, established in 2019 and based in North Wales, trades in large and small collections of retro and vintage items from all around the UK. To date they’ve bought and sold over 20,000 items with outstanding customer feedback.

RetroElectro will consider ANY items of value but they’re really keen to stock up on:

Vinyl records – Rock/Pop/Dance/70s onward

Vinyl is huge business these days after finding favour again among music aficionados, so check if you have a stack of wax in the cupboard you thought long-consigned to history. Collectors are looking for classic vinyl, whether it’s a single title they’re finding elusive, or a great collection of records that you just can’t get in shops.

Lego – any size collection: Loose, boxed, or just minifigures

Lego went from a childhood toy to a prized collectible, and whether you’ve got classic Lego, Space Lego or a box of random figures and bricks, there’ll be a collector somewhere looking for some or all of your collection.

Vintage and retro toys and games – Star Wars/Transformers/He-Man/Power Rangers/Doctor Who

Star Wars is bigger than ever, with multiple shows and upcoming movies on the cards, so have a read of this MoneyMagpie article about the most valuable Star Wars items. Maybe you have some of them!

And with a new series of Doctor Who beginning this winter, collectors are searching for all kinds of things from Daleks to annuals from every era of the Timelord’s adventures. You might have something rare.

bank

Retro and modern video games and consoles/computers – Nintendo/Sega/Atari/Commodore/Spectrum

I have my own nostalgia for the stick-figure antics of Atari baseball, which I used to play round my neighbour’s house. Who knew decades later that the classy vinyl-wood console would become a collector’s item. Maybe you have one of these, or an old ZX Spectrum and games in a box: trust us, someone somewhere is on the hunt for just that, so go ahead and make their day.

RetroElectro is also on the hunt for other collections such as Dinky, Corgi and Hornby. Now, some or all of this may already have struck a chord with you. You may have a collection you’re keen to get out of the boxes in the attic or off your cluttered shelves and into the bank for a rainy day, so have a think about where they are and how easy they’d be to gather together, dust off and package.

RetroElectro also takes the hassle out of the delivery of your stuff, by arranging a free courier to come and collect your items. Once they’ve received and checked them, RetroElectro will send payment within 24 hours.

car boot

A better selling option

You may have considered selling your items at a car boot for pennies, or selling online with fees/customer returns, and sitting around waiting for your goods to sell as you hit refresh on an app… but RetroElectro will take all your items at once and eliminate the general faff of online selling: they do all the work for you.

Evaluating your collection

Just want your collection evaluated? No problem, as RetroElectro’s services are also available if you just want advice on valuing or identifying your items.

Check out RetroElectro now for more examples and advice on selling your retro stuff. You may even see something on the site you want for yourself, or it may give you some examples of things to sell you hadn’t even considered. It’s great for a spring clean and it’s perfect for making some money.

Disclaimer: MoneyMagpie is not a licensed financial advisor and therefore information found here including opinions, commentary, suggestions or strategies are for informational, entertainment or educational purposes only. This should not be considered as financial advice. Anyone thinking of investing should conduct their own due diligence.

The post RetroElectro wants your old toys, games and everything in between! appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Original source: https://www.moneymagpie.com/make-money/retroelectro-want-your-old-toys-games-and-everything-in-between

Amazon tests AI-generated review highlights with U.S. mobile shoppers

Amazon is testing highlighting product features and customer sentiment as part of a generative AI “customer review highlights” feature.

This seems to be an expansion of the test we reported on in June.

Why we care. If you sell products on Amazon, this feature could lead to more sales. Reviews remain critical as consumers decide whether to buy a product (Amazon highlighted that “customers contributed nearly 1.5 billion reviews and ratings to Amazon stores” in 2022). The big question is whether this new feature impacts sales positively or negatively.

What it looks like. Amazon’s feature appears at the top of the Customer reviews section on product pages. The AI-generated paragraph, which mentions product features and customer sentiment, appears under a bold Customers say heading. Beneath the paragraph is this line: “AI-generated from the text of customer reviews”:

Several tappable attributes (e.g., Performance, Ease of use, Stability) appear under the customer review highlights. This feature lets you filter to only show reviews mentioning that specific attribute. Here’s a screenshot example Amazon provided for Ease of use:

Who can see the test. A “subset of mobile shoppers in the U.S. across a broad selection of products” have been opted into the test, Amazon said in a blog post.

What Amazon said. The test is likely to expand in the coming months:

“We are always testing, learning, and fine-tuning our AI models to improve the customer experience and, based on customer feedback, may expand our review highlights feature to additional categories and customers in the coming months.”

Newegg has a similar feature. Online retailer Newegg added AI-generated summaries of customer reviews on its product pages, as well as highlighting pros and cons or products.

More generative AI to come? In May, we reported that Amazon had plans to add generative AI to its search experience and was building tools for advertisers that generate videos and images. The company has not provided any updates on if/when we will see these.

The post Amazon tests AI-generated review highlights with U.S. mobile shoppers appeared first on Search Engine Land.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/amazon-ai-generated-customer-review-highlights-430693