Google’s turning into an answer engine—so why does it feel like the internet’s disappearing beneath it? 

In this episode of Growing Ecommerce, Mike and Chris tackle the search shake-up and what it means for everyone from advertisers to publishers:

• AI Overviews (AIO) could kill clicks — We break down how Google’s zero-click model is reshaping the internet and threatening entire business models.

• Can Google hold its ground in the AI era? Or are leaner, AI-native rivals closing in?

• What is “Vibe Marketing” and why are creative teams obsessed with it? We explore the rise of aesthetic-driven strategy in ad workflows.

• Tariffs are back—and they’re shifting ecommerce strategies fast. Why they might force brands to focus on profitability instead of just revenue growth.

• 2025 is not just about riding the AI wave. It’s about surviving the cracks forming underneath.

Whether you're a marketer, brand strategist, or just trying to stay sane in the age of AI illusions and platform power plays, this episode is your no-BS guide to what’s really happening.

🎧 Subscribe for more deep dives into the future of digital marketing, AI, and platform ethics.
💬 Drop your thoughts: Is zero-click search good or bad for the web?

#AIinMarketing #GoogleSearch #EcommerceStrategy #DigitalAdvertising #MarketingPodcast #GoogleAds

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About smec (Smarter Ecommerce):

At smec - Smarter Ecommerce, we specialize in transforming business goals into optimized ad campaigns. With over 16 years of experience in Google & Microsoft Ads, our intelligent software and expert services help retailers achieve superior results. 

We're committed to giving you the tools and insights needed to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of digital advertising.

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Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights.

smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.com
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbh
Newsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/

#Instagram #GoogleAds #TikTok #Zuckerberg #DigitalMarketing #AIinAdvertising #BrandSafety #EcommerceTrends #MarketingPodcast

Who’s real anymore? 

In this episode of Growing Ecommerce, Mike and Chris break down the chaos unfolding across the digital advertising world:

• Instagram is testing AI-generated user profiles — Are we entering a world of fake influencers, and what does it mean for ad targeting?

• Zuckerberg pulls back on content moderation — We dive into the actual data behind Meta’s shift in strategy.

• Google's ads are showing up next to harmful content — A CSAM scandal rocks Google's Display Network. How many brands were impacted?

• TikTok Shop expands to Europe — Could this reshape the e-commerce landscape or is it just another platform grab?

Whether you're a marketer, brand strategist, or just trying to stay sane in the age of AI illusions and platform power plays, this episode is your no-BS guide to what’s really happening.

🎧 Subscribe for more deep dives into the future of digital marketing, AI, and platform ethics.
💬 Leave a comment: How would YOU feel about running ads next to fake AI profiles?

Grab the State of PMax 2025 report—free on the blog or as a downloadable PDF:
https://shorturl.at/ali5A

—

About smec (Smarter Ecommerce):

At smec - Smarter Ecommerce, we specialize in transforming business goals into optimized ad campaigns. With over 16 years of experience in Google & Microsoft Ads, our intelligent software and expert services help retailers achieve superior results. 

We're committed to giving you the tools and insights needed to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of digital advertising.

—

Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights.

smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.com
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbh
Newsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/

#Instagram #GoogleAds #TikTok #Zuckerberg #DigitalMarketing #AIinAdvertising #BrandSafety #EcommerceTrends #MarketingPodcast

Digital ads in 2025 are anything but boring. In this episode, Mike and Chris unpack:

• Mark Zuckerberg’s eyebrow-raising claim that ads aren’t important (despite 98% of Meta’s revenue coming from ads)
• Amazon’s move to sell its ad tech to other retailers—friend or Trojan horse?

Plus details from our comprehensive new PMax research:

• How Google’s Performance Max is finally shedding its “black box” label, with fresh data from 500+ accounts
• Why your PMax campaigns need 30–60 conversions a month, no matter what Google says
• Why campaign segmentation should follow business logic, not default categories

Grab the State of PMax 2025 report—free on the blog or as a downloadable PDF:
https://shorturl.at/ali5A

Big changes on Growing Ecommerce! Chris Scharmueller joins Mike Ryan for a fresh, unscripted take on the latest in online retail. In this episode:

• Amazon vs. Temu: What Amazon’s “Haul” launch says about their playbook and profit risks
• Perplexity AI: Can it challenge Google by fusing search and shopping?
• Nike’s DTC misstep: When cutting out retail partners backfires
• Marketing strategy: Are you spending where influence occurs?

All that and more, plus a hot take or two. Hit play.

Discover the forces reshaping the ecommerce landscape leading into 2025 as host Mike Ryan guides us through a labyrinth of game-changing developments and strategic maneuvers. From the Department of Justice's legal challenges against Google to the emerging battleground between Amazon and Temu, Mike gives insight into how these seismic shifts might just redefine what we know about monopolies, market dynamics, and consumer engagement. Could the verdicts against Google have unintended consequences? How are AI shopping assistants poised to shake the platforms? What is going on with Temu and Amazon's I-hate-you-so-much-that-I'm-going-to-copy-you-exactly strategies?Prepare for a year-end review like no other, as Mike tracks the tectonic movements of e-commerce titans and advertisers. Witness Pinterest’s alliance with Google as it seeks to unlock new monetization avenues, and get a glimpse into Meta's latest updates aimed at refining attribution and take over account structures. With AppLovin's unexpected rise in digital advertising and Microsoft's steady pursuit of relevance, this episode brims with expert analysis and provocative questions about what lies ahead. Whether it's the AI evolution or the competitive dynamics between industry giants, Mike Ryan unpacks the strategies and potential pitfalls in this ever-evolving landscape.

Can a new low-price, slow-shipping strategy from Amazon truly rival Temu's direct-from-China model? On this episode of Growing ecommerce, host Mike Ryan dissects some of the biggest headlines from Q2 including Amazon's attempt to fight back against Temu, and Netflix's advertising woes, which led to another VP dismissal just one day after earnings were reported. He also discusses how Pinterest's ad deal with Google is shaping up, changes to Meta's remarketing mix, first reactions to Prime Day, and more.Tune in for an episode packed with insights and strategies that are shaping the future of the industry.

(Recorded live at IRX Birmingham)
Rob Davis is Acquisition Marketing Director at THG Beauty, a division which is responsible for £1.2B of THG's total revenues, and which includes brands such as LOOKFANTASTIC, Cult Beauty, and Dermstore. Rob tells how growth in the Beauty ecomm sector is shaping up, and which tech and consumer trends he's watching now. Plus, we get Rob's take on economic trends including the resilience of the luxury market and mythbusting the Lipstick Effect. Lastly we get Rob's take on Google's automation and new AI features. It's a great conversation that might just change the way you view Health & Beauty.

Join Mike Ryan for a discussion of his highlights from GML 2024. Was the event overshadowed by Google I/O? Do advertisers need to worry about the biggest shake-up ever to Google's SERP? He answers these questions and unpacks the news around core ecommerce feature announcements like profit bidding, interactive Shopping ads, and improvements to asset and video reporting in Performance Max campaigns. All in all it was a good GML for paid teams, but a worrying one for organic teams and publishers. Mike explains it all in this episode.

Learn about the future of marketing from Daniel Smulevich of Jellyfish, as he guides us through the MarTech revolution in a landscape brimming with change. This episode isn't about chasing shiny new tech; it's about strategic problem-solving and making tech work for your marketing needs.We dissect the tech FOMO that grips the industry, using platforms like Roblox as cautionary tales, and emphasize the importance of thoughtful tech adoption. Daniel describes the imperative for realignment of data and analytics roles, which need to shift from mere tech support to strategic business advisors. We also discuss choosing between creating your own technology or investing in off-the-shelf solutions. either way, you must ensure that your decisions are informed by deep industry knowledge and the right balance of manual and automated processes.This episode is a must-listen for any marketer looking to stay ahead in a dynamic, data-driven world.

Temu's advertising has been at the center of countless headlines in recent months. However, journalists don't know advertising well enough and don't have the data necessary to tell the full story. Mike has monitoring Temu for months – and mega-advertisers like Amazon, Wish, and eBay for years. He ties together all of his research on Temu so far into a single story exploring their dramatic rise, and their performance impact on other advertisers. This episode isn't Wall Street analysts or regular consumers, it's for ecommerce advertisers and operators, and it's a story that no one else can tell.Please note there is a lot of data in this episode and you might want to watch the video feed for the best experience.