Trev & Steve discuss the latest updates from Google, particularly focusing on the impact of AI on user engagement and website traffic. They explore Google's revenue growth, the introduction of AI mode features, and the importance of understanding log files to analyze AI activity.

The discussion also covers the implications of AI Max in Google Ads and how businesses can navigate these changes to optimize their digital marketing strategies.

Want to learn more about us and our services? Reach out!

Steve:

https://collective42.com/

Trevor:

https://www.r40collective.com/

#digitalmarketing #ai #aimarketing #ppc #seo #growthhacking #googleads #searchenginemarketing #sem #ga4 #googleanalytics #growthmarketing #demandgen #pmax #performancemax #gtm #tagmanager #marketingagencies #chatgpt #claude #perplexity #llms #openai #aimode #aimax

Google hides 85% of your search terms data?

OpenAI’s Operator can do tasks on your business’s behalf? 

Steve & Trev break down both of these topics on this week's episode! 

Want to learn more about us and our services? Reach out!

Steve:

https://collective42.com/

Trevor:

https://www.r40collective.com/

#digitalmarketing #ai #aimarketing #ppc #seo #growthhacking #googleads #searchenginemarketing #sem #ga4 #googleanalytics #growthmarketing #demandgen #pmax #performancemax #gtm #tagmanager #marketingagencies #chatgpt #claude #perplexity #llms #openai #aimode #aimax

Real simple one - we talk all things paid search by reviewing an analysis Trev did on keyword match types.  The guys talk about how important it is to lean into broad match keywords in Google search campaigns because that’s the game Google wants you to play.

They also discuss the importance of 1st party conversion data and how connecting directly to a CRM with a milestone is critical when it comes to Google Ads and how those 1st party signals can enhance your broad match keyword’s performance. 

Want to learn more about us and our services? Reach out!

Steve:

https://collective42.com/

Trevor:

https://www.r40collective.com/

#digitalmarketing #ai #aimarketing #ppc #seo #growthhacking #googleads #searchenginemarketing #sem #ga4 #googleanalytics #growthmarketing #demandgen #pmax #performancemax #gtm #tagmanager #marketingagencies #chatgpt #claude #perplexity #llms #openai #aimode #aimax

Trev returns!

In this episode, the guys discuss the importance of speed in responding to prospective clients and their general approach to initial discussions.  They emphasize the importance of getting to know what your prospect is trying to accomplish, if you’re the right fit to deliver on their goals and making sure they’re a culture fit for your organization.

The guys discuss how shitty clients can provide short term revenue but actually ruin the vibes of your team which can have serious consequences on the sustainability of your business. 

The conversation also touches on the future of AI and human interaction in marketing related to some scams and BDR / SDR AI activities.  Are we moving towards a world where all outbound is AI automated?

Want to learn more about us and our services? Reach out!

Steve:

https://collective42.com/

Trevor:

https://www.r40collective.com/

#digitalmarketing #ai #aimarketing #ppc #seo #growthhacking #googleads #searchenginemarketing #sem #ga4 #googleanalytics #growthmarketing #demandgen #pmax #performancemax #gtm #tagmanager #marketingagencies #chatgpt #claude #perplexity #llms #openai #aimode #aimax

Leon joins Steve to share his journey in SEO since 2015, focusing on testing, experimentation, and what’s working right now. They dive into keyword strategies, code bloat reduction, AI’s growing impact, and why content and backlinks still matter—especially for scaling e-commerce sites.

Want to connect with Leon?

https://www.seo.science/

Want to learn more about us and our services? Reach out!

Steve:

https://collective42.com/

Trevor:

https://www.r40collective.com/

#digitalmarketing #ai #aimarketing #ppc #seo #growthhacking #googleads #searchenginemarketing #sem #ga4 #googleanalytics #growthmarketing #demandgen #pmax #performancemax #gtm #tagmanager #marketingagencies #chatgpt #claude #perplexity #llms #openai #aimode #aimax

Are you sick and tired of hearing about Generative AI and how different it is than traditional SEO?  If so, this is the episode for you.

In this episode we had Christian Hustle, founder of Woobound Marketing, joined Steve to discuss the evolving landscape of SEO in the age of AI. 

In this convo, they discuss the importance of content creation, the challenges of tracking and reporting in an AI-driven world, and the need for a human touch in digital marketing.  Analytics these days are a nightmare, but we’re in it together! 

They also share their thoughts on the future of link building, the role of digital PR and how platforms like LinkedIn can be significant in maintaining consistency in content production.

Want to learn more about Christian Hustle?  Here’s his agency’s website:

https://woobound.com/

Want to learn more about us and our services? Reach out!

Steve:

https://collective42.com/

Trevor:

https://www.r40collective.com/

#digitalmarketing #ai #aimarketing #ppc #seo #growthhacking #googleads #searchenginemarketing #sem #ga4 #googleanalytics #growthmarketing #demandgen #pmax #performancemax #gtm #tagmanager #marketingagencies #chatgpt #claude #perplexity #llms #openai #aimode #aimax

This episode has a couple funny experiences recently with AI and how it muddies up cold out reach.  

But, the big news is Google’s AI Mode announcement!  The company released their AI Mode experience which looks like an LLM you’re used to with the bland text based experience and not the typical Google Search Results Pages with a ton of blue links.

If you think about it, Google generated one of the most profitable, money printing businesses of all time with their blue link results page…. And now that might be changing forever.

You still have the option to use Classic Google Search with blue links AND testing their AI Mode.  This is a massive shift for Google and you have to give them credit for being their size and still rapidly innovating.

They also announced expansion of AI Overviews and that we will be able to buy ad inventory in both Overviews and AI Mode.  I think this eases a lot of search marketer’s minds! 

Want to learn more about us and our services? Reach out!

Steve:

https://collective42.com/

Trevor:

https://www.r40collective.com/

#digitalmarketing #ai #aimarketing #ppc #seo #growthhacking #googleads #searchenginemarketing #sem #ga4 #googleanalytics #growthmarketing #demandgen #pmax #performancemax #gtm #tagmanager #marketingagencies #chatgpt #claude #perplexity #llms #openai

Trev & Steve discuss the challenges Google faces in promoting its products like Gemini, the implications of AI in advertising, and the ongoing issues with customer service in the ad industry.  If you’ve worked in Google Ads and used their support team, you know what challenges we are talking about!

The guys then explore integrations of e-commerce platforms into LLMs with Perplexities recent announcement of their partnership with PayPal and the overwhelming number of updates in digital marketing, emphasizing the need to discern valuable changes from mere noise. 

The conversation also touches on the evolution of content marketing, particularly the decline of traditional blogs and the importance of maintaining a strong brand reputation amidst the changing landscape.

Anyone who is pitching “Generative AI SEO” is selling snake oil! Lol.

Want to learn more about us and our services? Reach out!

Steve:

https://collective42.com/

Trevor:

https://www.r40collective.com/

#digitalmarketing #ai #aimarketing #ppc #seo #growthhacking #googleads #searchenginemarketing #sem #ga4 #googleanalytics #growthmarketing #demandgen #pmax #performancemax #gtm #tagmanager #marketingagencies #chatgpt #claude #perplexity #llms #openai

Trev & Steve discuss the challenges and realities of agency life, the perception of time in relation to productivity, and the evolving landscape of search engines and advertising in the age of AI. 

They explore the implications of AI on job performance, branding ethics, and the future of Google search amidst increasing competition. The conversation also touches on the societal impact of AI and the balance between digital and analog experiences.

If you run an agency, work in one or do a lot of freelance consulting type work you can absolutely relate to this episode. 

Want to learn more about us and our services? Reach out!

Steve:

https://collective42.com/

Trevor:

https://www.r40collective.com/

#digitalmarketing #ai #aimarketing #ppc #seo #growthhacking #googleads #searchenginemarketing #sem #ga4 #googleanalytics #growthmarketing #demandgen #pmax #performancemax #gtm #tagmanager #marketingagencies #chatgpt #claude #perplexity #llms #openai

Trev & Steve go down the rabbit hole of exploring the evolving landscape of digital marketing, particularly focusing on the impact of large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT on lead generation and SEO. 

Steve had a couple legit leads pull through his site that were influenced by ChatGPT queries where C42 ranked well in those LLM sessions.  He then had a conversation with ChatGPT about ranking factors for websites and presented the weighted factors in these results.  Turns out ranking in LLMs stem from best practice SEO tactics that have been established for years. 

Essentially if you have a business or consult for other businesses and want to better understand how sites rank in LLMs and how we’re approaching this, this is the episode for you. 

Want to learn more about us and our services? Reach out!

Steve:

https://collective42.com/

Trevor:

https://www.r40collective.com/

#digitalmarketing #ai #aimarketing #ppc #seo #growthhacking #googleads #searchenginemarketing #sem #ga4 #googleanalytics #growthmarketing #demandgen #pmax #performancemax #gtm #tagmanager #marketingagencies #chatgpt #claude #perplexity #llms #openai