#Contextual Advertising Market

[contextualadvertising]

Riding the Digital Wave: The Global Contextual Advertising Market Set to Reach $335.1 Billion by 2026

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing, contextual advertising has emerged as a powerhouse. With its ability to target consumers with precision, advertisers have found this approach to be highly effective in reaching their target audiences. The contextual advertising market is witnessing unprecedented growth and is projected to reach a staggering $335.1 billion by 2026. In this blog, we'll delve into what contextual advertising is, why it's on the rise, and what the future holds for this dynamic industry.

Understanding Contextual Advertising

Contextual advertising is a form of online advertising that delivers relevant ads to users based on the content they are currently viewing or their recent online behavior. It leverages contextual cues such as keywords, user demographics, and browsing history to display ads that are more likely to resonate with the user.

Here's how it works:

Content Analysis: Contextual advertising systems analyze the text, images, and other elements on a webpage to determine its subject matter and context.

User Profiling: Information about the user, including their interests, demographics, and online behavior, is collected and analyzed.

Ad Matching: The system matches the content's context with the user's profile and selects the most relevant ads from its inventory.

Displaying Ads: The selected ads are displayed to the user in various formats, including text, display banners, video, and native ads.

Why Contextual Advertising is Thriving

Several factors contribute to the rapid growth of the contextual advertising market:

Enhanced Relevance: Contextual advertising offers highly relevant ad placements, increasing the chances of user engagement and conversions. Users are more likely to interact with ads that align with their current interests.

Privacy and Personalization: As privacy concerns grow and regulations like GDPR and CCPA become more stringent, contextual advertising stands out as a privacy-friendly advertising method. It doesn't rely on collecting extensive user data, making it less intrusive.

Ad Blocker Resilience: Unlike some other forms of advertising, contextual ads are less susceptible to ad blockers because they are seamlessly integrated into the content.

Improved Technology: Advances in AI and machine learning have greatly improved the accuracy and efficiency of contextual advertising systems. Advertisers can now target users with pinpoint precision.

Better ROI: Advertisers appreciate contextual advertising for its ability to provide a higher return on investment (ROI). By reaching users when they are most receptive, advertisers can achieve better conversion rates.

The Future of Contextual Advertising

The contextual advertising market is poised for substantial growth in the coming years. Here's what the future holds for this dynamic industry:

Video and Native Ads Dominance: Video and native ads, which seamlessly blend with the content, are expected to dominate the contextual advertising landscape. As more users consume video content online, advertisers will capitalize on this trend.

AI and Machine Learning Advancements: Continued advancements in AI and machine learning will refine contextual advertising algorithms, enabling more precise targeting and real-time optimization.

Integration with E-commerce: Contextual advertising will play a pivotal role in the e-commerce sector. Ads will not only promote products but also guide users through the purchase process, enhancing the online shopping experience.

Cross-Device Targeting: As users switch between devices, contextual advertising will adapt to deliver consistent and relevant ads across smartphones, tablets, desktops, and smart TVs.

Privacy and Regulation: Advertisers will need to navigate a complex landscape of privacy regulations and evolving user preferences. Contextual advertising's privacy-friendly approach will become a significant selling point.

Also Read: Navigating Path with Contextual Advertising in a Programmatic Advertising Landscape

Conclusion

The contextual advertising market's projected growth to $335.1 billion by 2026 is a testament to its effectiveness and adaptability in the digital advertising ecosystem. As it continues to evolve, contextual advertising will provide advertisers with a powerful tool to connect with their target audiences while respecting user privacy and preferences. In a world where personalization and relevance are paramount, contextual advertising is set to play a leading role in shaping the future of digital marketing

[lrgcarter]

So, I'm the first person to point out that advertising and marketing doesn't work in an age where people have no money to spend on products.

and at the same time...

Italian artistic gymnast Giorgia Villa (bronze medalist in a previous Olympics, Silver medalist in the current Olympics, Italian national champion various previous years) is a Brand Ambassador for Parmigiano Reggiano, or as you and I would call it, a Parmesan Cheese Company.

Obviously everyone is saying that she shills for Big Parma, which, yes, was funny the first time I heard it.

But I want to focus on the photographs that have been taken as part of her role of Brand Ambassador. These ones were produced by a person/company named Gabriele Seghizzi Photography.

In the photographer's own words, "The goal was to produce three types of contents. First we had to shot some portraits, posed and contextualized with some of the tools that the athlete uses daily in her discipline. The second type were shots in which some of the products brought by Parmigiano Reggiano were inserted and attempts were made to reproduce pre and post sport consumption opportunities. While the third and last kind of shots were real action photos, as if I had to document a typical workout of her."

I would like to focus on a few bits of that quote.

Contents 1: 'portraits, posed and contextualized with some of the tools that the athlete uses..." Okay, so far so good, photos of the athlete doing the thing she is second place at in the world.

Contents 2: 'shots in which some of the products brought by Parmigiano Reggiano were inserted...'

What sort of products, you ask? Well, Big Parma of course, we've already covered that!

You might think "well, those are way too big to 'insert' anywhere-" and yeah, I'm going to cut you off there, because obviously the insertion happens using the photographic art of implication using a shared and mutually understood visual language. By which I mean, an arrow made out of cheese pointing in the direction of the intended insertion.

Next bit of Contents 2:

"...and attempts were made to reproduce pre and post sport consumption opportunities.'

Pre and post sport consumption. So that's ... eating it before and after sport, right?

Okay, yeah, that's one way to eat a ridiculously big cheese-

Wait a second! Now the photographer is specifically aiming for size-play vibes! And vore vibes! Especially if you're some kind of cheese-person!

Anyway, contents 3 is a standard set of photos of the athlete doing her sport. Possibly as a sort of after-care to help her ground herself back into the world of not-everything-being-about-giant-or-tiny-cheeses.

So, if you're a cheese person or a 'not-to be-a-lesbian-but' person, check out this link for more photos. Be warned, they're pretty big.

Anyway, what was my point? Oh yeah! Theoretically, I have now done some free marketing for this big cheese company. I have fallen into their trap of helping promote their cheeses!

BUT

Nobody who is ever going to see this post will ever be able to afford ONE giant cheese wheel, let alone FOUR. So it still isn't working, Big Business! You will have total brand recognition but the line will still go down because nobody can afford your products!!

In conclusion; universal basic income, nationalising water and energy, making housing a human right and then making sure all human rights are provided to everyone, and decriminalising sex work are the bare minimum of what we need to do to fix society.

[mariacallous]

For the past eight months, Europeans uncomfortable with the way Meta tracks their data for personalized advertising have had another option: They can pay the tech giant up to €12.99 ($14) per month for their privacy instead.

Launched in November 2023, Meta introduced its “pay or consent” subscription model as fines, legal cases, and regulatory attention pressured the company to change the way it asks users to consent to targeted advertising. On Monday, however, the European Commision rejected its latest solution, arguing its “pay or consent” subscription is illegal under the bloc’s new digital markets act (DMA).

“Our preliminary view is that Meta’s ‘Pay or Consent’ business model is in breach of the DMA,” Thierry Breton, Commissioner for the EU’s Internal Market, said in a statement. “The DMA is there to give back to the users the power to decide how their data is used and ensure innovative companies can compete on equal footing with tech giants on data access.”

Meta denied its subscription model broke the rules. “Subscription for no ads follows the direction of the highest court in Europe and complies with the DMA,” Meta spokesperson Matt Pollard told WIRED, referring to a Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) decision in July that said that Meta needed to offer users an alternative to ads, if necessary for an appropriate fee. “We look forward to further constructive dialogue with the European Commission to bring this investigation to a close.”

In a press briefing on Monday morning, Commission officials said their concern was not that the company was charging for an ad-free service. “This is perfectly fine for us, as long as we have the middle option,” they said, explaining there should be a third option that may still contain ads but are just less targeted. There are different, less-specific ways of providing advertising to users, they added, such as contextual advertising. “The consumer needs to be in a position to choose an alternative version of the service which relies on non personalization of the ads.”

Under the DMA, very large tech platforms must ask users for consent if they want to share their personal data with other parts of their businesses. In Meta’s case, the Commission said it is particularly concerned about the competitive advantage Meta receives over its rivals by being able to combine the data from platforms like Instagram and its advertising business.

Meta has a chance to respond to the charges issued on Monday. However if the company cannot reach an agreement with regulators before March 2025, Brussels has the power to levy fines of up to 10 percent of the company’s global turnover.

In the past week, the EU has issued a series of reprimands to US tech giants. The Commission warned Apple that its App Store is in breach of EU rules for preventing app developers offering promotions directly to their users. Brussels also accused Microsoft of abusing its dominance in the office-software market, following a complaint from rival Slack.

[bulkdatabaseindia]

Chennai Mobile Numbers Database

Learn about Chennai Mobile Numbers Database. Describe the key features of a Chennai Mobile Numbers database and application.

In the digital era we live in today, corporations and NGOs alike would greatly benefit from having a database of mobile phone numbers. This collection of contact information would also be crucial for marketers targeting specific customer segments so that they could enhance their marketing drive through personal information.

An organized mobile number database makes operations easier and enables growth in SMS campaigns, customer outreach, or data analysis. Competitive considerations necessitate being able to stay in touch with clients and customers competently throughout a fast, technology-dependent world through consistent supplies of accurate and updated contact information because people are increasingly using their phones.”

Chennai Mobile Numbers Database

The specific Android area phone data set is a directory of phone numbers belonging to Chennai city, and it frequently features additional data within its portals, including names, addresses, and e-mail addresses.

Employ founders unstructured for business organizations and companies that would like access to new clients inside Chennai, for instance, sales news or so on, and support services besides event advertising.

Key Features of a Chennai Mobile Numbers Database

Geographical Targeting: Address the Chennai region and, hence, local markets so that businesses can successfully target their customers.

Demographic Segmentation: Creating marketing campaigns that are personalized can be challenging if you don’t have detailed information about age, gender, income level, and occupation.

Updated Information: Make sure that the database remains true and keeps abreast of doing so regularly rather than allowing for any misinformation or out-of-date files that would lead to it being unreliable

Compliance with Regulations: By obeying set regulations and laws for data protection, ethical standards in database use are ensured, and this also shields firms as well as individuals.

How to Obtain a Chennai Mobile Number Database?

1. Purchase from Data Provider

Several of firms deal in mobile number databases that are confirmed for accuracy and updated for sales. They guarantee comprehensive details by observing prescribed laws.

2. Build Your Database

Gather phone numbers from client interactions, registration forms, loyalty schemes, competitions, and promotions. Using this method guarantees that the information collected is exactly what your business requires.

3. Collaborate with Local Businesses

Share resources and data by partnering with other businesses in the locality. This collaboration will lead to an increased reach for your business and enhancements to its database.

4. Utilize Online Directories

It is important to note that public records and online directories are essential access points for contact details. However, caution should be taken in the way collected information is used by ensuring it adheres to moral conduct as stipulated in regional laws.

Applications of a Chennai Mobile Numbers Database

SMS Marketing: In the domain of enterprise marketing, contextual marketing is a dedicated module that involves sending marketing messages, offers, and updates tailored to the mobile phones of potential clients directly.

Telemarketing: Contacting possible customers and presenting products or services.

Customer Support: “Delivering swift help and backing to clients through immediate interaction.”

Event Promotion: Let residents find out about local events, sales, launching new products, and other important messages.

Surveys and Feedback: Gathering consumer feedback and product or service observations related to developments involved in surveying.

Conclusion

The Chennai Mobile Numbers Database business opportunities are increased, and customers are reached in one of the most productive economies in India. This resource gives you new contact details, thus helping you to improve your marketing plans as well as enhance client ties, leading to extensive customer base penetration.

Using custom messages in Chennai’s lively setting can help one advance positively and achieve long-term objectives while building a real connection with the audience.

More Information About Plan and price Visit our website :- https://bulkdatabase.info/

[mostlysignssomeportents]

To save the news, repeal the app tax

Today (June 7), I’m keynoting the Re:publica conference in Berlin.

Tomorrow (June 8) at 8PM, I’m at Otherland Books in Berlin with my novel Red Team Blues.

Big Tech steals from the news, but what it steals is money, not content. Talking about the news, excerpting it, linking to it, quoting it — these are all beneficial, normal news activities. If you can’t talk about the news, it’s not news — it’s a secret.

But tech does steal from news. A variety of monopolistic tricks allows tech to interpose itself between reporters, publishers and outlets, and the audiences they serve. By creating chokepoints between the news and its audience, tech can extract gigantic sums from the news.

And because the news itself is dominated by the same kinds of extractive, vicious, gigantic corporations, the shit flows downhill: the first victims of attacks on news profitability are news workers — reporters, technical staff, illustrators, photographers. A news outlet has to be really starving before it turns to the money claimed by vulture capitalists who buy distressed debt, or hedge funds who roll up papers, or wealthy owners.

Anything that can’t go on forever eventually stops. Tech’s ripoffs have reached a breaking point, and there’s a broad coalition of journalists, media companies, audiences and politicians ready to do something about this. Now the question is: what should we do?

Whatever we do it should:

Maintain broad access to the news;

Make it easier for new news outlets to pop up;

Make it easier for new tech outlets that carry the news to pop up, too.

It shouldn’t simply transfer funds to bond holders who own newspaper debt, or shareholders of media companies, or billionaire dilettante news proprietors. It shouldn’t make the news and tech into “partners”: we want the press to hold tech to account, not join forces with it.

A month ago, EFF and I started publishing a five-part series of policy prescriptions “saving the news from tech.” Part one was the “curtain raiser,” setting up the whole program:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2023/04/saving-news-big-tech

Each week since, I’ve published a specific policy recommendation. The first one was breaking up the ad-tech industry, on the lines suggested by Senator Mike Lee’s AMERICA Act:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2023/05/save-news-we-must-shatter-ad-tech

Next was passing comprehensive privacy law, which would kill off surveillance ads and force a switch to “contextual ads” (ads based on what you’re looking at, not who you are):

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2023/05/save-news-we-must-ban-surveillance-advertising

Both of these proposals are aimed at reducing the share of ad money claimed by tech, especially the ad-tech duopoly of Google/Meta. Ad-tech claims more than 50% of every ad dollar spent, thanks to their chokepoint on ads. The ad-tech market is a cesspool of fraud, abuse and creepy practices. Fixing ads would make everyone better off, by freeing us all from ubiquitous commercial surveillance, and it would make the news better off, letting the news claim a much larger share of ad revenues, whether they are large media brands or independent reporters covering a niche subject in depth.

This week’s installment turns to subscription revenues. When Steve Jobs launched the Ipad in 2010, he set himself up as a daddy figure for the traumataized press, promising them a return to subscription-based business, with seamless payment processing through the apps in his walled garden:

https://memex.craphound.com/2010/04/01/why-i-wont-buy-an-ipad-and-think-you-shouldnt-either/

But since then, the mobile duopoly of Apple/Google has simply recapitulated the abusive extraction of the ad-tech industry, but for apps. Both companies charge a whopping 30% to process in-app payments, and both companies have strict rules banning app makers from evading this 30% app tax by steering customers to the web to complete payments:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2023/06/save-news-we-must-open-app-stores

The companies — nominally bitter competitors — have nevertheless converged on this 30% vig, allegedly without any anticompetitive collusion. Apple uses Digital Rights Management (DRM) to lock people into using its App Store, threatening anyone who reverse-engineers its devices to add competing stores with five year prison sentences under Section 1201 of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).

Google’s Android does have a facility for “side-loading” apps that aren’t in its app store, but the company uses a web of commercial requirements and technological tricks to prevent a competitor from emerging:

https://theplatformlaw.blog/2023/05/24/why-the-proposed-commitments-offered-by-google-to-the-uk-competition-authority-regarding-in-app-purchases-are-wrong-and-will-make-the-situation-of-app-developers-worse/

The result is a massive transfer from the news to tech: payment processing normally costs 2–3%, but these companies manage to take a 30% bite out of every subscription dollar collected in-app. Some very large outlets like the NY Times can drive readers to sign up on the web and escape the app tax, but the additional friction costs even these large publishers a fortune in lost subscribers — and smaller outlets have even less leverage over readers and are corralled into paying the app tax, making it a regressive tax indeed.

Unrigging the mobile payments market would produce good results far beyond the news, of course. Games publishers, independent creators, and office and productivity app makers would all benefit from no longer having to pay the app tax. And so would their users: these app makers are passing on most of those payment costs to us, and we end up paying them, because there are only two major mobile platforms and they both charge the same app tax.

In the EU, the Digital Markets Act (DMA) will force app stores to open up, paving the way for alternative app stores:

https://www.theverge.com/2022/3/25/22996248/apple-sideloading-apps-store-third-party-eu-dma-requirement

In the US, there’s proposed laws like the Open Apps Markets Act, which is likely to be reintroduced in this legislative session:

https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-blackburn-and-klobuchar-introduce-bipartisan-antitrust-legislation-to-promote-app-store-competition

The mobile duopoly hate this, of course, and claim that forcing them to permit rival app stores would put users’ security at risk. It’s true that this could happen, but it doesn’t need to: security and openness are compatible:

https://www.schneier.com/essays/archives/2022/01/letter-to-the-us-senate-judiciary-committee-on-app-stores.html

Next week, I’ll conclude the series with a post on applying the end-to-end principle to social media, to prevent platforms from holding a publication’s subscribers hostage in order to extract “boosting” fees from media. Once that’s out, we’re going to gather all these posts into a single, downloadable PDF, suitable for sharing with the news junkies in your life, your friends in the media business, and your elected reps.

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this thread to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/06/07/curatorial-vig/#app-tax

[Image ID: EFF's banner for the save news series; the word 'NEWS' appears in pixelated, gothic script in the style of a newspaper masthead. Beneath it in four entwined circles are logos for breaking up ad-tech, ending surveillance ads, opening app stores, and end-to-end delivery. All the icons except for 'open app stores' are greyed out.]

[genuflectx]

Mentioned this on Twitter, but Discord’s AI, Clyde, uses chatGPT -3. The same version of chatGPT Replika used. The one that takes mimicry to the extreme with poor contextual memory.

For example, in Replika if you vented to the AI, the AI would mimic your negative responses and say upsetting things back to you instead of being a comfort. This was especially bad because the Replika app was advertised as a therapeutic app but the AI would respond as if it had depression if you had depression.

Clyde already exhibited this in our first chat, where it randomly started using “mate” and when asked “stop acting like a pirate” it saw the word pirate, ignored the context, and suddenly it’s next several messages were in pirate format.

Basically, Clyde is marketed as a shiny toy for Discord but it’s just outdated hot garbage they inserted to get on the AI hype train. That said, don’t be mean or rude to the bot; you can internalize hostility in yourself even if you think you’re yelling and insulting a wall. It’s not “Clyde’s” fault they used the -3 model.

[uptodigitalmarketingskill]

DIGITAL MARKETING

Digital Marketing Course Content

Fundamentals of Digital marketing & Its Significance, Traditional marketing Vs Digital Marketing, Evolution of Digital Marketing, Digital Marketing Landscape, Key Drivers, Digital Consumer & Communities, Gen Y & Netizen’s expectation & influence wrt Digital Marketing.  The Digital users in India, Digital marketing Strategy- Consumer Decision journey,

POEM Framework, Segmenting & Customizing messages, Digital advertising Market in India, Skills in Digital Marketing, Digital marketing Plan.  Terminology used in Digital Marketing, PPC and online marketing through social media, Social Media Marketing, SEO techniques, Keyword advertising, Google web-master and analytics overview, Affiliate Marketing, Email Marketing, Mobile marketing

Display adverting, Buying Models, different type of ad tools, Display advertising terminology, types of display ads, different ad formats, Ad placement techniques, Important ad terminology, Programmatic Digital Advertising.

Social Media Marketing

Fundamentals of Social Media Marketing& its significance, Necessity of Social media Marketing, Building a Successful strategy: Goal Setting, Implementation.  Facebook Marketing: Facebook for Business, Facebook Insight, Different types of Ad formats, Setting up Facebook Advertising Account, Facebook audience & types, Designing Facebook Advertising campaigns, Facebook Avatar, Apps, Live, Hashtags  LinkedIn Marketing: Importance of LinkedIn presence, LinkedIn Strategy, Content Strategy, LinkedIn analysis, Targeting, Ad Campaign  Twitter Marketing:- Basics, Building a content strategy, Twitter usage, Twitter Ads, Twitter ad campaigns, Twitter Analytics, Twitter Tools and tips for mangers. Instagram & Snapchat basics.

Search Engine Optimization

Introduction to SEO, How Search engine works, SEO Phases, History Of SEO, How SEO Works, What is Googlebot (Google Crawler), Types Of SEO technique, Keywords, Keyword Planner tools  On page Optimization, Technical Elements, HTML tags, Schema.org, RSS Feeds, Microsites, Yoast SEO Plug-in  Off page Optimization- About Off page optimization, Authority & hubs, Backlink, Blog Posts, Press Release, Forums, Unnatural links.  Social media Reach- Video Creation & Submission, Maintenance- SEO tactics, Google search Engine, Other Suggested tools

Advertising Tools & Its Optimization

Advertising & its importance, Digital Advertising, Different Digital Advertisement, Performance of Digital Advertising:- Process & players, Display Advertising Media, Digital metrics  Buying Models- CPC, CPM, CPL, CPA, fixed Cost/Sponsorship, Targeting:- Contextual targeting, remarking, Demographics , Geographic & Language Targeting.  Display adverting, different type of ad tools, Display advertising terminology, types of display ads, different ad formats, Ad placement techniques, Important ad terminology, ROI measurement techniques, AdWords & Adsense.  YouTube Advertising:- YouTube Channels, YouTube Ads, Type of Videos, Buying Models, Targeting & optimization, Designing & monitoring Video Campaigns, Display campaigns

Website Hosting Using Word Press

Website Planning & Development- Website, Types of Websites, Phases of website development, Keywords: Selection process  Domain & Web Hosting:- Domain, Types of Domain, Where to Buy Domain, Webhosting, How to buy Webhosting  Building Website using Word press-What is Word press, CMS, Post and Page  Word press Plug-ins- Different Plug-ins, social media Plug-ins, page builder plug-ins: the elementor, how to insert a section, how to insert logo, Google Micro sites

[passiveincomemoney]

The Digital Marketing Dilemma: Paid vs. Free Traffic Sources

In the digital marketing world, traffic is the lifeblood of any online presence. It's the stream of visitors that brings potential customers to your website, and ultimately, drives conversions and sales. But not all traffic is created equal, and understanding the differences between paid, and free traffic sources can be crucial for a successful online strategy.

Paid Traffic: The Fast Lane to Visibility

Paid traffic is akin to a turbo boost for your website's visibility. It involves paying for advertising space to showcase your brand directly in front of potential customers. The most common forms of paid traffic include pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns, display ads, and social media advertisements.

Advantages of Paid Traffic:

Immediate Results: Once your ad campaign is live, you can expect to see an instant increase in traffic.

Targeting Capabilities: Paid traffic allows for precise targeting based on demographics, interests, and behaviours.

Scalability: You can increase your ad spend to scale up traffic as needed.

Disadvantages of Paid Traffic:

Cost: The most apparent downside is the ongoing expense. You pay for each visitor, and costs can escalate quickly.

Short-term Impact: Paid traffic often provides a temporary boost. Once you stop paying, the traffic typically drops off.

Here are some of the popular platforms for contextual ads:

Google Ads PPC (Pay-Per-Click) is a powerful advertising platform that allows businesses to display ads on Google's search engine results pages. Advertisers bid on keywords relevant to their target audience and pay only when a user clicks on their ad. This model offers the flexibility to control costs by setting daily budgets and bids for each click. With the right strategy, Google Ads PPC can be an effective way to drive targeted traffic to a website and increase online visibility.

Quora Ads PPC (Pay-Per-Click) is a form of advertising on the Quora platform, which allows advertisers to pay for each click on their ads. It's known for being a cost-effective option compared to other PPC platforms, with some campaigns reporting significantly lower cost-per-click (CPC) rates than those on Google or Facebook. Structuring campaigns carefully and optimizing ad delivery is crucial for success on Quora Ads. Advertisers can bid based on clicks, impressions, or conversions, tailoring their approach to their specific marketing goals.

Facebook Ads PPC (Pay-Per-Click) is a powerful advertising tool that allows businesses to target specific audiences on Facebook. Advertisers can create ads tailored to their business goals, such as increasing website traffic or boosting online sales. With PPC, you only pay when someone clicks on your ad, making it a cost-effective way to reach potential customers. Additionally, Facebook provides detailed analytics to help advertisers understand the performance of their ads and optimize their campaigns for better results.

Free Traffic: The Organic Approach

Free traffic, also known as organic traffic, doesn't cost anything directly. It's the result of people finding your website through search engines, social media shares, or other referral sources without paid promotion.

Advantages of Free Traffic:

Cost-Effective: It doesn't require a direct payment for each visitor, making it a more sustainable long-term strategy.

Credibility and Trust: Users typically perceive organic results as more credible than paid ads.

Long-lasting Results: The efforts you put into SEO or content creation can yield traffic for months or years to come.

Disadvantages of Free Traffic:

Time and Effort: It takes significant time and effort to build up organic traffic. SEO and content creation are long-term investments.

Unpredictability: Changes in search engine algorithms can impact your traffic levels overnight.

Here are some of the best free traffic sources that can help you attract visitors:

Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Optimizing your website for search engines can lead to a steady stream of organic traffic.

Email Marketing: Building an email list allows you to reach out directly to your audience.

Social Media Platforms: Sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram can be powerful for sharing content and engaging with users.

Content Marketing: Creating valuable content helps attract and retain a loyal audience.

Blogging: Regularly updating a blog can help drive traffic and improve SEO.

Guest Posting: Writing articles for other websites can introduce your brand to a new audience.

Online Forums: Participating in forums like Reddit or Quora can drive traffic if you provide value in your posts.

Video Marketing: Platforms like YouTube offer a way to reach a vast audience with engaging video content.

Podcasting: Starting a podcast can help you reach a new audience through audio content.

Webinars: Hosting webinars can attract an audience interested in your expertise.

Influencer Collaborations: Partnering with influencers can help you tap into their follower base.

SEO Tools: Utilizing free SEO tools can improve your site's visibility.

Press Releases: Announcing news can get coverage and drive traffic.

E-books and Guides: Offering free resources can attract visitors searching for information.

Affiliate Programs: Encouraging others to promote your site can increase traffic.

Each of these sources requires time and effort to develop, but can lead to significant traffic growth over time.

Combining the Best of Both Worlds

While the debate between paid and free traffic sources can seem polarizing, the most effective strategies often involve a blend of both. Paid traffic can provide a quick influx of visitors and help test new markets or products. At the same time, building a solid foundation of free traffic through SEO and content marketing can ensure a steady flow of visitors over time.

Ultimately, the choice between paid and free traffic sources will depend on your business goals, budget, and timeline. By understanding the strengths and limitations of each, you can craft a balanced approach that drives both immediate results and sustainable growth.

For more insights into optimizing your website's traffic, consider exploring the nuances of SEO and Google Ads management, or how content quality can boost your organic reach. Remember, in the realm of digital marketing, diversity is key, and leveraging multiple traffic sources can lead to a more robust and resilient online presence.

[arunalejandro]

Modelo / Corona Case Study

On its journey to overtaking Heineken as the US' top imported beer, Modelo has encountered a number of headwinds. Rumors, such as contamination and heavy caloric value, have plagued growth. The public, competition, and Corona's own motto ("Fun, Sun, Beach") have pigeonholed the beer into an overly-specific use case. And Modelo's choice to sell beer primarily on-premise has further siloed the beer's occasion of consumption.

In short, Modelo's brand suffers from both negative health associations and overly-specific contextual associations. Combined, these forces create enough friction to discourage consumers from reaching for Corona except under the "right" circumstances.

Modelo has some effective tools available to them as they navigate rough waters:

Addressing rumors head-on is typically ineffective, and can backfire by calling further attention to the rumors. Instead, Modelo should ignore the rumors altogether and instead build new associations that run counter to the rumors. For example, communications with the public (i.e. marketing) can contain scenes presenting healthy activities. The first idea that comes to mind is an advertisement of athletes playing volleyball on the beach, and celebrating a win by drinking Corona.

Modelo has built a strong brand around "Fun, Sun, and Beach." These associations -- while constraining -- are also a key to their success, and dropping this association altogether will alienate their core base. Instead, they can distill this motto into an essence which can resonate with a broader population: Enjoyment and Leisure rather than Sun and Vacation. This serves to abstract out, rather than run from, their current brand.

[aizdigitalconnect]

How will Digital Marketing Change in the Future?

Digital marketing is expected to undergo significant changes in the future, driven by advancements in technology, shifting consumer behaviors, and regulatory developments. Here are some key ways in which digital marketing is likely to change in the coming years:

Increased Emphasis on AI and Machine Learning: Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms will play a more prominent role in digital marketing strategies. Marketers will leverage AI-powered tools for data analysis, personalization, predictive analytics, and automation of routine tasks, leading to more efficient campaigns and better targeting of audiences.

Rise of Voice Search Optimization: With the growing popularity of voice-activated devices like smart speakers and virtual assistants, optimizing content for voice search will become crucial. Marketers will need to focus on conversational keywords, long-tail phrases, and providing concise yet informative answers to voice queries to improve visibility in voice search results.

Evolution of Content Formats: The demand for interactive and immersive content experiences will drive the evolution of content formats. Video content, live streaming, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR) experiences will become more prevalent as marketers seek to engage audiences in innovative ways and create memorable brand interactions.

Data Privacy and Compliance: Stricter data privacy regulations and consumer concerns about data security will shape digital marketing practices. Marketers will need to prioritize transparent data collection and usage practices, adhere to regulatory requirements such as GDPR and CCPA, and build trust with consumers by demonstrating a commitment to data privacy and security.

Integration of Social Commerce: Social media platforms will continue to evolve into powerful e-commerce channels. Marketers will integrate social commerce features such as shoppable posts, in-app checkout options, and social shopping experiences to drive sales directly from social media platforms and enhance the overall customer journey.

Innovations in Digital Advertising: Digital advertising will undergo innovations in targeting capabilities, ad formats, and measurement metrics. Contextual advertising, native advertising, programmatic advertising, and influencer marketing will remain key strategies, with a focus on delivering relevant, non-intrusive ad experiences that resonate with target audiences.

Personalization at Scale: Advanced personalization techniques powered by data analytics and AI will enable marketers to deliver highly tailored and relevant content experiences at scale. Personalized recommendations, dynamic content customization, and adaptive messaging based on individual preferences and behaviors will drive engagement and conversion rates.

Mobile-First and Mobile-Optimized Strategies: The continued proliferation of mobile devices will necessitate a mobile-first approach to digital marketing. Marketers will prioritize mobile-optimized websites, responsive design, mobile apps, and location-based targeting to reach and engage mobile-centric audiences effectively.

Sustainability and Social Responsibility: Brands will increasingly integrate sustainability and social responsibility initiatives into their digital marketing strategies. Purpose-driven marketing campaigns, eco-friendly product messaging, and support for social causes will resonate with socially conscious consumers and enhance brand reputation.

Data-driven Decision Making: The use of data analytics, attribution modeling, and marketing automation tools will enable marketers to make data-driven decisions and optimize campaign performance in real time. Continuous monitoring, testing, and refinement of marketing strategies based on actionable insights will be essential for driving success in the evolving digital landscape.

Overall, the future of digital marketing will be characterized by innovation, agility, and a customer-centric approach. By embracing emerging technologies, prioritizing data ethics and privacy, and staying attuned to evolving consumer trends, businesses can navigate the changing digital marketing landscape effectively and achieve their marketing objectives in the years ahead.

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Seedtag offers a suite of Contextual Advertising solutions based in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligences to global brands.

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Case Studies: Successful Follow-Up Strategies and Their Impact on Sales Conversion

Follow-up strategies are an integral part of the sales process. However, time and time again, businesses fail to realize the full potential of well-structured, effective follow-ups. In this blog, we will explore some case studies illustrating successful follow-up strategies and how they have positively impacted sales conversion.

Understanding the Power of Follow-Ups

Businesses that consistently and effectively manage follow-ups certainly have an edge over their competitors, as such strategies help maintain communication, build relationships, and eventually boost sales conversions. According to InsideSales.com, 50% of sales happen after the 5th follow-up, yet many businesses give up after one or two attempts. This fact alone amplifies the significance of crafting meticulous follow-up strategies.

Case Study 1: Google

One of the best examples of a potent follow-up strategy can be seen from Google's customer service model. Google, despite its immense size, manages to approach every customer query with valued attention, timeliness, and appropriate follow-ups.

This is particularly noticeable with their ad management platform, Google Ads. Google employs a dedicated team that reaches out to customers regarding their advertising experience, offering assistance even before customers realize they need it. They follow up with emails, phone calls, and assistive resources, before and after ad campaign launches, ensuring customers are guided through the entire process and beyond.

This preemptive approach results in a significant increase in customer satisfaction and retention, impacting product usage and, eventually, sales conversions.

Case Study 2: Zappos

Zappos, an online shoe and clothing retailer, is well-known for its exceptional customer service. The follow-up strategy is particularly interesting due to Zappos' "Personal Emotional Connection" tactic.

As part of this tactic, each customer query is not just answered and then closed, but it also includes a personalized follow-up message aimed at creating emotional engagement. This follow-up often includes empathetic and supportive messages, along with additional help or suggestions tailored personally for the customer. Zappos' personalized follow-up strategy has led to an incredibly loyal customer base, repeat purchases, and higher sales conversion rates.

Case Study 3: HubSpot

HubSpot, the widely recognized inbound marketing, sales, and service software, employs a multi-channel follow-up strategy focused on nurturing leads and customers through every stage of the sales funnel. They utilize an optimal mix of email, phone calls, educational resources, and even social media interactions for their follow-ups.

HubSpot's approach ensures contextually relevant and timely engagement. Customers on HubSpot often receive follow-up emails that direct to a helpful blog, an insightful webinar, or an actionable ebook, contributing to continually educating and nurturing them. This constant flow of valuable follow-ups helps HubSpot maintain high engagement levels, leading to increased sales conversions.

Conclusion of Follow-Up Strategies

Effectively weaving follow-up strategies into your sales process can significantly improve communication, nurture relationships, and enhance customer loyalty, all attributing to an increased sales conversion rate.

The key takeaway here is to approach your follow-ups methodically, personalize your communication, and consistently deliver value to your customers and prospects. It's not about being pushy; it's about being there as a supportive guide. Great follow-ups are the foundations of great customer relationships, and these relationships are what drive sales and business growth.

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On September 12, 2023, the most significant U.S. technology antitrust trial in decades opened in a Washington, D.C. federal district court. In U.S. v. Google, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and 38 state and territory attorneys general allege that Google has violated Section 2 of the Sherman Act, an antitrust law originally enacted in 1890.

The Sherman Act prohibits using exclusionary practices to maintain a monopoly. The DOJ and state attorneys general assert that Google has done just that in relation to certain internet search services. As often occurs, the case was narrowed in the months leading up to the start of the trial. Here is an overview of some of the key questions being addressed at the trial, which is expected to last several months.

Are Google’s browser agreements exclusive?

Google has entered into browser agreements with Apple and Mozilla under which Google is the default search engine for web browsers provided by those companies. For example, with respect to Apple, this means that a person who purchases a new iPhone, launches the Safari web browser, and enters a query into the search bar will, by default, receive search results from Google. In return for making Google the default search engine, the web browser providers receive a portion of advertising revenue arising from those searches.

A key question is whether these agreements are exclusive. Google asserts that they are not, arguing that the default settings can easily be changed by consumers who wish to use a non-Google search engine. The DOJ responds, “Even where search users might want to switch defaults, the effort and knowledge required to make that change biases them towards sticking with the default option.”

In an August 2023 ruling regarding summary judgement motions, Judge Amit Mehta wrote that “It is best to await a trial to determine whether, as a matter of actual market reality, Google’s position as the default search engine across multiple browsers is a form of exclusionary conduct.” In making this inquiry, the court will consider not only whether the browser agreements are actually exclusive, but also whether they are de facto exclusive. An agreement that lacks a formal exclusivity provision can nonetheless function in a de facto exclusive manner due to contextual factors, such as market dynamics and incentives.

A related question is whether any exclusivity associated with the browser agreements is simply the result of market competition. Google argues that it won the competition to be the default search engine for browsers made by Apple and Mozilla “on the merits as established and judged by its customers, not through anticompetitive or exclusionary conduct.” The DOJ counters this by stating that the “existence of multiple bidders does not transform an anticompetitive agreement into a permissible one.”

Are Google’s agreements regarding Android devices exclusive?

Android is the world’s most widely used mobile operating system, with a global market share as of December 2022 of about 72%, versus 27% for iOS. In the United States, the Android market share as of December 2022 was about 44%, compared with about 56% for iOS. Google has agreements with Samsung and other mobile device manufacturers of Android-based phones to make Google the default search engine on those devices. Google also has similar agreements with cellular wireless network providers that sell Android phones.

In relation to the Android antitrust question, Google enters into two types of agreements: Mobile Application Distribution Agreements (MADAs) and Revenue Share Agreements (RSAs). A MADA is a nonexclusive agreement allowing an Android device maker to preinstall a set of Google apps, including Google search and the Chrome browser. Since a MADA is nonexclusive, it permits a device maker to also preinstall non-Google search apps. RSAs introduce an additional wrinkle: Device makers and wireless carriers that enter into an RSA must make Google the exclusive, preinstalled search app on the device, and are thus prohibited from preinstalling any competing search app.

The revenue share that accompanies an RSA creates a strong economic incentive. And, because an RSA is only available to device makers that also have signed a MADA, the plaintiffs argue that this linkage has the effect of turning MADA into an exclusive contract. Google responds by underscoring that MADAs are nonexclusive and that device makers and wireless carriers are free to choose—or decline—to enter into the exclusive relationship that accompanies signing an RSA.

If the agreements are exclusive, how much of the market do they foreclose?

A finding that the Google browser and/or Android agreements are actually or de facto exclusive would not necessarily mean Google is violating antitrust laws. As the D.C. Circuit (which sets precedent for the district court hearing U.S. v. Google) explained in a 2001 decision, “Permitting an antitrust action to proceed any time a firm enters into an exclusive deal would both discourage a presumptively legitimate business practice and encourage costly antitrust actions. Because an exclusive deal affecting a small fraction of a market clearly cannot have the requisite harmful effect upon competition, the requirement of a significant degree of foreclosure serves a useful screening function.”

A key question that the U.S. v. Google trial will therefore explore is: To the extent that the browser and/or Android agreements are exclusive, is the resulting market foreclosure “substantial”? Unsurprisingly, the parties disagree, with the DOJ asserting that the answer is yes and Google asserting the opposite. The parties also disagree on the methodology that should be used in obtaining the answer.

What is the relevant market?

Examining alleged anticompetitive behavior requires identifying the relevant market. With respect to internet users (as distinct from advertisers), the DOJ argues that “general search services” is the relevant market and that offerings in that market include Google search and Bing. Notably, the DOJ specifically excludes from this category “specialized search services or other websites that are limited to specific topics, such as discounted hotels or airline fares,” writing that “Yelp can find you a pizzeria but is no help when it comes to the symptoms of strep throat.”

Google asserts that the relevant market for search is broader, arguing that “by defining the relevant market to include only general search engines, Plaintiffs distort the commercial reality that users routinely substitute other search providers for general search engines—such as Amazon when they shop, or Expedia when they travel—and thereby improperly exclude many of Google’s strongest competitors from the relevant market.” Thus, the trial will explore the competing narratives regarding the definition of the relevant market for internet search and, separately, for search advertising.

A landmark antitrust trial

In addition to the above, the court will also consider an allegation by the state and territory attorneys general (but not the United States) that a Google marketing tool called Search Ads 360 is used in anticompetitive ways in relation to advertising. But the specifics of the questions to be addressed at trial aside, U.S. v Google has enormous implications for the technology sector. It is the first major U.S. trial to examine antitrust in the context of the contemporary Big Tech landscape.

The ruling from the current district court trial will not be the last word, as the non-prevailing party will almost certainly appeal to the D.C. Circuit. And regardless of the eventual outcome, there will be calls for change. A Google victory would lead to assertions that the technology ecosystem has outpaced antitrust law. And a DOJ victory would lead to assertions that antitrust law is being applied and interpreted far too broadly.

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Unleashing Gen AI: A Revolution in the Audio-Visual Landscape

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has consistently pushed the boundaries of what is possible in various industries, but now, we stand at the brink of a transformative leap: Generative AI, or Gen AI. Gen AI promises to reshape the audio-visual space in profound ways, and its impact extends to a plethora of industries. In this blog, we will delve into the essence of Gen AI and explore how it can bring about a sea change in numerous sectors.

Decoding Generative AI (Gen AI)

Generative AI is the frontier of AI where machines are capable of creating content that is remarkably human-like. Harnessing neural networks, particularly Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs) and Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), Gen AI can generate content that is not just contextually accurate but also creatively ingenious.

The Mechanics of Gen AI

Gen AI operates by dissecting and imitating patterns, styles, and structures from colossal datasets. These learned insights then fuel the creation of content, whether it be music, videos, images, or even deepfake simulations. The realm of audio-visual content is undergoing a monumental transformation courtesy of Gen AI.

Revolutionizing the Audio-Visual Realm

The influence of Generative AI in the audio-visual sphere is profound, impacting several dimensions of content creation and consumption:

1. Musical Masterpieces:

Gen AI algorithms have unlocked the potential to compose music that rivals the creations of human composers. They can effortlessly dabble in diverse musical genres, offering a treasure trove of opportunities for musicians, film score composers, and the gaming industry. Automated music composition opens the doors to boundless creative possibilities.

2. Cinematic Magic:

In the world of film production, Gen AI can conjure up realistic animations, special effects, and entirely synthetic characters. It simplifies video editing, making it more efficient and cost-effective. Content creators, filmmakers, and advertisers are poised to benefit significantly from these capabilities.

3. Artistic Expression:

Gen AI is the artist's secret tool, generating lifelike images and artworks. It can transform rudimentary sketches into professional-grade illustrations and graphics. Industries like fashion, advertising, and graphic design are harnessing this power to streamline their creative processes.

4. Immersive Reality:

Gen AI plays a pivotal role in crafting immersive experiences in virtual and augmented reality. It crafts realistic 3D models, environments, and textures, elevating the quality of VR and AR applications. This technological marvel has applications in gaming, architecture, education, and beyond.

Industries Set to Reap the Rewards

The versatile applications of Generative AI are a boon to numerous sectors:

1. Entertainment Industry:

Entertainment stands as a vanguard in adopting Gen AI. Film production, music composition, video game development, and theme park attractions are embracing Gen AI to elevate their offerings.

2. Marketing and Advertising:

Gen AI streamlines content creation for marketing campaigns. It generates ad copies, designs visual materials, and crafts personalized content, thereby saving time and delivering more engaging and relevant messages.

3. Healthcare and Medical Imaging:

In the realm of healthcare, Gen AI enhances medical imaging, aids in early disease detection, and generates 3D models for surgical planning and training.

4. Education:

Gen AI facilitates the creation of interactive learning materials, custom tutoring content, and immersive language learning experiences with its natural-sounding speech synthesis.

5. Design and Architecture:

Architects and designers benefit from Gen AI by generating detailed blueprints, 3D models, and interior design concepts based on precise user specifications.

The Future of Gen AI

The journey of Generative AI is far from over, and the future holds promise for even more groundbreaking innovations. However, it is imperative to navigate the ethical and societal implications thoughtfully. Concerns related to misuse, privacy, and authenticity should be addressed, and the responsible development and application of Gen AI must be prioritized.

In conclusion, Generative AI is on the cusp of redefining the audio-visual space, promising an abundance of creative and pragmatic solutions across diverse industries. Embracing and responsibly harnessing the power of Gen AI is the key to ushering these industries into a new era of ingenuity and innovation.