🔍 This decade's most important marketing question is...

Sep 18, 2020

Good morning Search Marketer, people are getting fired up, and I love it.

A column from Kirk Williams yesterday highlights a bigger question begged by Google limiting search query data: What data rights do advertisers possess? Kirk suggests rather than thinking about data ownership, we think in terms of "what data do we advertisers have the RIGHT to access?"

This is a complex but increasingly important question in light of Google's market dominance (and current antitrust scrutiny) and given the trajectory of automation and increasing lack of transparency and control as machine learning takes hold. The question has sparked thoughtful, food analogy-heavy, conversations on social. What do you think? Add to those conversations or send me a note: gmarvin@thirddoormedia.com.

And, while we're on the topic of having your voice heard….

Want to speak at SMX? If you've got a great topic or case study, submit your pitch! SMX will be coming to audiences virtually December 8–9.

Just two weeks left to get your nominations in for our inaugural award for individuals and organizations that are Advancing Diversity and Inclusion in Search Marketing. Don't wait to celebrate those who are making a difference — get those nominations in!

Ginny Marvin,
Editor-In-Chief

Social Shorts

Facebook launches content management tool for SMBs

Facebook Business Suite debuted globally yesterday. Available as a mobile app and via desktop, it allows small businesses to manage content, messages and analytics across Facebook and Instagram in a single dashboard. WhatsApp will be integrated with it next year, the company said.

Why we care. The majority of Facebook's 9 million advertisers are small businesses. For many, Facebook has become their primary digital channel, and this solution could further entrench Facebook's foothold. Not surprising, SMBs can also boost content into paid ads right from the main dashboard.

Facebook Business Suite won't replace Ads Manager, at least anytime soon, but the company indicated that some Ads Manager features will be integrated into the dashboard in the coming months.

Read more »

Webinar: Great Marketing Starts with Better Planning

We can all agree that 2021 can't come soon enough, and as your start thinking about what next year could look like, the strategic planning process needs to be as good or better than the tactics that your team will produce and execute. But in the "next normal" we find ourselves in, what should strategic planning look like? Join our experts to learn best practices, tips, and strategies that work to improve your strategic marketing planning for next year and beyond.

RSVP here »

Search Shorts

More Google ranking fluctuations...

Google ranking fluctuations continue. While the chatter in the SEO community is still limited around Google ranking changes, the tracking tools are still showing signs of a Google update. We do not yet think there was a real big update but rather maybe some feature changes in the search results.

Target packages of YouTube channels. Google announced YouTube dynamic lineups — packages of channels to scale contextual ad targeting. It said it uses "machine learning to better understand each channel on YouTube, including analysis of video imagery, sound, speech and text."

Google My Business insights bug. It looks like the Google My Business insights feature is a bit delayed. The photos report is stuck at August 31, 2020 and has yet to be updated with recent data.

Join us online for SMX Dec. 8-9

Attend the largest virtual SMX event ever! You'll access actionable organic and paid tactics that can drive more awareness, traffic, and conversions for just $149!

Register now »