Preparing for Google’s mobile-first index for SMBs and service providers
Over the past few years, Google has constantly made ripples in the online media world by adjusting how its search algorithm weighs mobile websites. In the past, mobile sites were given preferential treatment, but now Google is testing a mobile-first index that looks at the mobile version of websites before moving onto desktop sites. This is, of course, […]
Fake news, brand safety and SMBs
The media failed to predict the election of Donald Trump, placing him way behind in all their models until the actual election results came in. And since November 9th, the media have been wondering went wrong. Astute observers pointed to a number of legitimate explanations, from inaccurate polling data that skewed prediction models, to the fracturing of […]
Pay attention: Vertical marketers are rewriting local advertising
When you think of local businesses that advertise heavily, a few specific industries are likely to spring to mind. There’s automotive, retail and real estate, which are all traditionally big spenders that work very closely with local media partners to reach regional audiences. Lately, these verticals have altered the way that they identify and target […]
How SMBs can stand out this holiday season
The internet has revolutionized holiday shopping. No longer are consumers confined by their nearest physical retail stores; nor are they restricted to items that are in stock. Now consumers can research and buy items without leaving their homes, which is a great relief to those who hate long lines and in-store madness during the holiday […]
Franchises: The sophisticated and loyal SMB client
Many SMBs understand the value of advertising on Facebook, as it provides them access to a massive audience and targeting tools to ensure they reach desirable, qualified customers. But the recent revelation that Facebook was inaccurately measuring the average time users spent watching videos is sure to raise an eyebrow among advertisers. If Facebook failed to provide […]
IAB proposes new Ad Portfolio
The IAB recently released a proposed update to the IAB Standard Ad Unit Portfolio for public comment. As members of the IAB, AffinityX is thoroughly reviewing all suggested changes and will be submitting our comments for consideration. The changes put forward by the IAB will work to improve the consistency of cross-device creative display, as […]
Is it finally time for SMBs to worry about the rise of Ad blocking?
Ever since our last blog post on ad blocking in November 2015, the practice has continued to bedevil digital marketers and publishers and today shows no signs of stopping. According to a recent report from eMarketer, the number of people using ad blockers in the U.S. will climb from 69.8 million in 2016 to 86.6 million next year, […]
Facebook is huge, but not SMBs’ only choice
Facebook’s latest earnings — more than $2 billion in the second quarter — show that it’s a dominant player in online advertising. The size and scale of Facebook make the channel a natural destination for advertisers of all sizes and, indeed, Facebook is actively courting SMBs who may not already advertise online. It’s great that online advertising is getting easier […]
It’s time to start planning holiday marketing efforts
Back-to-school season is just about over, with parents finishing up purchases of new clothes and supplies for their classroom-bound kids. While consumers are looking at the present, smart marketers know that success comes from planning ahead. If SMBs’ main selling season is back-to-school, then unfortunately they missed it. Now marketers of all sizes, from the […]
The myth of the lonely marketing tech robot
Recently, Scott Brinker published a fascinating graphic, with 3,874 marketing technology logos crammed into one chart. For every one of those logos and all the accompanying investor decks and analyst presentations, the underlying myth of how work actually gets done is the same: “The robot does it all.” This conjures a vision of a vast, pristine […]
