Google streamlining YouTube, Display ad content controls

Google is consolidating its content suitability levers for advertisers across YouTube and the Display Network starting in September.

What’s changing:

  • Several content label exclusions will be removed for YouTube ads (DL-G, DL-PG, DL-T, DL-MA, “not yet labeled”) but remain for Display
  • “Embedded YouTube videos”, “Live streaming”, and “Families” exclusions only available account-wide, not per YouTube campaign
  • Many topic-based exclusions still offered at campaign and ad group levels

Why we care. The updates could have implications for brand suitability, campaign targeting strategies, and ultimately return on ad spend on YouTube and Display campaigns that advertisers will want to get ahead of.

Why it matters. The updates aim to simplify Google’s array of brand suitability controls while preserving flexibility for advertisers.

Key details.

  • Changes impact both existing and new campaigns created after September
  • No action required for advertisers currently using affected exclusion settings
  • Google’s core ad policies prohibiting violative content remain in place

The email. Search Engine Land contributor and Founder of JXT group Menachem Ani shared with me the email he received from Google.

The big picture. As brand safety remains a priority, Google is looking to streamline suitability options and controls across its advertising platforms.

What’s next? Check account-level suitability settings closer to the September rollout for any needed adjustments.


New on Search Engine Land

About the author

Anu Adegbola

Anu Adegbola has been Paid Media Editor of Search Engine Land since 2024. She covers paid search, paid social, retail media, video and more.

In 2008, Anu’s career started with

 delivering digital marketing campaigns (mostly but not exclusively Paid Search) by building strategies, maximising ROI, automating repetitive processes and bringing efficiency from every part of marketing departments through inspiring leadership both on agency, client and marketing tech side.

 

Outside editing Search Engine Land article she is the founder of PPC networking event – PPC Live, host of weekly podcast PPCChat Roundup, and brand evangelist at ClickTech. 

 

She is also an international speaker with some of the stages she has presented on being SMX (US), SMX (Munich), Friends of Search (Amsterdam), brightonSEO, The Marketing Meetup, HeroConf (PPC Hero), SearchLove, BiddableWorld, SESLondon, PPC Chat Live, AdWorld Experience (Bologna) and more.

How white label link building services work in 2024

White-label link building can transform your SEO strategy. It allows you to focus on other crucial parts of your digital marketing or an SEO agency.

How? 

You simply outsource your link building to a professional team while keeping full control. 

Sounds easy, right?

Specialized agencies create backlinks for your brand. They handle the entire process, often including creating content and linkable assets.

Why is this important? 

Picking the right white-label link building agency is key. A team of experts will deliver results without compromising your brand.

In this article, you’ll learn:

  • How to wisely select the best white-label link building services.
  • How it works.
  • What to look for in a service provider.

White-label link building services involve a specialized agency building backlinks on behalf of another agency. The primary agency then presents these links to their clients as their own work.

These services are essential for SEO campaigns but require specialized skills, which many digital marketing and SEO agencies lack.

This is where white-label services come in.

Who benefits from white-label link building:

  • SEO agencies without a dedicated link building team. They need to deliver high-quality links but lack the resources to do so internally.
  • Independent SEO experts. They may need to scale their efforts without the time or manpower to handle link building themselves.

White-label link building services include everything from guest posting to securing high authority backlinks – or, simply, websites that have demonstrated credibility and trustworthiness and are typically rewarded with organic visibility by search engines. The main goal is to boost a client’s search engine rankings through effective strategies.

Here’s why you might consider white-label tactics:

  • Your client demands high-quality links, but your team lacks the expertise.
  • Your in-house team is overwhelmed with requests.
  • You want to offer link building services without the overhead of hiring a full team.
  • Testing the waters with such services before committing to an in-house team.

Professional services allow you to access experts who know how to build effective links quickly and efficiently.

The white-label method involves a specialized agency managing the entire process of acquiring backlinks on behalf of another agency. This allows the primary agency to offer comprehensive link building services to its clients without having to build an in-house team.

Admix June2024 1

Here’s how a professional white-label link building team operates:

Step 1: Understanding client needs

The process begins with understanding a client’s product, service and goals. 

The primary agency provides this information to the white-label partner, outlining the target landing pages and desired outcomes.

Step 2: Identifying relevant opportunities

The white-label agency identifies the most suitable websites. They focus on sites that align with the client’s goals and industry, ensuring the links are relevant.

Step 3: Creating content and outreach

Next, the agency creates high-quality content. This can include guest posts, linkable assets or other types of content. 

They then contact publishers, collaborating to secure placements and ensuring the content is published on authoritative sites – sites that are helpful, useful and trusted and respected by other websites, people and search engines.

Step 4: Reporting and analytics

Once the links are placed, the agency provides detailed reports and analytics

The primary agency can then present these results to their clients under their own branding, maintaining full transparency and control.

Admix June2024 2

Here’s a list of only a few advantages you can get from hiring a professional white-label link building agency:

  • Expertise: These agencies hire experienced outreach specialists who know all the ins and outs of getting effective links. Their expertise ensures high-quality results that meet the specific needs of different industries.
  • Connections: Pro agencies have built relationships with trusted publishers and websites. They have the tools and connections to secure high-quality results faster than an in-house team.
  • Quality links: Professional agencies use best practices to get quality backlinks from reputable sources, boosting your SEO.
  • Scalability: A good agency can easily adjust to your requirements. Whether you need a few high-quality links or many, they can manage it effectively.
  • Full service: Such agencies often go beyond just link building. They can create content and offer other relevant services, such as SEO audits, keyword research, and social media management, adding value for you or your clients.

By hiring a team of experts, SEO firms and independent specialists can deliver excellent link building services, improving their clients’ SEO results.

As you may already have guessed, choosing the right team is essential for delivering top results to your clients. 

Here are key factors to consider before making up your mind.

Case studies

A reputable agency should have a portfolio of genuine, successful case studies that showcase their expertise and specialization in your niche.

Look for detailed examples of their past work and verify their authenticity to gauge the agency’s ability to deliver the results you need.

Reviews

Client reviews provide insights into an agency’s performance. 

Platforms like Clutch and G2 offer scores and detailed feedback from previous clients. Checking these reviews will help you assess the agency’s reliability and effectiveness.

For example, if you search “top link building companies” on Clutch, here’s what you’ll see:

Realistic guarantees

A reliable agency will give you a clear idea of the results you can expect. 

They provide realistic expectations and focus on delivering quality links rather than quantity. Therefore, they should specify how many links they can build and their quality. 

Steer clear of agencies that make unrealistic promises.

Ensure the agency uses only no-risk or low-risk methods.

Admix June2024 3

These can be, for example:

  • Guest posting: Writing and publishing valuable articles on reputable websites in your niche to build authority and reach a wider audience.
  • Skyscraper technique: Creating high-quality content that improves upon existing popular content and reaching out to sites linking to the original.
  • Connectively (ex-HARO): Providing expert quotes to journalists which can potentially result in backlinks and increased visibility.
  • Linkable assets: Creating valuable content like infographics, videos and comprehensive guides that attract natural backlinks.

Using these methods indicates they focus on proven tactics for building backlinks.

Getting just what you need

Depending on your business niche and requirements, you can get links only from websites suitable for your needs. This helps you maintain control over the quality and relevance of the links being built.  

Many agencies skip this step, but it’s a valuable feature to look for.

That’s why we have it at Editorial.Link.

Note: Once you choose an agency, remember that detailed reporting is crucial. The agency should provide clear and comprehensive reports that show the progress and impact of its efforts. This transparency helps you keep track of the campaign’s effectiveness.

Choosing a white-label agency: Red flags

Knowing what to avoid when choosing your perfect white-label agency will help you make a smart choice and safeguard your investment. 

Here are some red flags to keep an eye on.

Low-quality link building can damage your SEO efforts. To ensure a white-label agency avoids these practices, ask for their methods, request case studies and inquire about their approach to maintaining quality and compliance with search engine guidelines.

Avoid agencies that use link farms, which are sites created solely to host paid links. These sites often have poor content and low relevance. 

For example, Google has deindexed many websites for deceptive link schemes, excessive link exchanges, paid links and other manipulative practices that violate its guidelines.

Similarly, beware of Private Blog Networks (PBNs) and forum links, as they offer minimal to no SEO value and can even result in penalties.

Unrealistic guarantees

Be cautious of agencies that make grand promises, like guaranteeing top rankings or a massive number of backlinks quickly. 

These “pie in the sky” promises are often too good to be true.

Low prices

Quality comes at a price. And obtaining high-quality links requires significant effort and resources.

Attractive offers like “600+ links for $10” on platforms like Fiverr.com often result in low-quality links that do more harm than good. So your best bet is to stay away from such “experts.”

Building a solid link profile requires investment; cheap solutions rarely deliver the desired results.

By avoiding these pitfalls, you can select a team that provides genuine value and supports your SEO goals.

Conclusion

White-label link building is a smart move for agencies and SEO experts. It lets you offer top-notch services without overextending your resources. This approach ensures quality results and allows you to focus on other important things.

A good white-label program is flexible and can be customized to fit your needs and your clients’ requirements, making the process smooth and efficient for everyone.

Partnering with a reputable team of experts at Editorial.Link means you can provide your clients with an added service that enhances the work you’re already doing.

Google’s Display & Video 360 API gets two new updates

Google added new capabilities to its Display & Video 360 API – including advertiser-level keyword management and an optimization objective field for insertion orders.

The additions. Here’s what’s Rolling out as part of the June update:

  • Advertiser keyword targeting: Advertisers can now retrieve and manage keyword targeting lists assigned at the advertiser level through the API.
  • Insertion order optimization objective: The new “optimizationObjective” field has been added to the InsertionOrder resource, allowing select advertisers to set optimization goals.

Why we care. The ability to retrieve and manage keyword targeting lists at the advertiser level through the API allows for more centralized and efficient keyword optimization across campaigns. The new optimization objective makes programmatic advertising more customizable and scalable.

The details.

  • The optimization objective field is only writable for allowlisted advertisers.
  • To use the new features, advertisers must update to the latest version of the API client library.

Get the daily newsletter search marketers rely on.


Support. Google has launched a new technical support contact form specifically for the Display & Video 360 API for any issues.

Bottom line. Google is steadily enhancing its APIs to offer more features and customization for automated campaign management.


New on Search Engine Land

About the author

Anu Adegbola

Anu Adegbola has been Paid Media Editor of Search Engine Land since 2024. She covers paid search, paid social, retail media, video and more.

In 2008, Anu’s career started with

 delivering digital marketing campaigns (mostly but not exclusively Paid Search) by building strategies, maximising ROI, automating repetitive processes and bringing efficiency from every part of marketing departments through inspiring leadership both on agency, client and marketing tech side.

 

Outside editing Search Engine Land article she is the founder of PPC networking event – PPC Live, host of weekly podcast PPCChat Roundup, and brand evangelist at ClickTech. 

 

She is also an international speaker with some of the stages she has presented on being SMX (US), SMX (Munich), Friends of Search (Amsterdam), brightonSEO, The Marketing Meetup, HeroConf (PPC Hero), SearchLove, BiddableWorld, SESLondon, PPC Chat Live, AdWorld Experience (Bologna) and more.

Google’s $2.3 million check secures bench trial in adtech antitrust case

Google has successfully maneuvered to have its adtech antitrust case heard by a judge rather than a jury, potentially reducing unpredictability in the high-stakes lawsuit.

Driving the news. Google submitted a $2.3 million cashier’s check to cover potential damages, effectively removing the monetary aspect of the case and securing a bench trial.

  • The case, brought by the Justice Department and eight states, is now set for a bench trial on Sept. 9.
  • The lawsuit seeks to break up Google’s online advertising business.

Why we care. This update in the antitrust lawsuit represents a significant step in a case that could reshape one of the world’s most influential companies and the digital advertising landscape as a whole. With it being a bench trial as well, advertisers will unlikely have to wait as long as if it were a jury trial therefore seeing the effects of the decision a lot quicker, if any at all.

Why it matters. This is a setback for the Justice Department, which had pushed for a jury trial in this first antitrust suit against a Big Tech company brought by the Biden administration.

Between the lines. Google argued that antitrust laws don’t prevent companies from refusing to deal with rivals and that the government hadn’t proven its market dominance.

  • The judge also blocked a former FBI agent, who had consulted for Google on cybersecurity, from testifying as an expert for the company.

Background. Here’s how we ended up here:

  • Google preemptively paid damages to the U.S. government, Reuters reported on May 20.
  • A judge decided that Google’s fate would be decided by a judge rather than a jury, the AP and others reported on June 7.

What’s next. The trial begins on Sept. 9, with significant implications for Google’s advertising technology business.

The bottom line. This case is part of a broader legal landscape for Google, including:


New on Search Engine Land

About the author

Anu Adegbola

Anu Adegbola has been Paid Media Editor of Search Engine Land since 2024. She covers paid search, paid social, retail media, video and more.

In 2008, Anu’s career started with

 delivering digital marketing campaigns (mostly but not exclusively Paid Search) by building strategies, maximising ROI, automating repetitive processes and bringing efficiency from every part of marketing departments through inspiring leadership both on agency, client and marketing tech side.

 

Outside editing Search Engine Land article she is the founder of PPC networking event – PPC Live, host of weekly podcast PPCChat Roundup, and brand evangelist at ClickTech. 

 

She is also an international speaker with some of the stages she has presented on being SMX (US), SMX (Munich), Friends of Search (Amsterdam), brightonSEO, The Marketing Meetup, HeroConf (PPC Hero), SearchLove, BiddableWorld, SESLondon, PPC Chat Live, AdWorld Experience (Bologna) and more.

Social search and the future of brand engagement

Traditional search engines like Google, once the uncontested gatekeepers of online discovery, are now sharing the stage with the likes of TikTok, Instagram and Pinterest. These social platforms are becoming new hubs for information discovery. 

This shift, which I call the migration to social search, is largely driven by Gen Z and millennials, who prefer the visual, interactive and community-driven nature of these platforms. 

For brands, this means rethinking strategies to meet audiences where they spend time and engage most.

This article tackles the factors fueling social search, from user-generated content (UGC) to the power of authenticity. We’ll also discuss how you can adapt your brand’s marketing approach to thrive in this changing landscape, offering practical insights for leveraging social search effectively.

How social search is redefining online discovery

Social search is a major change from traditional search engines, focusing on social signals, user-generated content and community-driven discovery of information and brands.

Unlike traditional search engines like Google, which use algorithms to index and rank webpages by factors like keywords and backlinks, social search uses data from social platforms to provide more personalized and relevant results while still considering traditional search factors like keywords at times. 

Traditional search engines operate by users entering a query and getting a list of results based on the algorithm’s relevance. It can also be a friction-filled experience where publishers and brands are concerned with sending signals to Google instead of focusing on meeting audience needs. This can be frustrating for late millennials and Gen Z, who grew up with social platforms at the forefront of their online experience.

Social platforms, on the other hand, integrate users’ preferences, behaviors and interactions. This means search results are influenced by what the user regularly engages with, leading to a more personalized and dynamic search experience than traditional search.

For example, searching [best restaurants] on Google typically shows results based on online reviews and search rankings.

On social platforms like Instagram or TikTok, the same search emphasizes restaurants that friends, favorite creators and top influencers in their demographic have visited and tagged or are trending within their engaged communities.

Dig deeper: How to leverage social search for effective on-site optimization

The rise of social search among Gen Z and millennials

The move toward social search is led by Gen Z and millennials, who are digital natives and avid social media users. They tend to prefer social platforms’ interactive, visual and community-focused aspects for finding information and making choices.

Platforms like TikTok, Instagram and Pinterest have become essential tools for these audiences. TikTok, for instance, is not just a platform for entertainment but a powerful search tool where users can find everything from cooking recipes to travel tips, all delivered through engaging short-form videos. The hashtag system and algorithm-driven feed ensure that users constantly discover new and relevant content based on their interests and the latest trends.

Instagram, with its visually rich environment, serves as a search engine for lifestyle content. Whether looking for fashion inspiration, home decor ideas or dining options, users rely on the visual content and influencer recommendations that populate their feeds.

Pinterest operates similarly but focuses on idea generation and project planning, making it a go-to for DIY enthusiasts and hobbyists. It has also become a place users turn to when they are ready to buy but seek inspiration, meaning it can be leveraged to gain conversions quickly when other platforms move users through the buyer journeys at a much slower pace. 

The preference for these platforms is rooted in their ability to provide instant, visually engaging and socially validated information. 

Gen Z and millennials trust recommendations from peers and content creators they follow, influencing their choices of brands and products. This makes social search a powerful tool for discovery and decision-making.

As these generations dominate digital engagement, social search’s influence will grow, compelling brands to adapt their strategies. 

Your brand must create content optimized for both traditional search engines and social platforms, leveraging UGC, engaging with communities meaningfully and repurposing content to ensure wide coverage across this emerging search universe.

Factors driving the migration

User-generated content

User-generated content (UGC) is key in enhancing search relevance and engagement on social platforms. Brands like Gymshark have effectively used user-generated content on TikTok and Instagram to create a more engaging and authentic connection with their audience.

By encouraging users to share their own content featuring Gymshark products, the brand amplifies its reach and enriches the pool of content available for search marketing queries.

This user-driven content includes workout routines, progress photos and testimonials, all tagged with the brand’s hashtags and shared widely within the community. This enables Gymshark to gain visibility for searches it wouldn’t ordinarily rank for.

Gymshark’s use of UGC, especially during Gymshark66, has turned its customers into brand ambassadors who generate buzz and foster community around the brand.

This content boosts the brand’s visibility and authenticity, making it more relatable and trustworthy to potential customers while continuing to develop fanatics and advocates​.

Trust and authenticity

Social search thrives on trust and authenticity, leveraging peer/creator/influencer reviews, testimonials and real-life experiences to influence purchase decisions.

Unlike traditional search results that may feel impersonal, social search results often include personal endorsements and experiences from real users. This peer validation is crucial for users who highly value the opinions of their peers and favorite influencers. 

Instagram and TikTok excel at providing these authentic experiences. When users search for product reviews or recommendations on these platforms, they often encounter genuine, unscripted content from everyday users. The algorithm will also return influencers they trust. 

This layer of social proof is powerful, as it builds credibility and influences purchasing behavior more effectively than traditional advertising ever could​.

Dig deeper: Search, social and retail: The future of digital brand experiences

Visual and interactive content

The appeal of visual content and short-form videos is a significant driver of the migration to social search.

Younger audiences, particularly Gen Z, are drawn to visual content’s dynamic and engaging nature, which is more immersive and easier to consume than text-heavy formats.

Social platforms cater perfectly to these preferences by prioritizing video content that demands attention and conveys information quickly.

Short-form videos, in particular, are highly effective for social search. They offer concise, engaging snippets that are easy to watch and share. This format aligns well with the fast-paced consumption habits of younger audiences. 

For example, TikTok’s algorithm curates content based on user interactions, ensuring that the most relevant and engaging videos surface at the top, thus enhancing users’ overall search experience​ .

And here is where an “ace” of social search emerges. Social algorithms can show users relevant content before they even search for it. This means brands can engage users earlier in their journey, placing themselves at the center of the conversation from the start – something traditional search can’t do.

Additionally, social platforms’ interactive elements (e.g., likes, shares and particularly the extension of conversation via comments) further boost engagement and content visibility. 

Users are more likely to trust and act on content widely endorsed by their peers, creating a feedback loop that continuously elevates the most relevant and popular content within social searches.

Get the daily newsletter search marketers rely on.


Implications for brands and marketers

Adapting SEO strategies

As social search gains prominence, you must adapt your brand’s SEO strategies to include platforms beyond Google, embracing this search universe.

This means understanding the unique algorithms and search behaviors on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram and Pinterest. 

Traditional SEO practices such as keyword optimization, link building and on-page SEO remain relevant but must be integrated with social search techniques alongside this, allowing you to amplify what is possible with search marketing.

Brands should create content optimized for both traditional search engines and social platforms. This requires thorough research to understand platform-specific keywords and hashtags and integrate them into content. 

Engaging with trending topics (e.g., “challenges”) further enhances visibility and relevance in social search results through continuous trend monitoring.

Dig deeper: How to navigate SEO in a multi-platform world

Content creation and distribution

To succeed in social search, you must develop a robust content creation and distribution strategy.

  • Leverage influencers/creators: Collaborate with influencers aligned with your brand values to amplify reach. Their endorsement can enhance engagement and credibility, especially when integrated as contributors to your online blog content.
  • Engage with communities: Actively participate in relevant online communities to boost brand presence and cultivate an engaged fan base. Respond to comments, join discussions and share UGC.
  • Content quality is key: Prioritize high-quality visual and video content that is engaging, shareable and visually appealing to capture audience attention.
  • Repurpose and recycle content: Extend reach by repurposing content across platforms. For instance, a blog post can be transformed into Instagram stories, a Pinterest infographic or a TikTok video. This strategy maximizes content value and effectively reduces SEO and marketing costs by leveraging each activation.

Dig deeper: Why creator-led content marketing is the future of search

A social search case study: Sephora’s ‘Black Beauty is Beauty’ campaign 

Sephora’s “Black Beauty is Beauty” campaign exemplifies the effective use of social search to enhance brand engagement and authenticity.

This initiative celebrates Black beauty and amplifies Black voices, leveraging social search strategies to create a resonant and inclusive movement at a time when traditional search missed the intent of audiences.

UGC

  • Sephora encouraged customers and influencers to share their beauty stories using the hashtag #BlackBeautyIsBeauty on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. 
  • This strategy boosted campaign visibility and fostered a sense of community. Customers shared authentic content, such as photos and videos of their beauty routines, which increased the campaign’s credibility and relatability.

Trust and authenticity

  • The campaign’s success hinged on trust and authenticity. By partnering with Black influencers alongside black-owned brands, Sephora ensured that the campaign message reached a wider audience through trusted voices. 
  • This peer validation was critical in building credibility and influencing purchase decisions, making the campaign more effective than traditional advertising.

Visual and interactive content

  • Sephora utilized visually rich content, including a short film, to demand audience attention. Makeup tutorials, product reviews and personal beauty stories were shared widely, enhancing user engagement. 
  • The visually appealing content ensured the campaign was both informative (meeting search needs also) and captivating.

Sephora’s “Black Beauty is Beauty” campaign showcases the power of social search. By leveraging UGC, fostering trust and authenticity and creating engaging visual content, 

Sephora successfully connected with its audience and amplified its inclusive message. This case study highlights the importance of adapting to social search trends and building meaningful community connections.

The migration to social search represents a fundamental shift in how audiences discover and engage with content online. As platforms like TikTok, Instagram and Pinterest continue to redefine the search landscape, brands must evolve to meet users where they are most active and receptive. 

By embracing user-generated content, fostering authenticity and creating visually engaging experiences, you can tap into the power of social search to build deeper connections with your audiences.

The key takeaway is clear: social search is not just a trend but a transformative force in digital marketing. Brands that adapt quickly, prioritizing community engagement and platform-native content, will be best positioned to thrive in this new era. 

As we navigate this search universe, the opportunities for meaningful interaction and impactful brand storytelling are boundless. The future of search is social, and the time to embrace it is now.

Dig deeper: Search universe analysis: A deep dive

Contributing authors are invited to create content for Search Engine Land and are chosen for their expertise and contribution to the search community. Our contributors work under the oversight of the editorial staff and contributions are checked for quality and relevance to our readers. The opinions they express are their own.

Why video is key to building brand identity and engagement

As technology advances and high-speed internet connects more people, businesses of all sizes are realizing the power of video content to build their identity and engage with audiences.

This article explores how brands are leveraging video to stand out in a crowded market. We’ll look at why video is so effective, examine case studies of successful video marketing strategies and discuss the various forms video content can take.

Video: The secret weapon for brand differentiation and growth

Video is a powerful medium because it leverages human-to-human connection.

From my experience, there is nothing more convincing than a founder or CEO putting their heart on the line to educate a consumer on why they built their service or product, combined with a demonstration to help showcase the advantages. 

Video can also take on many other forms to drive conversion/sales, such as one of my personal favorite case studies, Purple.

Before developing my own agency, I worked for Molio. In this YouTube creative and media buying agency, Purple blessed us with the opportunity to iterate their current creative while also applying deep analysis.

I’ll never forget spending $50,000 in month one to $500,000 by month three during a very unique time for YouTube advertising in 2017.

The results were staggering, as we had the Goldilocks product demonstration video to drive intent while leveraging our Sasquatch videos to drive user engagement through earned views and subscribers. Both were instrumental in delivering top-funnel reach, bringing users into the brand while generating intent through the egg test.

What I find most interesting about brand building with video is how long top-funnel engagement can last. In consulting with Purple, we were able to grow past Casper in search, but what I think is more impressive is how people search for Purple on YouTube even today. 

The insight garnered from the YouTube Ads helped us scale our investment into Sasquatch as a core character, bringing him back for Christmas and many key holidays throughout the year to drive additional earned media.

Dig deeper: How advertisers can capitalize on vertical video

Scaling video in B2B and B2C markets

Depending on various factors, video can have a profound impact or sometimes fall flat, but no other medium offers the same level of consumer feedback. 

In my experience with B2B and B2C brands, video is particularly effective for B2C, especially ecommerce. However, B2B brands that master video gain a significant advantage.

Despite being harder to scale, video is essential due to its popularity, engagement and receptiveness. If you believe in your brand, using video is a must.

If you’re unsure about video, consider that every major ad and social platform continues to heavily invest in it, like TikTok and Instagram Reels. 

As Gary Vaynerchuk said, “Every business is a media company,” and I fully agree. This sentiment has only deepened over the last 10 years. 

Producing diverse content formats

From consulting for numerous brands, I’ve seen my clients all operate as media companies with diverse strategies. Running an agency and working with small businesses offers a unique view into how each brand manages its media, even within the same industry.

A common question from clients is about the type of video content they produce and how much is done in-house versus outsourced.

The most common type of video content aligns with the study below, which showcases primarily social media and short-form content followed by video ads. 

I would probably rank tutorials and education higher than short-form content. Tutorials and education are extremely important in the beginning phases as you reach new customers.

Types of video content marketers produce

The most important factor in video content development is variation. I recommend creating multiple variations of your content to understand audience engagement and feedback, allowing for better future iterations. 

This approach should also apply to production, using different creators and outlets to gain the best insight into consumer engagement. 

The more varied the content, the better you can understand and reach your consumers, ultimately driving the KPIs your brand aims for.

Viral video marketing in action

I’m fascinated by those focused on building a brand identity through video. For example, “Nicole The Intern” impressed me by successfully growing the #smasharmy and rebranding @mixoloshe, a non-alcoholic mocktail, during a challenging time to go viral.

Nicole the Intern

Nicole’s goal was to get 500,000 followers to keep her job. She used video, consistently uploading clips of smashing drinks, which created the #smasharmy. 

Now aiming for 1 million subscribers, her impact is clear: the website has a “Here for Nicole The Intern” pop-up, showing she drives major traffic. 

Nicole the Intern popup

Her story has become central to the brand’s strategy. Small businesses can learn from her use of video, consistent uploads and perseverance. A visually appealing product helps, too.

Building brand identity through strategic video content

Building brand identity takes time. There’s no perfect formula, but most brands start with or need video to reach and engage a large audience. 

Every company is a media company to some extent, whether working with top agencies or having an intern go viral. The key is to prioritize video and try different approaches. 

This variety allows for analyzing what works, giving an edge when everyone can easily make videos. Ultimately, varied content and analysis help brands scale across platforms.

Contributing authors are invited to create content for Search Engine Land and are chosen for their expertise and contribution to the search community. Our contributors work under the oversight of the editorial staff and contributions are checked for quality and relevance to our readers. The opinions they express are their own.

Pinterest launches AI ad tools

Pinterest is rolling out new AI-powered ad tools and measurement partnerships to drive better performance and brand safety for advertisers.

The big picture. Pinterest is investing heavily in generative AI capabilities for more engaging, personalized ad formats and automating campaign optimization.

What’s new. Pinterest is launching an “Ad Labs” innovation program to test prototypes like:

  • Personalized background generation using its visual search AI to create aesthetically tailored lifestyle backgrounds for Product Pins.
Screenshot 2024 06 14 At 15.49.45
Screenshot 2024 06 14 At 15.49.35
  • Interactive, shoppable collage ads that let users curate brand imagery, with early tests driving strong engagement.
Screenshot 2024 06 14 At 15.48.21
Brands like John Lewis, Wayfair and Bumble are testing collages for advertisers.

It’s also expanding brand safety validation through partnerships with measurement firms IAS and DoubleVerify.

Why we care. These AI-powered updates show a desire for Pinterest’s to evolve their ad platform with cutting-edge technology that can drive performance, effective personalisation, efficiency, improved brand safety and unique experiences for advertisers aiming to effectively reach its audience.

The AI boost. Pinterest Performance+, currently in closed beta, uses automation and AI to optimize campaigns for better cost efficiency.

  • Early tests showed 10%+ improvements in cost per acquisition for conversion campaigns.
  • It also reduced campaign setup time by 50% thanks to automated inputs.

Get the daily newsletter search marketers rely on.


What they’re saying. “We saw the unique opportunity with collages to take customers from inspiration to action with a single ad creative,” said Wayfair’s Sandro Corsaro, an early Ad Labs partner.

Brand safety matters. Pinterest says 99% of measurable ad impressions were rated brand safe by IAS and DoubleVerify during testing.

Limitation. The collage ads are initially limited to select brands like Nike, Wayfair and NYX Cosmetics, with more advertisers to come.

What’s next. Expect further AI-powered upgrades as Pinterest aims to stand out through automation and personalization at scale.

Google streamlines product listings via website crawl

Google is making it easier for merchants to pull in product listings from their sites through automated “website crawl” feeds in Merchant Center.

How it works. Google uses structured data markup on merchant websites to automatically extract up-to-date product information like titles, pricing, availability and images.

The big picture. The automated feeds aim to reduce the work required to keep product listings current as assortment and pricing changes – a challenge with traditional feed file uploads.

Why we care. This update could help reduce manual grunt work when it comes to updating product listings in the Merchant Center, although there may be a learning curve to ensure all products have the correct schema markup, which may not be the advertisers’ role in the marketing team.

The details. To use automated feeds, merchants must implement required schema.org markup for product details like:

  • Title Google streamlines product listings via website crawl
  • Price [price]
  • Availability [availability]
  • Image [image_link]

Additional attributes like GTIN, brand, size and condition can further enrich listings when provided via markup or supplemental feeds.

What’s new. Some merchants now see an alternative “Website” feed experience that allows them to simply toggle automated product ingestion on/off in the Merchant Center.

Products get automatically added or removed from the Merchant Center based on the website crawl.
It complements other product data sources without duplication.

The challenges. Proper structured data implementation is key, as is managing crawl directives via sitemaps and robots.txt to avoid indexing issues.

What they’re saying. “Supplemental feeds provide additional information…and you can refresh [them] more often,” per Google’s automated feed documentation.

Between the lines. Automated feeds align with Google’s push toward entities and structured data as core to its modern “AI-first” approach across products.

First spotted. This update was first spotted on Thomas Eccel’s profile:

Bottom line. By reducing manual feed labor, automated product ingestion could lower barriers for merchants to participate across Google’s growing array of surfaces like Search, Shopping, Images and more.

Google Ads phasing out card payments

Google is notifying some advertisers that they must transition away from paying for Google Ads via credit or debit card by July 31 or face account suspension.

The big picture. The move is part of Google’s effort to steer high-spend advertisers toward more automated payment methods better suited for scaling ad investment.

Details. Impacted advertisers will only be allowed to use bank-based payment options going forward:

  • Monthly Invoicing (Google’s recommended approach) with 30-day payment windows
  • Direct Debit for Automatic Payments, where available

Cards will no longer be accepted for these accounts, which Google says provides “flexibility” and “control” benefits for high-growth spenders.

Why we care. While this creates a system for more frictionless, automated monetization for Google, this could lead to account suspension and cashflow issues for advertisers.

The catch. While more automated, the change eliminates a popular payment option that provides cashflow flexibility via cards for some advertisers.

Who is affected. Google is notifying impacted “high-growth” accounts throughout 2024, though criteria like spend thresholds are unclear. Manager accounts must also update billing centrally.

The email & reaction. Jeremy Brandt founder of We Buy Houses shared the email he received:

Brandt isn’t happy with this update:

  • “This change will cost us $250k+ per year. It does not benefit the customer in any way. In speaking with other business owners, I think this is going to cause a lot more negative press/blowback than may have been expected.”

What they’re saying. “The Monthly Invoicing billing method is best suited for your account(s) given the flexibility it provides high-growth customers,” Google told impacted advertisers.

Ginny Marvin, Google Ads Liaison, posted about the update on X:

  • “We notified a small segment of advertisers that the billing options available for their Ads accounts are changing. This means that some customers will move to bank payments via monthly invoicing or direct debit from a bank account. To make this transition as easy as possible, we already launched new tools and features to help customers through this process and to ensure minimal disruption to their accounts.”

What’s next. July 31 is the deadline for impacted advertisers to update billing methods before facing potential ad account suspensions.

AI mistakes won’t prevent progress

Google will continue developing AI features despite ongoing and potential issues, according to Liz Reid, the company’s head of Search.

What it means. When it comes to AI in Search, Google will continue to take thoughtful risks, test extensively and quickly respond to any problems, Reid said during an all-hands meeting last week, CNBC reported.

Why we care. Google is evolving from a classic search engine to an answer engine. This transition won’t be quick or easy. There’s a lot we still don’t know about how AI Overviews will impact our search strategies and performance.

What Google is saying. Here’s some of what Reid said at the meeting:

  • “It is important that we don’t hold back features just because there might be occasional problems, but more as we find the problems, we address them.
  • “I don’t think we should take away from this that we shouldn’t take risks. We should take them thoughtfully. We should act with urgency. When we find new problems, we should do the extensive testing but we won’t always find everything and that just means that we respond.
  • “People actually created templates on how to get social engagement by making fake AI Overviews so that’s an additional thing we’re thinking about.
  • “No matter how much red teaming we do, we will need to do more.
  • “We don’t just have to understand the quality of the site or the page, we have to understand each passage of a page.
  • “Anytime you see problems, they can be small, they can be big. Please file them.”

AI issues. The AI-generated answers that appeared in Google’s newly launched AI Overviews were criticized for giving dangerous and wrong answers – including running with scissors, cooking with glue, eating rocks and drinking urine.

  • Google said some of the AI Overview screenshots were faked while others were due to data voids (a.k.a., information gaps). The company said it “found a content policy violation on less than one in every 7 million unique queries on which AI Overviews appeared.”

New on Search Engine Land

About the author

Danny Goodwin

Danny Goodwin has been Managing Editor of Search Engine Land & Search Marketing Expo – SMX since 2022. He joined Search Engine Land in 2022 as Senior Editor. In addition to reporting on the latest search marketing news, he manages Search Engine Land’s SME (Subject Matter Expert) program. He also helps program U.S. SMX events.

Goodwin has been editing and writing about the latest developments and trends in search and digital marketing since 2007. He previously was Executive Editor of Search Engine Journal (from 2017 to 2022), managing editor of Momentology (from 2014-2016) and editor of Search Engine Watch (from 2007 to 2014). He has spoken at many major search conferences and virtual events, and has been sourced for his expertise by a wide range of publications and podcasts.