I’m betraying my age here…

📰 News & updates

August 2023 core update: A new Google algorithm update has started rolling out.

🔝 SEO

SEOs trust Google data a little too much: Google data (e.g., Google Keyword Planner) is still third-party and has mistakes, just like third-party SEO tools.

Analysing the SEO playbook of digital goliaths in-depth, every quarter: Glen Allsopp (or more known as Viperchill) is releasing Detailed Q: A brand new report where he share insights from the companies dominating search results and what they’re doing to stay ahead of the competition. Tons of interesting insights, especially the acquisition of Anfield Watch by Realtimes (sorry, I’m a Liverpool fan.)

💻 Digital marketing

How to build an activation experience: A solid activation experience means hugely successful conversion from discovery to sign-up for your app. Carl Vellotti breaks down Duolingo’s activation experience in this thread and extracts lessons for you.

Modern content marketing: This is content marketing that’s not dependent on SEO (and may not even leverage it). Content may live elsewhere, like a video channel or a social media platform. It’s optimized for impressions and reach, meant to be discovered and shared, and is entirely audience-centric. 

“Emotional resonance” maps: When you script content, you should map how the viewer should feel as they watch it. For every script, Patrick Campbell maps where a viewer should feel positive or negative emotions. The line should arc up or down (ideally both) and end at the highest positive point, which is your CTA. 

How to get creative (without taking drugs): 13 creativity techniques from George Mack. Some interesting ideas in there—for me personally, I’m big on learning “the best from history.” Reading old books is definitely underrated (and I’m also guilty of favoring the new!).

Successful people disagree often and disagree well: Learn the ground rules of good disagreement: 1) expect them to happen, 2) eliminate emotion, 3) be long-term aligned, 4) time is your best friend, 5) set the stage, and 6) don’t force agreement.
 

Till next time ;)
Cheers,