5 Signs Your Digital Marketing Is Not Working – and What to Do About Each One

Jeremy Beckett2026-05-28T09:40:10+10:00Categories: Analytics & Performance, CRO and Conversions, Digital Marketing & Strategy, Email & Customer Relations, GEO - Generative Engine Optimisation, PPC & Paid Social, SEO, Social Media Management, Virtual Chief Marketing Officer|Tags: Ad Spend, Ad Strategy, Campaign Management, Conversions, Customer Engagement, Digital Strategy, Google Ads, Google Search, Lead Generation, Marketing Budgets, Marketing Strategy, Trust, UX, Website Strategy|

The tricky thing about broken marketing is that it often looks fine from the outside. You are active, you are spending, you are showing up. But the results are not there. These are the five signs we look for when a business tells us something feels off.

The Difference Between a Marketing Strategy and a Marketing Habit

Jeremy Beckett2026-05-20T10:11:02+10:00Categories: Analytics & Performance, CRO and Conversions, Digital Marketing & Strategy, Email & Customer Relations, GEO - Generative Engine Optimisation, PPC & Paid Social, SEO, Social Media Management, Virtual Chief Marketing Officer|Tags: Ad Spend, Ad Strategy, Campaign Management, Conversions, Customer Engagement, Digital Strategy, Google Ads, Google Search, Lead Generation, Marketing Budgets, Marketing Strategy, Trust, UX, Website Strategy|

Most business owners can tell you exactly how much they are spending on marketing. Very few can tell you what it is actually returning. That gap is not a budget problem. It is a tracking and strategy problem - and it is more common than most people realise.

JB’s Digital Update 20th April 2026

Jeremy Beckett2026-04-20T12:16:43+10:00Categories: Analytics & Performance, Content Strategy & Creation, CRO and Conversions, Digital Marketing & Strategy, JB's Digital Update, PPC & Paid Social, SEO, Technology & Development, Virtual Chief Digital Officer, Virtual Chief Marketing Officer|Tags: Ad Strategy, Advertising, Agentic AI, AI Content, AI Marketing Tools, AI Overviews, ChatGPT, Content Marketing, Conversions, Dynamic Search Ads, GEO, Google Ads, Google Business Profile, Google Maps, Google Search, Local SEO, Marketing Strategy, Paid Ads, Paid Social Media, PPC, SEO, Technical SEO|

ChatGPT citations favour longer, structured content. Google introduces the idea of agentic optimisation for AI agents. Dynamic Search Ads are heading for retirement. PPC strategists are talking about profit instead of clicks. And Google Maps is now answering recommendation questions. Different announcements, same pattern. Discovery is slowly being filtered by machines first.

JB’s Digital Update 2nd September 2025

Jeremy Beckett2025-09-02T18:08:22+10:00Categories: Analytics & Performance, Content Strategy & Creation, Digital Marketing & Strategy, Email & Customer Relations, JB's Digital Update, PPC & Paid Social, SEO, Social Media Management, Virtual Chief Digital Officer, Virtual Chief Marketing Officer|Tags: Ad Strategy, Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, Email Conversions, Email Marketing, Email Strategy, Google Ads, GTM, Instagram, Meta Ads, Paid Ads, Paid Social Media, Reels, SEO|

Holiday shopping is already underway, marketing budgets are being misread, Google Ads automation is still a mixed bag, Instagram wants more Reels and carousels, and inbox timing could make or break your holiday emails. This week: timing, control, and a reminder that the basics still matter.

JB’s Digital Update 26th August 2025

Jeremy Beckett2026-04-21T20:37:37+10:00Categories: Analytics & Performance, Content Strategy & Creation, Digital Marketing & Strategy, JB's Digital Update, PPC & Paid Social, SEO, Social Media Management, Virtual Chief Digital Officer, Virtual Chief Marketing Officer|Tags: Ad Strategy, AI, AIO, Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, GEO, Instagram, Meta Ads, Paid Ads, Paid Social Media, Reels, SEO|

Mobile apps must feel smart, Instagram Reels just became serial TV, Meta’s AI ad machine is revving for the holidays, answer engines are quietly replacing your rankings, and no, you don’t need to advertise everywhere. This week: focus on what actually works before the robots do it for you.

JB’s Digital Update 22nd July 2025

Jeremy Beckett2025-07-21T20:53:30+10:00Categories: Content Strategy & Creation, Digital Marketing & Strategy, JB's Digital Update, PPC & Paid Social, SEO, Social Media Management, Technology & Development, Virtual Chief Digital Officer, Virtual Chief Marketing Officer|Tags: Ad Strategy, AI, Content Quality, Content Strategy, Conversions, Digital Marketing, Digital Strategy, Google Ads, LinkedIn, Marketing Strategy, Paid Ads, Personalised, SEO|

Boomers are demanding better marketing, Gmail's now an Ads command centre (gulp), and thought leadership actually drives B2B sales (as long as it's not rubbish). Meanwhile, SEO and product content both need a serious rethink for AI-first search. This week: updates worth your time—and maybe your budget.

The Ultimate Guide to PPC Advertising for Beginners and Pros

Jeremy Beckett2024-11-21T11:17:47+11:00Categories: Analytics & Performance, Content Strategy & Creation, CRO and Conversions, Digital Marketing & Strategy, PPC & Paid Social, Social Media Management, Virtual Chief Digital Officer, Virtual Chief Marketing Officer|Tags: Ad Spend, Ad Strategy, Advertising, Bing, Google Ads, Keyword Research, Meta, Microsoft Ads, Paid Ads, Paid Social Media, Pay-Per-Click, PPC|

Whether you're new to digital ads or looking to fine-tune your campaigns, this guide covers everything from choosing the right platform to mastering keyword research, crafting high-converting ad copy, managing budgets, and optimising performance.

Mastering Project Management for Business Success

Jeremy Beckett2024-11-21T10:58:49+11:00Categories: Analytics & Performance, Content Strategy & Creation, CRO and Conversions, Digital Marketing & Strategy, Email & Customer Relations, SEO, Social Media Management, Technology & Development, Virtual Chief Digital Officer, Virtual Chief Marketing Officer|Tags: Ad Strategy, Content Strategy, Email Strategy, Marketing Strategy, Project Management, Social Media Strategy, Technology Strategy, Website Strategy|

Transform your business with effective project management! 🌟 Learn how to set clear goals, create efficient plans, and enhance team collaboration to ensure your projects stay on track and within budget. Whether you’re launching a marketing campaign or managing a product launch, our latest guide offers practical strategies for streamlined success. 📈✨

JB’s Digital Update 21st August 2024

Jeremy Beckett2024-08-21T17:00:52+10:00Categories: Content Strategy & Creation, Digital Marketing & Strategy, JB's Digital Update, PPC & Paid Social, SEO, Social Media Management, Technology & Development|Tags: Ad Spend, Ad Strategy, AI Overviews, Antitrust, Content Strategy, Crawling, Paid Ads, Paid Social Media, Pay-Per-Click, Reddit, YouTube|

It’s been a little while! Unfortunately, I had to take some time out to deal with some family matters, but I’m baaaack :-) This week in JB’s Digital Update: Google’s AI shakes up search, YouTube Shorts teaches us the art of blending in, Reddit’s CEO throws shade at Microsoft, ad prices continue to climb, and Google faces a legal smackdown for antitrust violations. Get the lowdown on how these developments could affect your digital strategy and bring it down low. Or something.

JB’s Digital Update 25th June 2024

Jeremy Beckett2024-06-24T18:44:04+10:00Categories: Analytics & Performance, Content Strategy & Creation, JB's Digital Update, PPC & Paid Social, SEO, Social Media Management, Virtual Chief Digital Officer|Tags: Ad Strategy, Content Planning, Facebook, Google Analytics, Reddit, Social Search, Universal Analytics, Website Security, YouTube|

Big changes in the digital landscape this week! Google finally deletes Universal Analytics, YouTube reveals AI-driven ad insights, social search reshapes brand engagement, Reddit debuts Conversation Ads, and Facebook warns about phishing threats. Stay ahead with the latest and greatest important updates from yours truly, JB. 🥸

JB’s Digital Update 18th June 2024

Jeremy Beckett2024-06-19T17:50:21+10:00Categories: Content Strategy & Creation, Digital Marketing & Strategy, JB's Digital Update, PPC & Paid Social, SEO, Social Media Management, Technology & Development, Virtual Chief Digital Officer|Tags: Ad Strategy, AI, Apple, ChatGPT, Content Marketing, Google Updates, LinkedIn, Performance Max|

After Google’s NavBoost leak, Google now admits search interactions count, Facebook delays AI hoover-up in Europe, Apple’s Siri teams up with ChatGPT, LinkedIn halts group-based user targeting in Europe, and Google’s Performance Max kinda works for different business types. Here’s what you need to know this week to stay ahead.

JB’s Digital Update 21st November 2023

Jeremy Beckett2024-05-15T18:42:35+10:00Categories: JB's Digital Update|Tags: Ad Strategy, Amazon, ChatGPT, Conversions, eCommerce, Google, Meta, Open AI, Organic SERPs, Personalised, Xitter|

Disruptors have been properly disrupted in this week's digital update 📣 ✅ Open AI sacks (and maybe rehires) CEO Sam Altman; ✅ Muksy's comments start The Great Twitter Xodus 2023; ✅ Let's talk conversions and behavioural strategies - everyone's doing it; ✅ Meta & Amazon buddy up to sell directly in-app from the ad; ✅ Google gets really personal in a search hybrid "feed". 🌟All that wrapped up in a handy video and blog post by me, your genial, disruptive, JB ;-) Read on and enjoy! 🌟 (And don't forget to like, share, follow, subscribe wherever you see this post. It's appreciated.)

JBs Digital Update 17th Oct 2023

Jeremy Beckett2023-12-07T15:39:23+11:00Categories: Content Strategy & Creation, CRO and Conversions, Digital Marketing & Strategy, JB's Digital Update, PPC & Paid Social, SEO, Social Media Management, Technology & Development, Virtual Chief Marketing Officer|Tags: Ad Strategy, Artificial Intelligence, ChatGPT, Content Planning, Content Quality, Content Strategy, Customer Relations, Data Analytics, Google Ads, Googlebot, Paid Ads, Robots TXT, Social Media, Social Media Strategy|

This week's digital fun and frolics take us to Google's SGE using your content unless you block Googlebot entirely; Google Ads releasing Demand Gen ads; thoughts on the dullness of B2B social media, the importance of Customer Lifetime Value; and some reminders about how to make content *interesting*. All that wrapped up in an amusing bundle by yours truly. Read it now, without delay, and enjoy.

JB’s Digital Update 3rd Oct 2023

Jeremy Beckett2023-12-07T17:02:54+11:00Categories: Analytics & Performance, Content Strategy & Creation, CRO and Conversions, Digital Marketing & Strategy, JB's Digital Update, PPC & Paid Social, SEO, Social Media Management, Technology & Development, Virtual Chief Digital Officer|Tags: A/B Testing, Ad Strategy, Advertising, Antitrust, Apple, Back Link Profile, Bing, GA4, Google Ads, Google Chrome, Linking Strategy, Ranking Factors, Reddit, Technology Strategy, Universal Analytics|

Well. Links are no longer the Big Thing in Google ranking - allegedly; Reddit flexes its new-found muscles over users ad choices; Google Optimize shutters as Google trashes yet another service; on the flip side Google is mentioned as "adjusting" bid prices for Google Ads; and Apple turns down little-known Bing in favour of $19 billion from Google as a defensive measure against Chrome.

JB’s Digital Update 20th June 2023

Jeremy Beckett2023-12-07T17:33:16+11:00Categories: Content Strategy & Creation, CRO and Conversions, Digital Marketing & Strategy, JB's Digital Update, PPC & Paid Social, Social Media Management, Technology & Development, Things of Interest|Tags: Ad Strategy, Advertising, Artificial Intelligence, Conversions, Dummy Spits, Facebook, Metaverse, Reddit, SME|

A slightly quiet week, unless you're a mod on Reddit, sticking it to the man. But still, some interesting digital marketing info around AI, more AI, how AI can make your dinner, and good old landing page performance. Read on Macduff! And please: like share and follow!

YouTube & Google Lose Major Advertisers

Jeremy Beckett2017-11-30T06:24:51+11:00Categories: SEO News|Tags: Ad Strategy, Google, SEO, SEO News, YouTube|

Despite having one of the best (allegedly) AI engines, Google and YouTube just haven't been able to stop insidious comments on YouTube kids videos. This has cost them global advertisers and a big chunk of revenue, and has spurred them into action. It's amazing how companies will generally only act if it affects their hip pocket. Read more in this extract from TWIS SEO News & Updates 24th November 2017. #SEO #SEONews #Google #YouTube #AdStrategy

Net Neutrality Threatens The Internet

Jeremy Beckett2017-11-28T18:55:48+11:00Categories: SEO News|Tags: Ad Strategy, Net Neutrality, SEO, SEO News|

Welp, it looks like Net Neutrality has gone out of the window for US ISPs. This is to the detriment of the internet, and will result in poorer service, increased prices, more advertising and increased costs for advertisers. It's not beyond the realms of possibilities that Bing (that small, unused search engine) could even pay to be in the fast lane. Read more in this extract from the SEO News & Updates 24th November 2017. #SEO #SEONews #NetNeutrality #AdStrategy

Apple Kills Online Advertising (Nearly)

Jeremy Beckett2017-10-13T20:22:27+11:00Categories: SEO News|Tags: Ad Strategy, Apple, SEO, SEO News|

Naughty Apple! The online advertising industry has over-reached, got fat and lazy, and Apple has put a bit of a stop to it with these latest OS & browser updates. Or at least put the brakes on it somewhat. For a short time. In fact, it'll probably be back to normal by the time I've finished my breakfast. Read the Key Issues, Key Actions and Key Insights in this extract from TWIS SEO News & Updates 6th October 2017. #SEO #SEONews #Apple #AdStrategy

TWIS SEO News & Updates w/e 6th October 2017

Jeremy Beckett2017-10-10T15:02:45+11:00Categories: SEO News, The Week In Search|Tags: Ad Strategy, Apple, Click Through Rates, Google, Mobile First, SEO, SEO News, SERP|

I think the very latest SEO News and Updates for w/e 6th October 2017 make for great reading: Google Ends First Click Free - Allows Cloaked Spam Instead; Danny Sullivan Joins Google In "Undefined" PR Role; Google's Mobile First Index Has Started Testing; Apple Kills Online Advertising (Nearly); More Organic Clicks Going to Paid; As well as some exceptionally interesting SEO Bits & Pieces. Read it now. #SEO #SEONews #Google #MobileFirst #Apple #AdStrategy #SERP #ClickThroughRates

Alphabet Separates Google Shopping in EU

Jeremy Beckett2023-12-05T19:37:39+11:00Categories: SEO News|Tags: Ad Strategy, EU Fine, Google Shopping, SERP|

I love the way big corporates, like Google / Alphabet, get to play by their own rules. And occasionally, it's fun to watch a big corporate and a big institution, like the EU, fight it out. Google is changing its shopping service in the EU to prevent ongoing EU fines after their recent judgement. In the less-than surprising turn of events, you can read about in this story, it's unlikely that Google's revenue stream will be affected. #EU #EUFine #GoogleShopping #SERP

Strategic Advertising: Insights on Ad Strategy