The Digital Marketing Podcast

In this episode of The Digital Marketing Podcast, Daniel Rowles and Ciaran Rogers dive into one of the most significant shifts in digital marketing: the rise of non keyword signals and what it means for search, privacy, and the future of campaign targeting. With AI-powered ad platforms like Google's AI Max and social algorithms driven by behavioural data rather than search intent, the old model of keyword-driven marketing is rapidly giving way to something more opaque, more personalised, and potentially more invasive. Daniel and Ciaran explore how AI systems now use a vast array of signals, from your browsing patterns and email content to your location history and viewing habits, to anticipate what you might want before you even search. But what does this mean for marketers who've spent years honing their SEO and PPC strategies? And what does it mean for user privacy in a world where your chatbot conversations may be fuelling ad targeting? In This Episode: What are non keyword signals? Understand how platforms like Google and Meta are using behaviour, context and historical activity instead of just search terms. Why your impressions are up but clicks are down Learn how AI summaries in Google Search are reducing organic click-throughs, even when your rankings are strong. AI Max campaigns and keywordless targeting Discover how Google Ads is shifting towards AI-led campaigns that rely on intent and engagement signals rather than keyword triggers , and why some brands are seeing 20–30% uplift as a result. What Meta's CMO said about disconnected content Hear how Alex Schultz explained the shift from connected (likes, follows) to disconnected content (Reels, Stories, Shorts), and what that means for social strategy. Privacy concerns and grey areas Explore the implications of Meta's new terms allowing AI chat interactions to inform ad targeting, and whether AI chat data could be inadvertently shared or commercialised. Real-world scenario: Chatbots used for lead capture Daniel raises a powerful example, what if you offered a free AI chatbot to other brands, then harvested user intent data for your own ad targeting? Platform security, data visibility and agent risks From OneDrive access errors to AI agents managing your logins, the hosts discuss the human errors that AI amplifies, and the need for robust security practices. Key Takeaways: We're entering a post-keyword era Platforms are using AI to interpret intent through broader, richer data sources, including chat behaviour, video viewing and app usage. Organic traffic is being cannibalised by AI summaries Even if your visibility improves, actual user clicks may continue to decline. Privacy risks are growing Terms and conditions are changing, and conversations with AI tools may no longer be as private as they seem. Marketing teams must audit how they use AI Understand what data your AI tools are accessing and how that data could be used, now and in the future. Join the conversation This isn't just a podcast - it's an open debate. Daniel and Ciaran want your input, and they're giving away prizes, books and merch to contributors. 📥 Access the show notes, tools, and links at: https://targetinternet.com/resources/the-big-debate-non-keyword-signals-ai-chats-privacy Join the debate: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7403862051749564417

Christo Snyman, founder of Tradely.ai, shares his journey from zero coding skills to launching a multi-tenant AI assistant platform. He explains vibe coding, using natural language to generate apps, which eliminated coding barriers. Christo discusses the tech stack behind Tradely.ai, detailing choices like React and PostgreSQL, while emphasizing the importance of minimization and customer feedback. He offers practical tips for newcomers, including rapid iteration and validating ideas early, along with insights into seeking investment for future growth.

Matthew Gardiner, a travel industry expert representing World Travel Market, shares insights on the evolving user journey shaped by AI. He highlights how AI conversations are replacing traditional multi-step booking processes and the significance of structured data as a new distribution channel. The discussion also delves into the impact of source content on AI discovery, emerging tourism trends, and shifting consumer expectations for sustainability. This talk is a must-listen for anyone looking to adapt their digital strategies in today’s fragmented landscape.

In this special episode of The Digital Marketing Podcast, Daniel Rowles sits down with Alex Schultz, Meta's Chief Marketing Officer and Vice President of Analytics, to unpack the future of digital marketing, and why the fundamentals still matter more than ever. Alex shares lessons from his remarkable journey: from running the world's top paper airplane website to leading growth at Meta, managing multi-billion dollar ad campaigns, and now authoring the industry-defining book Click Here. With high-profile endorsements from Mark Zuckerberg, Sam Altman, Daniel Ek, and Matthew Vaughn, the book has already gettimg rave reviews, and Daniel is putting it straight onto the reading list for his students at Imperial College. Together, Daniel and Alex dig into the core principles of great marketing: how to set meaningful goals, measure true impact, build high-performance teams, and embrace AI without losing your strategic edge. In This Episode: Why Alex wrote Click Here and why the industry desperately needed a book that gets back to fundamentals, marketing measurement, and pride in the profession. The power of incrementality: How to run meaningful tests, avoid vanity metrics, and prove real value to your CEO and CFO. Why goals are not the same as metrics and how mixing them up can derail your marketing efforts. The importance of awareness: Why most businesses fail because people simply don't know they exist. Marketing mix matters: How one newspaper mention outperformed every digital channel—and why the basics still beat the buzz. Mediocre marketing + great conversion = success: Why broken funnels kill campaigns, no matter how brilliant your creative is. How Meta builds defensible growth : What sets their marketing apart, from deep integration with product and engineering, to AI-powered insights. AI's real impact on marketing jobs: A breakdown of the three kinds of disruption AI will bring, and why the marketers who embrace it will thrive. Paper planes, transparency, and unexpected beginnings: Hear how Alex's nerdy hobby turned into a viral website, and why he publicly shares his university grades to inspire others. Key Takeaways: Get back to basics: Clear goals, good data, and fundamental models (like the funnel) still win. Measure what matters: Metrics are not goals - incrementality is everything. Focus on defensibility and scale in your marketing channels, don't waste time on things that can't grow. AI won't replace marketers - marketers who use AI will replace those who don't. Be transparent and human: Success doesn't require perfection, it requires clarity, curiosity, and continuous learning. 📥 Access the show notes, tools, and links at: https://targetinternet.com/resources/alex-schultz-interview-click-here 📩 Join the free newsletter for access to monthly live sessions: https://targetinternet.com/newsletter

Discover the transformative power of a regenerative mindset in marketing! Far from just a trend, it aims to restore and grow rather than merely sustain. Explore how AI can alleviate cognitive burdens while fueling creativity. The whimsical tale of a goose believing he’s a chicken illustrates resilience in overcoming negativity. Learn how integrating principles from permaculture can lead to smarter digital strategies and effective audience engagement. Embrace a new way of working that values adaptability and experimentation!

Discover how Google’s AI Max campaigns are reshaping marketing strategies by leveraging keywordless signals and user behavior. Learn about the decline in organic click-through rates as AI-generated content dominates search results. The hosts delve into the transformative impact of Long Language Models on SEO, stressing the importance of adapting to evolving search behaviors. They also introduce innovative tools like GenType and Google Notebook LM to enhance your digital marketing tactics for a rapidly changing landscape.

Explore the revolutionary potential of ChatGPT Agents in reshaping digital marketing. Discover how these AI agents are automating complex tasks, logging into websites, analyzing data, and creating content, all while raising security concerns. Dive into real-world applications, like generating LinkedIn posts and content strategy recommendations. The discussion also highlights the importance of agile responses and a culture of continuous learning in navigating these changes. Plus, learn about the challenges junior marketers face in an increasingly automated landscape.

The hosts delve into the rapidly changing landscape of SEO driven by AI tools like ChatGPT. They discuss how search behavior is shifting, with organic results often pushed down, and stress the rising importance of brand sentiment over traditional ranking factors. The conversation highlights the significance of no-click searches and how platforms like Wikipedia are shaping perceptions. Practical tips for adapting SEO strategies are shared, emphasizing the need for updated content and engagement to maintain visibility in this new era.

Brendan Kane, a viral strategist and author of One Million Followers, shares his insights on creating infectious content. He reveals that going viral isn't just luck; it’s a repeatable process grounded in storytelling nuances. Kane discusses the innovative storytelling techniques he used to grow an audience of a million followers in just 30 days. He emphasizes the importance of qualitative analysis over mere metrics and explains how even the most mundane industries can thrive on social media. Quality and authenticity, he argues, are the keys to meaningful engagement.

In this episode of The Digital Marketing Podcast, Daniel Rowles sits down with copywriting and AI expert Kerry Harrison to explore one of the most exciting—and often misunderstood—areas of artificial intelligence: AI-powered copywriting. Together, they dive into how Anthropic's Claude AI compares to tools like ChatGPT and Gemini, and why Claude is quickly becoming a favourite for writers who care about tone, style, and ethical AI. Kerry, a seasoned copywriter and trainer, shares her hands-on experiences using Claude to create high-quality marketing content. She explains how Claude's intuitive interface, stylistic flexibility, and alignment with ethical AI principles make it a uniquely powerful tool for communicators, marketers, and brands. But this isn't just a tool review. It's a masterclass in how to approach AI copywriting strategically. Daniel and Kerry explore a human-first methodology called the AI Sandwich, a practical framework for combining human creativity with AI efficiency. They tackle big questions about authenticity, originality, and prompt engineering, and show how to avoid the cookie-cutter feel that plagues so much AI-generated content. Highlights include: Why Claude's tone of voice and writing capabilities often outperform other models for consumer copy How to train Claude on your own style and get responses that reflect your brand's voice How to use Claude's Projects feature to build custom tools like tone checkers, newsletter editors, and interactive customer personas A breakdown of the AI Sandwich Methodology (Human → AI → Human) for crafting content that feels human, not robotic Techniques for fact-checking, editing, and sense-checking AI outputs to avoid hallucinations and blandness How Kerry uses Claude for marketing strategy, persona creation, positioning, and ideation Tips for integrating Claude with Gmail and calendar tools to improve time management and workflow efficiency This episode is packed with actionable ideas, whether you're a content creator, strategist, marketer, or business owner. You'll learn how to write better prompts, extract more value from AI tools, and remain fiercely authentic and creative in an age of digital automation. Key Takeaways: Train AI on your tone of voice to stand out from generic outputs Use Claude's extended thinking and reasoning models for strategic ideation Human guidance (before and after AI) is critical to compelling content Projects in Claude can act like custom GPTs tailored to your exact needs Staying human, thoughtful, and ethical is still your biggest advantage 💡 Whether you're new to Claude or already exploring AI content workflows, this episode will give you a fresh, grounded, and strategic perspective on what's possible, without losing your creative soul in the process. 📥 Access the show notes, tools, and links at: https://targetinternet.com/resources/ai-copywriting-and-claude 📩 Join the free newsletter for access to Daniel's monthly live sessions: https://targetinternet.com/newsletter