Latest Digital / Social Media Marketing News & Insights

​Presented by Neal Schaffer​

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In this week's newsletter:

• YouTube just leveled up your optimization game!
• The new structure of AI Era SEO is upon us!
• Should you be writing "best X" lists more?

Hey Reader,

This week I dropped a new podcast episode for the first time in awhile defining the terms GEO and AEO and my advice for all on how to further re-frame SEO efforts for this new era of conversational search that we live in.

The truth is, that is only half of the story.

I am preparing my next episode which will go deeper into leveraging my Library of Content concept from Digital Threads and aligning it to the way that LLMs think. I am really excited to reveal it, but until then I want to challenge you to re-frame the way you think about content.

From the raw videos that you post on TikTok or Reels to the most bland copy you have on your website, there are a variety of "rawness" factors, or what you might call "human" or "authentic", that define the way we create and publish content.

In social media the expectation is authenticity, but when it comes to web copy, we have a very different expectation. Things like social proof are very important, but so is the sheer content.

And with LLMs, the sheer content is more important than ever.

As I look a few years down the road to our digital consumption habits, the future becomes a little clearer. And it requires us to especially change the way we look at our own web content.

These are my thoughts that I will leave you with as I prepare my new podcast episode. If you haven't, make sure you subscribe to my podcast on Apple or Spotify to keep in touch through your speakers.

Now on to this week's top news and insights!

Please note: Some links in this newsletter are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you.

This Week's Podcast Episode

​Ranking In ChatGPT & AI Overviews: The Ultimate AEO vs. GEO Guide​

Confused about AEO and GEO in SEO? You're not alone—and in this long-awaited solo podcast episode, I break down exactly what these two AI-driven strategies mean, how they're different, and why you absolutely need both to stay visible in search today. I also share 5 core strategies and 7 action steps you can start using now to boost your discoverability in AI and search. This is SEO in the age of AI—don’t get left behind.

This Week's Video

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​How He Turned Bad Shopping Experience Into $100K+ Content Business (2 Month Timeline)​

Ever wonder if you could turn your personal search journey into a thriving content business? That’s exactly what Derek Hales did—going from frustrated mattress shopper to building one of the most trusted mattress review sites online: NapLab. In this episode, you’ll learn how transparency, empathy, and real user-focused content helped him win in SEO (and survive Google’s updates) without relying on social media or email lists. Lots of practical takeaways in this one!

This Week's Sponsor

​Descript: I Editing For Every Kind Of Video!​

Direct your AI co-editor to do your video editing for you, or do it yourself with intuitive editing tools. With Descript, video editing is as easy as typing.

This Week's News

YouTube Title A/B Testing Rolls Out Globally To Creators - YouTube just leveled up your optimization game. Title A/B testing is now available globally to all creators with advanced features. You can now test up to three different titles, thumbnails, or combos per video—so you’re not guessing what works. Best part? It’s based on watch time, not just clicks, giving you real insights into what actually engages your audience. Smart creative choices just got a whole lot easier. Search Engine Journal​

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How To Create High-Converting Ads With AI - If ads feel tough to create, this guide shows how AI can make the whole process faster and far more effective. You’ll learn how to start with proven templates, shape them with AI, turn one idea into many formats, and test what actually converts. The best part? You build a simple creative loop that keeps improving your results over time. A smart read if you want ads that truly perform. Reliablesoft​

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The New Structure Of AI Era SEO - SEO is shifting fast, and this breakdown makes the change feel clear instead of chaotic. Duane Forrester explains how classic skills still matter, but AI now ranks chunks, not pages, and rewards clean structure, clear facts, strong trust signals, and focused ideas. If you want your content to surface in AI answers, this three-layer model shows exactly where to level up next. It’s a sharp, future-ready read. Search Engine Journal​

Recommended Digital Marketing Agency (see all of my recommendations on my Clutch Digital Marketing Agency List)

​Why Choose Moburst?​

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More News

Do Self-Promotional “Best” Lists Boost ChatGPT Visibility? Study Of 26,283 Source URLs - This study from Ahrefs reveals a big shift in AI-era SEO: AI tools rely heavily on fresh, clear, comparison-style content—especially “best X” lists, which made up nearly 44% of all cited pages. Brands that rank high on these lists tend to get recommended more often, and updated content wins far more citations. If you want visibility in AI answers, this research shows what to publish—and what to improve—starting now. Ahrefs​

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Replying To Your Comments On LinkedIn Boosts Engagement By 30% - Here’s a stat worth paying attention to: replying to your LinkedIn comments can lift engagement by 30%. Buffer’s study of 72,000 posts shows that real back-and-forth isn’t just polite—it’s a clear signal of quality conversation, which LinkedIn rewards. If you want more reach, focus on simple, steady comment replies. It’s a small habit with big results, especially as your audience grows. Buffer​

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Future Of Newsletters: 6 Trends Changing The Newsletter Industry In The Next Year - Newsletters are entering a whole new era. This deep dive from HubSpot shows how they’re shifting into AI-powered, multi-channel tools that go far beyond the inbox. You’ll see why personalization, smart segmentation, and strong human voice now drive real growth—and how creators and brands can use these trends to earn trust and revenue. If you want your newsletter to stay relevant in 2026, this is a smart read. Hubspot​

Recommended Newsletters Of The Week

​Maximizing LinkedIn For Business Growth​

Unlock LinkedIn’s full potential with Maximizing LinkedIn for Business Growth—your go-to guide for building a powerful brand, generating leads, and driving real business results.

Latest From My Blog

eCommerce Email Marketing: Strategies, Flows, And Tools To Drive Sales In 2025 - Smart email marketing is one of the best ways for eCommerce brands to drive repeat sales in 2026. In this blog post, I walk you through the key email flows, segmentation tricks, and the tools that help you send the right message at the right time. This guide shows you where to start and what truly moves the needle If you want stronger customer loyalty and higher revenue. Neal Schaffer​

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How To Make Money On Pinterest In 2026 - Want to make real money on Pinterest in 2026? In this post, I break down how to turn Pins into a steady income with affiliate links, brand deals, products, and blog traffic – step by step. You’ll learn how to set up a business account, nail Pinterest SEO, and build evergreen traffic that keeps working for you long after you hit publish. If you want Pinterest to become a real revenue stream, this guide shows you what to do first. Neal Schaffer​