Category: Marketing

Columnist Corey Barnett explains that if you plan to use Yext to suppress duplicate local listings, you should first understand the strengths and weaknesses of the platform. A recent case study by Yext shows the impact of duplicate listings on local rankings in Google. Coordinated by local search expert Andrew Shotland, the core research evaluates Yext duplicate suppression for a national restaurant chain. I’m not here to dispute the research or results. Having consistent NAP (name, address and phone number) has long been regarded as a priority for local businesses. However, there are limitations to using Yext for…

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The Federal Communications Commission has issued a cease-and-desist to Avid Telecom over the company’s transmission of illegal robocalls. The FCC has been battling robocalls, working to shut down the companies that make them, as well as those that fail to block them. The agency has issued a cease-and-desist to Avid Telecom, saying the company is “apparently originating illegal robocall traffic on behalf of one or more of ts clients.” The FCC says the robocalls targeted American consumers with insurance-related calls. The agency is giving Avid the opportunity to block the calls…

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Columnist Greg Gifford recaps a session by Thomas Ballantyne about the value of online reviews, showing why businesses need to start thinking about them if they aren’t already. Closing out the excellent first time slot in the Local track at SMX West this year was Thomas Ballantyne’s session about online reviews. Far too many business owners either ignore or don’t care about reviews, so Ballantyne — the director of marketing at Bulwark Pest Control — built his presentation as a tool to help marketers get buy-in from their clients. Reviews…

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OpenAI has unveiled its own web crawler bot, GPTBot, and has provided web admins with the means to block it if they want to. AI training methods have become a hot topic, with the industry still trying to figure out the legality and ethics of training AI models using data on the internet. OpenAI is addressing those concerns head-on, by giving web admins the ability to block GPTBot. Usage Web pages crawled with the GPTBot user agent may potentially be used to improve future models and are filtered to remove sources that…

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Microsoft is expanding its self-repair program, giving customers the option to purchase replacement parts for their Xbox controllers. Microsoft has been increasingly embracing right-to-repair, expanding its self-repair options across its product lines. The latest expansion involves Xbox controllers, with the company offering replacement cases, buttons, and internal parts. A number of tech companies have slowly begun offering self-repair kits and parts, but Microsoft has arguably been the most supportive of such efforts. The company has even begun supporting right-to-repair legislation, a step beyond many of its rivals. Xbox customers can find more…

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Amazon is ramping up its efforts to force employees to return to the office, even asking some employees to relocate to accommodate the changing policy. According to AP News, Amazon has been asking some of its corporate workers to move to cities where their jobs are based. The company did not disclose how many employees are being asked to move but did say it will offer “relocation benefits” to those impacted. “There’s more energy, collaboration, and connections happening since we’ve been working together at least three days per week, and we’ve…

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The e-commerce-focused agency has more than 125 employees and a proprietary retail search advertising optimization platform. Digital performance agency Elite SEM announced Thursday it has acquired San Diego-based e-commerce agency CPC Strategy. Particularly attractive to Elite SEM is CPC Strategy’s Amazon advertising expertise. “The acquisition of CPC Strategy is our response to the escalating demand from Elite’s most successful clients for strategy and execution in the Amazon marketplace, including its media offerings, creative services, and analytics, and the integration of Amazon with other performance media channels,” said SEM Elite President Zach Morrison. “More…

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National Geographic magazine has laid off its remaining 19 editorial staff and will rely on freelancers moving forward. National Geographic is one of the most iconic magazines in the world and has entertained and educated children and adults alike for generations. Unfortunately, in the digital age, the magazine struggled with dwindling readership and reduced budgets, significantly impacting the kind of reporting and photography that made the magazine what it was. According to The Washington Post, the remaining writers were informed of the decision Wednesday, although they knew it was coming since…

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The current employee shortage is causing significant problems for financial institutions in the United States. Not only is it difficult for them to find talent, but keeping engagement levels high is also a challenge. Job satisfaction levels across the country continue to decline, with only 50% of banking and credit union employees being highly engaged. Additionally, at least half of the American workforce is “quietly quitting” their jobs, and over one-third of banking and credit union employees are actively looking for new employment. Lack of recognition is a primary reason…

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In this webinar, learn the secrets to creating flawless user experiences. QR codes have become a powerful tool for driving user engagement and seamless experiences. But are you harnessing their full potential? During this webinar, we’ll dive into the art of designing QR codes to ensure maximum scanning efficiency. Learn how to create visually captivating codes that entice users and make your app stand out from the competition. QR marketing expert, Scott Allan, Chief Marketing and Solutions Officer at URLgenius, will guide you through the potential pitfalls to avoid, ensuring…

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