• Newest Google Analytics updates will clarify your spending.
• U.S. search ad revenue just hit a record high of $102 billion.
• YouTube is celebrating a big win in streaming as it turns 20.
• A new Creator Hub makes LinkedIn a more useful platform.
• It’s official: Purely AI-generated content hurts trust in your brand.

Google Analytics Features Will Help Your Marketing Agency Stay Accountable

Attribution refers to knowing where online traffic came from. It’s particularly tough when you want to ensure paid channels are pulling their weight. Google Analytics will now make things easier. Paid traffic will no longer be misidentified as organic traffic and is more likely to be associated with the ad that caused it.

What does it mean? To get the most data, your website should use an analytics suite. Google Analytics is not the only option, but it is free and robust. Thanks to its complexity, a marketing agency is best at interpreting analytics. Be sure your team is getting (and using) the insights hidden in your visitor data.

U.S. Search Ad Revenue Breaks Records, Reveals More Competitive Landscape

Rising from $59 billion in 2020, U.S. search ad revenue nearly doubled to $102+ billion according to final figures for 2024. Over the 2023-2024 timeframe, social media ad revenue grew 36%. Video advertising on YouTube and other platforms grew 19%. Display advertising and retail media network advertising are also growing.

What does it mean? Digital advertising is growing, and the rate of growth is accelerating. The landscape is more competitive than ever, especially for companies just getting started with ads. Ads aren’t right for all businesses, so double-check with a marketing agency before you jump in.

YouTube Turns 20, Celebrates Newfound Status As #1 Streaming Platform Online

YouTube has long been the #2 search engine behind Google itself, both managed by parent company Alphabet. Now, as the ubiquitous video platform turns 20, it’s achieved another breakthrough: According to the venerable research company Nielsen, YouTube holds 12% of the streaming market – a deceptively large number.

By comparison, Netflix has just under 8% of the streaming market, while Disney maintains 5%, and Prime Video (an Amazon service) has 3.5%. Other contenders like Paramount and Roku barely break 2%, while Tubi, Peacock, and smaller entrants fall below the 2% threshold.

What’s more, the streaming audience is more than twice the size of the broadcast audience (43.8% to 20.5%) and nearly twice the size of the cable audience (43.8% to 24%). Odds are good that YouTube’s growth will continue.

What does it mean? Video marketing might seem like it has high barriers to entry, but when you lock in your place on YouTube, you’re accessing a huge audience. The same is true if you launch a business podcast – you can position yourself as a trusted expert to millions. Your marketing agency can help you get started.

It’s Easier Than Ever To Leverage LinkedIn Thanks To Its New Creator Hub

Plenty of Tampa businesses are finding ways to make money by targeting their audience on LinkedIn. LinkedIn skews toward career-minded prospects who often have more disposable income than average. Still, getting a start there has often proven mystifying to business leaders. The new LinkedIn Creator Hub makes it easier.

The Creator Hub offers suggestions on how to tailor content to LinkedIn and make it a more effective part of your content strategy. Best practices, analytics, tips, and format guides are just a few of the resources you or your marketing agency could be using to elevate your impact on LinkedIn.

What does it mean? The social media “mix” is changing – Instagram, Bluesky, and others are growing quickly. If you aren’t sure that your brand is represented on the right social media platforms, now is the time to review your strategy. LinkedIn is one of the hidden gems of the social media world for many Tampa businesses.

Studies Confirm What We Suspected: AI-Generated Content Hurts Brand Trust

A recent study indicates that consumers can identify AI-generated content 72% of the time. Younger website visitors are most adept at spotting AI content, with viewers aged 22-24 spotting AI-generated content nearly 90% of the time. A staggering 41% of those surveyed said they view brands that use AI content negatively.

What does it mean? Far from being over, human-generated content is more valuable than ever. Consumers don’t want purely AI-generated content, and Google is training its in-house Quality Raters to find it. It’s never been more important to create useful, helpful, informative content from your unique human perspective.

At New York Ave, we believe in marketing with a personal(human) focus. Contact us to get started.

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This month proved that human-made content is beating AI-generated content. See the latest news and how your marketing agency should help.