SparkToro has published an article by Rand Fishkin featuring five trends that will dominate marketing in 2026.He says, “I find most end-of-year prediction and crystal ball-gazing listicles to be trash. They don’t prove their assertions, use anecdotes rather than data at scale to back up their prognostications, and, worst of all, fail to grade their previous predictions (how the #$%@ else do you know if you can trust their current ones?!). And yes, I’m looking at you, Gartner, Forrester, Inc, and Forbes. None of those publications grade past predictions, yet they somehow receive fawning,... [...]

Microsoft Advertising team has published ‘From Discovery to Influence: A Guide to AEO and GEO’.Jen Myers says, “When a shopper asks an AI assistant for a “lightweight carry-on bag that fits a laptop and doesn’t look corporate,” how does your brand get considered? SEO got you here, but it won’t get you there. AI assistants, browsers, and agents evaluate and interpret your data in new ways, and showing up in their recommendations requires a different kind of readiness.The new discovery landscapeThe goal is no longer traffic. It’s influence.AI... [...]

AI SEO in 2026 centers on optimizing for answer engines, generative search results, and entity-based discovery rather than traditional rankings alone. Success will depend on authoritative content, structured data, and continuous optimization guided by AI-driven insights and user intent signals.Semrush contributor Zach Paruch has published an article featuring seven AI SEO tips to earn visibility.He says, “AI search tools like Google’s AI Mode, Perplexity, and ChatGPT are changing how people find information. Instead of clicking through to websites, users get synthesized answers... [...]

SEO in the AI era focuses on optimizing content for intent, context, and credibility rather than just keywords and rankings. AI-driven search visibility requires structured, authoritative content that can be easily understood, cited, and surfaced by search and answer engines.Search Engine Land contributor Casey Nifong has published a 90-day SEO playbook for AI-driven search visibility.Casey Nifong says, “Answer-first content, structured data, and authority signals shape AI-driven search. This 90-day plan explains how to put them into practice.SEO now sits at an uncomfortable... [...]

User-generated content builds trust and authenticity by showcasing real customer experiences and voices. It boosts engagement, influences purchase decisions, and strengthens brand credibility across digital channels.Digital Marketing Institute contributor Diana Myers has published an article featuring four examples of user-generated content.She says, “User-generated content (UGC, also known as consumer-generated content) is a powerful way for marketers to raise brand awareness. The beauty of UGC is that the content is created by someone else – an advocate, a customer,... [...]

Google contributor Zahra Thompson has published an article featuring 60 of its biggest AI announcements in 2025.She says, “As 2025 comes to a close, it’s only natural to look back on our biggest AI moments of the year. And what a year it’s been — we shared hundreds of AI announcements about products and features meant to make people’s lives easier in ways big and small. Take a look back at some of our biggest AI news this year (and check out our favorite AI tips we shared this year, too.)JanuaryNew year, new AI. We kicked off 2025 with a bunch of updates... [...]

HubSpot has published a new guide, ‘Zoho vs. Pipedrive: Which is the best CRM for team productivity?’.The HubSpot team says, “Team productivity depends on how efficiently a CRM supports daily execution across workflows, automation, collaboration, and visibility. Zoho and Pipedrive optimize for different productivity outcomes, while HubSpot is designed to unify these capabilities in a single system.The comparisons below evaluate each platform across core productivity dimensions that directly impact sales output and adoption.Workflow and Task ManagementZoho CRM offers... [...]

AI Search Optimization focuses on structuring content so it can be easily understood, trusted, and cited by AI-driven search engines and answer systems. It helps brands remain visible in AI-generated results by emphasizing relevance, authority, clarity, and user intent.Search Engine Journal contributor Kevin Indig has published an article on the state of AI search optimization in 2026.He says, “Every year, after the winter holidays, I spend a few days ramping up by gathering the context from last year and reminding myself of where my clients are at. I want to use the opportunity... [...]

SEO in 2026 will focus on optimizing content for AI-driven search, answer engines, and multimodal discovery beyond traditional rankings. Success will depend on topical authority, structured data, and user-centric experiences that align with how humans and AI systems evaluate relevance and trust.Practical Ecommerce contributor Ann Smarty has published an article featuring three SEO predictions for 2026.She says, “I’ve been a professional search engine optimizer since 2005. Never have I experienced the speed and magnitude of the current web changes. Generative AI is accelerating... [...]

PPC delivers immediate visibility and traffic through paid ads, making it ideal for short-term campaigns and quick results, while costs stop once the budget ends. SEO is a long-term strategy that builds organic visibility, credibility, and sustained traffic over time without paying for each click.Hallam contributor Amani Majed has published an article comparing the performance of PPC and SEO in 2026.She says, “PPC remains the fastest way to generate traffic and conversions. It offers immediate visibility and the ability to target users with very high intent. With the integration... [...]