The Link Digital marketing blog

For more than a decade, hashtags have been a reliable tool for content categorisation and discovery across platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and LinkedIn.

While Google’s algorithm remains a closely guarded secret, enough has been tested, analysed and confirmed to give marketers a fairly strong idea of what helps a page climb the rankings.

Since its launch, Instagram Threads has emerged as a promising space for real time conversation—a quieter, cleaner alternative to X (formerly Twitter). Threads offers a range of new features, including real time updates, public conversations and content sharing.

Click-through rate, or CTR, is often treated as a quick indicator of how well a campaign is performing. It measures how many people clicked on your link out of everyone who saw it.

If you’ve already claimed and verified your Google Business Profile (GBP), you’re off to a good start. But the real question is—are you making the most of it? In a world where local search is often the first (and sometimes only) interaction people have with your business; your GBP is more than just a digital listing.

Running an eCommerce brand isn’t what it used to be. With more competition, higher ad costs and increasingly demanding customers, even the most experienced business owners find themselves facing growth challenges when selling online.

Since its launch in 2021, TikTok Shop has gone from a new entrant to a major player in UK e-commerce. By combining entertainment, community, and shopping in one place, it’s grabbed the attention of both consumers and brands.

Reddit might not have the visual appeal of Instagram or the speed of TikTok, but it offers something more valuable: genuine conversation. It’s also one of the most influential, and often underestimated, spaces in digital marketing.

Understanding the difference between lead generation and lead nurturing is important because each plays a unique role in turning prospects into loyal customers.

Performance Max (PMax) campaigns have changed how PPC marketers can promote clients’ businesses beyond traditional search campaigns. Since their introduction by Google Ads, they’ve sparked plenty of debate—some marketers swear by them, while others remain sceptical.

The question is why? Is it, as many have pointed out, that a younger audience is just not Googling anymore or is this just hearsay and personal opinion? Investigating these changes further the drop is not just in the US or the UK but across a range of countries.

Since Twitter rebranded to X, there’s been ongoing debate about whether businesses should continue investing in the platform. Under Elon Musk’s leadership, X has seen significant changes in content moderation, subscription models and overall user experience.

Simply, it’s the usage of more than one device when consuming content. Second screening is now an integral part of how media is consumed, whether via TV or online. It’s not uncommon to see people watching TV while interacting with their smartphone and possibly using a laptop or tablet.

Recently, many users have left Twitter (now X) for Bluesky, driven by dissatisfaction with moderation policies, algorithm changes and increasing emphasis on paid features. Twitter’s frequent updates have made it feel less reliable, pushing users to find alternatives. Bluesky offers a familiar social media experience but with greater user control and decentralisation.

After over 30 years in management, I’ve learned that being organised isn’t just about keeping a tidy desk or color-coding spreadsheets; although I must admit I love a vibrant spreadsheet, and our team enjoys choosing the colour associated with their name, it’s about having clear processes, structured priorities, and a team that knows exactly what needs to be done and when.

It’s 7:35 Saturday evening, and I’m watching a program on the TV channel U & Yesterday. An advert catches my eye. I’m just about to buy a boat (it’s no gin palace), and the advert is for a range of washable rugs.

Social media is a competitive landscape, and visuals are often the first thing users notice. With billions of people scrolling through feeds daily, using the correct image sizes is vital for making a great first impression.

Internally, we often discuss organic traffic rather than just organic search engine traffic. Users have many channels to find answers to search queries that fall outside Google. i.e. Instagram, TikTok etc. Google’s global search share has fallen below 90% for the first time since 2015.

With so much content competing for attention online, getting your brand noticed is no small task. Traditional ads often get ignored or blocked entirely, but native advertising offers a more subtle approach. By blending seamlessly into the content people already enjoy, native ads engage audiences without feeling intrusive.

Most businesses prioritise Google Ads for their search marketing, and it’s no surprise – Google dominates the search engine market. But if you’re focusing exclusively on Google, you’re likely missing a powerful opportunity with Microsoft Bing Ads.