Jeremy Hull

Google vs. Microsoft - the “Search Wars” are well and truly on.

🤔 Will Generative AI actually cause a shift in user behavior?
🤔 Does Microsoft have what it takes to steal share from Google?
🤔 What about the accuracy and reliability of both models?

We quizzed Brainlabs' Search experts, Jeremy Hull, Andy Goodwin & Alessandro Creso for their POV on the key things brands need to know.

Not sure how to align PPC and SEO? These tips will help you master the SERP, align both channels, and maximize your holistic search strategy.

This week Google announced the change that every paid search marketer knew was coming sooner or later – the sunset of Expanded Text Ads (ETAs). With this change, Responsive Search Ads (RSAs) will become the core paid search text ad type for all advertisers.

If you haven’t started testing RSAs yet, don’t panic (but also–start testing RSAs. They work. Really well.). Google has generously given us ten months until this change goes live–plenty of time to deploy or refine your RSA… Show more

This week Google announced the change that every paid search marketer knew was coming sooner or later – the sunset of Expanded Text Ads (ETAs). With this change, Responsive Search Ads (RSAs) will become the core paid search text ad type for all advertisers.

If you haven’t started testing RSAs yet, don’t panic (but also–start testing RSAs. They work. Really well.). Google has generously given us ten months until this change goes live–plenty of time to deploy or refine your RSA strategy.

So let’s bid farewell to yet another Google ad format, and then take a look at the key things search marketers should keep in mind in order to create the most effective Responsive Search Ads. Show less

Jeremy Hull, iProspect’s senior VP of innovation, explains how automation has become the foundation for successful search marketing.

The bad news: Google Marketing Live, Google’s premier digital marketing summit, isn’t happening this year.

The good news: While we won’t personally experience the incredible coordination and thoughtful details that elevate every Google event, the evolution of Google Ads has not slowed one bit.

This week Google announced several new marketing tools and features designed specifically to help small businesses respond to the challenges of the global pandemic. This week's update is… Show more

The bad news: Google Marketing Live, Google’s premier digital marketing summit, isn’t happening this year.

The good news: While we won’t personally experience the incredible coordination and thoughtful details that elevate every Google event, the evolution of Google Ads has not slowed one bit.

This week Google announced several new marketing tools and features designed specifically to help small businesses respond to the challenges of the global pandemic. This week's update is the first in a series of product announcements, interviews, and virtual roundtables Google will feature throughout the coming weeks. Show less

In this whitepaper, Microsoft and iProspect share key findings of our survey that analysed over 25,000 consumers and responses from 16 countries across North America, South America, the European Union, Asia, and Africa.

Attended by brands, agencies, and partners (with tens of thousands more watching around the globe), Google Marketing Live's keynote shared a number of new solutions built to help advertisers navigate today’s increasingly complex user journey in ways that are faster, more effective, and increasingly helpful to everyone. While last year’s cornerstones of integration and automation continue to play a large part in Google’s story, they also weaved in the increasingly relevant theme of user… Show more

Attended by brands, agencies, and partners (with tens of thousands more watching around the globe), Google Marketing Live's keynote shared a number of new solutions built to help advertisers navigate today’s increasingly complex user journey in ways that are faster, more effective, and increasingly helpful to everyone. While last year’s cornerstones of integration and automation continue to play a large part in Google’s story, they also weaved in the increasingly relevant theme of user privacy—a key focus at last week’s Google I/O conference.

Under a trio of mission statements (some might even call them “mantras”), Google segmented their announcements into three categories: Be There, Be Useful, and Be Responsible. Show less

The start of a new year means the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is upon us. Jeremy Hull, senior VP of innovation at iProspect, shares the key trends marketers can expect.

Today, brands are looking for every possible way to find success and make sales. When it comes to performance, one giant has risen to the top of every conversation: Amazon. For brands, navigating the tricky waters of Amazon and figuring out how to respond to the company’s massive growth is top of mind. Should brands view Amazon as a unique and exciting opportunity that will reap great reward, or is it a risk to their sales ability and a way of giving up the autonomy they once had on their… Show more

Today, brands are looking for every possible way to find success and make sales. When it comes to performance, one giant has risen to the top of every conversation: Amazon. For brands, navigating the tricky waters of Amazon and figuring out how to respond to the company’s massive growth is top of mind. Should brands view Amazon as a unique and exciting opportunity that will reap great reward, or is it a risk to their sales ability and a way of giving up the autonomy they once had on their website and in their stores?

With 209.1 million people regularly using or visiting Amazon.com (that’s 75% of the US population aged 18 or older), Amazon is almost always one of the key places a brand’s audience is not only spending their money, but also their attention. To help answer some of these outstanding questions related to this ever-evolving platform, we are releasing The Amazon Imperative: Unboxing the Everything Store. Show less

Successful brands are starting to think beyond IQ and more into the world of EQ (emotional quotient or emotional intelligence), where they can truly understand the context behind words. Data alone is no longer the only solution for driving engagement, now brands need to create deeper connections with consumers in order to build an emotional bond.

In partnership with Bing, iProspect created a joint-analysis that explores the rise of conversational interfaces and how brands should consider… Show more

Successful brands are starting to think beyond IQ and more into the world of EQ (emotional quotient or emotional intelligence), where they can truly understand the context behind words. Data alone is no longer the only solution for driving engagement, now brands need to create deeper connections with consumers in order to build an emotional bond.

In partnership with Bing, iProspect created a joint-analysis that explores the rise of conversational interfaces and how brands should consider humanizing themselves. With 87% of consumers expecting to be able to reach their favorite brands via a voice assistant within five years, it’s more important than ever to build branded intelligent agents that can truly speak to consumers. Show less

YouTube is the world’s second largest search engine, with over 30 million daily users and over 1.5 billion monthly logged-in users across 88 countries. Counting only mobile visitors, YouTube reaches more 18-49 year olds than any cable company in the US. YouTube—it’s kind of a big deal.

Google is ready to challenge assumptions about YouTube ads. Last week, Google announced two new YouTube advertising features that provide marketers with more control over the targeting and optimization… Show more

YouTube is the world’s second largest search engine, with over 30 million daily users and over 1.5 billion monthly logged-in users across 88 countries. Counting only mobile visitors, YouTube reaches more 18-49 year olds than any cable company in the US. YouTube—it’s kind of a big deal.

Google is ready to challenge assumptions about YouTube ads. Last week, Google announced two new YouTube advertising features that provide marketers with more control over the targeting and optimization of their YouTube spend... Show less

The Consumer Electronics Show is equal parts inspiring and exhausting. Taking place in the already overwhelming city of Las Vegas, the show is a frenzy of the world’s biggest brands showcasing the future of technology, a parade of flashy devices and ever-thinner televisions. Now that I’ve returned from the show and had a weekend to evaluate the chaos, here is my perspective on the top trends at this year’s CES.

Amazon Treasure Truck hit the road at the end of July. Here's my first-hand account of this seamless shopping experience.

During today’s Livestream from their annual marketing summit, which was renamed “Google Marketing Next” for 2017, Google announced several new advertising features, initiatives, and integrations. Google executives discussed several expected topics, including audience targeting/segmentation, measurement, and the full rollout of the new AdWords interface many marketers have already had the opportunity to try.

However, from iProspect’s perspective, this morning’s most exciting announcements… Show more

During today’s Livestream from their annual marketing summit, which was renamed “Google Marketing Next” for 2017, Google announced several new advertising features, initiatives, and integrations. Google executives discussed several expected topics, including audience targeting/segmentation, measurement, and the full rollout of the new AdWords interface many marketers have already had the opportunity to try.

However, from iProspect’s perspective, this morning’s most exciting announcements weren’t focused on new features. The real game-changing news is that Google is breaking down barriers between their own products, enabling similar functionality across multiple tools and platforms. Today’s empowered customers already move seamlessly between devices, touchpoints, and brand interactions; and this alignment of features will allow marketers to create customer experiences that mirror their behavior. Moving forward, marketers will be able to plan and execute in a more seamless, holistic fashion across digital channels and offline touchpoints within the Google ecosystem. Show less

Today Google announced an upcoming upgrade to the AdWords user interface. The goal of the improved UI, which will be gradually rolled out over the coming months, is to streamline workflow, deliver a more modern look and feel, and make management of AdWords digital marketing campaigns easier.

The Paid Search industry is concerned about rising trademark CPC and rightfully so. iProspect and others in the industry have seen drastic and unexpected increases in CPC for brand keywords, especially core trademark keywords on Google AdWords. We have also uncovered a previously unreported development: dips in brand impressions related to the CPC increases.

Today Google kicked off their third annual AdWords Performance Summit, an exclusive event where they highlight the AdWords product roadmap for the coming year. Before the closed-door sessions during the afternoon, Jerry Dischler, Google’s VP of Product Management, presented a global livestream outlining the features, reports, and tools Google is building for advertisers in 2015 in order to deliver even more relevant messaging to consumers in the moments that matter.

Today, Google announced "Upgraded URLs" for your AdWords ads. This mandatory change to landing page management in AdWords affects all Google AdWords paid search, display, and shopping (PLA) advertisers globally.

Because this change affects all AdWords users and is being rolled out on a similar timeline, it’s tempting to compare Upgraded URLs to the launch of Enhanced Campaigns two years ago. Despite some similarities, we believe the overall impact of this URL change is much smaller.

Paid search in 2015 will be less about purely tactical delivery and more about high-level strategy and brand experience. How a brand performs in paid search will ultimately be shaped by the ability of digital marketers to deliver value through relevance.

In this new quarterly executive report, “Paid Search Trends: 2013/2014 Year-over-Year” Jeremy Hull, Director of Bought Media, provides an overview of the trends and corresponding opportunities relevant for brands taking a strategic… Show more

Paid search in 2015 will be less about purely tactical delivery and more about high-level strategy and brand experience. How a brand performs in paid search will ultimately be shaped by the ability of digital marketers to deliver value through relevance.

In this new quarterly executive report, “Paid Search Trends: 2013/2014 Year-over-Year” Jeremy Hull, Director of Bought Media, provides an overview of the trends and corresponding opportunities relevant for brands taking a strategic, performance focused approach to paid search marketing.

The trends and insights were developed based on an analysis of data from more than 1,250 Google AdWords accounts and represent more than 135,000 active campaigns.

Download the iProspect Quarterly Report: Paid Search Trends. Show less

Yahoo is now the default search provider for Firefox 34 users. With this change, Yahoo should see an uptick in search volume, and in turn generate additional ad revenue from the added click volume.

In our new POV, we examined the natural search data representing 200 million visits from clients representing luxury and retail apparel, to consumer electronics and software. We also looked at a wide range of client traffic across industries and measured Search Engine referrals to their… Show more

Yahoo is now the default search provider for Firefox 34 users. With this change, Yahoo should see an uptick in search volume, and in turn generate additional ad revenue from the added click volume.

In our new POV, we examined the natural search data representing 200 million visits from clients representing luxury and retail apparel, to consumer electronics and software. We also looked at a wide range of client traffic across industries and measured Search Engine referrals to their site(s) for an inside look at search traffic referral sources.

Based on this analysis, we’ve developed 4 easy to digest sections around the marketing implications of this change, and guidance on how to approach paid and organic campaigns accordingly. Check out our new POV, How Yahoo's Firefox Deal will Change the 2015 Search Landscape, and learn:

The expected changes to the search landscape.
How the change could affect your brand’s traffic.
How to approach your SEO campaigns going forward.
How to approach your Paid Search campaigns going forward.
For advertisers, it’s now more important than ever to optimize for Bing. Show less

As search engines adapt and become even more integrated into users' digital activities, consumers are expecting more from their search experiences. How can marketers take advantage of this?

Google announced today that they’re removing the option for AdWords search advertisers to opt out of “close variant” keyword matching. Beginning in late September, all Exact and Phrase match paid search keywords on Google AdWords will begin matching to variations of those words such as plurals, misspellings, abbreviations, acronyms, and other close versions.

Search can be a marketer's best friend. Here are three ways to tap into search's vast wealth of data to improve your content marketing strategy, offline planning, and other marketing efforts.

It's important to quantify the value of paid search, and the components that make paid search so successful (granularity, the ability to make quick changes, incredibly rich data) also make it one of the easiest channels to quantify.

Nothing lasts forever, especially in the digital space. As a marketer, you have the unenviable job of having to keep up with and adapt to the constant evolutions in technology and strategy. Guess what? There’s another change on the horizon and it’s a big one: the reign of the cookie is coming to an end.

Although this particular change has been generating some press that’s all doom and gloom, we actually think it’s (ultimately) a good thing. As far as digital measurement technologies go… Show more

Nothing lasts forever, especially in the digital space. As a marketer, you have the unenviable job of having to keep up with and adapt to the constant evolutions in technology and strategy. Guess what? There’s another change on the horizon and it’s a big one: the reign of the cookie is coming to an end.

Although this particular change has been generating some press that’s all doom and gloom, we actually think it’s (ultimately) a good thing. As far as digital measurement technologies go, the cookie has had a good run, but – as useful as they are – it’s time for a new solution. Show less

Each time a new trend shakes things up in the digital space, marketers need to figure out how it complements and enhances the rest of the ecosystem. Channels, tactics, and tools all exist within a highly integrated environment. Any innovation or adaptation that happens in one area affects many different parts of the whole. Most recently, the industry’s focus on content marketing and other unpaid media leaves marketers wondering about the role of paid media. Is it still relevant? Does it still… Show more

Each time a new trend shakes things up in the digital space, marketers need to figure out how it complements and enhances the rest of the ecosystem. Channels, tactics, and tools all exist within a highly integrated environment. Any innovation or adaptation that happens in one area affects many different parts of the whole. Most recently, the industry’s focus on content marketing and other unpaid media leaves marketers wondering about the role of paid media. Is it still relevant? Does it still deliver value? How does it fit into the ever-changing digital marketing landscape? As brands begin to invest more aggressively and consistently in content marketing strategies and resources, will they (should they) change their approach to paid media? Show less

To engage with today’s more sophisticated and selective audience, brands need to find a new advertising approach. Native advertising is a powerful tool that enables brands to meet their consumers in digital spaces where they are already spending their valuable time. Using this highly targeted, performance-based approach, native advertising has very real, measurable effect on the bottom line in terms of shifting perceptions, improving SEO and driving revenue.

Before the next round of innovations and developments starts full force, take some time to make sure your accounts are in top shape to ensure you can get the most out of the upcoming changes.

Starting immediately, Google will begin encrypting keyword data from paid search.

Looking ahead, Google must create a win-win for consumers and advertisers, ensuring data innovations provide value to both groups instead of a privacy concern.

Cut through the clutter and read our short POV: “How Google’s Search Query Data Encryption Will Affect Advertisers.”

It’s been five years since Yahoo and Microsoft (Bing) formed their search alliance, yet during that time, their combined effort hasn’t taken the market share from Google. When Yahoo recently announced they are launching a new mobile ad platform, Yahoo! Gemini, for native and search ads, they are just confirming the growing importance of mobile. This new rollout will affect advertisers, so we’ll walk you through the transition, recommendations, and what this means in the larger context of… Show more

It’s been five years since Yahoo and Microsoft (Bing) formed their search alliance, yet during that time, their combined effort hasn’t taken the market share from Google. When Yahoo recently announced they are launching a new mobile ad platform, Yahoo! Gemini, for native and search ads, they are just confirming the growing importance of mobile. This new rollout will affect advertisers, so we’ll walk you through the transition, recommendations, and what this means in the larger context of digital marketing. Show less

Here is a list of easy-to-implement opportunities to connect strategies from other channels to search marketing initiatives, and vice versa.

The balance of power has shifted. Consumers, not corporations, are driving the brand experience. In this paper, iProspect – the global leader in performance marketing – explains exactly how digital technology and convergence are creating a consumer-centric world where search is both the catalyst and the conduit for the entire consumer experience. Today, more than ever, brands need to understand the critical role of search within their larger marketing ecosystem. This paper covers important… Show more

The balance of power has shifted. Consumers, not corporations, are driving the brand experience. In this paper, iProspect – the global leader in performance marketing – explains exactly how digital technology and convergence are creating a consumer-centric world where search is both the catalyst and the conduit for the entire consumer experience. Today, more than ever, brands need to understand the critical role of search within their larger marketing ecosystem. This paper covers important trends and recent findings across the major consumer verticals. It also looks forward to 2014 and beyond, delivering key insights brands need to evolve their mindset and create a successful search strategy. Show less

As the digital world prepares for 2014, there's already much speculation about what the next year will bring. Before we look ahead, however, it's worth pausing to review the current state of paid search advertising.

Google has made several major changes to its search engine over the past several months. Search geeks have been debating (and complaining about) Enhanced Campaigns, the new look for mobile search results, Penguin 2.1, and several other technical updates — but the average Google user probably hasn’t noticed much of a difference. And that’s exactly what Google wants.

The most recent update was announced just recently during Google’s 15th birthday celebration. Nicknamed “Hummingbird,” it… Show more

Google has made several major changes to its search engine over the past several months. Search geeks have been debating (and complaining about) Enhanced Campaigns, the new look for mobile search results, Penguin 2.1, and several other technical updates — but the average Google user probably hasn’t noticed much of a difference. And that’s exactly what Google wants.

The most recent update was announced just recently during Google’s 15th birthday celebration. Nicknamed “Hummingbird,” it represents the biggest change to Google search since 2001. It’s not just a tweak to the search functionality — Hummingbird is a completely new search algorithm that affects 90 percent of all searches. The most interesting part is that Hummingbird actually launched a month before the announcement… and no one noticed. Once again, that’s exactly what Google wants. Show less

Despite the fact that 67% of users begin shopping on one device and continue on another, there has historically been no way to track user behavior across devices. As usage of multiple devices has grown over the past several years, this gap in data has become more and more significant. Google has launched their long-awaited cross-device conversion tracking solution, which will hopefully fill this gap by allowing advertisers to see which Campaigns and AdGroups begin path to purchase.

Why is mobile search marketing still such a challenge for so many brands, agencies, and even the search engines themselves?

Advertisers unhappy with the change have tried to create a workaround that allows them to split their smartphone traffic into separate campaigns, but it is difficult to manage and the benefits are negligible.

When Google first announced Enhanced Campaigns, permanently changing the paid search landscape, we were ready to share the benefits and concerns with you. In fact, we were one of the first to release a POV outlining the good and the bad.

Read iProspect’s latest POV: Enhanced Campaigns Findings: Based on Extensive Testing & $6M in Spend.

The findings disclosed in the paper are based on extensive testing beginning one month before Google’s initial announcement in February. We have… Show more

When Google first announced Enhanced Campaigns, permanently changing the paid search landscape, we were ready to share the benefits and concerns with you. In fact, we were one of the first to release a POV outlining the good and the bad.

Read iProspect’s latest POV: Enhanced Campaigns Findings: Based on Extensive Testing & $6M in Spend.

The findings disclosed in the paper are based on extensive testing beginning one month before Google’s initial announcement in February. We have seen solid trends and results based on managing over $6 million in spend for a select group of 10 clients.
In this follow-up paper, you will learn:
• Google’s reason for Enhanced Campaigns
• Changes since the initial announcement
• Common concerns & our response
• Trends based on extensive testing
• Projections & timing
• Migration to Enhanced Campaigns
• Top 7 recommendations to maximize Enhanced Campaigns
Show less

Bid modifiers are a powerful new feature, but advertisers should take care when implementing them

Recently Harvard Business Review asked the question: "Did eBay Just Prove That Paid Search Ads Don't Work?" According to HBR, eBay conducted a study of paid search marketing habits and found that paid ads are not worth their expense and were focused on consumers who would shop on eBay regardless of whether they saw paid ads. Speaking generally, eBay suggested that brand-keyword ads have no short-term benefits, and that returns from all other keywords are minimal.

Device, location, and past behavior are just a few of the secondary signals leveraged by Google to improve customer experience.

Make sure you have these four steps memorized. Then when crisis strikes you'll be ready to respond in an organized manner.

Deliver maximum performance by reviewing your settings, account structure, ad copy, and extensions.

Back to school shopping represents the second biggest consumer spending event outside of the holidays. Take advantage of these tips to help you get the most out of your digital advertising campaigns during this competitive but lucrative season.

Breaking out separate geotargeted campaigns is a great tactic that will quickly improve the performance of any national Google AdWords account. Here are four steps to help you get started.

Like relationships, paid search campaigns are complex, dynamic, unpredictable, full of ups and downs, and require a lot of work. Show your PPC campaigns a little extra love starting this Valentine's Day by following these tips.

It has finally happened. At least a portion of your Yahoo paid search traffic is now running through Microsoft's adCenter platform. Here's how to get the most out of it for the upcoming holiday season and beyond.

A wish list of Yahoo Panama features Google and/or Microsoft should integrate into their paid search platforms to make life easier for search advertisers.

Tie conversion metrics to paid search impressions with this incredibly useful tool for determining the true value of your paid search campaigns.

This six-step process for building a keyword list will help you craft effective ad groups and landing pages for PPC success.

An in-depth look at two special considerations that will help you get the most out of your Microsoft adCenter account campaigns.

Google AdWords offers a multitude of targeting options that savvy advertisers should take full advantage of, including network targeting, device targeting, and geo-targeting.

Budgeting is one of the most important factors in your paid search campaigns. Here's how to drive maximum results. Part one of two.

How to draft effective paid search ad copy in 70 characters or less.