Every month, we bring you the latest platform developments that are shaping the digital landscape and influencing marketing strategies. This month’s updates highlight changes to search engines that will impact SEO strategies and new social media layouts and platforms that will have everyone rethinking their planned content calendar. The top three takeaways include:
- Instagram releases a creator guide to help creators optimise their content on the platform.
- Instagram may launch a standalone Reels app to rival TikTok, solidifying video in every marketer’s content plan.
- Large Language Models (LLMs) provide incorrect answers to over 60% of queries.
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SEO Updates
Each month we report on significant changes in the world of SEO. These developments are reshaping how we approach search engine optimisation and whether you’re a marketer, content creator, or business owner, staying ahead of these trends is crucial for maintaining visibility and competitiveness.
- AI Overviews now link to Google SERPs instead of direct website links, sparking controversy among publishers. This mirrors the discontinued Page Annotations feature.
- Google confirms that unused pages may drop out of the index, reinforcing the role of user engagement signals like Navboost in rankings.
- Google tests new AI search features, including options like “Info Sleuth” and “Smart Kitchen,” though they currently don’t alter SERPs.
- Bing Webmaster Tools introduces date range comparisons, allowing year-on-year analysis for 7-day, 30-day, and 3-month periods. Also, Copilot is now integrated into Bing Webmaster Tools, enabling users to query their data for insights directly.
- Large Language Models (LLMs) provide incorrect answers to over 60% of queries, with error rates ranging from 37% (Perplexity) to 94% (Grok 3). ChatGPT Search also cited wrong articles nearly 40% of the time.
- GA4 adds percentage rows to detailed reports, streamlining data analysis in Reports and Ads modules.
- Google introduces emoji reactions for reviews, enhancing social proof on business profiles.
Social Media Updates
The social media landscape is arguably the fastest moving area of marketing, with algorithm updates, new features and changing demographics on platforms. Below are the top updates for each social media platform, helping you make more informed social media decisions.
- Instagram releases a creator guide explaining algorithm updates, shifting engagement trends, and growth strategies.
- Instagram may launch a standalone Reels app, separating short-form video from the main platform.
- Adam Mosseri clarifies that longer videos aren’t penalized—watch time in seconds matters more than percentage viewed.
- Instagram experiments with two new feeds: “Because You Follow” and “Instagram Suggested.”
YouTube
- YouTube tightens gambling content rules, banning URLs, logos, and verbal mentions in videos.
- YouTube expands “Hype” feature testing, letting viewers boost rising creators by voting for their content.
- LinkedIn now shows comment impression counts, revealing how many users have seen a comment.
- LinkedIn tests a connections-only feed, prioritising updates from direct contacts.
- Profile activity feeds now display posts in a carousel format, replacing the previous list view.
Stay Up To Date With Marketing
Digital marketing is ever-evolving, with new social media channels, new forms of searching for content and updates to algorithms and consumer changes. It’s important to stay up to date with the latest information to ensure your marketing is moving towards hitting your goals and targets.
There’ a lot to keep up with in marketing, which is why we offer a range of online and face to face marketing training courses that cover the latest trends and best practices that your organisation needs in order to succeed
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