[THE LATEST] 👋 Google's latest "major" update (that wasn't so major), a brutally honest review of Google Ads, and why you need to use emojis 😏 in your marketing

Here's THE LATEST digital sales and marketing news, so you can do your jobs better and make smarter decisions.

Google's latest "major" update (that wasn't so major), a brutally honest review of Google Ads, and why you need to use emojis 😏 in your marketing ...this is THE LATEST! 🔥 Hot off the presses The real story: We've got the inside scoop Google's recent "major" update (with expert analysis) Just the facts, ma'am: Our brutally honest review of Google Ads for marketers with an extensive pros and cons list Resistance is futile: Learn why and how to use emojis in your marketing strategy 😘 🎉 I've got a MAJOR Digital Sales & Marketing World 2020 announcement for y'all — quite literally minutes ago, we announced a BRAND NEW SPEAKER. Want to know who it is? You need to scroll to the bottom of this issue of THE LATEST to find out! I know, I know. It's a lot to ask of you. I'm the worst. Surprise, LATEST nation! I'm not in my usual digs in Annapolis, Maryland. Instead, I'm coming to you live this week from IMPACT HQ in "sunny" (see: "rainy, dreary") New Haven, Connecticut... I'm a bit of a geek for Carl Sagan. While it's absolutely delightful to be settled in here and back with my work family, yesterday's road trip up the East Coast was... an adventure: No, it didn't work. 😒 But you're not here for stories about my inability to function in the real world, even though I'm an adult who is (somehow) allowed to legally operate a motor vehicle. You want juicy digital sales and marketing content — like, what the heck was up with that latest Google update, anyway? — that will help you make smarter decisions faster, crush your goals, and advance in your career. So, without further ado, let's get into it...  👉 "Aside from everyone freaking out, was Google's latest update really that big of a deal? What do I need to know?" (3-minute read) Recently, Google nuts, content producers, and digital marketers took to the internet "airwaves" to speculate loudly as to whether or not the search engine giant had rolled out a "major" update to their core algorithm. Here's what you may not know, however — Google rolls out, on average, 10 updates per day, and about 3,800 total every single year. So, was this latest update as big of a deal as some have made it out to be? In this article from IMPACT Director of Operations Kaitlyn Petro (with expert analysis from Narrative SEO's Franco Valentino) get the inside scoop on Google's latest update, as well as what you need to know about how Google is constantly iterating how they rank content on the web. 💬 You asked, we answered What are the top SEO trends and strategies we need to focus on this year? What is "dwell time" and why might it be the next big thing in SEO? 👉 "What are the brutally honest pros and cons marketers and business leaders need to know about Google Ads?" (9-minute read) Google Ads are a great way for businesses to promote their products, services, and content in a way that's always relevant and served up to the right people. Not only that, you only pay when someone actually clicks on your ad. But no platform is perfect, and Google Ads is certainly no exception. In this completely candid review from IMPACT Paid Media Specialist Dan Baum, you're served up a comprehensive, brutally honest pros and cons list about Google Ads, the world's most popular paid media platform. 💬 You asked, we answered What are the absolute essentials that our website strategy needs to include? How do we relaunch our new website without hurting our search rankings? 🔥 "How do we get started with inbound right now, without having to commit to an agency that may not be the right fit for us in the long run?" (find out) You're looking for an inbound marketing agency to help bring your business to another level. All too often, however, the sales process goes too fast. And it doesn't take long for you to realize your agency partner never made enough time to get to know your business or its true challenges in the first place, so as to help you achieve your most aggressive growth goals with inbound marketing. Don't get stuck in a long-term contract and then find out what your business really needs to be successful with inbound in the long-run. With IMPACT's Fast Start Program, you can get your inbound marketing on the right path fast, while truly getting to know us as your agency partner, risk-free. I want to learn more about IMPACT's Fast-Start Program I want to talk to someone more generally about our most pressing digital marketing strategy challenges 👉 "Some digital marketers think emojis are juvenile, so why are they good for our marketing strategy and how?" (4-minute read) One of the biggest things people have complained about with digital communication in the past is that it often lacks humanity and soul. Instead, most days we were faced with lifeless newsletters, flat emails between coworkers and prospects, and boring social messages. Then, emojis landed and entered the mainstream as a way of bringing emotional context to our otherwise emotionless words. But emojis are divisive. Some marketers swear by them, whereas others think they only diminish content quality. In this infographic from Campaign Monitor (with analysis from IMPACT Content Marketing Trainer Connor DeLaney), learn exactly why emojis are super powerful in your marketing strategy and how to use them effectively.  💬 You asked, we answered What are the simple email marketing mistakes we need to stop making? Should we be using images in our newsletters or not? 📅  Upcoming events February 26: 8 proven ways to expand your reach and earn trust with video (online webinar) TRENDING⚡ April 5-7: Digital Sales & Marketing World 2020 (Hartford, Connecticut)  🎧 Latest shows and podcasts How to start an effective business YouTube channel the cheap way (Film School for Marketers) NEW 🔥 How to build a marketing team (Inbound Success) NEW 🔥 Dope email newsletters, fostering fandom, and 55 new data integrations (The Hubcast)  The power of sharing personal stories (Creator's Block)  Top SEO best practices for content marketers in 2020 (Content Lab)  👋 Work for IMPACT Wouldn't you love to call me a teammate? Well, here's your chance. We're currently accepting applications for: Director of Web Design Digital Marketing Consultant and Strategist ⚡ We've got a big announcement OK, y'all! You made it to the end of this issue of THE LATEST — hooray! Now, it's time to get down to business, because we just announced that... ...HubSpot VP of Marketing Meghan Keaney Anderson — who also happens to be one of my favorite humans — will be one of our incredible spotlight speakers at Digital Sales & Marketing World this year... and all we can say is that she'll have some HubSpot news to share. (Don't forget, early-bird pricing only goes through February 29!)  Later, taters. 👋 Liz Moorehead Director, Web & Interactive Content @naptownpint I'm not interested at this time Sent with 💙 by IMPACT  470 James Street, Suite 10, New Haven, CT