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Why Plain Text Emails Work for SaaS

JULY 28, 2025

Plain text emails are making a quiet comeback, especially in SaaS.

Why? Because simple is effective.

Old school emails skip the design bells and whistles in favor of clarity and directness. Plus, they mimic real 1:1 emails, which feels personal, human, and approachable.

SaaS companies are activating this tactic to drive engagement and build trust throughout the user journey.

Here’s why it works:

✅ They feel real. Plain text emails prompt higher open and reply rates.
✅ They load fast. No images = no lag. This increases the likelihood that your message will actually be read.
✅ They boost deliverability. Text-only emails are less likely to get flagged as spam or banished to the promo tab.
✅ They’re more accessible. Clean code means screen readers and assistive tech can parse them easily.
✅ They save time. No templates to tweak. Just focus on writing a great message.
✅ They cut through the noise. When everyone else is shouting with design, a quiet, thoughtful message stands out.

Check out Userlist’s post with 20+ examples.

How Do AI Detectors Work?

JULY 28, 2025

AI detectors work by analyzing two key traits:

Perplexity: Measures how predictable the text is. AI content is often low in perplexity. So, smooth and logical, but sometimes too perfect.
Burstiness: Evaluates sentence length and variation. AI tends to maintain uniform sentence structures with little variation in rhythm and complexity.

Modern detectors also use tactics like machine learning classifiers, embeddings, and experimental watermarks.

Despite their sophistication, AI detectors are not infallible. Accuracy ranges from 65% to 85%, and they can be tricked by paraphrasing or editing.

Here’s what AI detectors look for:

Repetitive phrases or structure
Predictable next-word choices
Limited variation in sentence length
Unnatural tone or flow
Lack of idioms or figurative language

Keep in mind these limitations:

False positives (human writing flagged as AI)
Inconsistent results between tools
Bias against non-native English writing
Vulnerability to basic editing tricks

The takeaway here? Detectors aren’t definitive. Always pair scores with context and good old judgment to make informed decisions.

TikTok SEO in 2025

JULY 28, 2025

TikTok has become a full-fledged search engine, reshaping how we discover brands, tutorials, and ideas.

If your content isn’t optimized for TikTok search, you’re missing out on long-term visibility. That’s where TikTok SEO comes in.

To stand out, you have to speak your keywords, include them in captions and on-screen text, and understand how TikTok’s algorithm tailors content based on search behavior, engagement, and context.

Here are 7 best practices for TikTok SEO in 2025:

📄 Use keyword-rich captions. Write exactly what your audience would search.
✍️ Overlay relevant on-screen text. Reinforces search terms visually.
🎙 Say your keywords out loud. TikTok indexes spoken phrases.
🏷 Use niche, relevant hashtags. Avoid overloading with generic tags.
📁 Rename your video file. TikTok reads filenames before upload.
💬 Engage in the comments with keywords. Strengthens context.
📊 Track and iterate. Use analytics to double down on what works.

Check out EmbedSocial’s guide to TikTok SEO for more.

Localization SEO That Works

JULY 28, 2025

Localizing your content is about aligning with how real people search, think, and trust in each market. But what is localization SEO?

Translation: Word-for-word conversion from one language to another. Accurate, but often literal.
Transcreation: Rewriting with intent, tone, and emotion adapted to the target culture. Think: slogan rewrites or marketing angles.
Localization: A holistic approach. It includes translation, but also adapts idioms, examples, formats, visuals, even strategy—so your content feels native.

A well-localized article builds brand authority, earns natural backlinks, and even beats Google’s own auto-translations in the SERPs.

Here are 10 hard-won localization lessons that actually move the needle:

✅ Localize before Google auto-translates your content. Claim the traffic before Google does.
✅ Prioritize high-impact markets based on billing, search volume, and local adoption.
✅ Always do local keyword research. Don’t assume direct translations will rank.
✅ Be strategic. Translate content that performs; rewrite when it makes more sense.
✅ Cultural relevance earns trust. Adapt examples, platforms, and tone to each market.
✅ Refresh localized content to regain lost rankings and show Google you’re still relevant.
✅ Automate wisely. Use AI for speed, but always involve humans for nuance.
✅ Create and follow voice and terminology guides for consistency across languages.
✅ Keep updates in sync. Track changes in the source and reflect them in localized versions.
✅ Invest in your technical setup. From hreflang tags to URL structure, the right foundation matters.

Head to Ahrefs for more.

Do LinkedIn Videos Work Better Than Blogs?

JUNE 25, 2025

LinkedIn is nudging us all toward short-form video… but is it actually more effective than regular old blogging?

Over 90 days, Scott Gillum tested both formats across a range of performance tiers, from impressions to actual business results.

Here’s what the test found:

Reach: Virtually the same — 60% for video, 57% for blogs.
Engagement: Video saw more reactions and shares, but blogs received more comments, suggesting deeper interest.
Consumption: Videos (with autoplay) inflated “view” metrics — 70% for video vs. just 12% for blogs.
View/Read Time: Video still won out (35% vs. 20%), but averages were skewed by short watch times.
Profile Views: Blogs were twice as likely to generate them — a higher intent signal.
Web and Company Page Visits: Minimal change, with company page traffic actually dropping 18%.
Conversions (Tier 1): Neither format resulted in any form fills or DMs.

Even with a big spike in impressions and engagement, especially in the final 28 days, there was no increase in audience growth.

Almost all activity came from first-degree connections, and paid ads didn’t move the needle either (CTR: 0.13%, no conversions).

So, the takeaway is that videos may boost visibility and vanity metrics, but blogs may create deeper engagement.

Still, neither format delivered clear ROI. If you’re chasing actual business outcomes, the real question isn’t “video or blog?” It’s whether LinkedIn is the right channel at all.

Check out MarTech’s breakdown of the data.

The Future of Search is Visual

JUNE 24, 2025

A recent Adobe study found that 73% of users believe Pinterest’s visual search delivers better results than traditional text-based search.

Plus, 36% of users now start their searches on Pinterest rather than a traditional search engine. This marks a major shift in user behavior, especially among younger audiences.

Pinterest turns passive browsing into active exploration. A search that starts with “green sofa” can evolve into a perfect-match “Parisian-chic ruffled velvet loveseat” just by tapping an image.

So, what does this mean for brands?

Keep your product catalogue current. Upload a detailed catalogue including product names, pricing, sizing, and color.
Use lifestyle imagery. Pins with lifestyle backdrops appear in more visual searches.
Enable Pinterest Performance+ targeting. This AI-powered targeting expands your reach based on the visual context of your Pins, not just keywords.

Get the full scoop on new tools from Pinterest.

Neurodivergent Talent Drives Creativity

JUNE 23, 2025

Neurodivergent individuals make up nearly half of the advertising workforce, according to a recent study by Understood.org and the 4A’s.

Despite this, many remain unsupported or even marginalized by outdated workplace structures and expectations.

We have to stop assuming how neurodivergent minds work and start adapting to how they actually operate.

Here are five ways to unlock neurodivergent creativity:

Design for difference. Use universal design principles to create systems that benefit everyone.
Rethink collaboration. Offer solo brainstorm time and pre-read briefs.
Normalize accommodations. Clearly communicate available tools and ensure psychological safety in asking for them.
Leverage AI. Use tech to remove friction. Automate admin tasks, generate ideas, and support productivity.
Lead by example. Plan proactively, not reactively.

Read the full post by AdAge.

8 Tips to Rank in AI Search

JUNE 23, 2025

LLM SEO is all about making your content easier for AI to understand and recommend in responses.

Here’s how to rank in ChatGPT or other AI search platforms like Claude, Grok, or Perplexity:

Set up Bing Webmaster Tools – Since Bing powers ChatGPT, getting indexed and optimized there gives you a head start in AI search visibility.
Add schema markup – Use structured data on your site and blog posts so LLMs can easily parse your content.
Write for both Google and Bing – Many LLM citations come from content already ranking high in traditional search.
Use autocomplete and NLP formats – Use tools like Google’s “People Also Ask” or ChatGPT’s autocomplete to surface questions, then answer them clearly and concisely.
Update publish dates often – Freshness matters. Regular updates (and refreshed schema) help LLMs prioritize your content.
Don’t use AI to generate content – LLMs crave original thought. Publishing AI-generated copy can tank your credibility with both humans and machines. Irony alert.
Get mentioned on other sites – Brand mentions (even without backlinks) help you show up in AI answers.
Grow branded search volume – Invest in awareness so people search your name. It snowballs into better rankings and more citations.

Check out Marketer Milk for more on this.

Each Platform’s AI Tools for Advertisers

JUNE 17, 2025

All the major platforms are racing to integrate AI-powered tools directly into their ad products to streamline everything from copy and image generation to full campaign automation (often with just a URL or product description).

Here’s how each platform is approaching AI for advertisers:

Meta