Short reads for short attention spans

LinkedIn’s vertical video "gold rush"

LinkedIn has officially moved its vertical video feed out of beta, and the organic reach numbers are currently the highest the platform has seen in years. This shift marks LinkedIn’s aggressive push to compete with TikTok and Instagram for professional attention.

Early data shows that video views on LinkedIn surged by 36% in the last year alone, with native video now generating double the engagement of traditional text-only posts. The 2026 algorithm is specifically rewarding "dwell time" and mobile-native vertical formats (1080 x 1920). Crucially, "raw" insights, filmed on a phone with a real face on camera, are outperforming polished corporate videos, as B2B buyers increasingly use video as a "humanity filter" to cut through AI-generated text.

For marketers, this is a "land grab" moment. The platform is currently subsidising reach to build user habits, meaning those who pivot to a video-first strategy now are seeing vertical growth while static image reach continues to decline.

Why it matters

• Distribution Boost: Vertical video currently receives a significant "distribution multiplier" in the feed compared to horizontal or square formats.
• Trust in the AI Era: 78% of B2B buyers now prefer video over text to verify expertise, making "Face-to-Camera" content a top-of-funnel necessity.
• Mobile-First Professionalism: With Gen Z now the fastest-growing demographic on the platform, the "professional scroll" has officially switched to a vertical, sound-on experience.

Further reading at the Teleprompter.com:

LinkedIn Video Statistics 2026: Benchmarks and Trends

"Information Gain" is the New SEO Gold

Google’s March 2026 Core Update has fully settled, and it has fundamentally changed how content is ranked. The algorithm’s "Semantic Filter" is now targeting "regurgitated content", pages that simply summarise existing search results and rewarding a new metric: Information Gain.

Information Gain measures whether a page provides new data, first-hand experience, or a unique perspective that isn't already found on the first page of Google. Sites that rely on AI to "rewrite" the current top 10 are seeing massive traffic drops. Conversely, niche blogs and brands that publish original research, proprietary data, or "human-proof" opinions are experiencing "Googlequake" levels of growth.

The goal of SEO has shifted from being the "most comprehensive" summary to being the "most original" contributor. If your content doesn't add something new to the internet's collective knowledge, Google no longer sees a reason to index it.

Why it matters

• The Death of "AI Slop": Scaling content volume with low-effort AI is now a liability; Google is actively demoting "thin" content that lacks substance.
• E-E-A-T is Now Mandatory: Experience and Expertise are the primary triggers for Information Gain. Content must prove it was created by someone who has actually done the work.
• Higher Conversion Potential: Original insights build significantly more authority with human readers, leading to higher trust and better lead quality than generic SEO "how-to" guides.

Further reading at the Search Engine Journal:

March 2026 Google core update more volatile than December — here’s what changed

Google’s "Closed Commerce Loop" via UCP

Google has officially closed the gap between Search and Sale with the global rollout of the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP). This infrastructure allows users to complete a purchase entirely within Google’s "AI Mode" without ever visiting the brand's website.

By syncing Google Merchant Center feeds with payment providers like Stripe and PayPal, Google now offers a Zero-Click shopping experience. When a user asks for a product recommendation, the AI can surface the item, allow for size/colour selection, and execute the payment in two taps. This removes the "Landing Page Bottleneck" the friction of slow load times and checkout forms, which Google claims can increase conversion rates by up to 35% overnight.

For marketers, this is a double-edged sword: while it skyrockets sales, it removes the opportunity to engage the customer on your own site, turning your brand's digital presence into a data provider for AI agents.

Why it matters

• The Zero-Click Sale: Websites are becoming "friction." Brands that enable UCP checkout are capturing high-intent shoppers who want instant gratification.
• Data Hygiene is Revenue: If your Merchant Center feed isn't 100% accurate (e.g., stock levels, shipping dates), Google will instantly disable your "Buy" button.
• Post-Purchase Pivot: Since the sale happens on Google, brands must shift their focus to post-purchase email and loyalty sequences to build a direct relationship after the transaction.

Further reading at pymnts:

Google Debuts ‘Universal’ Protocol for Agentic Commerce