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Today, we’re bringing you the latest in AI-powered marketing and business strategies. Here’s what’s inside:
🚨 AI Top Story: Google’s AI search shift is cutting website traffic—here’s what it means for affiliate marketers and how to adapt
📊 Top Free AI Resources: Explore Some of China’s autonomous Agent, Manus’s use cases
🎯 AI Case Study Of The Week: How BBC is Using AI to Keep Up with Changing News Habits
🌟 Creator Spotlight: Ankush Gupta on how Google’s latest robots meta tag update lets website owners control how their content appears in AI-powered search
Google’s AI Search Could Change Affiliate Marketing Forever
How Affiliate Marketers Can Still Win In An AI-Driven Web
Google is testing the idea of adding ads to its new AI-powered search feature, AI Mode. This comes after the rollout of AI Overviews, which already include ads, and is another step toward reshaping how search works. AI Mode, currently in beta, is designed to answer complex questions by running multiple searches at once and giving users detailed, conversational-style responses. Instead of just listing links, it aims to provide direct answers right in the search results.
It’s no surprise Google wants to monetize this experience. Ads have been part of AI Overviews since October, appearing below the AI-generated responses with a “Sponsored” label.
These ads pull from existing Search and Shopping campaigns, making them highly relevant to user queries. For now, they’re only available on mobile in the U.S., but Google says early feedback has been positive.
Not everyone is sold on the idea of ads in AI Mode, though. Some marketers, like Melissa Mackey from Compound Growth Marketing, believe ads in AI Overviews work because they align well with what users are looking for. But in AI Mode, ads could feel more intrusive.
Others, like Navah Hopkins from Optmyzr, worry that AI Mode might reduce the need to click on ads altogether. If the AI gives a complete answer upfront, why would someone bother clicking? Plus, there’s the concern that ad costs will go up, making it harder to get a strong return on investment.
For marketers, this shift presents both challenges and opportunities. With Google’s AI taking center stage in search results, businesses will need to focus on optimizing their content to influence AI-generated answers.
According to experts, this means prioritising structured data, optimising for search intent rather than just keywords, and keeping content up to date. Google’s AI favors authoritative sources, so brands that build credibility and provide clear, relevant information have the best shot at being featured. This means businesses should focus on publishing expert-backed content, citing reliable sources, and ensuring their website is technically sound and easy to navigate. Reviews, social proof, and strong engagement also play a role in signaling trustworthiness to Google’s AI.
As Google keeps experimenting, one thing is clear—search is evolving fast, and advertising is evolving with it. Whether this change reshapes the industry or just adds another layer to search marketing, advertisers and businesses need to stay flexible, test new strategies, and adapt to the AI-driven future.
🗣 Meta accelerates voice-powered AI push - Meta is doubling down on voice-powered AI, integrating conversational assistants across its platforms
💄 Estée Lauder uses AI to reimagine trend forecasting and consumer marketing. The results are beautiful - With Microsoft’s AI tools, the brand is turning data into cutting-edge beauty insights
🤖 Salesforce Launches AI Agent Market - Salesforce’s ‘AgentExchange’ lets businesses buy and sell AI tools for automating customer service, sales, and more—making AI more accessible than ever
🚀 China’s Autonomous Agent, Manus, Changes Everything - Advancing AI’s ability to operate independently & raising questions about the future of automation
🎯 The Artificially Intelligent Enterprise - Is DeepSeek the New Open Source or the New Electricity
Taming Your Inbox with AI: A Look at Shortwave
Email is one of the most essential tools we use daily, but managing it efficiently is another story. Between never-ending threads, important messages getting buried, and the constant back-and-forth, staying on top of your inbox can feel impossible.
Shortwave takes a different approach. It uses AI to summarise long conversations, organise emails into clear categories, and make searching for information effortless. Instead of spending time sifting through messages, you get straight to what matters—without switching email platforms.
Why I Found It Handy
Shortwave isn’t just about keeping your inbox tidy—it’s built to make email more manageable, whether you're handling client communication, team collaboration, or just trying to clear out the noise.
Key Features:
AI-Powered Summaries – No need to scroll through long threads. Get quick recaps of key points in an instant.
Smart Inbox Organisation – Emails are grouped based on topic, sender, or priority, so the most important ones are always easy to find.
Advanced Search – Find past emails quickly with natural language queries (e.g., “Find invoices from February”).
Built-In Collaboration – Mention teammates, assign tasks, and chat directly within email threads to reduce clutter.
Works with Gmail – No need to migrate—Shortwave integrates seamlessly with your existing Gmail inbox.
ANKUSH GUPTA - Find out how Google’s latest robots meta tag update lets website owners control how their content appears in AI-powered search
The Objection Crusher
Every marketer and salesperson faces objections—it’s part of the game. But the way you handle them can make the difference between a lost opportunity and a closed deal. Whether it’s about pricing, trust, timing, or competition, the right response can turn skepticism into interest.
This week’s prompt helps you craft tailored, persuasive responses to common objections using AI—so you’re always prepared, whether on a sales call, in an email, or handling a comment on social media.
Prompt:
You are a seasoned sales and marketing expert with deep expertise in objection handling. Your goal is to help me craft multiple responses to common objections that sound natural, persuasive, and customer-focused.
I run a [business type] that offers [product/service] to [target audience]. My customers typically value [list key benefits, e.g., ‘cost savings, efficiency, security, convenience’]. However, I frequently encounter these objections:
[Insert common objection, e.g., ‘It’s too expensive’]
[Insert another objection, e.g., ‘I’m not sure if it’s right for me’]
[Insert another objection, e.g., ‘We’re already using something similar’]
For each objection, provide:
Multiple response variations – Offer different angles (e.g., logical, emotional, results-driven) so I can choose the most effective approach based on the situation.
Acknowledge the concern without being defensive – Show understanding and validate their hesitation.
Highlight the value in a way that resonates with the customer’s priorities – Frame the response around what matters most to them.
Provide an example or analogy if helpful – Use relatable comparisons to make the value clearer.
Offer a follow-up response for cases where they don’t commit immediately – A natural, non-pushy way to re-engage via email, LinkedIn, or a second conversation.
Finally, create a rough script outline for handling objections in a live conversation, including:
A strong opening statement to set the tone
Questions I can ask to understand the objection better
Transition phrases to smoothly introduce my response
A way to guide the conversation toward a positive outcome
The tone of voice should align with my audience and situation. Please provide variations that could work for different approaches, such as consultative, authoritative, casual, or high-energy, so I can choose the most suitable one.
Can AI Make News More Engaging? BBC Thinks So
The Overview
BBC News is embracing AI to transform how audiences consume news. With younger viewers increasingly turning to social media and mobile platforms, BBC is developing AI-driven personalisation to tailor content to individual users while maintaining trust, accuracy, and impartiality.
This initiative aims to enhance user engagement by delivering more relevant news stories, customised recommendations, and unique user experiences—all without compromising editorial integrity.
The Implementation
BBC has established a dedicated AI-focused news department, working on machine learning models that:
Analyse user behaviour and reading habits to recommend the most relevant stories
Personalise news feeds to match interests without creating echo chambers
Enhance video and audio content discovery on platforms like TikTok and YouTube
Ensure AI-driven recommendations remain balanced, accurate, and unbiased
Additionally, BBC is actively testing AI tools to improve content accessibility and engagement:
Headline Generation – A “headline helper” tool assists journalists by suggesting multiple headline options.
Content Summarisation & Translation – AI-generated article summaries and multilingual translations make content more accessible.
Visual Storytelling – AI-powered graphical stories are designed to engage younger audiences.
Subtitling & Transcription – AI generates subtitles for BBC Sounds and converts speech to text for live blogs.
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