Ads in ChatGPT and Google AI Mode: what UK businesses should do now ↗
ChatGPT and Google are putting ads inside AI answers. What it means for UK businesses, what to check in your accounts and what to do next.
News & thinkingINDEPENDENT MINDS. SHARED AMBITION.
GOOD THINKING.
OUT IN THE OPEN.
Ideas, observations and practical guides from the people doing the work.
CLICKS / CAMBRIDGE & MANCHESTERSTRATEGY. CREATIVE. MEDIA.
AI made TV ads: TV is now within reach of more UK businesses ↗
ITV, Sky and Channel 4 are using AI and self-serve tools to bring new businesses onto TV. What it means for you and how to get it right.
UK Ad Spend Is Forecast to Hit £49bn in 2026: What It Means for Your Q4 Budget ↗
The Advertising Association and WARC expect UK ad spend to grow 6.6% this year, with search growing fastest of all. Here's what the numbers mean for Cambridge a
Google Ads Is Auto-Migrating Search Campaigns to AI Max This Month: What to Check Before October ↗
From 1 September 2026, Google is automatically converting campaign-level broad match and automatically created assets to AI Max, with Dynamic Search Ads followi
Google Ads Is Removing Language Targeting From Search: What UK Advertisers Should Check Before Late September ↗
From late September, campaign-level language targeting disappears from Google Search campaigns and Google decides which language ad to serve. Here is what chang
Google Ads Has Changed How Target CPA and Target ROAS Work: What UK Advertisers Should Check This Week ↗
From 17 August, budget-limited Google Ads campaigns start delivering closer to the Target CPA and Target ROAS figures you set. Here's who it affects and the che
Black Friday 2026: Why Your PPC Planning Should Start in August, Not November ↗
Black Friday lands on 27 November this year, but the accounts that win Q4 are built in August and September. Here's a month-by-month plan for getting your PPC r
Meta's New UK Location Fee: Why Your Facebook Ads Now Cost More Than Your Dashboard Says ↗
From 1 July 2026, Meta adds a location fee to ads shown in the UK, and it doesn't appear in Ads Manager. Here's what it means for your budget and what to check.
Google Ads Quietly Changed Its Terms: What “Automation by Default” Means for Your Campaigns ↗
On 1 July 2026 every Google Ads account moved onto new terms that give Google broader authority to automate your campaigns. Here's what changed and what to chec
Google's AI Mode Is Now the Default: What It Actually Means for Local Businesses ↗
AI Mode is now Google's default search experience, and around 93% of AI searches end without a click. Here's why local businesses are better placed than most.
Why Smart Brands Are Rethinking Audio Advertising in 2026 ↗
Radio is having its best year in a decade, and digital audio is now as measurable as PPC. Here's what the 2026 audio boom means for your ad budget.
Sky Buys ITV: What the £1.6bn Deal Means for Advertisers ↗
Sky is buying ITV's media and entertainment business for up to £1.6bn. Here's what the deal really means for UK advertisers, and what to do about it.
How Much Does PPC Cost in the UK? (2026 Guide) ↗
PPC pricing in the UK has three parts: ad spend, management fees, and tools. This 2026 guide breaks down real costs, regional differences, and realistic monthly
Attention Is the Only Metric That Matters ↗
The advertising industry measures everything except the thing that actually drives results. Attention is harder to buy than it used to be, and the brands that e
Your Audience Is Everywhere. Your Advertising Probably Is Not. ↗
Media fragmentation means your customers are spread across more channels than ever before. The brands still running single-channel strategies are talking to a s
What Good PPC Management Actually Looks Like ↗
Most businesses have run Google Ads. Far fewer have experienced what happens when PPC is managed properly. Here is what separates competent paid search from the
Why Cambridge Businesses Outgrow Their Digital Marketing ↗
Cambridge has one of the most competitive business landscapes in the UK. The digital marketing that got you here probably will not get you to the next stage. He
Brand Building vs Performance Marketing: The Debate That Is Holding You Back ↗
The industry loves to frame brand and performance as opposing forces. In reality, the businesses growing fastest have stopped choosing between them entirely.
Summer Advertising: Why Sunshine Sells and How to Make It Work Harder ↗
Summer changes how people behave, where they go, and what they pay attention to. That creates specific advertising opportunities that most brands underuse.
UK Advertising Costs: What Every Format Actually Costs in 2026 ↗
From a bus shelter in Birmingham to a programmatic campaign across 10 million screens, here is what advertising actually costs in the UK right now, format by fo
Social Media Advertising Is Not a Strategy ↗
Every brand is spending on social ads. Very few are doing it with any real strategic intent. Here is what separates the businesses getting results from the ones
The Case for Advertising in Places People Cannot Skip ↗
Digital advertising is drowning in skip buttons, ad blockers, and shrinking attention spans. Meanwhile, outdoor, radio, and podcast ads are quietly having a mom
Most Advertising Budgets Are Wasted on Purpose ↗
The advertising industry has a dirty secret: inefficiency is profitable. Here is how the incentive structures of modern digital advertising keep brands spending
The Anatomy of a Google Ads Account That Actually Works ↗
Most Google Ads accounts are a mess. Here is exactly how a high-performing account is structured, from campaign architecture to negative keyword strategy, with
Remarketing and Retargeting: The Complete Guide for UK Businesses ↗
Most website visitors leave without converting. Remarketing brings them back. A practical guide to retargeting strategies across Google, Meta, and programmatic
AI in Advertising: How Agencies Are Using Artificial Intelligence in 2026 ↗
AI is reshaping advertising, from bid management and audience targeting to creative testing and predictive analytics. A practical look at what is actually worki
Email Marketing for UK Businesses: A Practical Guide for 2026 ↗
Email marketing still delivers the highest ROI of any digital channel. A guide to building lists, writing emails that convert, and avoiding the spam folder.
Conversion Rate Optimisation: How to Turn More Visitors into Customers ↗
Getting traffic is only half the battle. CRO is how you turn more of that traffic into leads, sales, and revenue, without spending more on advertising.
Programmatic Advertising Explained: What UK Businesses Need to Know ↗
Programmatic advertising uses data and automation to buy ad space in real-time. A clear explanation of how it works, what it costs, and whether it is right for
YouTube and Video Advertising: A Guide for UK Businesses in 2026 ↗
Video advertising is growing faster than any other digital format. A practical guide to YouTube Ads, video strategy, and making video work on any budget.
How Much Does Google Ads Cost in the UK? A 2026 Guide ↗
A practical breakdown of Google Ads costs in the UK for 2026, covering average CPCs by industry, budgeting tips, and how to get the most from your ad spend.
SEO vs PPC: Which Is Better for Your Business in 2026? ↗
Should you invest in SEO or PPC? We break down the pros, cons, costs, and timelines of each to help you decide the right strategy for your business.
The Best Social Media Platforms for UK Businesses in 2026 ↗
Not sure where to focus your social media efforts? A practical guide to choosing the right platforms for your business based on your audience and goals.
What Does a Digital Marketing Agency Actually Do? ↗
Wondering what a digital marketing agency does and whether you need one? A clear explanation of the services they offer and how they help businesses grow.
How to Improve Your Google Ads Quality Score: A Step-by-Step Guide ↗
Your Quality Score directly affects how much you pay per click. A practical guide to improving it and getting more from your Google Ads budget.
Why Your Business Needs a Marketing Strategy (Not Just Tactics) ↗
Many businesses jump straight into running ads or posting on social media without a strategy. Here is why that is a problem and how a proper strategy changes ev
The Complete Guide to PPC Management for UK Businesses ↗
Everything you need to know about PPC management, from setting up campaigns to ongoing optimisation, bidding strategies, and when to hire an agency.
How to Choose the Right Advertising Agency in the UK ↗
Choosing an advertising agency is a big decision. What to look for, what questions to ask, and how to find the right fit for your business.
Local SEO Checklist for Small Businesses in 2026 ↗
A practical, step-by-step local SEO checklist covering Google Business Profile, citations, reviews, on-page optimisation, and everything you need to rank locall
Facebook Ads vs Google Ads: Which Should You Use? ↗
Comparing Facebook Ads and Google Ads, when to use each, how costs compare, and how to decide which platform will deliver the best results for your business.
5 Signs Your Manchester Business Needs a Lead Management System ↗
Losing track of leads? Spending too long on follow-ups? Here are five clear signals it's time to invest in a lead management system.
Choosing the Right Digital Agency: Cambridge vs London ↗
Should Cambridge businesses look locally or head to London for their digital agency? We make the case for staying close to home.
How Lead Management Systems Are Changing B2B Marketing in 2026 ↗
B2B marketing is getting smarter. Lead management systems are at the heart of this evolution - here's how they're reshaping the funnel.
Lead Management Systems Explained: A Guide for Growing Businesses ↗
What is a lead management system, why does your business need one, and how do you choose the right platform? Everything you need to know.
Manchester's Digital Transformation: What Brands Need From Their Agency ↗
Manchester's business landscape is evolving fast. We explore what forward-thinking brands should look for in a digital agency partner.
Why Cambridge Needs a Digital-First Agency in 2026 ↗
Cambridge's innovation economy demands more than traditional advertising. Here's why digital-first thinking is the competitive advantage local businesses need.
Why Cambridge Businesses Are Rethinking Their Advertising Strategy in 2026 ↗
Cambridge's tech and biotech sectors are evolving rapidly. Here's what forward-thinking advertisers are doing differently this year to stay competitive.
Manchester's Creative Advertising Boom: Why Brands Are Heading North ↗
Manchester isn't just a growing city - it's becoming a creative powerhouse. We've noticed a major shift in how brands are approaching advertising here.
The Rise of Podcast Advertising: Why Audio Is the Smartest Media Buy in 2026 ↗
Podcast advertising has matured into one of the most efficient channels available. Here's why smart advertisers are increasing audio budgets.
Clicks Expands Audio Advertising Services Across Podcast and Radio Channels ↗
We're officially expanding our audio advertising capabilities. Here's what that means for brands looking to reach audiences through podcasts and radio.
DOOH Advertising Explained: The Complete Guide for Modern Marketers ↗
Digital Out-of-Home advertising is transforming how brands reach audiences in real-world spaces. Here's everything modern marketers need to know.
Billboard Advertising Is Having a Moment - Here's Why ↗
Billboards are experiencing a genuine resurgence. Here's what smart brands are doing with traditional outdoor advertising in 2026.
Clicks Launches End-to-End Billboard and DOOH Campaign Management ↗
We're officially expanding into comprehensive outdoor advertising services, managing both traditional billboards and digital out-of-home campaigns.
Radio Advertising in the Streaming Age: What Brands Need to Know ↗
Radio hasn't disappeared - it's evolved. Here's how brands are using radio advertising effectively in 2026 and why it still matters.
From Billboards to Podcasts: How Multi-Channel Advertising Drives Real Results ↗
Single-channel advertising is dead. Here's why smart brands are building integrated campaigns across billboards, podcasts, radio, digital, and more.
Advertising Agency Cambridge ↗
Clicks is an independent advertising agency in Cambridge that creates campaigns built to perform. We work with businesses who want more than “likes” or empty me
Enhancing SEO through Superior User Experience (UX) ↗
In the intricate web of factors that influence a website's search engine ranking, user experience (UX) is a key element. Seamless interaction between users and
Mastering Machine Learning in SEO: Future Trends ↗
In the field of search engine optimisation (SEO), the future is closely linked to two ground-breaking technologies: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Lea
Local SEO strategies for small businesses ↗
For small businesses, building a solid online presence in their local community is crucial to attracting regional customers. Local search engine optimisation (S
Improve your PPC campaigns with optimised landing pages ↗
The landing page is a crucial last step on the path from click to conversion in the world of pay-per-click advertising (PPC). Therefore, optimising these landin
Unlocking PPC Analytics: A guide to data-driven success ↗
Mastering the intricacies of pay-per-click (PPC) analysis is undeniably a crucial aspect of the success of digital marketing campaigns. Navigating the vast amou
Optimising target group segmentation for marketing success ↗
Targeting the right audience with messages that are specific to their needs, preferences and behaviours is not only beneficial but also critical to their succes
Maximising PPC campaigns through strategic A/B testing ↗
In the dynamic and competitive field of pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, where strategies and trends change with the digital wind, A/B testing is a fundamental
PPC automation: tools and techniques for greater efficiency ↗
Achieving and maintaining a competitive advantage requires a relentless focus on efficiency. Automating PPC campaigns isn't just about saving time, it's also ab
Boost Your Google Ads with High-Quality Scores ↗
Quality score is a key metric in Google Ads that has a significant impact on the effectiveness and overall success of your advertising campaigns on this platfor
Launching a PPC Campaign: Essential Tips for Beginners ↗
Embarking on the journey of pay-per-click (PPC) advertising can be an exhilarating yet daunting task for newcomers. This detailed guide aims to demystify the pr
PPC Trends 2024: Future-Proof Your Advertising Strategy ↗
As we advance into the digital marketing landscape of 2024, pay-per-click (PPC) advertising remains a rapidly evolving and dynamic field. Staying ahead of PPC t
6 Strategies for Maximising ROI - Boost your PPC Campaigns ↗
Maximising ROI (the return on investment) in pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns is a pivotal goal for businesses aiming to bolster their online presence. To achieve
How to optimise your website for mobile SEO ↗
With the rise of smartphones and the prevalence of mobile browsing, tailoring your website for mobile SEO has become indispensable. Today, most internet users r
Master Backlinks Building: A Step-by-Step Strategy Guide ↗
Navigating the intricate landscape of search engine optimisation (SEO), establishing a top-tier backlink profile emerges as a cornerstone for augmenting a websi
SEO and PPC - 11 Tips to Integrate and Maximise Strategies ↗
Attaining peak performance in digital marketing demands a strategic integration of SEO and PPC advertising. This synergy allows for a multifaceted approach to o
Integrating SEO - Marketing Strategies for Enhanced Results ↗
Integrating SEO (search engine optimisation) with various marketing strategies is not just a beneficial approach but a necessity for achieving optimal results.
Avoid Top 5 SEO Mistakes for Better Rankings ↗
Navigating the complexities of search engine optimisation (SEO) is essential for anyone looking to enhance their online visibility and achieve higher rankings.
Core Web Vitals Are Becoming Ranking Factors in May ↗
Did you know that core web vitals on Google Search Console will now become a ranking signal for your website in May? Well now you do. So let's break it down, wh
Is Tiktok Beneficial To My Business? ↗
If you've heard of TikTok, you probably picture Gen-Z kids doing dances, but its more than that. Its the social media platform with the biggest and easiest oppo
The 4 Types Of LinkedIn Ads ↗
Marketing on LinkedIn is great for those who want to reach a more professional audience. LinkedIn is full of 690 million professionals and 4 out of 5 of these p
What Is Keyword Stuffing And Why You Should Avoid It ↗
Keyword stuffing is widely frowned upon by Google, and the activity could lead to a search penalty, lowering your quality score. In other words, if you fill you
Why Are Podcasts Suddenly So Popular? ↗
Let's be honest, not many of us have the time or energy to read long articles anymore. But what if you could have someone read it out loud to you, while you're
6 Amazing Things that Google Maps can do for Your Business! ↗
In September 2018 Google achieved an enormous share of the search engine market, topping out at 75.05 for laptops and desktop computers, and 76.25 [1] for mobil
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