Growing Ecommerce – The Retail Growth Podcast

Smarter Ecommerce

Feed your growth mindset. Ecommerce is growing, and so are the challenges and opportunities for online retailers. In the Growing Ecommerce podcast, Mike Ryan and other smec experts are joined by industry leaders in ecommerce, digital marketing, and data science. By sharing business trends, practical solutions, and best practices, this podcast helps online retailers solve the challenges of tomorrow.

  1. AI's Reality Check: Financial Bubble or Foundation for the Future?

    1시간 전

    AI's Reality Check: Financial Bubble or Foundation for the Future?

    Welcome to Episode 9 of Growing Ecommerce! In a world buzzing with AI hype, we're cutting through the noise to ask the big question: Is this the next dot-com bubble, or a long-term, foundational shift for the future of business? Join hosts Mike and Chris as they debate the financial health of the tech giants driving the AI revolution and challenge the notion that AI has delivered on its promised productivity gains. They'll also reveal some mind-blowing data on Google Shopping's mysterious lack of market shock when Amazon's ads disappeared, and expose the "hellscape" of Google Merchant Center account suspensions. Tune in to get the full picture behind the headlines and learn what’s truly happening in the world of ecommerce. About smec (Smarter Ecommerce): At smec - Smarter Ecommerce, we specialize in transforming business goals into optimized ad campaigns. With over 16 years of experience in Google & Microsoft Ads, our intelligent software and expert services help retailers achieve superior results. We're committed to giving you the tools and insights needed to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of digital advertising. Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights: smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.com LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbh Newsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/

    29분
  2. Google vs. Amazon vs. TikTok vs. Meta: Welcome to the AI Ad Wars

    9월 9일

    Google vs. Amazon vs. TikTok vs. Meta: Welcome to the AI Ad Wars

    In this week’s show, Mike Ryan and Chris Scharmueller dive headfirst into the "PMAXification" of the advertising landscape, a term Mike coined to describe how platforms from Google to TikTok are rushing to automate your ad spend.  But just as we thought the black box was here to stay, Google is making a surprising U-turn, opening up more control and data for advertisers. We'll break down if the other platforms, like TikTok with its mandatory GMV Max campaigns and Meta with its "AI-first, no control" strategy, will follow suit. Don't go anywhere because things get even spicier. Mike starts a "crusade" against Google's Search Partner Network, exposing why some of the "partnerships" are a little unsettling and what brands need to watch out for.  And finally, in a lightning round you won't want to miss, the hosts go head-to-head on the most important question in tech right now: is AI a bubble, yes or no? One of them is a believer, and the other is a skeptic, and it's not who you think. About smec (Smarter Ecommerce): At smec - Smarter Ecommerce, we specialize in transforming business goals into optimized ad campaigns. With over 16 years of experience in Google & Microsoft Ads, our intelligent software and expert services help retailers achieve superior results. We're committed to giving you the tools and insights needed to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of digital advertising. Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights: smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.com LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbh Newsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/

    37분
  3. Is AI Shattering Google’s Fortress? Plus: Inside Amazon’s Risky Ads Test

    9월 2일

    Is AI Shattering Google’s Fortress? Plus: Inside Amazon’s Risky Ads Test

    Is AI a wolf in sheep’s clothing for Google's empire? Mike Ryan and Christian Scharmueller are back to spill the tea on the biggest players in ecommerce!  This week they're dissecting Google's "fortress" of a business and Meta's uncanny ability to sell us things we didn't even know we needed. Our hosts will also dive into the mysterious case of Amazon's Google Shopping Ads blackout and try to figure out if it was a secret negotiation tactic or just a costly mistake.  Plus: Chris and Mike are checking out how JD.com is making bold moves in Europe with unexpected partners like IKEA and Media Markt.  Grab a coffee and join the chaos! And if you don't want to miss our next unfiltered take on the industry, hit that subscribe button. About smec (Smarter Ecommerce): At smec - Smarter Ecommerce, we specialize in transforming business goals into optimized ad campaigns. With over 16 years of experience in Google & Microsoft Ads, our intelligent software and expert services help retailers achieve superior results. We're committed to giving you the tools and insights needed to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of digital advertising. Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights: smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.com LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbh Newsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/

    40분
  4. Google Marketing Live Recap: AI Overviews, PMax reporting, AI Max, and more

    6월 5일

    Google Marketing Live Recap: AI Overviews, PMax reporting, AI Max, and more

    Google is positioning AI at the center of its advertising ecosystem with substantial changes to search, shopping, and campaign management. The new "PowerPack" approach combines Performance Max, Demand Gen, and AI Max for search campaigns, though questions remain about how these components will work together without cannibalizing each other. • AI Overviews and AI Mode represent massive shifts in search, with Google generating answers directly and using "query fanning" to search multiple queries behind the scenes • Ads will be integrated directly into AI Overviews and AI Mode conversations, changing how users interact with advertising • "Agentic" shopping experiences allow Google's AI to make purchases without users visiting websites, potentially transforming e-commerce • Smart Bidding Exploration allows Google to miss ROAS targets by 10-30% to explore new queries, though the benefit to advertisers remains unclear • New channel-level performance reporting for PMAX provides visibility into which channels and ad types drive results • Enhanced New Customer Acquisition features offer more granular exclusion options for existing and warm traffic • Asset Studio and Product Studio provide new creative tools for building and managing assets • Commerce Media Suite introduces retail media network capabilities, allowing retailers to make first-party audiences available • Three new AI Experts (Ads, Analytics, and Marketing Advisor) aim to provide conversational assistance for campaign management Visit smarter-ecommerce.com to access resources like our State of PMax report, our brand versus non-brand PMax script, and our new PMax script to help understand channel performance reports. About smec (Smarter Ecommerce): At smec - Smarter Ecommerce, we specialize in transforming business goals into optimized ad campaigns. With over 16 years of experience in Google & Microsoft Ads, our intelligent software and expert services help retailers achieve superior results. We're committed to giving you the tools and insights needed to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of digital advertising. Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights: smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.com LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbh Newsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/

    46분
  5. Will AI Break Google Search? Plus: Tariff Shocks & the Rise of Zero-Click

    5월 1일

    Will AI Break Google Search? Plus: Tariff Shocks & the Rise of Zero-Click

    Google’s turning into an answer engine—so why does it feel like the internet’s disappearing beneath it?  In this episode of Growing Ecommerce, Mike and Chris tackle the search shake-up and what it means for everyone from advertisers to publishers: • AI Overviews (AIO) could kill clicks — We break down how Google’s zero-click model is reshaping the internet and threatening entire business models. • Can Google hold its ground in the AI era? Or are leaner, AI-native rivals closing in? • What is “Vibe Marketing” and why are creative teams obsessed with it? We explore the rise of aesthetic-driven strategy in ad workflows. • Tariffs are back—and they’re shifting ecommerce strategies fast. Why they might force brands to focus on profitability instead of just revenue growth. • 2025 is not just about riding the AI wave. It’s about surviving the cracks forming underneath. Whether you're a marketer, brand strategist, or just trying to stay sane in the age of AI illusions and platform power plays, this episode is your no-BS guide to what’s really happening. 🎧 Subscribe for more deep dives into the future of digital marketing, AI, and platform ethics. 💬 Drop your thoughts: Is zero-click search good or bad for the web? #AIinMarketing #GoogleSearch #EcommerceStrategy #DigitalAdvertising #MarketingPodcast #GoogleAds — About smec (Smarter Ecommerce): At smec - Smarter Ecommerce, we specialize in transforming business goals into optimized ad campaigns. With over 16 years of experience in Google & Microsoft Ads, our intelligent software and expert services help retailers achieve superior results.  We're committed to giving you the tools and insights needed to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of digital advertising. --- Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights. smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.com LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbh Newsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/ #Instagram #GoogleAds #TikTok #Zuckerberg #DigitalMarketing #AIinAdvertising #BrandSafety #EcommerceTrends #MarketingPodcast About smec (Smarter Ecommerce): At smec - Smarter Ecommerce, we specialize in transforming business goals into optimized ad campaigns. With over 16 years of experience in Google & Microsoft Ads, our intelligent software and expert services help retailers achieve superior results. We're committed to giving you the tools and insights needed to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of digital advertising. Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights: smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.com LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbh Newsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/

    44분
  6. Instagram's Fake AI Influencers? Plus: A CSAM Scandal Rocks Google & Zuckerberg’s Moderation Cuts

    4월 24일

    Instagram's Fake AI Influencers? Plus: A CSAM Scandal Rocks Google & Zuckerberg’s Moderation Cuts

    Who’s real anymore?  In this episode of Growing Ecommerce, Mike and Chris break down the chaos unfolding across the digital advertising world: • Instagram is testing AI-generated user profiles — Are we entering a world of fake influencers, and what does it mean for ad targeting? • Zuckerberg pulls back on content moderation — We dive into the actual data behind Meta’s shift in strategy. • Google's ads are showing up next to harmful content — A CSAM scandal rocks Google's Display Network. How many brands were impacted? • TikTok Shop expands to Europe — Could this reshape the e-commerce landscape or is it just another platform grab? Whether you're a marketer, brand strategist, or just trying to stay sane in the age of AI illusions and platform power plays, this episode is your no-BS guide to what’s really happening. 🎧 Subscribe for more deep dives into the future of digital marketing, AI, and platform ethics. 💬 Leave a comment: How would YOU feel about running ads next to fake AI profiles? Grab the State of PMax 2025 report—free on the blog or as a downloadable PDF: https://shorturl.at/ali5A — About smec (Smarter Ecommerce): At smec - Smarter Ecommerce, we specialize in transforming business goals into optimized ad campaigns. With over 16 years of experience in Google & Microsoft Ads, our intelligent software and expert services help retailers achieve superior results.  We're committed to giving you the tools and insights needed to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of digital advertising. — Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights. smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.com LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbh Newsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/ #Instagram #GoogleAds #TikTok #Zuckerberg #DigitalMarketing #AIinAdvertising #BrandSafety #EcommerceTrends #MarketingPodcast About smec (Smarter Ecommerce): At smec - Smarter Ecommerce, we specialize in transforming business goals into optimized ad campaigns. With over 16 years of experience in Google & Microsoft Ads, our intelligent software and expert services help retailers achieve superior results. We're committed to giving you the tools and insights needed to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of digital advertising. Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights: smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.com LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbh Newsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/

    36분
  7. 2025 State of PMax Report, plus: Zuckerberg shrugs ads, Amazon shares its ad stack

    4월 17일

    2025 State of PMax Report, plus: Zuckerberg shrugs ads, Amazon shares its ad stack

    Digital ads in 2025 are anything but boring. In this episode, Mike and Chris unpack: Mark Zuckerberg’s eyebrow-raising claim that ads aren’t important (despite 98% of Meta’s revenue coming from ads)Amazon’s move to sell its ad tech to other retailers—friend or Trojan horse?Plus details from our comprehensive new PMax research: How Google’s Performance Max is finally shedding its “black box” label, with fresh data from 500+ accountsWhy your PMax campaigns need 30–60 conversions a month, no matter what Google saysWhy campaign segmentation should follow business logic, not default categoriesGrab the State of PMax 2025 report—free on the blog or as a downloadable PDF: https://shorturl.at/ali5A About smec (Smarter Ecommerce): At smec - Smarter Ecommerce, we specialize in transforming business goals into optimized ad campaigns. With over 16 years of experience in Google & Microsoft Ads, our intelligent software and expert services help retailers achieve superior results. We're committed to giving you the tools and insights needed to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of digital advertising. Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights: smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.com LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbh Newsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/

    36분

소개

Feed your growth mindset. Ecommerce is growing, and so are the challenges and opportunities for online retailers. In the Growing Ecommerce podcast, Mike Ryan and other smec experts are joined by industry leaders in ecommerce, digital marketing, and data science. By sharing business trends, practical solutions, and best practices, this podcast helps online retailers solve the challenges of tomorrow.

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