The Filter: SEO + social media news you need for August⚡️


The Filter: the updates you need

Hey Reader,

As we're headed into August and busy enjoying the summer, I'm sure the last thing you want to be doing is searching ten different platforms to figure out what's going on online. So I've pulled together the latest social media and SEO-related news that's actually worth knowing this month.

Here's what made the cut...

📸 SOCIAL MEDIA

TikTok gives creators control over search keywords

What it means: TikTok is changing how your videos get discovered by letting you manage the keywords attached to your posts. Previously, TikTok automatically assigned search terms to your videos based on what it thought the video was about. Now, you can review those automatic keywords, block the ones that are irrelevant and suggest new ones so the algorithm better understands who to show your content to.

What to do: Review the keywords TikTok assigns to your content and personalise it to fit your specific niche or the video's topic. If you want to take it a step further, look up popular search terms using the TikTok Trends tool and manually suggest those keywords to help the right customers find your business faster.

Read more here →

🔍 SEO & GOOGLE

Track your social + video content in Google Search Console

What it means: Google is globally rolling out a new feature in Google Search Console called Platform Properties. Historically, you could only use Search Console to see how your website performed in Google Search. Now, you can use it to track exactly how often your social media profiles and video content (like YouTube or Instagram posts) are showing up and getting clicked on in Google's search results.

What to do: If you use social media or video to promote your business, log into Google Search Console and look into setting up your social channels as new properties.

Read more here →

📱 QUICK HITS

  • Instagram have launched a Replace Audio feature, allowing you to change the music on published feed posts without losing engagement
  • "Your Algo" has rolled out globally on Instagram, letting people fine-tune their Reels feed by adding or removing topics they want to see
  • Instagram kills its new AI remix feature following backlash online
  • Facebook launched a free "Facebook Verified" badge using a selfie-video check to confirm a profile belongs to a real person
  • If you use AI-generated images or videos for Facebook and Instagram ads, you must now tick a disclosure box to comply with global EU AI Act rules
  • The EU Commission has preliminarily found that Instagram's design breaches the Digital Services Act and may be required to offer more alternative experience options for EU residents [source]
  • LinkedIn adds a "seems like AI slop" button (yes, that's really the label, see it here). This comes after Pangram released a study that found 41% of long-form LinkedIn posts show AI-generation indicators, making it the most AI saturated of all platforms.
  • Substack launch an AI-detection scanner in collaboration with Pangram

🔥 TRENDING CONTENT

  • The interactive video carousel – an animated object moves across the carousel to finally land on your point in the final slide. Perfect for teasing something new or sharing a relatable moment. The copy varies, some good options are "I wasn't going to [thing] buttttttttt..." or "We are sooooo...." but make it your own (example)
  • The Drawing Reveal – You sketch out the object, then reveal it. A fun way to show your product, transformation or portfolio (example)
  • Worth/Not Worth The Money – Share what you think is or isn't worth investing in related to your industry/service area (example)

That's everything worth your attention this month.

See you in the next one,
Elaine XO

Elaine Malone

Marketing Malone (formerly XOmisse)

PS. You can manage what lands in your inbox, including the weekly Notes, monthly Filter and occasional offer updates, via the preferences link in the footer.

You're receiving this email at Reader because you signed up via my website or Kit Network.

No longer interested? No problem! Update your content preferences or unsubscribe from all future emails.

​This email may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn commission at no additional cost to you.

​Elaine, 600 1st Ave, Ste 330 PMB 92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2246

Marketing Malone

For business owners doing it solo, wearing the marketing hat too. Get practical website and SEO tips that get you found, followed and booked.

Read more from Marketing Malone

Hey Reader, We've hit August, and you might be noticing a quieter inbox and fewer enquiries. That's pretty typical this time of year. Which makes it a great month to work on the behind the scenes stuff, the things that don't feel urgent when you're busy. Maybe that's fixing something on your website that's been bugging you, sorting out a few things under the hood in terms of SEO, or updating an old piece of content that's stopped getting traffic. If you only pick one, I'd recommend updating...

Hey Reader, I'm back from Oxford and already looking at a fairly social August, with friends staying throughout the month. I'm also starting to look ahead to the last few months of the year and thinking about what needs to be in place now to make that easier. More on that next week. As for today, a super quick action you can take to get in front of your existing readers. Google has expanded their Preferred Sources feature. It started small last year, tucked into the news carousel. But now...

Hey Reader, Last week was one of those heads down weeks, working on the business instead of in it. I rewrote my welcome email series, built out a set of Canva templates and rebranded a couple of my offers. One of the smaller jobs on that list was my own social media bios. Which brings me to today’s topic. If you've noticed your profile visits aren't turning into follows, this one's for you. When someone lands on your profile, they're deciding two things in seconds. Do I like this person and...