Tag Archive for: digital news

5 Things Every Brand Should Know About Trump’s Tariffs

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Marketers are no strangers to adapting in times of volatility. Over the past few years, we’ve steered brands through global health crises, political shifts, and economic headwinds—building a toolkit of strategies to stay agile and connected with consumers. Now, that toolkit is being tested once again.

Rising trade tensions and proposed tariffs on imports from countries like China, Mexico, and Canada are creating new uncertainties for businesses of all sizes. While much of the focus has been on manufacturing and supply chains, these developments also raise important questions for marketers.

Much like inflation or a market downturn, the question isn’t whether these changes will affect marketing—it’s how to respond. Here are five things every brand should know about the evolving tariff landscape and what it means for your marketing strategy.

Tariffs and Marketing

What are Tariffs and What’s Changing?

Tariffs are taxes on imported goods, often used to incentivize domestic production or influence global trade negotiations. When tariffs rise or expand, they impact material costs, manufacturing timelines, and ultimately, consumer pricing. Under new proposals from the Trump administration, the following changes are set to take effect:

  • Japan will face a 24% duty on exports to the U.S.
  • European Union products will be hit with a 20% levy.
  • China will be subject to a 34% tariff—on top of existing levies like the prior 20% fentanyl-related duty, bringing the total base tariff rate to 54%.
  • Canada and Mexico, while exempt from reciprocal tariffs, still face a planned 25% tariff on most imports—excluding autos and a list of exempted goods.

These policies are designed to match what the U.S. says it faces from its trade partners and signal a more aggressive shift in global trade policy. Whether these actions are renegotiated or escalated, they raise important questions for marketers who need to plan for pricing changes, shifting demand, and supply chain unpredictability.

Why Marketers Should Pay Attention to Tariffs

Tariffs can influence everything from production and pricing to how and when brands go to market. When tariffs drive up the cost of goods and materials, companies often pass those costs down the line. That has a direct and indirect impact on marketing teams. For marketing professionals, this translates into direct and indirect impacts on planning, strategy, and performance.

1. Higher Prices = Lower Consumer SpendingTariffs and Marketing

Tariffs tend to raise the price of consumer goods. For example, if the cost of electronics or apparel increases due to import taxes, consumers may spend less or become more price-sensitive. This affects marketing strategies in several ways:

  • Reduced ROAS: Marketers may see lower return on ad spend if consumers are less willing to convert.
  • Budget cuts: Brands may reallocate or shrink marketing budgets to offset increased production or shipping costs.
  • Shifting demand: Messaging and promotions may need to shift toward value-driven campaigns.

2. Digital Ad Budgets May Tighten

Economic uncertainty often leads to tighter controls on company spending—including marketing budgets. According to Gartner’s 2024 CMO Spend Survey, only 24% of CMOs said they had a sufficient budget to execute their 2024 strategy. Marketing budgets dropped from an average of 9.1% of company revenue in 2023 to 7.7% in 2024, a fall of 15% year over year. Tariff-driven price increases may amplify that trend. In this environment, marketers may experience:

  • More scrutiny on ad spend performance.
  • Increased competition in paid channels.
  • A stronger emphasis on cost-per-click (CPC) and return on ad spend (ROAS) metrics.

3. Navigating Potential Global Supply Chain Disruptions

Marketers must remain agile and ready to adapt their plans quickly based on product availability. Brands that depend on imported goods may face supply chain bottlenecks or increased delivery timelines due to new tariffs. This could lead to:

  • Delayed product launches.
  • Paused or reworked ad campaigns.
  • Inconsistent inventory or fulfillment challenges.

Industry Spotlight: Who Will Be Affected?

E-Commerce & DTC Brands

Direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands, especially those sourcing from Asia, may feel the brunt of tariff-related increases in production and shipping costs. These businesses may need to:

  • Adjust pricing or packaging.
  • Shift toward domestic suppliers.
  • Emphasize loyalty and retention campaigns to balance rising CAC.

Technology and Consumer Electronics

Electronics and tech products often rely on components sourced from multiple countries. Tariffs on any part of the supply chain could cause cost increases and stock delays, requiring proactive communication and realignment of marketing priorities.

B2B and Manufacturing-Centric Businesses

If your company or clients are involved in manufacturing or industrial goods, you may see reduced spending on marketing services and digital ads as businesses reallocate resources internally.

Tariffs and Marketing

How Marketing Strategies Can Adapt to Tariff Changes

Regardless of the outcome of trade negotiations or tariff implementations, marketing teams can take steps today to remain resilient and adaptive:

1. Audit Your Supply Chain and Ad Costs

Understand where your products originate and how cost fluctuations may impact your margins. Review your advertising mix and be ready to adjust based on budget shifts.

2. Invest in Owned Media and Organic Growth

Leverage SEO, email marketing, blogs, and social media to help reduce reliance on paid acquisition. Owned media channels may provide compounding value and be a helpful buffer if you undergo ad budget cuts.

3. Enhance First-Party Data Strategy

Focus on customer retention, loyalty, and LTV (lifetime value) through smart segmentation and personalized experiences. Building your email and SMS lists will be critical in uncertain times.

4. Stay Agile With Campaign Planning

Build modular, flexible campaigns that allow you to quickly change messaging, pause promotions, or target new audiences based on availability, pricing, or sentiment shifts.

Partner With a Data-Driven Marketing AgencyTariffs and Marketing

When change is the only constant, Onimod Global provides the clarity and agility your brand needs to move forward with confidence—even in times of economic uncertainty. We help businesses adapt to rapidly shifting conditions through analytics-first marketing strategies, platform flexibility, and continuous performance optimization. Our goal is to deliver results you can measure—regardless of shifting market conditions.

Here’s how we can help support your marketing goals through unpredictable times:

  • Platform Agility: We develop omnichannel strategies that pivot quickly—whether reallocating budget from paid search to social or shifting focus from customer acquisition to retention.
  • Market Intelligence: We stay ahead of industry trends to help adjust digital marketing strategies accordingly.
  • Full-Funnel Strategy: From SEO and SEM to content and conversion optimization, we align your marketing efforts to real business outcomes—not just traffic and clicks.

Final Thoughts

Tariff policy changes may be out of your control, but how your brand responds is not. Whether you’re facing tighter margins, shifting consumer behavior, or disruptions to your supply chain, your marketing strategy should be built to adapt, not react.

At Onimod Global, we have decades of experience helping businesses stay agile, data-driven, and growth-focused. With the right partner, your brand can better navigate uncertainty and uncover new opportunities even in challenging conditions.

Ready to future-proof your marketing strategy? Contact us today to get started.

Tariffs and Marketing Strategies FAQs

How can tariffs affect my digital marketing strategy?

Tariffs can lead to increased costs and reduced consumer spending, which may result in lower conversion rates and stricter marketing budgets. This may require marketers to optimize campaigns, shift messaging, or reduce reliance on paid ads. Onimod Global can help you adjust your campaigns, find the most effective channels, and fine-tune your targeting strategy.

Should I pause my ad spend?

Instead of pausing, optimize your spending by targeting high-converting audiences through SEO or email. Our digital marketing team helps build agile, full-funnel strategies that prioritize efficiency. We help you reallocate your budget to the channels and tactics that deliver the greatest impact so you can stay visible without overspending.

What types of businesses are most at risk?

E-commerce retailers, tech companies, manufacturers, and businesses relying on international supply chains may be more likely to feel the effects of tariffs on both pricing and marketing strategy. Onimod Global works closely with brands to help build resilient marketing strategies, focusing on brand equity and scalable campaigns that can weather supply chain disruptions.

What are the best ways to prepare for tariffs?

Audit your suppliers and marketing costs, diversify traffic sources, strengthen retention efforts, and stay informed on trade policy developments. Partnering with an experienced marketing agency can help you stay agile. From proactive planning to campaign execution, we help businesses prepare for uncertainty by building flexible, data-driven marketing systems that can evolve alongside global events.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or business advice. Economic developments are rapidly evolving, and businesses should research before making decisions based on emerging technologies. For more information, contact the digital marketing professionals at Onimod Global today.

Meta’s Fact-Checking Rollback: What It Means for Digital Marketing

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In a recent move sparking powerful conversation, Meta has reduced their fact-checking efforts across major social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.

This decision marks a pivotal shift in managing online content, raising important questions about the future of digital marketing, paid advertisements, and brand safety in a less-regulated digital environment.

In this blog, we’ll dive into what this rollback means for the digital marketing landscape, how it could impact your strategies, and what to expect in 2025.

Meta’s Rollback: What It Means for Content Meta

Meta’s decision to scale back its fact-checking policies represents a significant shift in how misinformation is managed across its platforms. As reported by NBC News, this move is part of a larger strategy to transform the platform into a space that prioritizes free expression. However, critics argue that it could open the door to a surge in unverified content, making it easier for misinformation to spread.

Meta introduced its fact-checking program in 2016, responding to criticism that Facebook had helped propagate fake news during the presidential election. Over the past decade, Facebook has rapidly expanded. But its growth has been accompanied by increasing scrutiny over its lack of content regulation—particularly regarding the posts and recommendations appearing in its News Feed.

This decision comes at a pivotal moment, as debates over the balance between free speech and the responsibility of tech platforms to manage content are intensifying. Meta’s vision for a “Town Square” model on Facebook and Instagram involves fewer content restrictions, allowing users to share verified information without the oversight of third-party fact-checkers. Let’s dive deeper into what this rollback means for the future of digital marketing.

What This Means for Digital Marketing

The new Meta updates introduce opportunities and challenges for businesses and digital marketers. Marketers must navigate a more dynamic and unpredictable digital landscape as misinformation risks increase. Content strategies must be adapted to help ensure campaigns maintain credibility and effectiveness in a less regulated environment. Here are some key Meta implications to consider:

1. Increased Ad Visibility

With fewer restrictions on content, marketers may experience improved ad visibility across Meta platforms. This change can particularly benefit campaigns that previously faced challenges due to strict fact-checking protocols or overly restrictive advertising policies. For instance, ads promoting niche or controversial topics may reach a broader audience without being flagged or suppressed. However, this also means marketers must be more strategic in crafting messages that align with their brand identity while taking full advantage of the increased reach.

2. Higher Risk of Misinformation

The relaxation of stringent fact-checking measures creates an environment where misinformation can spread unchecked, which poses new challenges for marketers. Brands need to exercise vigilance, making sure that their ads are not only factually accurate but also perceived as credible by their target audience. Marketers may also need to adopt crisis management strategies to address potential backlash if their ads are mistakenly associated with misleading or harmful content, which could tarnish a brand’s reputation.

3. Enhanced Opportunities for Viral Content

In a freer content ecosystem, marketers can potentially leverage more creative and viral campaigns without fear of being flagged or suppressed. However, this requires a fine balance to help ensure content remains ethical and trustworthy.

4. Brand Safety Concerns

With the possibility of ads appearing next to questionable content, maintaining brand safety becomes more challenging. To mitigate this, marketers should allocate resources to monitor ad placements rigorously. Employing tools like exclusion lists, implementing stricter targeting parameters, and working with partners who help prioritize brand safety can help ensure that campaigns align with company values and resonate positively with the intended audience. 

What Meta Changes Mean for Paid Ads

Meta is changing the landscape for paid advertising. With fewer restrictions, advertisers may find new opportunities to reach broader audiences and experiment with creative campaigns previously limited by stringent fact-checking protocols. However, this less-regulated environment also comes with potential risks, requiring advertisers to be more vigilant about how their ads are placed and perceived.

Here’s what to expect and how to prepare:

1. Targeting and Engagement

Marketers may see changes in audience targeting and engagement rates as user behavior adapts to the new rules. An uptick in polarizing or sensational content could influence how Meta ads perform. While some ads might gain more traction due to heightened visibility in a less restricted environment, others could struggle to stand out amid the noise. It’s essential for marketers to monitor audience behavior and engagement trends closely, adjusting targeting strategies to help ads resonate with the right people at the right time.

2. Ad Monitoring and Reporting

Ad transparency may suffer as fewer content restrictions are in place. Businesses should prepare for increased scrutiny from consumers and watchdog groups, necessitating proactive ad monitoring and reporting practices. 

3. Trust and Credibility

With users potentially growing skeptical of the platform’s content authenticity, marketers must emphasize trust and credibility in their messaging. Transparent campaigns and clear brand communication will be crucial for maintaining audience trust.

Navigating Meta’s New Landscape

The changes in Meta’s content regulation approach have created opportunities and challenges for digital marketers. While the reduced restrictions offer greater flexibility in campaign creativity and visibility, they also demand a more strategic approach to mitigate risks like misinformation and brand safety concerns. To adapt to these changes effectively, digital marketers should consider the following strategies:

  1. Prioritize Ethical Marketing Have your campaigns align with ethical standards and avoid sensationalism. Building trust with your audience is more important than ever.
  2. Utilize First-Party Data With increased misinformation, relying on first-party data can help brands deliver accurate and personalized ads, strengthening their connection with target audiences.
  3. Invest in Monitoring Tools Use advanced tools to monitor ad placements and track where your ads appear. This will help mitigate the risks associated with controversial or inappropriate content.
  4. Embrace Transparency and communicate your brand’s values and intentions in your campaigns. Authenticity will be a competitive advantage in a landscape filled with dubious content.
  5. Stay informed and up-to-date on Meta’s policy changes and industry trends. Proactive adaptation will help your campaigns remain effective and compliant.

Staying Updated With Onimod Global

At Onimod Global, staying ahead of industry changes isn’t just part of our strategy—it’s our foundation. We continuously monitor the latest trends, platform updates, and regulatory shifts to help our clients remain at the forefront of digital marketing innovation. From major developments like Meta’s fact-checking rollback to emerging technologies and algorithm updates, our team is always on top of what’s next. This dedication allows us to proactively adapt strategies, keeping your campaigns effective in an ever-changing digital landscape.

As we move into 2025 and beyond, we understand the challenges and opportunities of these shifts. As Google Partners, our digital marketing experts combine data-driven insights with creative excellence, crafting campaigns that help reach the right audience and deliver measurable results. Let us help you leverage the latest tools and strategies to drive growth, increase visibility, and achieve your goals in 2025 and beyond.

Contact Onimod Global today to see how we can help your digital marketing efforts.

Q&A: 2025 Digital Marketing Questions Answered

Q: How will the rollback affect smaller businesses?

A: Smaller businesses may benefit from less restrictive advertising policies, potentially gaining greater visibility. However, they must remain cautious about brand safety and ensure their messaging resonates ethically with audiences.

Q: Can brands still report misinformation?

A: Users and brands can still report content they believe violates Meta’s guidelines. However, the rollback means fewer fact-checking resources will be available to evaluate such reports.

Q: What should brands do to maintain credibility?

A: Focus on transparency and authenticity in your campaigns. Use clear, accurate messaging and prioritize building trust with your audience. Onimod Global helps ensure your campaigns stand out for the right reasons, focusing on trust, authenticity, relevance, and precision targeting to help engage your audience. 

Q: Will ad performance improve in this environment?

A: While fewer restrictions could boost visibility, the potential for audience skepticism about the platform’s credibility might impact engagement. Continuous monitoring and adjustment will be essential. Onimod Global can help you overcome these challenges by implementing data-driven advertising strategies tailored to your business goals.

Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or marketing advice. Mark Zuckerberg’s rollback of fact-checking represents a significant shift in the social media landscape. Adapting to this new era requires vigilance, ethical practices, and a commitment to fostering trust among marketers and advertisers. By staying informed and proactive, businesses can effectively navigate the challenges and opportunities of this dynamic environment. Consult with the qualified digital marketing experts at Onimod Global for specific guidance and help related to your business.

Paid Advertising Metrics That Matter

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There is no busier time of the year for an advertiser than the holidays. As millions of consumers are looking to purchase gifts for their loved ones, we advertisers are here competing against one another for their attention.

Digital technologies have allowed advertisers much more access into the everyday life of the consumer, which is an incredible advantage for most. However, it is not enough to simply run a digital marketing campaign unless you can accurately measure and interpret its results. So what do you need to look for?

AdWords Pay Per Click

SearchEngineLand.com has recently published an article that discusses the best measurements to analyze when assessing the value of a PPC campaign, particularly those carried out through Google AdWords. The article brings many important topics to light, and is centered around 4 major areas of concern for AdWords PPC campaigns:

  1. High Cost Per Click = low profitability
  2. Long-tail keywords are a waste of money
  3. More clicks don’t mean more conversions
  4. There is no silver bullet

Facebook

Facebook has completely dominated the market when it comes to social media advertising. With more than 2 billion active users, Facebook provides an ideal consumer base for most businesses. The platform is also equipped with many different tools to help marketers keep track of how well their campaigns are performing.

The Facebook Pixel is just such a tool. As you are setting up your campaign, you are given the option to track users with the Facebook Pixel. This allows marketers to get a more complete picture of the customer journey by embedding a tiny, pixel-sized image into the ad. A similar Onimod blog post discusses this topic a bit further with the recent debut of the Snapchat Pixel. To read the full article, please click HERE.

Another highly useful Facebook tool is their split testing option. This campaign type allows the marketer to run two of the exact same ads to two completely different audiences. This form of A/B testing helps advertisers get a better idea of who their target consumers truly are.

More From Onimod Global

At Onimod Global, our content creation team strives to consistently offer the latest industry news combined with expert insight. We have many other articles relating to this subject of paid advertising metrics, including:

For more information from the team at Onimod Global, please visit our website!

What Google’s Algorithm Adjustment Means for Digital Marketing

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Nearly every digital marketer in today’s society utilizes Google as a primary form of advertisement. With more than 6.5 billion searches being made each day, the need to rank well on Google’s search results page is imperative.

Whether you are optimizing a website to rank well on its own, or spending a few dollars through Google AdWords, the changes coming to Google’s algorithm will have a significant effect on those advertising efforts.

Most Recent Update

Google continually updates its algorithm to show the most relevant results to users as possible. The latest update arrived on August 19th.

There is never one single cause of an algorithm adjustment. Instead, the adjustment is meant to target many different areas in order to improve overall quality of the search results displayed by Google.

Glenn Gabe, columnist for Search Engine Land and Search Engine Watch, investigated the algorithm change and gave his opinions on how he thought it would affect marketers. According to Gabe, Google advertisers should avoid:

  • Use of Deceptive Advertising: deploying deceptive, aggressive, or disruptive advertising can be detrimental to a site’s quality. Instead, gear your site toward the user and their needs. Do not bombard them with full-screen ads and site redirects.
  • Broken User Interface Elements: We have all had an experience where we click on a link and receive some sort of “404 error: Page Not Found” message. Make sure that your site works properly and does not contain any of these pesky UI flaws.
  • Low Query-Based Relevance: This element should be obvious. If a search term does not apply to your site, then it should not be ranking well for that term. Google’s goal is to provide the user with exactly what they are looking for. If your site isn’t helpful to the user, then it’s as good as gone from the top search results list.

Gabe suggests using the following methods to improve advertisements in the wake of the algorithm update:

  • Category (Tag-like) Pages: WordPress sites often include the option of adding a category and various tag to each page. Gabe noticed that even some sites that showed an overall downward trend since the algorithm update still had positive numbers to report for these category pages.
  • Full, Quality Content: Try to fill your site with all of the best information possible. This does not mean that you need to write pages and pages of content, it just means that you need to clearly state what you can do for the consumer and why you can do it best.
  • Open User Experience: Allowing users to add their own comments to content on your site is a great way to add value. This may be in the form of a review or an actual comment on a certain post or news article.

Location Improvements

Google has also shown an increased interest in the prominence of local businesses on their search results page. After all, a restaurant located in New York City will prove of little use to a young woman in Seattle looking for a bit to eat after work.

As Google begins to favor local establishments, it becomes more and more important for all kinds of businesses to make sure that their location is conveniently and correctly displayed across various platforms. For example, you will want to make sure that the address you have listed on Facebook perfectly matches the one listed on Yelp.

Evaluate Your Business Today!

Interested in getting this information about your business for free? Run a free scan of your business with Onimod Global today to see your locations listed across over 50 online directories! This scan will also provide you with several other measurements to see how well your company site performs. To run a free scan please CLICK HERE.

Google Hit With Record Breaking $2.7 Billion Fine From the E.U.

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It was recently discovered that the search engine giant, Google, was giving preferential treatment to their own products and services in their search results. Once this information was revealed, the E.U. immediately took action.

Margrethe Vestager, the E.U. antitrust chief, explained the matter simply to reporters in Brussels when she said, “What Google has done is illegal under E.U. antitrust rules. It has denied other companies the chance to compete on the merits and to innovate. And most importantly, it has denied European consumers the benefits of competition.”

Vestager and the rest of the European Union have taken it upon themselves to set the standard for digital regulations across the globe. In addition to this latest Google scandal, other American companies like Apple, Facebook, and Amazon are also garnering attention for their questionable digital practices. Obviously the larger issue of concern here is what governments are doing to prevent these kinds of wrongdoings in the first place.

The Message:

Those in Europe are holding a firm stance on these issues with this recent fine. Even if companies are technically upholding the laws of their own country, they must also comply with the laws of others, or risk being reprimanded.

The $2.7 billion fine against Google is much higher than predicted. The amount also more than doubled the previous record-holder, Intel. The E.U.’s intent with their charge against Google is clear: follow the rules or pay the price.

Google’s Response:

There is little chance that Google will accept the initial fine. The company has already announced their consideration of an appeal. Kent Walker, the senior vice president and general counsel of Google, put a more positive spin on the situation by saying, “When you shop online, you want to find the products you’re looking for quickly and easily. And advertisers want to promote those same products.”

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