Key Takeaways
- Instagram now rewards replies, not just posts. Engaging and replying when people comment can increase visibility by over 20%.
- Update your CTAs to use first-person language. Phrases like “Get my quote” or “Show me how” convert better than generic buttons.
- AI search is becoming AI delegation. More users are skipping the search box and asking AI tools to decide for them. Your content needs to adapt.
Sometimes it’s not one big shift, but a lot of small ones that change how effective your marketing is. That’s what we’re seeing right now—updates to Instagram, Google, Facebook, and AI tools that can make a real difference for local businesses, if you know where to focus.
This episode’s lightning round highlights quick changes you can make to get better results across your website, social media, listings, and content strategy without adding hours to your workload.
Update Your CTAs for More Clicks
A recent test found that first-person calls-to-action like “Get my quote” or “Show me how” outperform generic buttons like “Submit” or “Click here.” Just changing a few words on your site or ad can boost conversions by making the action feel more personal and benefit-driven.
Instagram’s Evolving Rules
Instagram Reels continue to dominate. Most ads now run in Reels instead of image or story formats. If you’re running any kind of Instagram ad campaign, Reels need to be part of the mix.
And forget hashtag overload. Using 25 random tags won’t help anymore, and can even hurt your reach. Stick to a few relevant hashtags, and focus on engaging in your own comments.
This is a quick win: replying to comments on your posts can increase engagement by over 20%. Instagram is prioritizing real interaction, not just reach.
Watch for Facebook Link Limits
Facebook is testing limits on how often some pages can post external links. It’s not rolled out to everyone yet, but it fits a larger pattern: platforms want users to stay put. This is a reminder to diversify your marketing. Don’t rely on any one channel to bring in traffic.
Google Reviews and Categories Matter
Google’s auto moderation is deleting more reviews than ever. Sometimes even legitimate ones. Make it a habit to monitor your reviews so you notice if they disappear.
Also, check your primary category in your Google Business Profile. The wrong one can seriously limit your local visibility.
Updated Bing Places
Microsoft has streamlined Bing Places for Business. Even if Bing isn’t your top search engine, its results feed AI tools like ChatGPT and Copilot. An outdated Bing profile could be holding you back.
AI Generated Content
AI-generated ads can work, but only when they don’t sound robotic or look overly fake.
AI avatars in training videos are getting more accepted, especially if the audio quality is high. People are more likely to trust a clear synthetic voice than a poorly recorded human one.
From Searching to Delegating
One of the biggest shifts happening in digital behavior? People are starting to skip the search box entirely. Instead of asking “what’s the best option,” they’re telling AI tools to find it for them or make the decision. That changes how you show up.
To stay visible, your content and profiles need to clearly communicate who you are, what you offer, and why someone should trust you because AI agents are pulling from that data to recommend businesses directly.
This shift is already underway, and the platforms feeding those tools like your Google listings, Bing Places and your website content matter more than ever.
Try This
If you want to stay ahead without overhauling your whole strategy, here are a few simple updates that make a difference right now:
- Update your CTAs to use first-person benefit language.
- Monitor and reply to comments on your Instagram posts to boost reach.
- Check your business listings and profiles for accuracy and completeness.
The Bottom Line
You don’t need to chase every trend, but making a few of these simple updates now can save you time and help more people find and trust your business.
Do you prefer to listen in? Here’s a link to our podcast:
Links in this episode: Facebook is testing a link-posting limit for professional accounts and pages
Most of Instagram’s ads ran on Reels in 2025, data shows
Instagram wants to limit hashtag spam
Replying to Your Instagram Comments Can Boost Engagement by 21%
The local SEO gatekeeper: How Google defines your entity
Microsoft Launches New Bing Places For Business
Why Google is deleting reviews at record levels
From searching to delegating: Adapting to AI-first search behavior
Meta to test premium subscriptions on Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp
Do AI Voices and Avatars Improve Learning? Here’s What the Data Says
