Welcome to the Monday edition of Leveling Up!

Friday’s poll: How much money have you spent on influencer marketing in the past year?

🟩🟩🟩🟩⬜ 🤑 Over $1M (50%)
🟨🟨🟨⬜⬜ 🙂 $0k to $100k (30%)
🟥🟥⬜⬜⬜ 😎 $100k to $1M (20%)

Seems like we've assembled a winning blend of high rollers and savvy budget-friendly players, all riding the wave to viral success.

Here are your top 3 trends for the week:

🔥 Trend #1

LinkedIn’s Massive Algorithm Shift

LinkedIn recently rolled out a significant algorithm revamp in response to an overwhelming surge in user-generated content.

Why the change?

LinkedIn's primary focus is to keep its members productive and successful.

The tech giant got tired of irrelevant viral content cluttering feeds and decided it was time to enhance the user experience by making it more exciting and relevant. AKA—no more techie bro stuff.

So, what's new?

For starters, your followers are now more likely to see your posts, leading to a 10% increase in views from followers.

But that's not all—LinkedIn is prioritizing posts that share knowledge and advice. They want quality content, so if your posts add value and resonate with specific audiences, you're winning!

The key takeaway here:

Focus on your niche, share meaningful insights, and engage in thoughtful comments. 💬 LinkedIn's aiming to be the go-to B2B social network, and they're reinforcing that by encouraging authentic interactions.

Dive Deeper: The LinkedIn Algorithm Changed — Here’s How to Win

🔥 Trend #2

Activewear and Luxury Brands Leading Web3 Innovation

Despite challenges like crypto volatility and inflation, Web3 adoption is gradually picking up.

Activewear and luxury brands like Nike and Adidas stand out, employing blockchain technology to enrich customer experiences through loyalty programs and virtual collections.

For example:

Dispatch, a Web3 solution provider, is at the forefront of this movement, helping CMOs navigate the new landscape and add powerful tools to their marketing repertoire.

Web3's potential lies in decentralized applications fueled by blockchain, enabling data ownership and distributing purchase options in unique digital spaces.

As marketers embrace the potential of Web3, the future promises a perfect equation: one plus one equals three.

The allure of innovation, customer engagement, and loyalty opportunities propels brands forward in the dynamic Web3 landscape.

Dive Deeper: Business Insider’s Web3 Update

🔥 Trend #3

Surge in Q2 Ad Spend Across Major Digital Platforms

The latest headlines report a significant surge in ad spend during Q2 on major digital platforms like Google, Meta (formerly Facebook), Amazon, and Walmart.

As reported by Search Engine Land:

• YouTube ad-impression growth remained strong at 34% year-over-year (YoY), while the average CPM fell 18%.

• YouTube spending on connected TVs (CTVs) shot up 31% YoY, however, desktop spending fell.

• Desktop YouTube spend dropped by 27% YoY in Q2 2023, with the desktop share of YouTube spending falling from 20% to 14% during the same period.

• Reels ads now account for 11% of Instagram ad impressions.

• Advertisers grew investment in Meta properties 9% year-over-year in Q2 -- the strongest quarter since Q1 2022.

• Walmart Sponsored Products spend rose 39% year-over-year in Q2, as ad pricing declined just 4% in the second quarter compared to a 41% decline in Q1.

Stay tuned as brands continue to refine their advertising strategies, making the most of these digital avenues to bolster their growth and success.

Dive Deeper: Ad Spend Up Across Google, Meta, Amazon, Walmart in Q2

To your growth!
The Leveling Up Team

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