Insights

Insights.

Thinking, analysis, and practical guidance from the Raincross team. We write about what we are building, measuring, and learning.

162 results

Google Local Services Ads transitioning into the Google Ads Performance Max campaign interface

article

Google Is Moving Local Services Ads Into Performance Max: What Advertisers Need to Know

Google is moving Local Services Ads into Google Ads as specialized Performance Max campaigns. Here is what local advertisers need to know about budgets, bidding, reporting and lead quality.

Kevin WattsSep 10, 2026
Apple Maps Ads showing a promoted Raincross business listing across three iPhone search and map views

article

Apple Maps Ads Are Now Live

Apple Maps Ads are now live in the United States and Canada. Learn where the ads appear, how they are matched to customers, what businesses are eligible and what steps to take next.

Kevin WattsAug 26, 2026
AI Authority

article

AI-Created Ads Are Outperforming Human Creative

New research found fully AI-created ads lifted click-through rate 19% over human expert creative, while AI-modified ads did not. The difference is how much creative freedom the system was given.

Kevin WattsAug 22, 2026
AI Authority

article

AI Ads vs. AI Authority

AI-generated ads can scale spend, but they do not build trust. The brands that understand the difference between AI ads and AI authority will own the next decade of marketing.

Kevin WattsFeb 25, 2026
Phone displaying the Google Search Console logo against a colorful blurred backdrop

article

Google’s 2 MB Crawl Limit: What It Really Means

On February 3, 2026, Google clarified something that had existed quietly for years but was rarely discussed outside of technical SEO circles: Googlebot does not process unlimited HTML when indexing pages for Search.

Kevin WattsFeb 10, 2026
Keyboard keys spelling ChatGPT with a yellow sticky note reading Ads between them

article

ChatGPT Ads and the Rise of AI Advertising

Artificial intelligence is fundamentally changing how people search for information, evaluate options, and make decisions.

Kevin WattsFeb 2, 2026
Siri orb and Google Gemini spark side by side over a blue-toned retail scene

article

Apple and Google Are Friends Now?

For more than a decade, Apple and Google have been portrayed as rivals locked in a quiet but constant power struggle. Apple controls the hardware, the operating system, and the user experience.

Kevin WattsJan 13, 2026
Scattered black keyboard keys arranged on a pink surface, shot from overhead

article

Content Recycling: How To Get More Results From the Content You Already Have

Many businesses we work with do not have a content creation problem. They have a content utilization problem.

Kevin WattsDec 30, 2025
Hand using a stylus on a phone showing a Google business listing with a star rating

article

Anonymous Google Reviews Are Here

Google quietly rolled out one of the biggest changes to its review platform in years: users can now leave reviews under a custom display name instead of their real Google account identity.

Kevin WattsDec 1, 2025
Laptop screen showing the ChatGPT Atlas browser landing page and shopping interface

article

What ChatGPT Atlas Means for the Future of Search and Design

OpenAI introduced something that might reshape how we all experience the web, ChatGPT Atlas.

Kevin WattsOct 27, 2025
Three-dimensional Instagram app icon on a pink gradient background representing social posts in search

article

Instagram Posts Are Now Showing Up in Google Search: Here’s How Brands Can Seize the Opportunity

Instagram just made a game-changing move that could significantly impact how your business shows up online: public Instagram posts from professional accounts are now being indexed by Google Search.

Kevin WattsJul 9, 2025
Halftone hands reaching toward an illustrated brain inside a network of connected nodes

article

AI Can Build. But It Can’t Dream.

We’re living in one of the most exciting and confusing times to build something.

Kevin WattsApr 12, 2025
Man holding a large yellow hashtag cutout in front of his face against a blue background

article

Are Hashtags Dead? Why Social Media Strategies Need to Evolve

For years, hashtags were a cornerstone of social media marketing. Brands, influencers, and businesses alike relied on them to categorize content, increase visibility, and drive engagement.

Kevin WattsMar 28, 2025
Three-dimensional LLM lettering beside the words large language model on a dark reflective surface

guide

LLMS.txt: Our Guide to AI Content Control for Your Website

We're are always looking for innovative ways to help our clients optimize their digital presence.

Kevin WattsMar 11, 2025
Circuit-board brain illustration representing generative engine optimization and AI-driven search

article

Generative Engine Optimization (GEO): The Future of Search and Digital Marketing

is the next evolution of search optimization, designed specifically for AI-driven search engines and recommendation systems like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Perplexity AI, and other generative AI tools.

Kevin WattsFeb 6, 2025
Clay model house with a yellow lightning bolt above it on a bright blue background

guide

The Digital Homeowner's Guide: Understanding Website Hosting and Maintenance

When it comes to managing your online presence, two essential services often come into play: website hosting and website maintenance.

Kevin WattsJan 17, 2025
Web developer typing code on a laptop beside a monitor of source code

guide

2025 Guide to Custom Web Design

Discover custom web design - solutions for unique branding and flexibility. Learn costs, benefits, and top tools in our ultimate guide!

Kevin WattsJan 1, 2025
Torn paper reveal turning the year 2024 into 2025 in blue gradient

guide

The Power of Marketing Plans in 2025: A Comprehensive Guide for Success

For businesses looking to grow in 2025, having a clear and effective marketing plan isn’t just helpful, it’s essential. A good marketing plan is like a roadmap.

Kevin WattsDec 18, 2024
Printed media performance report showing impressions and average daily viewer metrics

article

The Role of Media Buyers in Today's Advertising Landscape

Discover the vital role a media buyer plays in ad success, from planning to negotiation, and learn the strategies for effective media buying.

Kevin WattsDec 3, 2024
Laptop, tablet and phone showing a streaming video ad platform on a bright desk

article

How to Design Ad Campaigns in 5 Steps

Learn the essentials of designing ad campaigns in 5 easy steps. Discover research, creative concepts, budgeting, execution, and monitoring techniques.

Kevin WattsNov 12, 2024
Two phones side by side showing the ChatGPT interface and the Google search homepage

article

ChatGPT Search vs. Google vs. Bing: A New Era of Search Excitement

The world of search engines is undergoing a thrilling transformation, and it’s not just Google and Bing in the mix anymore!

Kevin WattsNov 5, 2024
The 2024 Guide to Programmatic Advertising Efficiency

guide

The 2024 Guide to Programmatic Advertising Efficiency

Discover if programmatic advertising works with our comprehensive guide, from data-driven targeting to tackling ad fraud for campaign success.

Kevin WattsNov 2, 2024
Understanding a DSP in Programmatic Advertising

article

Understanding a DSP in Programmatic Advertising

Explore dsp programmatic essentials in our guide covering DSPs, automation, real-time bidding, and top platforms like Google and Amazon.

Kevin WattsOct 5, 2024
Red map pin placed on a printed regional map marking a targeted geographic boundary

article

Geofencing Demystified: Understanding the Virtual Boundaries in Marketing

Discover what is geofencing and how it enhances marketing strategies with examples and applications across industries. Learn more now!

Kevin WattsAug 8, 2024