By Christopher Whitbeck

PPC stands for pay-per-click advertising — and yep, it’s exactly what it sounds like.

Someone clicks on your ad, you pay a fee and we all go home happy. Easy enough, right?

Not so fast.

PPC advertising may seem simple on the surface, but there’s much more to it than meets the eye. From keyword research and ad copy to bid management and A/B testing, planning and executing an ad campaign is easier said than done.

Luckily, marketers don’t have to do it all on their own. With the right tricks up your sleeve and the right PPC tools, you can optimize your PPC strategy and maximize its return on investment (ROI) in real time. When used effectively, each PPC optimization tool helps you manage tasks like campaign management, allowing you to track your ad accounts more efficiently.

Here, we’re exploring the 10 best PPC tools in 2025 and how they help you manage campaigns from start to finish.

Understanding PPC: Why Does It Matter?

Unlike other marketing tactics, a PPC campaign can generate big results in a short amount of time. As a form of display advertising, it literally puts your content where your audience can’t miss it — search engines, social media, websites and more.

In other words, creating a PPC ad is like buying prime real estate in your target market. Whether it’s published on Google, Amazon or Facebook, your audience is sure to see it as soon as they step through the door.

Better yet, PPC ads are highly effective at driving targeted traffic to your website and generating conversions. According to Google, businesses make an average of $2 in revenue per dollar spent on Google Ads — an ROI of 200%. By focusing on the smart, data-driven platforms Google Ads provides, you can improve performance and ultimately save time on everyday tasks.

Why Use a PPC Management Tool?

With returns as big as that, it’s clear that PPC advertising is well worth the investment. But make no mistake: Planning, creating, designing and implementing advertising campaigns isn’t easy. It’s especially hard if you’re relying on manual processes to manage the mayhem.

Sure, you might be comfortable with Google Sheets. But can you imagine juggling dozens of ad campaigns in a single spreadsheet? It’s only a matter of time before human error becomes a problem.

Fortunately, there are plenty of PPC tools and software that simplify and optimize PPC management. Every solution is different, but generally speaking, they ease your pain in several ways:

• PPC tools automate complicated and time-consuming work, thereby minimizing manual error.
• They streamline ad copy creation, bid management, keyword research and more.
• PPC reporting tools enable real-time ad campaign performance tracking, providing you with key features for better insights.
• Marketers can also use PPC reports to monitor ad spend and budget optimization, allowing them to look at search volume competition while fine-tuning budgets.

Whether you’re using Amazon ads, Microsoft ads (including Bing Ads), Google search, social media or other platforms, it’s important to keep your work organized and on track. PPC automation plus the right optimization tool, coupled with an AdWords Certification, are crucial assets for achieving that goal.

10 of the Best PPC Tools in 2025

There are countless PPC management tools on the market. Some focus on PPC reporting, others specialize in social media, but all aim to strengthen your PPC strategy to its full potential. These solutions often include advanced keyword tools and features, helping you pinpoint relevant search terms that result in higher conversions.

1. Google Ads

It goes without saying that Google is synonymous with all things search — PPC advertising included. That’s why we couldn’t possibly start this list without discussing Google Ads, the company’s easy-to-use PPC management tool.

Formerly known as Google AdWords, this platform’s primary function is to help you launch campaigns across its network. This includes:

• Google search ads: Text-based ads that appear on search engine results pages (SERPs).
• Display ads: Native and banner ads that appear on websites participating in the Google ad program.
• Video ads: Videos that advertise to YouTube audiences.

Google Ads also gives marketers access to other PPC software tools, such as Google Keyword Planner. This keyword magic tool generates keyword ideas based on search terms you choose, helping you discover new and relevant keywords for your business. It provides valuable insights like search volume competition, bid range and other metrics, while also predicting expected conversions, clicks and impressions.

Secondly, users receive access to Google Ads Editor. This tool simplifies PPC campaign management, enabling you to oversee performance in a single pane. One of its key features is the ability to manage campaigns on multiple Google Ads account profiles and make bulk edits quickly and easily.

Pricing: Free to set up an account (To run ads incurs costs).

2. Google Analytics

As a digital marketer, it’s your job to know whether your PPC campaigns are on the right track. Luckily, that’s why marketers turn to Google Analytics. Integrating Google Analytics with the platforms Google Ads provides can give you deeper insights.

Although Google already offers PPC management tools, connecting them to Google Analytics will take them to the next level. This additional platform allows you to view real-time performance metrics, including:

• Number of clicks.
• Cost per click (CPC).
• Number of sessions.
• Bounce rate.
• Conversion rate.

These insights empower you to analyse your PPC strategy and make data-driven decisions about how to allocate your ad account budget. Over time, you can use these metrics to improve performance and refine your campaigns.

Pricing: Free version available (Higher tiers are priced).

3. Semrush

Semrush is one of the most popular (and powerful) PPC tools and software providers on the market. As an all-in-one digital marketing tool, Semrush is a great asset in many aspects of PPC advertising, including search engine optimization (SEO).

More specifically, Semrush greatly simplifies keyword research by giving you detailed search volume competition data. The platform offers various capabilities that leverage a massive keyword database, allowing you to identify search terms most relevant to your goals.

Likewise, you can analyse thousands of keywords at a time and pinpoint the ones your competitors are using. It even provides insight into which keywords your competitors are bidding on. This level of detail can save time on your PPC campaign tasks by helping you focus on the phrases that matter.

Pricing: Starts at $139.95 per month.

4. PPC Entourage

PPC Entourage is a well-known tool that boasts a wide range of innovative features made specifically for Amazon ads. As a user-friendly platform, this solution is great for any digital marketer just getting started with PPC advertising who wants to run multiple ad campaigns efficiently.

Users leverage a suite of automation tools, enabling them to apply a template across multiple Amazon PPC campaigns in a matter of seconds. PPC Entourage also includes a “Bulk Optimizer” tool, which allows you to optimize every ad account and all your Amazon ads in a fraction of the time it would normally take.

Customers also receive advanced and accurate PPC reports, which can be compiled on a weekly or monthly basis. This gives you the ability to make regular adjustments to your advertising campaigns and keep them on course. Pricing: PPC Entourage charges a 2.9% monthly ad spend fee.

5. AdEspresso

AdEspresso is primarily a Google Ads alternative that augments the platform’s built-in capabilities. Although not one of the more robust PPC software solutions available, its unique split testing feature stands out from the crowd.

This optimization tool simplifies A/B testing, allowing you to try different Google ad variations to see what sticks. In turn, you can identify the most effective messaging and tweak the ad copy accordingly. AdEspresso also integrates with Facebook Ads and Instagram, helping you manage ad campaigns across all these channels simultaneously.

Pricing: Starts at $49 per month.

6. SpyFu

As the name implies, SpyFu helps you “spy” on the competition — well, kind of. At the very least, this PPC management software takes a peek behind the scenes and helps you understand competitor rankings and ad variations.

Not only can you see which keywords competitors are bidding on, but you can also view every keyword and PPC ad they’ve ever used. Plus, SpyFu takes the guesswork out of SEO by doubling as a SERP analysis tool. In other words, you can use its insights to understand Google trends and stay ahead of the search engine curve.

Pricing: Basic plans start at $39 per month.

7. Trellis

Trellis is another Amazon PPC tool designed to help marketers manage E-commerce advertising. Although it’s an advanced platform with a swarm of innovative features, its user-friendly dashboard makes it easy to optimize multiple Amazon PPC campaigns in one fell swoop.

One great feature of Trellis’ AI-powered automation tools is their ability to allocate budgets between branded and generic keywords. This helps you make the most of your Amazon advertising budget, ensuring maximum sales growth and allowing you to monitor your Google Ads campaigns alongside your Amazon efforts if needed.

Pricing: Plans start at $299 for revenue up to $2 million annually.

8. WordStream

WordStream began with a singular focus on keyword research, but has since developed into a suite of PPC software solutions. However, we’d like to call out two of its capabilities in particular:

• Google Ads Performance Grader.
• Facebook Ads Performance Grader.

These two benchmarking tools are great for understanding the quality of your campaign and identifying missed opportunities. They assess your campaigns and assign an overall score between zero and 100 — the higher the score, the better the campaign.

WordStream also provides individual scores in 10 categories, including wasted spend, click-through rate and landing page optimization. By getting a clear snapshot of your Google Ads account, you can pinpoint weak areas and boost your PPC optimization.

Pricing: Free tools and resources available.

9. Optymyzr

Optymyzr calls itself a single platform to “audit, optimize, automate and report on paid media campaigns that grow your business.” As a comprehensive PPC software provider, Optymyzr focuses not only on Google Ads, but also Facebook Ads, Microsoft Ads and Amazon advertising.

This product supports a variety of PPC ads formats, including search, shopping, display and video. Some of its key features are:

• Automated bid management.
• Auction insights.
• Paid search optimization.
• PPC reporting.
• Budget tracking.

By centralizing these tasks, Optymyzr helps you coordinate all your platforms, including Google Ads, so you can manage every ad account in one place.

Pricing: $209 per month.

9. Optymyzr

Optymyzr calls itself a single platform to “audit, optimize, automate and report on paid media campaigns that grow your business.” As a comprehensive PPC software provider, Optymyzr focuses not only on Google Ads, but also Facebook Ads, Microsoft Ads and Amazon advertising.

This product supports a variety of PPC ads formats, including search, shopping, display and video. Some of its key features are:

• Automated bid management.
• Auction insights.
• Paid search optimization.
• PPC reporting.
• Budget tracking.

By centralizing these tasks, Optymyzr helps you coordinate all your platforms, including Google Ads, so you can manage every ad account in one place.

Pricing: $209 per month.

10. Adzooma

10. Adzooma

The Adzooma PPC management system helps you create, manage, analyse and enhance your PPC ad campaigns through automation tools and growth opportunities. To date, this holistic platform has optimized over $1 billion in ad spend, generated over 2.11 billion clicks and achieved nearly 200 million conversions.

Adzooma provides weekly smart recommendations, which you can use to improve ad performance over time. Users can set rules to automate certain tasks like bidding, budget allocation and more. Plus, with Google Analytics integration, you can gain even more granular insights into user behaviour on your website.

If you’re looking for a solution with both free and paid plans, Adzooma has a flexible approach that scales as you grow.

Pricing: Adzooma offers a free plan, but premium paid plans begin at $69 per month.

What PPC Tools Won’t Be Able To Do for You

Ultimately, PPC management isn’t easy if you’re not using software solutions. That said, even the most advanced PPC tools can’t do everything on your behalf.

No matter what technologies you have at your disposal, there’s no replacing human insight and creativity. AI-powered tools may be helpful, but they’re far from perfect.

Bottom line: Think twice before you set and forget your PPC strategy. With the right balance of automation and manual oversight, you’ll be well on your way to success.

By Christopher Whitbeck

Chris Whitbeck a senior writer based in Boston. When he’s not writing, you can find him buried in a good book, walking to the nearest coffee shop, listening to a podcast or (loudly) cheering for the Boston Celtics.

Sourced from BRAFTON

By Waleed Najam

So, you’ve launched your ad campaign. You’ve set up your targeting, written some punchy copy, picked a catchy image or maybe a video and hit “go.” A few days pass, then a week, and you’re left scratching your head, wondering, “Why aren’t these ads converting?”

You’re not alone—I’ve got you!

“The average conversion rate on Facebook is 8.78% across industries.” That means, for every 100 people who click your ad, only about 9 might convert, and that’s if your campaign is well-optimized. For many businesses, especially newer ones, the number is even lower. If you’re not seeing results, it might not be your business, it might be that the ad game has changed.

Facebook ads can work brilliantly. But lately, more and more advertisers are feeling the heat. Let’s break down what’s really going on and, more importantly, how you can turn things around.

The Crowded Bidding Space—Why It’s Getting Tougher

1. More Advertisers, Same Audience

First off, let’s talk about competition. The Facebook ad space is more crowded than ever. Back in the early 2010s, you could run a simple image ad with some basic targeting and get killer results. That’s not the case anymore.

Now, everyone from your local candle shop to a DTC startup in Bali is targeting the same people. The audience size hasn’t exploded, but the number of brands chasing them has.

If your offer looks like everyone else’s, your creativity feels recycled and your brand has no distinct identity, why should anyone choose you over the rest? As we all know, in this environment, uniqueness isn’t optional; it’s necessary for survival.

2. Everyone Is In Your Market Now

You’re not just competing with direct competitors anymore.

Let’s say you sell skincare. You’re not only up against other skincare brands, you’re also fighting for attention against DTC supplement startups, fashion brands, fitness coaches, SaaS tools, e-learning platforms and more. Everyone wants a slice of your audience’s attention, and they’re spending to get it.

Jeff Bezos revealed that Amazon had virtually no real competition for its first seven years. This gave them the rare luxury to test, fail and grow without pressure, something he described as “unbelievable.” It was a key factor in Amazon’s ability to scale and innovate early on.

Now, picture launching a brand today and finding 50 advertisers already bidding for the same audience on day one. That’s your new normal. And in that world, just showing up isn’t enough.

If your product, your story and your creativity don’t bring something unmistakably unique to the table, you’ll likely get outbid, outshined and overlooked. Your edge has to go beyond price. You need a brand people can connect with, remember and choose over the noise.

How To Fix It: Nine Solutions To Make Facebook Ads Work Again

Let’s flip the script. Competition is tough, but brands are still crushing it on Facebook.

The question is: What are they doing differently? Let me share the secrets:

1. Create better ads, not just more ads.

Don’t just throw money at the problem; fix the message. A winning ad grabs attention in under three seconds. That means bold visuals, clear messaging and a hook that makes people feel seen. Whether it’s humor, pain points or transformation, your creative has to speak to the audience. Don’t settle for basic.

2. Build a community, not just a customer list.

People crave connection, not just transactions. When your brand feels like a movement, engagement grows. Start small, build a Facebook Group, go live, answer DMs and share behind-the-scenes moments. Community builds trust and lowers CAC over time.

3. Make your product stand out.

In a saturated market, looking like everyone else makes price your only weapon, and cheaper wins. Stand out with unique packaging, emotional branding and tailored offers. When it feels personal, they stop comparing.

4. Add real value.

People are tired of ads that just scream “buy now.” Instead, lead with value. Share a tip, a quick how-to or a mindset shift. Even if they never buy, you build trust. In a value-first world, the brand that helps wins.

5. Be a purpose-driven brand.

What does your brand stand for? Consumers want to support businesses that reflect their values. Whether it’s sustainability, mental health or local impact, share your why. Purpose builds an emotional connection, which leads to loyalty. In a feed full of lifeless product shots, your mission is what makes you memorable.

6. Optimize your ad structure.

Creativity gets the credit, but structure drives scale. Most people optimize from the top down, focusing on broad targeting and audience hacks. I go bottom-up: nailing ad-level performance before scaling ad sets. Test one variable at a time. Use CBO wisely. Let winners breathe and cut only what truly underperforms. With the right structure, even average ads can become profitable.

7. Let the pixel breathe.

Your pixel needs time. If you keep turning your ads on and off every 48 hours, you’re resetting the learning phase constantly. Give your pixel space to learn who your buyers are. Feed it good data and track purchases, not just clicks or adds to cart.

8. Don’t give up so quickly.

Most ad accounts fail because people quit too early.

This game takes testing, iteration and patience. Sometimes you’ll lose money in the short term to gain valuable learnings that make you money later. Don’t abandon your strategy before it has time to work.

9. Play the long game.

There are no shortcuts to building a real brand. Facebook ads alone won’t work without a full system; email, content, landing pages and customer experience all need to align. One great ad can’t fix a broken backend. Focus on retention, not just acquisition. The lasting brands think long term.

If your Facebook ads aren’t working, it’s not the platform, it’s the strategy; real results come from creativity, clarity and consistency, so keep going!

Feature Image Credit: Getty

By Waleed Najam

Sourced from Forbes

By Priya Singh

By Priya Singh

Sourced from Mashable India

By Martin Rowinski, Edited by Chelsea Brown

Executive branding is no longer optional; it’s a leadership imperative. Here’s why.

Leadership isn’t what it used to be. And that’s a good thing. There was a time when the corner office, the credentials on the wall and a polished resume were enough to signal executive credibility. Today, those things are merely the starting point. Now, people want more from leaders. More transparency. More values. More humanity. And perhaps most of all — more clarity about what those leaders stand for.

That’s where executive branding enters the picture.

Executive branding is no longer a buzzword or a luxury reserved for public-facing CEOs. It has become a strategic leadership asset. It’s the way executives translate who they are into influence, trust and opportunity. In today’s environment, your personal brand is not just a reflection of your reputation — it is a critical lever for business growth, cultural impact and long-term relevance.

At Boardsi, we’ve worked with thousands of executives navigating the path from operational leadership to boardroom influence. Time and time again, one truth rises to the surface: The leaders who grow fastest and go furthest are the ones who know how to articulate their story — and back it up with substance.

Why executive branding matters more than ever

We’re living in an age of noise. Information is everywhere, and attention spans are shorter than ever. People don’t just want information; they want connection. They want leaders who are clear, consistent and authentic.

That’s what makes executive branding so powerful.

A strong executive brand doesn’t mean you’re constantly promoting yourself. It means you’re building a reputation rooted in values and purpose. It’s a way of showing up consistently — online, onstage and in every stakeholder conversation — as the leader you truly are.

But here’s the catch: If you don’t define your brand, the world will do it for you. And in today’s fast-moving landscape, lack of clarity can be costly.

When your personal values align with your professional voice, people don’t just notice you — they believe in you. That belief is what opens doors, builds trust and creates long-term strategic advantage.

The business case for executive branding

Let’s talk ROI — not in abstract terms, but in measurable outcomes. Here’s what a well-developed executive brand unlocks:

1. Credibility that compounds

Authenticity is magnetic. Leaders who consistently live their values earn trust faster and hold it longer. Whether you’re negotiating deals, presenting to a board or rallying a team through change, a trusted personal brand provides a baseline of credibility that can’t be faked.

2. A talent magnet

Top talent isn’t just looking for jobs — they’re looking for leaders. They want to work for people who inspire them, who share their values and who model the kind of integrity and courage they admire. A compelling executive brand makes it easier for the right people to say yes — to your company, your mission and your vision.

3. Influence with real reach

Influence isn’t just about being visible. It’s about being heard — and remembered. Leaders with strong brands are invited to speak, collaborate and contribute. Their words carry weight because people believe they come from a place of conviction, not performance.

4. Boardroom advantage

At Boardsi, we’ve seen first hand how executive branding becomes a difference-maker in board recruitment. When you can articulate your leadership philosophy, show evidence of impact and demonstrate thought leadership, you stand out. Not because you’re louder, but because you’re clearer.

How to build a brand that actually reflects you

There’s no one-size-fits-all blueprint, but there are a few principles that every executive can apply:

1. Start with purpose

What drives you? What do you believe about leadership, about people, about innovation? Your personal brand should begin where all great leadership begins: with purpose. If you’re unclear, take the time to reflect. If you’re confident, take the time to articulate it.

2. Communicate with consistency

Your brand lives wherever people encounter you — LinkedIn, board meetings, conferences, interviews. It should feel like a throughline, not a highlight reel. You don’t need to post daily or chase attention. But when you do speak, be thoughtful. Be generous. Be real.

3. Live the brand internally

The strongest personal brands are aligned from the inside out. If you say you value transparency, be the first to own a mistake. If you believe in mentorship, show up for your team in meaningful ways. Your internal credibility is the foundation of your external brand.

4. Show up where it matters

Your voice has more power when it’s shared in the right rooms. Speak at events. Contribute to industry conversations. Say yes to interviews, panels and mentoring opportunities. These aren’t just chances to be seen — they’re opportunities to serve and shape your ecosystem.

5. Think long-term

Executive branding isn’t a campaign — it’s a leadership commitment. It’s the story people will tell about you when you’re not in the room. It’s how you continue to lead, even when your title changes or your company evolves.

Beyond the title: Building a brand that lasts

When I wrote Beyond the Title, my mission was simple: to give leaders a roadmap for building a brand that reflects more than their resume. It’s about understanding that leadership is personal, and your identity as a leader is one of your most valuable assets.

The book breaks down how to define your leadership philosophy, express it with clarity and grow your influence in a way that’s both authentic and strategic. Because at the end of the day, people don’t follow titles. They follow leaders who show up consistently with purpose.

And that’s what we do at Boardsi — help leaders go beyond their roles and into the influence and impact they’re capable of. From board education to placement, we equip executives to lead at the highest level, with brands that stand for something real.

In today’s world, trust is currency. Visibility is velocity. And executive branding is how you earn one and accelerate the other. So, ask yourself not just what do I do, but what do I stand for? Your answer might just become your most powerful leadership tool.

Edited by Chelsea Brown

Sourced from Entrepreneur

Sourced from The Drum

Kicking off our Creative Technology for Drummies guide, our glossary helps navigate the tools, trends and terminology shaping the future of creativity.

From smart templates to scene detection, AI assistants to virtual production sets, creative tech is rewriting the rules of how brands make and scale ideas. But with new terms landing faster than you can say ‘generative fill,’ it’s easy to lose track of what’s worth your time (and what’s just buzz).

Feature Image Credit: Polina Kondrashova on Unsplash

Sourced from The Drum

By Jodie Cook

Scroll down the feed of any social media platform and you see the problem. Everyone’s content is starting to look the same. As people get scared of oversharing or alienating people, or using AI to generate terrible posts, they start writing the same vanilla messaging and hiding their true colours. Their strong beliefs don’t come out. They pretend to be like everyone else. They blend in. But there’s another way: your weirdness could be your superpower.

You weren’t put here to go through the motions with posting online. It’s time to get real. It’s time to stand out. ChatGPT can help. Copy, paste and edit the square brackets in ChatGPT, and keep the same chat window open so the context carries through.

Stand out from the crowd: ChatGPT prompts for memorable content

Understand fears, desires and motivations

Get inside your audience’s head so they wonder how you got there. They have specific dreams keeping them up at night and fears that stop them from taking action. Average creators guess what their audience wants. Winners know for sure. They speak directly to the pain points that matter. When you understand someone’s deepest motivations, your content resonates on a whole new level.

“Based on what you know about my target audience from our previous conversations, analyse their deepest fears and desires. Create 5 specific pain points they face daily, then match each with a hidden desire they might not even admit to themselves. For each pairing, write a single sentence that would make them think ‘how did you know that about me?’ Make the language direct and use their exact words where possible. Ask for more detail if required.”

Rework the hook

You only have a few seconds to hook someone on any platform. Your first line determines whether they keep reading or keep scrolling. Everyone writes their hook once and calls it done. But the first version is rarely the best version. Your hook needs to create an information gap, make a bold claim, or challenge a common belief. Get alternatives and see which one stands out the most. Test different angles until you find the one that grabs attention.

“Take this opening line from my content: [paste your opening line]. Based on what you know about my writing style and target audience, create 7 alternative hooks. Make each one completely different – vary the structure, angle, and emotional trigger. Include options that are bold statements, create information gaps, challenge common beliefs, or use unexpected contrasts. Great hooks are not questions. They are hard-hitting statements. Rank them from safest to most attention-grabbing. Make each hook 10 words or fewer.”

Be more weird

Your first draft is safe. It’s normal, it’s conservative. It doesn’t turn heads. It doesn’t shock anyone into action. The majority water down their message to avoid offending anyone. They end up offending no one and inspiring no one either. Crank up the shock factor. Say what others are thinking but won’t say. Take a stance that makes people choose sides. Your weird is someone else’s refreshing honesty.

“Review this piece of content I’ve written: [paste your content]. Based on what you know about my brand and communication style, make it dramatically weirder and more memorable. Push every vanilla statement to its extreme. Replace generic observations with specific, standout angles. Add unconventional examples or analogies. Include at least one line that would make someone gasp or laugh out loud. Keep my authentic voice but remove all the boring parts.”

Get a critique from a cynical naysayer

Nobody learns from yes-men. You need someone to poke holes in your content before your audience does. Safe players surround themselves with supporters who tell them everything is great. Real growth comes from harsh feedback. Let ChatGPT channel your biggest sceptic. Face the criticism head-on and make your content bulletproof. Every objection you address makes your message stronger.

“Based on what you know about my content and target audience, become my harshest critic. Review this content: [paste your content]. Channel a cynical industry veteran who’s seen it all. Point out every weakness, cliché, and place where I’m playing it too safe. Question my assumptions and credentials. Be brutal but specific – for each criticism, explain exactly why it weakens my message. End with 3 specific changes that would make even a sceptic pay attention.”

Experiment with formats

Same message, alternative delivery, can mean the difference between minimal engagement and going viral. It’s tempting to stick to one format because it’s comfortable. But comfort doesn’t create breakthroughs. Your best-performing content might be in a format you haven’t tried yet. Keep going until you find the one that works. Test everything. Measure results. Then do more of what connects.

“Based on what you know about my content goals and target audience, transform this piece of content into 5 completely different formats for [social platform]: [paste your content]. Create versions for: a personal story format, a contrarian hot take, a step-by-step guide, a behind-the-scenes confession, and a predictive/future-focused piece. For each format, write the first 3 lines to show how the tone and structure would change. Identify which format best serves my message.”

Create content worth remembering: make your mark with bold choices

Playing safe guarantees mediocrity. But these prompts transform your content from forgettable to unforgettable. Get inside your audience’s head until you know them better than they know themselves. Rework your hooks until they’re impossible to ignore. Own your weirdness and let sceptics make you stronger. Experiment with formats until you find your winner.

Your content should make people feel something. Make them think differently. Make them take action. Make them cry, if you like. The world has enough generic content. Stop hiding your true colours and create something only you could write.

Access all my best ChatGPT content prompts.

Feature Image Credit: Getty

By Jodie Cook

Find Jodie Cook on LinkedIn. Visit Jodie’s website.

Sourced from Forbes

By Jess Kinghorn

I utterly despise Google’s AI summaries. I dislike how they’re placed right at the top of the page, I dislike how prone to hallucinating the answers I’m searching for are, and I dislike that when it does offer something vaguely helpful, it’s almost definitely scraped from another human that actually did the legwork. Thankfully, the Bye Bye, Google AI browser extension means I no longer have to glower at them—if only I could do the same for similar eyesores, like bus stop ads and marketing billboards, in real life.

Software engineer Stijn Spanhove is currently tinkering with an AR project that does just that. Using Snapchat’s Spectacles and Google’s Gemini, he’s built an XR app that deploys the power of ad block via the lightweight frame of a wearable (via Tom’s Hardware). Unfortunately, as an experimental project that Spanhove is still tinkering with, ads are currently being replaced by glaring red boxes.

That quirk aside, the demo video Spanhove shared on X is no less neat. The app’s positional consistency is impressive, and is seen ‘blocking’ out billboards, newspaper ads, and even branded food packaging once activated. This is thanks to the use of Snap’s Depth Cache library shared via GitHub, but this also makes the project a Spectacles exclusive for the time being.

Besides the Snap exclusivity, the biggest hurdles to my mind are those garish red boxes that are arguably more distracting than the ads themselves. Perhaps developer Stijn Spanhove will in future add the option for users to replace ads with something of their choice—like an AR mural to Miku Hatsune…hypothetically, I mean.

More broadly speaking, big tech keeps trying to make smart specs happen, despite even Meta admitting earlier this year they’d yet to crack a killer use case for their in-development Orion AR glasses. Speaking of Meta, the fact that what you snap or record with the company’s Ray-Ban smart glasses may be used to train AI models also turns me off from the whole tech wearables fad.

That’s all before even mentioning this student project out of Harvard that uses Meta’s smart glasses to instantly dox anyone the wearer claps eyes upon. Okay, I admit that’s a lot of doom and gloom about wearables—but you’re no longer thinking about my AR Miku Hatsune mural, are you?

Feature Image credit: Stijn Spanhove

By Jess Kinghorn

Jess has been writing about games for over ten years, spending the last seven working on print publications PLAY and Official PlayStation Magazine. When she’s not writing about all things hardware here, she’s getting cosy with a horror classic, ranting about a cult hit to a captive audience, or tinkering with some tabletop nonsense.

Sourced from PC Gamer

Sourced from OM

The decades-old doctrine of “Web traffic in exchange for permission to crawl” is over, writes Fred Vogelstein in his latest feature for our newsletter, Crazy StupidTech, and as a result, the Internet in the age of AI will be filled with much-needed “tolls.” This change has come quickly.

“Google essentially invented the business of crawling in exchange for monetizable traffic a generation ago with Adwords,” writes Fred. “It remains the source of its dominance today. And it has been an essential fuel for the growth of the $16 trillion global internet economy.“

The writing’s been on the wall since ChatGPT launched, but nobody wanted to read it. We’re watching the great traffic heist in real-time. “Not only are more and more searches going through AI chatbots that generate zero traffic for publishers,” Fred writes, “Google itself is now sending publishers less traffic. Instead, Google is increasingly choosing to use its own AI product Gemini to respond to queries as a way of competing with the chatbots.”

In other words, AI chatbots are swallowing searches whole, while Google is playing both sides with Gemini. Don’t ignore the fact that this is a big challenge to how Google makes money. But it has deep pockets. Established media is living on fumes. One man’s crisis is another man’s opportunity.

Tollbit is the first to capitalize on this. But as Fred points out, Cloudflare and Matthew Prince are cooking up something new and will give @TollbitOfficial some competition and a boost.

I have been talking about this for a very long time, but the establishment media is always the last to realize their own existential threats. Just as they were slow to recognize the emergence of blogs, social media, and how Facebook was a chimera, they have been slow to realize that the old “destination internet” as a behavioural construct is over.

The addiction to traffic and impressions-based advertising has been an Achilles’ heel of the media establishment. It is hard for them to look at the world through the lens of engagement. The rise of “chat-based” informational interfaces is yet another victory for engagement-trumps-all doctrine.

To get a better understanding of this, feel free to dig into the archives of our CrazyStupidTech newsletter. If you like what you read, please subscribe. It is free. But before you do all that, read Fred’s piece. It is very good.

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By Lovely Marshall

As of 2025, there are more than 207 million global content creators who build digital influence through platforms like YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn and Instagram. Creators are more than content makers; they’re economic engines. But while the creator economy is booming, the bridge between influence and infrastructure remains fragile.

According to Goldman Sachs via MBO Partners, the U.S. creator economy alone contributes over $250 billion to GDP. Adam Mosseri, CEO of Instagram, shared in Business Insider: “We believe creators are becoming more and more relevant over time. We are just seeing more and more power shift from institutions to individuals across the industry.”

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) estimates there are 34.8 million small businesses nationwide, yet few policies formally recognize creators as part of that group. This is the untapped gap: Creators don’t always see themselves as entrepreneurs, and as a result, they often miss out on resources specifically designed to support business growth.

Influencers produce content daily, yet miss out on tools that could help them monetize, scale and build long-term wealth. To prevent what I call “Creator-to-CEO Failure to Launch,” here’s how creators can start using existing free partnerships right now to turn their visibility into viable ventures.

7 Essential Partnerships And Resources To Help You Build A Business In 2025

1. SCORE (Service Corps Of Retired Executives)

Why It Matters: With 10,000+ volunteer mentors, SCORE offers free one-on-one guidance to entrepreneurs across industries.

Action Step: Book a mentor at SCORE.org who understands digital marketing, pricing or scaling to review your business model, even if you’re just starting out.

2. Small Business Digital Alliance (SBDA)

Why It Matters: Backed by the SBA and Business Forward, this organization curates digital tools, templates and educational materials.

Action Step: Use their free business planning and legal resources to turn your content operation into a structured, scale-ready venture.

3. Local Chambers Of Commerce + Women’s Business Centres

Why It Matters: These groups provide hands-on workshops and funding guidance often overlooked by online-first creators.

Action Step: Attend a local business centre event. Even a one-time mixer can connect you to a lawyer, lender or advisor who can help formalize your brand.

4. University Innovation Centres (U Of H, Community Colleges, HBCUs)

Why It Matters: Community colleges and HBCUs now house innovation labs where non-enrolled creators can join pitch competitions, incubators or workshops.

Action Step: Search your city + “University Innovation Centre” and inquire about available small business or entrepreneurship resources.

5. Google Reviews + Business Tools

Why It Matters: A buyer’s decision is often driven by trust and validation, but many creators still lack visibility because they haven’t claimed or optimized a Google Business Profile.

Action Step: Create your Google Business Profile and start collecting reviews from collaborators, clients or brand deals.

6. Hello Alice

Why It Matters: With over $40 million in grants distributed, Hello Alice supports early-stage founders and women, veterans and creators of colour.

Action Step: Apply for funding, access business education and join their creator cohorts if you’re ready to scale beyond brand deals.

7. Verizon Small Business Digital Ready

Why It Matters: With over 1 million users, this platform offers courses, mentorship and $10,000 grant competitions.

Action Step: Enrol in courses and track your progress. Creators who complete modules qualify for mentorship and funding.

Real Voices, Real Impact

Gone are the days when we only viewed creators as entertainment. They’re digital founders. With the right partnerships, they won’t just gain influence. They’ll gain infrastructure.

Powerhouse Thought: Creators Don’t Just Need Platforms; They Need Partnerships

Entrepreneurs aren’t made when you hit six figures. They’re made when you set up your backend like it matters. If you’re already creating content, building an audience or selling a service, you’re not an influencer. You’re a business.

These tools are your blueprint to prove it.

Feature Image Credit: Getty

By Lovely Marshall

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By Madeline Duley

With AI’s ability to generate art, content, codes and video, understand and respond to multiple languages, identify objects and even make decisions, the potential uses of this technology are practically limitless. Though no system is flawless, there are ways you can use this powerful tool at your fingertips to help you make money.

To learn how, GOBankingRates spoke with a self-made millionaire who has mastered the art of using ChatGPT to drive cash flow. You’ll be surprised at just how simple — and fun — it can be to let AI work for you. Here are six money-making tips you should follow.

Streamlining Processes

For Mason Jones, a self-made millionaire and managing director with over 20 high-earning affiliate websites at NDR, integrating ChatGPT into his business was a no-brainer.

“As my affiliate sites grew, I was spending too much time on repetitive tasks — like keyword research, content generation and social posting,” Jones said. “I needed a way to streamline my processes without sacrificing quality. That’s when I dove into AI, and, once I saw how much more efficient it made me, I was hooked.”

Generating Content Ideas

For website owners like Jones, staying relevant and engaging can be both time-consuming and creatively draining.

“One of the biggest challenges in affiliate marketing is constantly creating fresh, relevant content that resonates with your audience,” Jones said. “AI stepped in big time here. I use tools like ChatGPT to brainstorm blog post ideas and even map out article structures. If I’m working in a niche, I can quickly generate content ideas tailored to what people are actually searching for. What used to take hours of research, ChatGPT can now handle in minutes.”

While Jones doesn’t use ChatGPT to write content, he leverages it to generate topics, plan PR campaigns and suggest stock ideas, saving both time and energy without sacrificing quality.

“ChatGPT has been an absolute game changer for me,” Jones said. “I use the paid version almost daily, and it saves me around 20% of my time when creating affiliate campaigns, which is huge for revenue generation. The data and insights it provides are much more reliable than the free version, and it’s been essential in shaping my overall strategy. It’s really become an integral tool in my business.”

Identifying Keywords and Google Ranking Opportunities

Creating engaging content is just the start. Optimizing it for search engines is the key to driving traffic and boosting revenue.

“This was probably the most exciting part for me,” Jones said. “Using AI-driven tools, I’ve been able to identify profitable keywords and opportunities that I might’ve missed on my own.”

Instead of making educated guesses, AI offers data-driven insights.

“AI tools like SurferSEO analyse search trends and help me optimize my posts to rank higher on Google,” Jones said. “The cool thing is that these tools also suggest what’s missing in my content compared to the top-ranking articles, which gives me a real edge in the game. SEO is no longer guesswork; AI pretty much does the heavy lifting.”

Automating Social Content

To drive traffic to his sites, Jones relies heavily on social media. However, creating effective posts, hashtags and captions is time-consuming — and a task that AI can handle with ease.

“I don’t have time to manually craft social media posts every day, and that’s where AI has saved me countless hours,” Jones said. “I use ChatGPT to automate social media content — everything from post ideas to captions. Once I’ve written a blog post or created a piece of content, AI helps break it down into smaller, shareable chunks for Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.”

By keeping his social presence consistent without being tied to a computer all day, Jones has been able to use AI’s capabilities to free up time and energy.

Sorting and Analysing Data

For Jones, being able to identify top-performing content and make sense of all the data from his websites is crucial. Thanks to ChatGPT, it has never been easier.

“Tools like Google Analytics and SEMrush are great, but they can be overwhelming with the amount of data they provide,” Jones said. “AI tools help me sort through that noise and focus on what really matters, like which pages are converting best and where my traffic is coming from. This data-driven approach has been crucial in scaling up my ventures.”

Upfront Costs & Profit Timeline

Beyond saving time and reducing the mental strain of repetitive tasks, ChatGPT also offers low upfront costs and a quick path to profits. For Jones, the small investment was well worth it.

“AI tools are surprisingly affordable,” Jones said. “Most of the tools I use are subscription-based, and I probably spend around $100 to $200 a month on AI-driven tools like Jasper for writing, SEMrush for SEO, ChatGPT Plus and a few social media automation platforms. Within about three to four months of fully integrating AI into my workflow, I hit profit. My first $1,000 came much quicker than with traditional methods, and from there things have just snowballed.”

At just $20 per month, OpenAI’s ChatGPT Plus is a bargain investment, offering higher-quality data and more strategic insights than the free version.

Final Take To GO: Your AI Income Stream

With such a low upfront cost, there’s little downside to leveraging AI to streamline your processes and make earning money easier than ever. Just ask Jones.

“Over the past year, AI has helped me significantly increase my affiliate marketing earnings,” Jones said. “Without getting too deep into specifics, let’s just say AI has contributed to a steady five-figure monthly income stream. The best part? I’m working fewer hours than ever before.”

Feature Image Credit: Robert Way / Getty Images

By Madeline Duley

Caitlyn Moorhead contributed to the reporting for this article.

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