HubSpot’s 2026 State of Marketing report uncovered some good news: 65% of marketers are meeting or exceeding their performance benchmarks. But that success doesn’t happen by accident. Behind those results are clear priorities, rigorous testing, and a sharp focus on the right metrics. This post explores how the most successful teams are optimizing performance in 2026, and which KPIs they trust most to guide their decisions. Table of Contents Why Performance Optimization Matters in 2026 The Top Marketing KPIs to Track in 2026 Marketing Optimization Trends to Expect in 2026 How to Optimize Marketing Performance Why Performance Optimization Matters in […]

“SMASH that like button,” the host says, and your eyes roll back so far you can see your own medulla. “And don’t forget to subscribe!” If you make videos, podcasts, or social media posts, you know you should be encouraging engagement. But if doing so makes you feel like you need a shower, this story is for you. Today, the producer of My First Million shares how they turned boring engagement farming into shared language that their audience willingly (and joyfully) spreads — netting 200k subscribers in the process. The team calls it “The Gentlemen’s Agreement.” And you should absolutely […]

Marketing funnels aren‘t cutting it anymore, and you’ve probably felt it in the form of declining traffic, scattered buyer journeys, and tactics that worked last year falling flat today. That’s why HubSpot introduced loop marketing tactics, a four-stage framework designed to help you adapt and grow in the AI era. Unlike traditional funnels that assume buyers follow a linear path, Loop Marketing creates continuous cycles of learning and optimization that become sharper with every use. In this guide, I‘ll break down exactly what loop marketing tactics are, why they outperform funnels, and how to implement them step-by-step, even if you’re […]

If you‘re familiar with the world of SEO, I probably don’t have to tell you there’s been a serious shift in its landscape. Marketers are no longer just optimizing content for Google‘s traditional blue links; we’re now optimizing for AI. The shift is called Answer Engine Optimization, or AEO. Some practitioners also refer to it as AI engine optimization, and both terms are used interchangeably. But what does it mean to optimize your content for AI engines? I’ll explain. Table of Contents What is answer engine optimization? AEO versus SEO AEO versus GEO Which Answer Engines Should You Optimize For? How […]

If you‘ve noticed your brand appearing less frequently in ChatGPT answers, you’re not alone. Savvy marketers are using generative engine optimization tools to address this issue. These tools help your content get cited by AI platforms, rather than being buried under competitors. Fortunately, I spend way too much time monitoring how content performs across different platforms (an occupational hazard of being a marketer), and I’ve watched GEO tools evolve from experimental technology into genuinely helpful software that marketing teams actually rely on. In this guide, I’ll break down what generative engine optimization tools actually do, how they complement your existing […]

Like your weird uncle, nobody knows exactly how AI engines choose the sources they cite. But experiments are starting to point to ways you can get on their radar. And as consumers increasingly turn to AI search for product and service recommendations, you really want to be on their radar. (Ironically, unlike your weird uncle, who you try to avoid.) Today, I’ve got one such experiment that contributed to a 642% increase in citations by AI tools like ChatGPT. And to the delight of you word nerds, it’s all about semantics. But first, everyone’s favorite part: The disclaimer! The sum […]