Before digital marketing

Digital marketing has evolved over the years and changed since the start, which was when the internet started. The Idea of the internet was thought of a couple years before a scientist, Tim Berner-Lee, created a web for his employers. Then for the first time someone outside the organization was invited in 1991. Then it became public and the number of users grew exponentially after that, from 16 million to 70 million. Technology then was the next thing to evolve, which changed the many ways of how society works. One of the first steps to smartphones is the BlackBerry. What really had us through the door was the release of the iPhone, due to this it had led to a rise of users which increased marketing opportunities. Digital Marketing was a term that was used during the 90s. But it was not as worldwide as it is today, since the web 1.0 platform that was developed was a platform where you can find information but could not share it.

The Rise of Digital Marketing

Then the start of the first marketing strategy was in 1993, which was a clickable banner that HotWired bought for advertising. The other step up the ladder is the release of Yahoo in 1994. This was when companies started to optimize their websites because of the high user numbers that it received, 1 million in the first year and so on the years after. Google, the most used search engine, was then invented in 1998. Google, Microsoft, and Yahoo have adapted their own search engine and they also wiped out all the other smaller ones and became the big 3. The amount of traffic reported in 2006 was a monthly growth of 6.4 billion. Since web 1.0 had been around for a long time, it was then time for an upgrade. Web 2.0 was a newer version in which users are able to interact with businesses, which made digital marketers increase and by 2004, 2.9 billion was the amount produced by this industry. Myspace and other social networks became something that had come to the rise and brought another opportunity for businesses to prompt their services and products. With the help of cookies that track user habits, it gives marketers a new perspective and angle of reaching potential users.

Why Digital Marketing?

Why is it that I picked Digital Marketing as my central topic? Digital marketing is so interesting and has become even more with me now researching more about it. I have an aspiration of wanting to have my own digital marketing agency, so researching and educating the reader on what it is, is an amazing thing for me. Digital marketing is such an interesting topic because almost every company that has a website or a social media presence will give testimony on how crucial and how important it is. Not only to prove that it is important but to also find answers to my new questions that I have come up with while researching. like “what other expansions of technology will we use in the future to advance the digital marketing strategies?” or “has the rise of social media now make businesses more dependent on agencies or can they produce organic content?”.

How AI improved Digital Marketing

Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force in the realm of digital marketing, reshaping strategies, enhancing efficiency, and revolutionizing consumer engagement. As businesses navigate the ever-evolving digital landscape, AI has become the new norm, offering unprecedented opportunities for growth and innovation.

One of the primary ways AI is revolutionizing digital marketing is through its ability to analyze vast amounts of data with unparalleled speed and accuracy. According to the University of West Alabama, AI technologies enable marketers to gather and process data from various sources, including social media, website interactions, and consumer behavior patterns, to gain valuable insights into customer preferences and trends (“History of Digital Marketing,” n.d.). This data-driven approach allows marketers to tailor their strategies in real-time, delivering personalized experiences that resonate with their target audience.

My Current Research Roadmap

While I was studying and exploring more of the topic I selected and looking at the sources I saw how there was more to what I previously thought there was. There are far more background and factors that added to the digital marketing topic which gives me more confidence on completing the project with this same topic. What was interesting is how digital marketing started so far behind, I had thought that this was something that is new and on the uprising. While it is true more businesses are using digital marketing to gain customers, it started really the same time the internet came out. It was nice to see how we took an opportunity so early in its lifetime and continued to expand on technological advancement. I found how interesting it is that these search engines have their unique identities but play such a crucial role in the development of a businesses online presence

Looking ahead, one question that emerges is the trajectory of technological expansion in digital marketing. Beyond AI, what other innovations will redefine the landscape? Could blockchain technology revolutionize transparency and trust in digital advertising? How might augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) reshape consumer engagement and brand experiences?

Moreover, the prominence of social media prompts contemplation on the role of agencies versus organic content creation for businesses. While agencies offer expertise and resources, the rise of social media influencers and user-generated content highlights the potential for authentic, organic brand narratives. How will businesses strike a balance between leveraging agency expertise and fostering genuine connections with their audience through organic content?

Another intriguing question arises regarding the future of digital marketing itself. Will the field continue to thrive and evolve indefinitely, or are there potential limitations or shifts on the horizon? With advancements in AI and automation, will there be a point where digital marketing becomes so sophisticated that it eclipses traditional forms entirely, or will there always be a place for more traditional methods alongside digital strategies?