Marketing keeps shifting. This month brought real changes, from how search works to how platforms serve ads. If you create content, run campaigns, or manage strategy, you’ll want to pay attention.

Here’s what changed in May, what it means, and what you should do about it. Shehnoor Ahmed, a digital marketing strategist who works with brands and creators, also shared his insights throughout.

Google Is Prioritising Useful Content, Not Keywords

Google’s March update is still rolling out. So far, helpful content is ranking higher. Pages that repeat keywords without offering value are dropping.

Search is now more about understanding what people actually want. If your content solves a problem clearly, it performs better. If it’s vague or built for clicks, it won’t.

Shehnoor Ahmed says:
 “If your content doesn’t answer questions in a clear, natural way, Google ignores it.”

What to do:

  • Focus on answering questions directly.

  • Keep your content structured and readable.

  • Avoid writing for search engines, write to help people.

Meta Updated Its Targeting Features

Meta changed how ads work. Instead of relying on set audience filters, its tools now predict who’s likely to take action. They do this by watching how users interact with short-form videos, carousels, and other content.

This helps campaigns improve faster without constant manual changes.

What to do:

  • Use broader audience settings.

  • Set clear performance goals.

  • Watch results and adjust based on real data, not guesses.

Content on TikTok and LinkedIn Is Evolving

Brands are using TikTok to teach, not just entertain. Short tutorials, quick reviews, and case breakdowns are getting strong results. LinkedIn is also pushing toward video and carousel content. Polished marketing posts don’t perform as well as honest, visual stories.

Trend:
 People are more likely to engage with content that feels real and shows how things actually work.

What to do:

  • Post work-in-progress updates or explain your process.

  • Use subtitles in every video.

  • Stick to each platform’s built-in formats for better reach.

First-Party Data Is Now Critical

With cookie tracking disappearing and rules tightening, platforms can’t provide the same level of targeting. Brands with strong email lists and active communities are in a better place.

Shehnoor Ahmed says:
 “If your audience lives on one platform, you’re not in control. Build channels you own.”

What to do:

  • Build and grow your email list.

  • Start a space where people can talk, like a Facebook group or community forum.

  • Give people something useful in exchange for joining.

New Tools Making an Impact

Here are a few tools that gained attention this month:

  • Perplexity Ads – Testing contextual targeting for more relevant placements.

  • Blaze Writer – Helps group content around themes quickly.

  • Google Demand Gen Ads – Automatically builds creatives based on your products.

  • Kling Video Generator – Converts scripts into short videos for testing.

These tools save time. But they don’t replace real strategy.

What To Focus On Right Now

  1. Fix your content
     If it’s hard to read, vague, or repetitive, rewrite it.

  2. Post more short videos
     Reels, Shorts, and TikToks still drive discovery.

  3. Check your analytics
     Stop tracking vanity metrics. Focus on actions, like clicks, replies, and returns.

Advice from Shehnoor Ahmed:
 “Pick what works. Stop doing what doesn’t. Test one thing at a time, and keep the pieces that move the needle.”

Final Take

Marketing is moving fast. But the basics still matter. Clear content. Consistent posting. Knowing your audience.

Don’t try to keep up with every trend. Pay attention to what’s working for your audience, and double down on that.

For tools, tips, or help building a strategy that works, contact Top Digital Marketing Strategy Expert Shehnoor Ahmed.

FAQs

1. How can Shehnoor Ahmed help improve my brand’s digital presence?
 Shehnoor builds strategies that combine storytelling, data, and platform trends. Whether you need stronger SEO, smarter content, or better conversion funnels, he helps you focus on what moves your brand forward.

2. What type of businesses does Shehnoor work with?
 He works with founders, marketers, and creators across industries who want results, not noise. Whether you’re launching a product, scaling a campaign, or fixing low-performing content, Shehnoor builds tailored strategies that stick.

 Is short-form content still relevant in 2025?
 Yes. Short videos like TikToks, Reels, and YouTube Shorts still drive discovery across most platforms. They help build trust, increase reach, and offer fast content testing.

4. How important is first-party data now?
 It’s essential. As cookies phase out, you need email lists, loyalty programs, and owned communities to keep in touch with your audience. Platforms may shift, but your own database gives you long-term stability.

5. Should I replace my team’s content writing with automation tools?
 No. Tools can speed up research and clustering, but they can’t replace your understanding of tone, audience, or business goals. Use them to support your team, not replace it.