AI Search is Destroying Traffic from Mobile Devices
Plus: The first review of Perplexity's AI browser, marketers aren't sold on TikTok USA, and Reid Hoffman's AI avatar is working overtime.
👋 Happy Tuesday AI Marketers. Traffic might be coming from AI search, but it sure isn’t coming from mobile. The first review of Perplexity’s Comet browser is mixed. And LinkedIn’s co-founder isn’t waiting for AI avatars to go mainstream. It’s another busy week in AI. Let’s get you caught up…
AI Search is Killing Your Website’s Mobile Traffic
Turns out AI search has flipped the script on mobile dominance. While smartphones drive half of web traffic, desktop grabs a whopping 90% of AI search referrals. Why? Mobile AI search has a way of keeping users locked in-app, while desktop funnels users directly to sites.
But don’t expect this gap to remain for long. AI search will evolve for mobile and when it does, brands will need a game plan. SEJ breaks down the current desktop/mobile divide and offers concrete steps for taking action today. This is a must-read for marketers, SEOs, and web designers.
I Tried Perplexity's Comet AI Browser. Here’s What You Need to Know.
Perplexity says its new Comet browser turns online search into smooth conversations, promising to act like your personal assistant, shopper, and researcher rolled into one. It’s ambitious, intriguing, and naturally, a bit buggy. But if Comet delivers on even half these promises, browsing (and brand strategy) could get very interesting.
Will Ads Survive the AI Browser Wars?
As Perplexity and OpenAI push to develop conversational, AI-powered web browsing experiences, it’ll transform the way we access information online. It will also upend the advertising model that relies on old-school browsing. The big question for brands: What happens to ads when AI browsers like Comet become the new normal?
Gemini Can Now Turn Photos into Videos
Google’s Gemini AI just unlocked a new skill. It can transform static photos into eight-second animated videos with perfectly synced AI-generated sounds, dialogue, and ambient effects. Users simply upload an image, describe the desired motion, and Gemini delivers a polished MP4 clip.
Why Marketers Aren’t Sold on TikTok’s U.S. App
A potential U.S. version of TikTok might ease regulatory headaches, but marketers see unanswered questions. Will the new app need to be redownloaded, leading to a major drop in user base? How will user data be handled and stored? How will ads work? For brands, it's less about politics, more about audience retention and trust.
🎥 I sifted through a billion YouTube videos. Here’s one for you:
Major brands aren't waiting for AI avatars to get better. They're already deploying them openly and effectively. And high-profile leaders are putting themselves out there. LinkedIn's digital avatar of co-founder Reid Hoffman is delivering keynotes, scaling content, and engaging audiences. Watch how they're making it work.
🎙️ My top 3 podcast episodes this week:
UNCANNY VALLEY | WIRED
You Asked, We Answered: All of Your AI Angst
Lauren Goode, Kate Knibbs, and Paresh Dave tackle listener questions on AI's impact across industries, including film production changes and possibilities from the Jony Ive and OpenAI collaboration.
BIG TECHNOLOGY PODCAST
OpenAI's Windsurf Crash, Grok's Wild Week, Replace Tim Cook?
Box CEO Aaron Levie joins Alex to bring the week’s tech news into focus, including OpenAI's failed Windsurf deal, Google's AI coding muscle, speculation about an AI bubble, and Apple's uncertain leadership future.
THE AI DAILY BRIEF
Everything We Know About GPT-5 So Far
Host Nathaniel Whittemore breaks down rumors and reality surrounding GPT-5, OpenAI’s highly anticipated model expected this summer. Learn why GPT-5 could profoundly impact everyday users, not just coders and AI insiders.
Have a favorite podcast to recommend? Shoot me the details.
🚨 AI-forward companies are looking for AI-forward marketers:
Head of Marketing
Tailwind
Lead Tailwind’s AI-powered growth by launching hands-on tools, shaping acquisition strategy, and collaborating with product and engineering.
Details →
AI Marketing Manager
CureMD
Take charge of full-funnel campaigns using generative AI and predictive analytics to create personalized, scalable content across channels.
Details →
Chief Marketing Officer
Summit Professional Education
Build a data-driven marketing engine with AI at the center, streamlining content, optimizing channels, and improving segmentation and performance.
Details →
Marketing AI Implementation Lead
Luckie
Combine technical expertise in AI with MarTech knowledge to design and build AI-driven solutions that level up both agency operations and client outcomes.
Details →
Product Marketing Manager, AI
Sentry
Own GTM strategy for AI-powered tools like Seer, crafting positioning, content, and campaigns that help developers debug smarter and faster.
Details →
📅 AI marketers are gathering across the country and around the world for conferences, summits, and industry events. Here’s where to join them:
DigiMarCon
Honolulu, HI, July 18–19
AI in Production
Asheville, NC, July 18
eCommerce Summit
Seattle, WA, July 31
Affiliate Summit East
New York City, NY, August 4–5
NAED Marketing Summit
San Antonio, TX, August 4–6
Digital Summit
Minneapolis, MN, August 6–7
CDAO
Chicago, IL, August 7–8
Ai4
Las Vegas, NV, August 11–13
eTail
Boston, MA, August 11–14
AI Accelerate
San Diego, CA, August 20–21
WordCamp
Portland, OR, August 26–29
Contact.io
Denver, CO, August 27–29
Have an event to add? Send me the details.
