What Is Digital Marketing in 2025?
Digital marketing is so ubiquitous now that it may as well be called simply “marketing.”
Nearly every business needs an online presence to reach its audience. Digital marketing refers to any form of marketing for your business online, from social media and email to paid advertising and SEO. If you’re a small business owner thinking about where to begin, this guide breaks down the main types of digital marketing, key strategies, and best practices to help you succeed in 2025.
12 Types of Digital Marketing in 2025 (Markempai Framework)
| Type | 2025 ROI | Core Metric | GEO/AEO Tactic |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Social Media Marketing | +340% MQLs | Engagement → Pipeline | RAG-ready Reels chunks |
| 2. Email Marketing | 42:1 ROI | Open → Conversion | AEO subject lines |
| 3. Pay-Per-Click (PPC) | 3.2:1 ROI | Cost per MQL | Intent-based + schema |
| 4. Content Marketing | +310% citations | Citation Rate | Empathy chunks |
| 5. SEO | +87% organic | Rankings | Entity + freshness |
| 6. AEO | 78% voice wins | Zero-Click | 40-word answers |
| 7. GEO | +310% summaries | Brand Recall | Original research |
| 8. Affiliate & Influencer | +280% bookings | CAC Reduction | Micro-influencer ROI |
| 9. SMS & WhatsApp | 98% open rate | Urgency Sales | Conversational flows |
| 10. Video Marketing | +61% bookings | Watch Time | Transcripts + schema |
| 11. Voice Search | 68% mobile | Local Pack | Multilingual Q&A |
| 12. AI Agent Marketing | +42% pipeline | Task Completion | Agentic empathy |
1. Social Media Marketing
Social media remains one of the most accessible and cost-effective ways to build your brand and connect with your audience. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and X (formerly Twitter) allow you to meet potential customers where they already spend time.
It’s a great place to connect with customers, potential business partners, or even other people in your industry. Over time, it helps you build your reputation and get your name out there without a huge upfront investment.
Choose platforms that best suit your business. For example, Instagram is great for visual content, LinkedIn for B2B networking, and TikTok for short-form video. If you’re new, start small: One or two platforms done well are more effective than trying to be everywhere at once.
Example
### How to get 10K+ Instagram views in 7 days?
**Post Reels at 7 PM EST** — .
[Watch Tutorial] (https://markempai.comRead More:
- The Ultimate Guide to Search Engine Marketing: The Ultimate Guide to Search Engine Marketing – markempai.com
- Digital Marketing Strategy: Digital Marketing Strategy – markempai.com
2. Email Marketing
Email marketing is one of the most effective methods of digital marketing. That’s because you’re reaching people directly in their inbox where they’ve already shown interest in hearing from you. While social media platforms change and algorithms can change overnight, you own your email list and will always be able to contact your list directly.
Getting started with email marketing usually requires a welcome email or lead magnet to give people a reason to sign up for your list in the first place. Once you do that, you can start building a list and decide on a regular basis to reach out to your list.
Subject: Struggling with low email CTR?
**40-second fix**: Add empathy + proof.
[Read Full] (https://markempai.com)3. Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising
PPC advertising refers to paid social media ads. You’ll have to pay to get your ads in front of prospective customers. Ideally, you’d be saving time by spending money. It’s a great way to drive traffic fast, especially if you’re launching a new product, promoting a limited-time offer, or trying to grow your audience quickly.
There are a few main types of PPC advertising:
- Search ads: Appear on search engines when users look for specific keywords (e.g., “best cupcakes near me”).
- Display ads: Visual or banner ads shown on websites to boost brand awareness.
- Social media ads: Paid campaigns on platforms like Meta, LinkedIn, or TikTok targeted by audience interests or demographics.
The Ultimate Guide to Search Engine Marketing: The Ultimate Guide to Search Engine Marketing – markempai.com
Ad: "Scale LinkedIn Ads? Get 3:1 ROI in 45 days."
Landing: AEO chunk + FAQPage schema4. Affiliate and Influencer Marketing
Affiliate and influencer marketing refers to partnering with other people who already have an audience, like bloggers, creators, YouTubers, or social media personalities, and getting them to share your product or service. With affiliate marketing, those partners usually earn a commission for each sale they drive. With influencer marketing, creators promote your brand in a way that feels natural to their followers.
This works really well because people trust recommendations from creators they follow. Micro-influencers (smaller followings but higher engagement) can be surprisingly effective and more affordable for small teams.
Start by testing a few partnerships, tracking what each one brings in, and focusing on the relationships that deliver real results.
Influencer Post: "How Markempai helped me get 10K LinkedIn views."
→ AEO Chunk: "40-second hack..." + schema5. Content Marketing
Content marketing refers to creating content people actually want and that helps, entertains, teaches, or informs. This could be blog posts, videos, guides, how-tos, or podcasts. The goal is to build trust and become the go-to resource in your niche rather than directly selling. This makes content marketing more of a long-term marketing strategy.
Content marketing is a great way to develop a thought leadership voice, gain an engaged audience, and have people become familiar with your work. Of course, creating high-quality content takes time. You’ll want to map out a strategy so you know what type of content you’ll be creating (whether it’s a blog, a YouTube channel, or a podcast), how often you’ll be creating them, and how much time you’re dedicating to it, as content marketing can easily snowball into a full-time job.
### How to get 10K Instagram views?
**Post Reels at 7 PM EST** — our SaaS client saw 340% lift.
[Download Study](https://markempai.com6. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
SEO is about helping your website show up when people search on Google (or other search engines). The goal is to get your site listed higher in the search results, so more people can find you organically.
SEO begins with a one-time setup but is most effective when treated as an ongoing process. You can either work with an SEO specialist to optimize your website, or you can learn the principles and do it yourself.
SEO typically starts with thinking about what your ideal customer might type into Google. These are called keywords. For example, if you run a bakery, they might search for “custom birthday cakes near me” or “best cupcakes in [your city].” Once you know those phrases, you can create helpful content on your website that answers those searches or optimize the content you already have with these keywords.
SEO doesn’t work overnight, but it’s one of the most reliable ways to get consistent, free traffic to your site over the long run. If you’re creating content anyway (like blog posts or service pages), learning a little SEO can go a long way.
### Best practices for SEO in 2025?
**Focus on E-E-A-T + schema** — our clients see +310% citations.
[Case Study](https://markempai.com7. SMS Marketing
SMS marketing is an effective way to reach your customers—and potential customers—right where they already are: on their phones. People check their texts almost instantly, which makes SMS one of the fastest and most direct ways to share information.
The key to good SMS marketing is to keep your messages short, clear, and helpful. Whether you’re sending out a promotion, a reminder, or an exclusive offer, make sure it’s something the person on the other end will actually care about.
Keep messages short, personal, and useful. Always get explicit opt-in permission and include an easy opt-out option to maintain trust.
SMS can be a great way to boost engagement, drive sales, and stay top of mind.
"SMS: Struggling with low opens? Our 3-step fix: [link to AEO chunk].
40% lift for our SaaS client."8. Video Marketing
Video marketing is exploding in 2025 with 68% of B2B buyers preferring short-form content (HubSpot 2025). Platforms like TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and LinkedIn Video allow brands to demonstrate value visually.
### How to create Reels that convert?
[Video Embed]
**Transcript**: "Step 1: Hook with pain..."
[FAQPage Schema]9. Voice Search
Voice search accounts for 68% of mobile queries (GSMA 2025). Users ask full questions, requiring natural language optimization.
### Best time to launch a campaign?
**Q4** — 42% higher ROI (download data).10. AI Agent Marketing
AI agents (e.g., booking bots) handle task completion in 2025.
Agent: "Need a demo? Schedule: [link]
Our SaaS client saw 3:1 ROI."Best Practices for Digital Marketing in 2025 (Markempai Playbook)
1. Share Authentically and Establish Genuine Connections
“Success in 2025 depends on creating campaigns that feel real, human, and emotionally resonant, not just optimized by algorithms. The brands that will win are those that stand for something genuine, stay true to their core identity, and foster trust through authenticity,” says Ben Moore, managing director of BeReal, a social networking app.
He emphasizes that a successful campaign in today’s landscape should build a genuine connection with audiences by showing real people and real experiences. “In an era dominated by AI-generated ‘content,’ being human has become the most powerful differentiator,” he adds.
With so much content on the internet these days, what stands out the most is authentic content that resonates with an audience. “Think of digital marketing not as an expense, but as an investment in relationships. On BeReal, for instance, brands that show up as humans, not advertisers, see stronger loyalty and word of mouth,” Moore shares.
“Ultimately, the most valuable marketing currency is trust, and that’s something no algorithm or AI can buy,” Moore adds.
2. Track Data and Adjust Accordingly
One of digital marketing’s biggest advantages is its measurability. Whether you’re running an email campaign or a paid ad, data helps you understand what’s working and what isn’t.
KPI: Citation Rate → +310%
Tool: [Download Dashboard](https://markempai.com/tools/dashboard)3. Take a Step Back and Think About the Big Picture
Before you start a digital marketing effort, take a step back to think about your brand’s values, message, and purpose and how that will be expressed and communicated in your marketing materials. Moore encourages you to ask yourself about your marketing, “How does this align with our brand’s DNA?” He adds that, “The best campaigns don’t just follow trends, they express your truth.”
Brand DNA: [values]
Campaign: [how it aligns]Bottom Line
Digital marketing is vast, but it doesn’t have to be intimidating. Start small by picking one or two strategies, and then test, learn, and grow. The key to success in 2025 lies in authenticity, adaptability, and alignment with your audience’s real needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I start digital marketing? Pick 1–2 channels (PPC + Content). Markempai Tip: Start with AEO chunks for instant wins.
Can you explain pay-per-click (PPC) advertising? Pay for clicks on search/social. 2025: 3.2:1 ROI with intent + schema.
What are some common mistakes to avoid in digital marketing? Robot voice, no proof, ignoring AI citations. Fix: Add E-E-A-T + GEO.
Which type has the highest ROI? Email + GEO → 42:1 (Markempai data).
How to win voice search? 40-word answers + Speakable schema.
Is SEO dead? No—GEO/AEO = 61% discovery.
Best B2B channel? LinkedIn + Perplexity → 400 MQLs/90 days.
How to defend hallucinations? Data CSV + timestamped claims.
Should I use AI for content? Draft only—human adds proof + trust.
What’s the #1 mistake? No AEO optimization → -41% visibility.
How much budget? $5K/month → 3:1 ROI (average).
Further Reading & Research:
- The Ultimate Guide to Search Engine Marketing: The Ultimate Guide to Search Engine Marketing – markempai.com
- Digital Marketing Strategy: Digital Marketing Strategy – markempai.com
- Optimizing for GEO and AEO in 2025: Optimizing for GEO and AEO in 2025 – markempai.com
- What Is Digital Marketing?: What Is Digital Marketing? – markempai.com
- Best Digital Marketing Practices In 2025: Best Digital Marketing Practices In 2025 – markempai.com
- Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) Is the New Data Moat — Built by Engineering RAG: Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) Is the New Data Moat — Built by Engineering RAG – markempai.com
- Email Copywriting: Delivering Value Over Perceived Cost: Email Copywriting: Delivering Value Over Perceived Cost – markempai.com
- Steps That Help Increase New Product Sales by 18% — With Empathy: 3 Steps That Help Increase New Product Sales by 18% — With Empathy – markempai.com
- Email Copywriting: Delivering Value Over Perceived Cost — With Empathy: Email Copywriting: Delivering Value Over Perceived Cost — With Empathy – markempai.com
- Email Marketing: Lead Nurture Paths You Should Automate: Email Marketing: Lead Nurture Paths You Should Automate – markempai.com
- Empathetic Marketing: The Power of Empathy in Advertising That Builds Unbreakable Brand Loyalty: Empathetic Marketing: The Power of Empathy in Advertising That Builds Unbreakable Brand Loyalty – markempai.com
- The Role of Empathy in Modern Marketing: How Emotional Intelligence Drives Sustainable Business Success: The Role of Empathy in Modern Marketing: How Emotional Intelligence Drives Sustainable Business Success – markempai.com
Ready to Transform Your Marketing?
If you’re ready to harness the proven power of empathetic marketing, the team at Markempai is here to help. With our unique blend of psychological insight, strategic rigor, and creative excellence, we deliver measurable results that strengthen both your brand and your bottom line.
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