Automotive Internet Media

AIM

AIMedia Proudly Attends the 2026 NADA Show

by

AIMedia was proud to attend the 2026 NADA Show, held February 3–6 in Las Vegas. Recognized as the automotive industry event of the year, NADA continues to be the premier destination for innovation, education, and connection across the automotive space.

NADA Conference 2026

Published: February 11, 2026

AIMedia | Digital Marketing Agency

As a company focused on automotive marketing and automotive digital marketing, our team gained valuable insight into emerging trends, new technologies, and evolving strategies shaping the future of dealerships. Check out some photos of our team below!

  • AIMedia Team
  • AIMedia Team

Inside the NADA Expo

The NADA Expo brought together more than 600 companies showcasing products, services, and technologies designed to help dealerships operate more efficiently and grow their businesses. From inventory solutions to advancements in digital marketing for car dealerships, the Expo highlighted how the industry continues to evolve to meet changing consumer behaviors and expectations.

Industry Insights and Conversations

Throughout the event, our team connected with dealers, partners, and industry leaders to discuss key topics impacting automotive marketing in 2026. Performance, transparency, efficiency, and measurable results were recurring themes, along with the continued importance of reaching in-market shoppers at the right time in their buying journey.

These conversations reinforced our company’s focus on smarter, data-driven marketing strategies that help dealerships maximize visibility and improve overall results.

Looking Ahead

Attending the 2026 NADA Show provided AIMedia with valuable perspective on where the automotive industry is headed. We enjoyed connecting with dealership professionals from across the country and exchanging ideas centered on innovation and long-term success.

Our team looks forward to building on these conversations and continuing to support dealerships with forward-thinking automotive marketing solutions. Contact AIMedia for digital marketing solutions for you dealership today!

 

AIMedia Launches DeepSignal™, a Predictive AI Solution Driving Smarter Automotive Sales Growth

by

AIMedia (www.aimyes.com), a leader in data-driven marketing solutions, today announced the launch of DeepSignal™, a new predictive AI-powered marketing product designed specifically for automotive dealers to identify and engage consumers most likely to purchase.

DeepSignal uses advanced predictive AI to analyze consumer behaviors and buying journeys, identifying new shoppers whose actions closely align with those of past buyers. By focusing on signals near the point of purchase, the platform enables dealers to prioritize high-intent consumers earlier, driving stronger engagement, higher closing rates, and incremental sales opportunities.

Unlike traditional audience targeting approaches that rely heavily on demographics or broad interest signals, DeepSignal focuses on behavioral patterns across the automotive buying funnel. This allows dealers to reach consumers who are actively progressing toward a purchase decision, rather than those who are merely browsing or researching.

To activate these insights at scale, DeepSignal leverages Connected TV (CTV) and Online Video (OLV) channels to drive awareness and influence among high-propensity shoppers. By combining predictive intelligence with premium video environments, the platform helps dealers reach the right consumers at the right time with greater efficiency and impact.

“DeepSignal represents a meaningful step forward in how automotive dealers can use AI to drive real business outcomes,” said David McGarry, EVP of Digital, at AIMedia. “Instead of casting a wide net, dealers can now focus their marketing investments on consumers who look and behave like buyers—resulting in better performance and stronger ROI.”

DeepSignal is now available to automotive dealers and dealer groups nationwide and integrates seamlessly into existing media strategies, providing actionable insights without requiring deep technical expertise.

For more information about DeepSignal, visit www.aimyes.com.

Why CarClicks VDP Marketing Outperforms Google Vehicle Listing Ads

by

Why CarClicks VDP Marketing Outperforms Google Vehicle Listing Ads

Automotive dealers are no longer asking for more clicks or impressions. They are asking a more important question: Which digital marketing strategies actually sell vehicles? CarClicks VDP Marketing was built to answer that question with clear, measurable results.

Unlike broad platform advertising, CarClicks Marketing is designed specifically for dealerships. It focuses on VIN level targeting, dealer controlled traffic, and closed loop attribution that connects marketing spend directly to sold vehicles.

Published: January 26, 2026

Automotive Internet Media | Digital Marketing Agency

Why CarClicks trumps Google Ads

Dealer Controlled Automotive Advertising

Common Dealer Questions

How do I get more control over my dealership’s digital advertising?

CarClicks drives one hundred percent of paid traffic directly to dealer owned Vehicle Detail Pages, giving dealerships full control over inventory prioritization, pricing, merchandising, and calls to action. Unlike marketplace style ads, your inventory never appears next to competitors.

How can I drive more traffic to my Vehicle Detail Pages?

CarClicks VDP Marketing is built specifically to send qualified, high intent shoppers directly to your VDPs instead of third party platforms or shared ad environments.

With CarClicks, one hundred percent of paid traffic is driven directly to dealer owned Vehicle Detail Pages. Dealers maintain full control over inventory prioritization, pricing, merchandising, and calls to action. Your ads never appear next to competing dealerships or third party marketplaces.

Google Vehicle Listing Ads operate inside Google’s advertising ecosystem, where placement, pricing, and visibility are controlled by auctions and algorithms. Dealers often compete against other dealers, OEM programs, and aggregators for the same shopper attention.

VIN Level Targeting That Reaches High Intent Shoppers

Frequently Asked by Dealers

What is VIN level marketing and does it work?

VIN level marketing targets shoppers based on specific vehicles they have already viewed or engaged with. CarClicks uses verified VIN level intent signals to reach shoppers who have demonstrated real buying interest, which leads to higher conversion rates.

How is VIN level targeting different from keyword advertising?

Keyword advertising assumes intent based on searches. VIN level targeting confirms intent based on actual vehicle engagement.

CarClicks targets shoppers using verified VIN level intent signals. When a shopper views a specific vehicle, that behavior is captured and used to retarget them with the exact vehicle they showed interest in.

Google Vehicle Listing Ads rely on keyword searches and broad vehicle attributes, which assume intent rather than confirm it. CarClicks focuses on shoppers who have already engaged with real inventory, resulting in higher quality traffic and stronger conversion rates.

Closed Loop Attribution for Dealership ROI

Dealer ROI Questions

How do I know which digital ads sold vehicles?

CarClicks provides closed loop attribution by matching ad exposure and VDP visits to sold vehicle VINs using DMS transaction data.

Can I track ROI on dealership digital advertising?

Yes. CarClicks connects marketing spend directly to vehicle sales, allowing dealers to see which campaigns and which vehicles generated revenue.

One of the most common dealer questions is how to track which ads sold cars. CarClicks provides closed loop attribution that connects ad exposure, VDP visits, and DMS transaction data to specific sold VINs.

Google Vehicle Listing Ads report impressions and clicks but do not natively connect to dealer DMS systems. This makes true ROI difficult to prove. CarClicks replaces assumptions with proof.

Predictable Costs Without Auction Pressure

CarClicks uses fixed or tightly controlled pricing models that eliminate bidding wars and cost volatility. Dealers benefit from predictable budgets and scalable campaigns.

Google Vehicle Listing Ads run in a competitive auction environment where cost per click can increase quickly based on market demand and competitor spend.

Inventory First Marketing for New and Used Vehicles

CarClicks allows dealers to prioritize marketing based on inventory needs, including aged units, high margin vehicles, new car objectives, and used vehicle turn rates. VIN specific campaigns can be adjusted quickly to support real business goals.

Google Vehicle Listing Ads offer limited flexibility due to feed based rules and algorithm driven optimization.

A Managed Automotive Marketing Partner

CarClicks operates as a managed partnership, not a self serve platform. Dealers receive strategic guidance, ongoing optimization, and performance reporting tied directly to vehicle sales.

Built for Dealers Who Want Proven Results

Google Vehicle Listing Ads can provide added visibility, but they remain platform focused and click driven. CarClicks VDP Marketing is dealer centric, inventory driven, and sales proven.

For dealerships searching for automotive marketing or digital marketing solutions that delivers measurable ROI, VIN level marketing, and full control over their digital strategy, CarClicks VDP Marketing turns advertising spend into a proven profit driver. Contact Automotive Internet Media today to get started. 

Why Your Dealership Should Care About Google’s New AI Mode

by

Why Your Dealership Should Care About Google’s New AI Mode

Google’s AI Mode, launched nationwide in May 2025, is changing how people search for vehicles, service, and dealership information. For dealerships, adapting to this shift is no longer optional. This blog breaks down what AI Mode is and why it matters for your business.

Published: June 2, 2025

Automotive Internet Media | Digital Marketing Agency

How AI Mode Can Impact Your Dealership

What Is AI Mode and How Does It Work?

In May 2025, Google officially rolled out AI Mode to all U.S. searchers, and it’s a game-changer for how people find information online. After its initial release in Search Labs back in March 2025, AI Mode is now fully integrated into Search, and its data will start appearing in Google Search Console.

Powered by Gemini 2.5, AI Mode uses advanced reasoning, multimodal understanding and natural conversation abilities to handle even the most complex questions. Users can type, talk, snap a photo or upload an image to search. In return, AI Mode delivers intelligently summarized answers with links, visuals and context – all tailored to what the user is asking.

So, why should your car dealership care? Because AI Mode isn’t just changing how people search, it’s changing what they see when they do.

How AI Mode Impacts Automotive Search

AI Mode Test Search

Let’s say a shopper searches for: “2025 Chevy Traverse features,” AI Mode doesn’t just return a list of blue links anymore. Instead, it provides a detailed overview of the vehicle, including key specs and technology highlights. It also surfaces up to 15 relevant websites with information about the 2025 Chevy Traverse, showcasing three top sources up front, from reputable sites such as Car and Driver and Chevrolet with an option to expand and view all 15.

Google Search

In contrast, if you run a test search on Google for “2025 Chevy Traverse features,” you’ll now see a Google AI Overview appear at the top of the results. This summary includes key information related to your search, followed by product listings from local dealerships. On the right-hand side, Google also highlights a few relevant websites, such as Chevrolet.com and YouTube, where users can explore more detailed content.

AI Mode Test Search

When you search for “2024 Ford F-150 for sale near me,” AI Mode pulls up a list of local dealerships, complete with their Google Business Profiles shown below. You’ll also see vehicle listings from sites like TrueCar and Ford’s official website, including options available in areas like Hinsdale, Illinois. AI Mode allows shoppers to compare different trim levels, features and pricing to find the right fit for their needs and budget. A map view shows where each dealership is located, and a panel on the right highlights the top three websites to explore further.

Google Search

On the other hand, if you run a test search on Google for “2024 Ford F-150 for sale near me,” Google presents a series of product listings showcasing available vehicles from local dealerships. These results often include sponsored ads from nearby dealers, followed by additional listings and locations of local dealerships that sell that specific make—such as Ford, in your area.

How to Get Your Dealership Website AI Mode Ready

To stay visible in AI-driven search like Google’s new AI Mode, you’ll need more than traditional SEO. Here’s a quick roadmap:

  • 1. Create AI-Friendly Content
     Structure your content to answer common questions clearly. Use natural, conversational keywords like “best SUV under $40K” or “does the 2025 Silverado have Super Cruise?” Highlight your dealership’s credibility with reviews, testimonials, and helpful blog posts.
  • 2. Boost Your Technical SEO
     Add schema markup (like FAQ and product data) so AI can better understand your site. Make sure your site loads fast, looks great on mobile and uses clear headings and accurate alt text on images.
  • 3. Use AI Tools to Your Advantage
     Leverage AI to create and refresh content, find long-tail keywords, and optimize your Google Business Profile with current offers and inventory. Use AI platforms to stay on top of reviews and respond quickly.
  • 4. Keep Content Fresh
     Regular updates show relevance. Keep your pages, blogs, and listings current—and ask AI tools how your site shows up in search to spot new optimization opportunities.

Ready to Show Up in AI Mode?

The future of search is here – and it’s personalized, conversational and smarter than ever. Dealerships that adapt now will be the ones shoppers see first when AI Mode delivers results.

Want to learn how your dealership can improve visibility in AI-powered search? Contact Automotive Internet Media today. Our team is ready to help you optimize your digital presence for this next evolution of search.

Recent Posts

Why Google Continues to Lead in Search Despite AI Advancements

by

Why Google Continues to Lead in Search Despite AI Advancements

Google Search Isn’t Going Anywhere — and Here’s Why That Matters

Published: April 9, 2025

Automotive Internet Media | Digital Marketing Agency

Google Search vs. AI Tools

In the era of rapid AI innovation and the growing popularity of tools like ChatGPT, one might expect Google’s dominance in search to be challenged. But the data tells a different story — one that highlights Google search for lasting consumer trust, reliable performance, and ongoing value for marketers.

% of US consumers who use AI chatbots or AI search tools to find out information, by generation, Dec 2024

EMarketer Graph

According to a December 2024 survey from Pearl, conducted by Censuswide and reported by eMarketer, 57.8% of US consumers still prefer to use Google search over AI platforms like ChatGPT when they need a factual answer. That’s more than half of the population choosing Google — not out of habit, but because they trust it for real, reliable information.

Consumers Still Trust Google for Facts

The key takeaway from the survey? When accuracy matters, users turn to Google. Despite the conversational aspect and accessibility of AI platforms, people still see Google as the definitive source for factual information. This trust has been built over decades of delivering relevant, credible results — reinforced by Google’s sophisticated algorithms and its vast indexing of the web.

The fact that people still trust Google says a lot and it’s something marketers should pay attention to.

Google Search Ads Are Not Dead — They’re Essential

With so much buzz around AI, it’s easy to assume traditional digital marketing tactics like search ads are losing relevance. However, it is evident that Google search ads remain highly effective, especially because the platform is still where the majority of users go when they’re actively looking for information.

If your audience is still using Google for answers — especially fact-based or purchase-intent queries — then showing up there through paid ads and organic SEO remains a smart investment. Marketers can use this data to validate an ongoing (or even increased) focus on Google-centric strategies and campaigns.

But Don’t Ignore the Rise of AI Search

While Google continues to lead, the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and other answer engines shouldn’t be ignored. The survey chart highlights two key points: Google is still the top choice, but new search habits are forming. As AI tools grow, people are starting to mix traditional search with conversational AI — especially for things like product discovery and more detailed questions. Marketers should take note and start thinking about how to show up on these AI platforms, too.

What This Means for Your Strategy

  1. Keep prioritizing Google SEO – It’s still the most trusted search engine for factual content.
  2. Don’t sleep on search ads – They’re still a crucial and relevant tool for promoting your products and services.
  3. Start integrating AI-aware strategies – Position your brand for visibility not just in Google, but in the growing number of AI-driven platforms.

Final Thoughts

The future of search is evolving, but that doesn’t mean one platform has to replace another. Google isn’t going anywhere, and neither are the search behaviors it’s shaped over the years. Marketers who recognize both the staying power of Google and the rise of AI will be best positioned to thrive in this shifting landscape.

Growing Concerns Over Bot Traffic in Digital Marketing

by

Growing Concerns Over Bot Traffic in Digital Marketing

Advertisers Question the Accuracy of Human Verification Systems such as HUMAN Security, Integral Ad Science (IAS) and DoubleVerify.

Published: April 8, 2025

Automotive Internet Media | Digital Marketing Agency

Human Verification Systems

The digital advertising industry faces an escalating challenge with bot traffic, as trusted verification systems—like Human Security, Integral Ad Science (IAS), and DoubleVerify—are not effectively blocking non-human traffic as promised. These platforms, which advertisers pay for pre-bid bot filtration, are failing to prevent ads from being served to malicious bots that may be slipping through the cracks. 

According to AdExchanger, “Adalytics also observed multiple major DSPs and SSPs serving ads to bots, despite claiming to use bot detection tech, including HUMAN Security, to scan 100% of impressions. The scale of potential waste reflected in the report is staggering. Adalytics analyzed source code for millions of ad impressions served to bots between 2019 and 2025.” This highlights the significant volume of ad impressions wasted on bots instead of reaching real human audiences.

Even with advanced bot detection tools like HUMAN Security, verification systems are failing to deliver, causing advertisers to question the effectiveness of MRC and TAG-accredited services. There’s growing frustration over the lack of accountability in the supply chain, especially when advertisers are investing a lot of money into “bot-free” segments, only to find that their campaigns are being contaminated with non-human traffic.

Recent Posts

20%-50% of Car Dealer Website Traffic May Not Be Human

by

20%-50% of Car Dealer Website Traffic May Not Be Human

by automotiveinternetmedia | March 24, 2025 | Website Traffic, Automotive Industry

Non-Human Traffic

In the digital age, car dealerships face unique challenges. One of these is the issue of non-human web traffic. Studies suggest that 20%-50% of car dealer website traffic may not be human. This includes bots, crawlers, and fraudulent clicks, which can distort analytics data. Digital ad fraud is a significant concern. It can lead to wasted advertising budgets and ineffective campaigns.

Automotive Internet Media has analyzed non-human traffic across hundreds of automotive websites. Through our findings we help dealers optimize their online advertising strategies and target potential customers more effectively.

What is Non-Human Web Traffic?

Non-human web traffic is visitors to a website that are not human; these are frequently “bots” that load web pages, crawl pages, scrape pages, and falsely load ads. Not all of this non-human traffic is malicious – crawlers and search engine bots are good bots.

Non-human traffic can mimic human behavior, inflating website traffic numbers. This skews the analytics data that dealers rely on.

Recognizing the Signs of Non-Human Traffic

What are the indicators that website traffic is non-human? The following can point to traffic being non-human:

  • High Bounce Rate
  • Low Average Session Duration
  • Abnormally High Click Through Rates
  • Unusual Traffic Spikes
  • Unusual Geo Locations

Monitoring and Optimization: Ensuring Traffic Quality

Better quality media will have less non-human traffic and thus provide better outcomes. Monitoring campaigns and optimizing them to minimize non-human traffic is an integral part of what your agency and any paid media vendors should be doing. Eliminating poor traffic sources and placements will maximize the amount you are spending on driving real consumers to your website. Less non-human traffic means less advertising waste!

GET A FREE WEBSITE ANALYSIS

About Automotive Internet Media

Automotive Internet Media, AIM, is a leader in digital marketing and technology, headquartered in Hinsdale, Illinois. Our team specializes in media buying and campaign optimization for automotive dealerships across the United States.

Recent Posts

Google’s AI Overviews & AI Mode: How They Affect Your SEO

by

Google’s AI Overviews & AI Mode: How They Affect Your Dealership’s SEO

Google’s AI Overviews, formerly known as Search Generative Experience (SGE), launched on May 14, 2024, reshaping search results and negatively impacting organic traffic, conversions, and revenue for businesses, including dealerships.

Now, Google has introduced AI Mode, a new experimental AI-driven search feature. While access is currently limited to U.S. users over 18 who opt in via Labs, it has the potential to impact search rankings and visibility.

Published: Mar. 19, 2025

Automotive Internet Media | Digital Marketing Agency

AI Overviews

About AI Overviews

AI Overviews leverage generative artificial intelligence to deliver quick, interactive responses, improving user experience but diminishing the visibility of traditional organic search results. Here’s how AI Overviews might be impacting your dealership’s SEO:

  • Declining Organic Traffic: AI-generated summaries appear above organic search results, potentially reducing the number of visitors to your website.
  • Lower Search Rankings: Even top-ranked dealership pages are pushed further down as Google prioritizes AI Overviews and paid ads.
  • Rising Advertising Costs: With Google monetizing AI Overviews through new paid ad placements, competition for visibility increases, making it more challenging—and costly—to outrank competitors.
AI Overviews

Adweek.com states “Google launched its artificial intelligence-powered search engine, Search Generative Experience, in beta last May, sending publishers scrambling to prepare for a significant disruption in organic search traffic, with potential declines ranging from 20% to 60%, according to media executives and search engine optimization experts interviewed for this story.” This highlights the significant potential decline in organic traffic that websites may experience due to AI Overviews.

About Google’s New AI Mode

AI Mode

Unlike AI Overviews, AI Mode applies to all search queries, offering broader AI-powered insights. With an interactive chat interface, users can refine their searches and ask follow-up questions—similar to ChatGPT and other AI chatbots. AI Mode is powered by a custom version of Gemini 2.0, Google’s latest AI model.

How We Stay Ahead of the Trends

As AI Overviews and AI Mode change the search landscape and reduce organic visibility, our team at Automotive Internet Media is committed to helping dealerships navigate these shifts. We focus on optimizing for long-tail queries by crafting detailed, authoritative content to improve visibility, enhancing local SEO by strengthening your Google Business Profile, and diversifying traffic sources by expanding your reach through social media and email marketing.

Recent Posts