#278 What's Working with Google + Meta Ads in 2026: Top Trends Freelance Marketers Need to Know with Danielle Migliaccio-Morse

#278 What's Working with Google + Meta Ads in 2026: Top Trends Freelance Marketers Need to Know with Danielle Migliaccio-Morse

Author: Emily Reagan | Digital Marketing Mentor, Speaker February 24, 2026 Duration: 54:13

Google and Meta ads in 2026 look different than they did two years ago. AI is baked into every platform. Search queries are getting longer. Buyer trust is harder to earn. And if you're managing ads for clients, or trying to understand enough to consult on the strategy, there's a lot to keep up with.

That's exactly why I brought Danielle Migliaccio-Morse, founder of DM Squared Media, on the show. She's been managing millions in ad spend for 15+ years, has turned failing Meta and Google campaigns into 100% year-over-year revenue increases, and genuinely knows how everything fits together — from the ad platform all the way through the email funnel. We nerded out on what's actually working right now with paid traffic, what to watch for, and how to talk to clients about it.

Listen to learn more about:

  1. Danielle's top three trends for digital ads in 2026
  2. How "tried and true" ad strategies from a few years ago are now a liability & the new features we need to embrace
  3. The difference between running ads on Meta vs Google and which one is right for your business
  4. Why diversifying ad spend across platforms is the smartest thing your clients can do right now
  5. How to set client expectations around testing windows, communicate data honestly, & build lasting trust

Don't get stuck in the cycle of constant content creation. If your clients are still running all their ad spend through Meta and crossing their fingers, this episode is going to change how you think about their strategy.

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Links Mentioned in Show:

  1. Grab Danielle’s FREE guide The Roadmap to Digital Ads Success: 6 crucial steps to set yourself up for profitability before you even spend a cent on ads, including how to set realistic goals and budgets for your ads.
  2. Scale your marketing business with a community that has your back: If you have the skills but need more clients and a tighter network, join us in the Digital Marketer’s Workgroup. We’re a close-knit group of freelancers sharing job leads, advanced marketing trainings, and the kind of "in-the-trenches" support you can't find in a Google search. Apply here!
  3. How the Trust Recession Changed Buyer Behavior & Marketing in 2026 with Sheri Moise #276

Connect with Danielle:

  1. Instagram: @digitalmarketingdanielle
  2. Website: https://dmsquaredmedia.com/

Connect with Emily:

  1. Instagram: @emilyreaganpr
  2. Facebook: @emilyreaganpr
  3. YouTube: Emily Reagan
  4. Ask Emily Anything here

> Grow your freelance business inside the Digital Marketer’s Workgroup: Apply to join our tight-knit community for advanced training, ongoing support, troubleshooting, and exclusive job leads.

> Enroll in the Unicorn Digital Marketing Assistant School: Learn in-demand, tactical digital marketing skills on your own time so you can move beyond admin work and offer high-value marketing services.

> Hire a Digital Marketing Assistant: Submit your job posting and I’ll share it with the skilled & vetted freelancers in our Workgroup.

> Download my free Top Ten Most Requested Digital Marketing Tasks & Services to see what clients are hiring for right now.


Emily Reagan brings her experience as a digital marketing mentor and speaker directly into your headphones with The Marketing Freelancer: Unicorns Unite. This isn't about vague inspiration; it's a practical dialogue for those navigating the specific challenges of running a solo marketing business. Each episode digs into the real work of positioning your services, attracting clients who value your expertise, and establishing pricing that reflects the true impact of your work. You'll hear conversations focused on moving beyond the feast-or-famine cycle to create a sustainable, profitable practice. Emily operates from the belief that every skilled freelancer possesses a unique set of talents-their "unicorn" qualities-that form the foundation of a standout business. The discussions in this podcast are designed to help you identify and leverage those strengths with confidence. Whether the topic is refining a niche, improving client conversations, or streamlining operations, the aim is actionable insight. Tuning in means joining a community focused on elevating the craft of freelance marketing, not just as a side hustle, but as a primary, rewarding career. If you're building a business in marketing, entrepreneurship, or creative services, this series offers a direct line to strategies and mindsets that can help shape your path forward.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Marketing Freelancer: Unicorns Unite
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