Google is quietly trying to become the entire checkout lane, and that changes what marketers should obsess over this week. Jay Schwedelson explains why the Universal Commerce Protocol could shift marketing from driving clicks to earning influence in AI search. Then it takes a hard turn into oddly useful timing for email performance and a very strong opinion on PerfumeTok and scent stacking.

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Best Moments:

(00:30) Universal Commerce Protocol could make buying happen inside an AI search without ever visiting a brand site

(02:32) Why marketing is shifting from chasing clicks to being everywhere at the exact moment of intent

(03:15) January 20 to January 30 is one of the best non-holiday stretches for email performance

(04:31) The vending machine era is getting weird, and Sprinkles cupcakes going under is a bummer

(05:30) A podcast wins at the Golden Globes, plus a spicy take on an annoyingly popular show

(06:34) PerfumeTok and scent stacking are officially too much for civilized society

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Check out Jay’s YOUTUBE Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@schwedelson

Check out Jay’s TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@schwedelson

Check Out Jay's INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/jayschwedelson/

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Pre-order Jay Schwedelson’s new book, Stupider People Have Done It (out April 21, 2026). All net proceeds are donated to The V Foundation for Cancer Research—let’s kick cancer’s butt: https://www.amazon.com/Stupider-People-Have-Done-Marketing/dp/1637635206