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There are 4 modules in this course
This course examines how modern digital marketing integrates technology, creativity, and analytics to shape discovery, competition, and customer experience across digital and physical channels. Through a progression from foundational strategy to content, ecosystem integration, and artificial intelligence, the course explores how brands build trust, deliver value, and drive measurable growth in the contemporary digital marketplace.
Module 1 introduces the foundations of modern digital marketing strategy (i.e., how digitization reshapes discovery, competition, and consumer experience across online and physical channels).
Module 2 builds on this foundation by exploring how content is designed for multi-audience environments where people, algorithms, and generative AI all “read” and respond to information differently.
Module 3 examines the integration of paid, organic, and influencer activities into unified ecosystems that turn storytelling and trust into measurable growth.
Module 4 concludes by showing how artificial intelligence transforms service delivery, where data, empathy, and automation combine to create more personalized and anticipatory customer experiences. Together, these modules chart how technology, creativity, and analytics converge to define success in the modern digital marketplace.
This module provides an overview of the course content. It also introduces digital marketing fundamentals, focusing on search, omnichannel strategy, and consumer behavior across digital and physical channels, with an emphasis on trust and cohesive customer experiences.
Welcome to Digital Marketing: Customer Engagement Strategy•7 minutes
Meet Your Instructor Nathan Yang•3 minutes
The Impact of the Gies Community•2 minutes
Entering the Digital World•10 minutes
An Omnichannel World•10 minutes
Search in the Digital World•11 minutes
The Neuroeconomics of Digital Search•11 minutes
Digital Experiences in Offline Channels•10 minutes
The Blurring Lines of Omnichannel•11 minutes
Real Chemistry Case Study•8 minutes
9 readings•Total 90 minutes
Syllabus•10 minutes
Coursera Coach•10 minutes
Glossary•10 minutes
Brand Descriptions•10 minutes
About the Discussion Forums•10 minutes
Online Education at Gies College of Business•10 minutes
Updating Your Profile•10 minutes
Module 1 Overview•10 minutes
Module 1 Readings•10 minutes
2 assignments•Total 60 minutes
Quiz: Foundations of Digital Marketing in an Omnichannel World•30 minutes
Orientation Quiz•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
Getting to Know Your Classmates•10 minutes
1 plugin•Total 15 minutes
Welcome! Please Tell Us About Yourself•15 minutes
Optimizing Digital Presence
2 hours to complete
Module details
Module 2 explains how marketers design content for visibility, virality, and trust across humans, search engines, and generative AI. It highlights the shift from SEO to GEO, the factors that drive content sharing, and the role of authentic brand–customer interactions in building long-term reputation.
What's included
7 videos2 readings1 assignment
Show info about module content
7 videos•Total 84 minutes
Content Design•9 minutes
Content Design GEO Part 1•7 minutes
Content Design GEO Part 2•12 minutes
Anatomy of Virality•9 minutes
Virality in the Age of AI•10 minutes
Brand-Customer Interactions•11 minutes
Guest Speaker: Rustin Partow•27 minutes
2 readings•Total 20 minutes
Module 2 Overview•10 minutes
Module 2 Readings•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Quiz: Optimizing Digital Presence•30 minutes
Social, Influencer, and Community Strategy
2 hours to complete
Module details
Module 3 explains how brands integrate paid, organic, and influencer marketing into a cohesive strategy that builds trust, extends reach, and drives sustained growth through coordinated content and data-driven planning.
What's included
7 videos2 readings1 assignment
Show info about module content
7 videos•Total 74 minutes
Organic vs. Paid•10 minutes
Building an Integrated Content Calendar•12 minutes
Choosing the Right Partners for Influencer Marketing•11 minutes
Livestreaming for Influencer Marketing•11 minutes
Psychology of Influencer Trust•11 minutes
Strategic Influencer Selection and Evaluation•11 minutes
US Open Case Study•8 minutes
2 readings•Total 20 minutes
Module 3 Overview•10 minutes
Module 3 Readings•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Quiz: Social, Influencer, and Community Strategy•30 minutes
Digital Service Management
4 hours to complete
Module details
Module 4 examines how AI is transforming customer service from reactive support to proactive, personalized experiences, highlighting AI as the service front line and the evolving collaboration between humans and intelligent systems.
Data-Driven Personalization and the Service Experience•9 minutes
Emotion and Empathy in AI-Driven Service•9 minutes
Human-AI Service Collaboration•12 minutes
AI-Driven Service Innovation•10 minutes
Guest Speaker: Clarence Lee•27 minutes
Course Conclusion•9 minutes
4 readings•Total 40 minutes
Module 4 Overview•10 minutes
Module 4 Readings•10 minutes
Congratulations on completing the course!•10 minutes
Get Your Course Certificate•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Quiz: Digital Service Management•30 minutes
1 peer review•Total 60 minutes
Assignment: Digital Service Management•60 minutes
1 plugin•Total 15 minutes
How was the course?•15 minutes
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Build toward a degree
This course is part of the following degree program(s) offered by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.¹
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Build toward a degree
This course is part of the following degree program(s) offered by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.¹
¹Successful application and enrollment are required. Eligibility requirements apply. Each institution determines the number of credits recognized by completing this content that may count towards degree requirements, considering any existing credits you may have. Click on a specific course for more information.
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Learner reviews
4.5
4,826 reviews
5 stars
67.10%
4 stars
24.08%
3 stars
6.34%
2 stars
1.47%
1 star
0.99%
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EB
5·
Reviewed on Feb 19, 2016
I really think this is the best Introduction for any beginner who needs to start learning about Digital Analytics. Thank you Prof Kevin for all the information and resources you provided us !
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OA
5·
Reviewed on Feb 29, 2016
I really enjoyed this course. I liked the professor's teaching style as well as the materials the course provided. All the knowledge I've got from the course helps me when I do research online.
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BM
5·
Reviewed on Oct 9, 2019
Very interesting. Kevin explains things really well and introduces complex concepts clearly. I learned a lot from the peer review process -- seeing how other students respond to the exercises.
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
What is the refund policy?
You will be eligible for a full refund until 2 weeks after your payment date. You cannot receive a refund once you’ve earned a Course Certificate, even if you complete the course within the 2-week refund period. View our full refund policy.
Is financial aid available?
Yes! Coursera provides financial aid to learners who would like to complete a course but cannot afford the course fee. To apply for aid, select "Learn more and apply" in the Financial Aid section below the "Enroll" button. You'll be prompted to complete a simple application; no other paperwork is required.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.