Fried Bids, Digital News - 19-25 Feb 2024
This is my personal selection of the most interesting articles published from 19th-25th Feb 2024. Let me know what you think in the comments. If you want to receive the 50+ news full newsletter, please reach me through Direct Message.
Google has introduced new AI-powered tools for generating and editing images in Performance Max campaigns. These features are now accessible globally in English, with additional languages to follow. The tools utilize Google's Gemini and Imagen 2 AI models to enhance text and image generation. Gemini models enable advanced capabilities such as long headline generation and upcoming sitelink generation, while Imagen 2 allows advertisers to create marketing visuals depicting people in active lifestyle scenarios. Furthermore, Google is updating its Ad Strength indicator to provide advertisers with more insights into the quantity and quality of their ad assets.
Google has announced a partnership with Reddit that will allow it to show even more Reddit content and gain real-time access to all of its discussions. The access to a wider range of structured Reddit content will enhance Google's language models' understanding of human conversations and writing styles, potentially influencing how content is ranked in Google search. In return, Reddit gains access to Google's Vertex AI platform and the opportunity to improve search and develop new capabilities. This deal, reportedly worth $60 million per year for Reddit, recognizes the value of Reddit as a popular destination for discussions on a wide range of topics and its potential for training large language models.
Meta has announced the expansion of access to Instagram's Creator Marketplace, allowing more businesses to search and collaborate with creators for their Instagram campaigns. Initially launched in 2022 for U.S.-based brands, the Creator Marketplace facilitated connections with relevant influencers based on various criteria such as focus topics and follower counts. Now, businesses in countries including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Japan, India, and Brazil will also have access to the tool. The expansion includes new machine learning-based recommendations within the Creator Marketplace, leveraging Instagram data to help brands find creators that align best with their campaigns. Access to Instagram's creator marketplace through Meta Business Suite will be available in the newly added regions soon.
Walmart has announced its plans to acquire TV manufacturer Vizio in a deal worth approximately $2.3 billion. The acquisition is aimed at boosting Walmart's advertising business and expanding its reach in the in-home entertainment and media experiences market. Vizio, with its Vizio Platform Plus business, already has over 500 direct advertiser partnerships, and its smart TV OS, SmartCast, has more than 18 million active accounts. By owning Vizio, Walmart will also be better equipped to compete with affordable smart TVs offered by companies like Amazon and Roku.
YouTube has achieved a significant milestone in connected TV viewing, leading the platform to introduce new TV channel pages. As per Nielsen's latest data, YouTube emerged as the top streaming platform in terms of watch time in 2023, highlighting its growing importance as a primary entertainment option. In response to this trend, YouTube has launched dedicated TV channel pages with larger channel art displays and prominent "Subscribe" buttons to enhance connection and growth for creators. Marketers should take note of YouTube's expanding connected TV viewership, which presents opportunities for TV-like promotions and brand recall.
领英推荐
Shopify Audiences is revolutionizing digital advertising by offering a solution for cookieless ads. Shopify Audiences, a data-sharing co-op for Shopify Plus merchants, leverages first-party data to create custom ad-targeting audiences on major platforms like Google, Meta, Pinterest, TikTok, and Snapchat. By pooling anonymized transaction data, Shopify Audiences respects privacy laws and enables merchants to gain valuable insights collectively. The co-op approach, supported by machine learning algorithms, improves ad targeting and reduces customer acquisition costs.
Google Analytics has introduced a significant update by overhauling its ad reporting capabilities into a single central hub. The new "Advertising" section consolidates all ad and publisher reporting, allowing users to access comprehensive insights into user engagement and campaign performance. The Reports section provides in-depth analysis of user interactions, while features like the Explore section, Custom Reports, and the Data API offer behavioral insights and aggregated data from advertising efforts. To access the Advertising section, users need to link their Google Ads, AdSense, or Google Ad Manager accounts to their Google Analytics account, ensuring consolidated reporting and uninterrupted access to data and reporting features.
According to reports from The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, Facebook and Instagram have come under scrutiny for knowingly allowing parents to exploit their children for financial gain on the platforms. Investigations have revealed that parents running "child influencer" accounts, primarily featuring young girls who do not meet the minimum age requirement, have been selling explicit content and engaging with adult men on the platforms. While the content itself may not be illegal or contain nudity, Meta staff discovered that some parents were producing material that catered to pedophiles, including sexually charged conversations and interactions with subscribers. This is not the first time Meta has faced criticism regarding child protection, with previous reports highlighting their platforms as a marketplace for predators seeking children.
EU officials have launched an investigation into TikTok over potential violations of the Digital Services Act (DSA). The European Commission is looking into concerns regarding TikTok's compliance with DSA rules, particularly in relation to the protection of minors on the platform. The investigation will assess various aspects, including app addiction risks, age verification processes, security measures for minors, and data transparency. If TikTok is found to be in violation, it could face penalties of up to 6% of its global earnings. The investigation is expected to set a precedent for enforcing the DSA regulations and may have implications for other social media platforms operating in the European region.
Tech companies, including Google, Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI, X, and TikTok, have signed an accord aimed at limiting the impact of AI deepfakes. The agreement, which was made at the 2024 Munich Security Conference, focuses on implementing "reasonable precautions" to prevent the use of AI tools in disrupting democratic elections. The accord emphasizes the need for cooperation and coordination among signatories to address AI-generated fakes before they can influence public opinion and behavior. While the accord is non-binding, it represents a positive step toward collaborative action in combating misleading AI content and protecting the integrity of elections.
It was reported that OpenAI is developing a search engine to challenge Google, but there are doubts about whether it will be a standalone engine or integrated with ChatGPT. However, OpenAI's challenge to Google seems implausible, as Bing already has expertise in search technology. Additionally, OpenAI lacks the momentum and ecosystem to compete with Google, Microsoft, Apple, and other established players. There are indications that Microsoft may be involved in research related to using large language models for search. The timing of the OpenAI search engine rumor coinciding with Google's Gemini announcement raises suspicions about its intention. In conclusion, the OpenAI search engine remains a rumor without concrete evidence.
I Make Companies Win using Google Advertising Methods that Convert ?? | 10+ Years Honing My Craft ??♂? | PMax - Video - Search - Display - GA4 - Account Audits & Full DFY Approaches ??.
9 个月Exciting developments in the digital world! Can't wait to see how these partnerships and tools shape the future.
AI Educator | Learn AI Easily With Your Friendly Guide | Built a 100K+ AI Community for AI Enthusiasts ( AI | ChatGPT | Tech | Career Coach | Marketing Pro)
9 个月Exciting developments in the digital space! Looking forward to more updates. Andrea Girelli