Fried Bids, Digital News - 23rd-30th Sep 2024
This is my personal selection of the most interesting stories published from 23th-30rd Sep 2024.
TL:DR (meaning: supersummary if you are in a rush)
TikTok has enhanced its Search Ads with keyword targeting, boosting conversions by up to 20%, while Google retired its cache search operator, replacing it with Internet Archive links. YouTube introduced nine new creator features, including AI-powered tools and expanded monetization, as Google TV's latest update brings smart home control and doorbell notifications ahead of its streamer launch. At Meta’s Connect 2024, they revealed Orion AR glasses, updates to Ray-Ban smart glasses, and Quest 3S VR, while also adding celebrity chatbot voices. Zefr expanded its AI brand safety tools to combat misinformation on YouTube. Mozilla is under EU scrutiny for default tracking in Firefox, raising GDPR concerns, while California's Governor Newsom vetoed a broad AI safety bill to avoid stifling innovation. Meta's Llama AI models now interpret visual data, though European regulations limit usage. Virtual influencers like Lil Miquela are gaining traction with brands like Dior and BMW, despite trust concerns. Finally, WordPress co-founder Matt Mullenweg criticized WP Engine for benefiting from open-source software without contributing back, sparking tensions within the WordPress community.
TikTok introduces keyword targeting
TikTok has enhanced its Search Ads campaigns by introducing keyword targeting, allowing brands greater control over ad placements. This update enables advertisers to select relevant keywords for their campaigns, improving how ads appear in response to user queries. Previously, TikTok's Search Ads Toggle only allowed for general placement in related searches without specific targeting options. With 57% of users utilizing the app's search function and 23% searching shortly after opening it, this feature aims to capitalize on user engagement. The update is expected to boost conversion rates, as brands running Search Ads alongside In-Feed Ads have seen an average 20% increase in conversions, reinforcing TikTok's position as a key platform for product discovery.
Google removes cache: search operator
Google has removed the documentation for its cache: search operator, indicating that this feature is no longer functional. The change was announced via X (formerly Twitter) in March 2024, with Google acknowledging the operator's historical significance in helping users access webpage versions when loading issues were common. As internet reliability has improved, Google decided to retire this feature. In its place, links to the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine have been added to the "About this page" feature, allowing users to view previous versions of webpages. This update reflects Google's ongoing evolution in search capabilities and the need for SEO professionals to adapt to these changes.
YouTube introduces nine new creator tools
YouTube unveiled nine new features during the "Made on YouTube" event held on September 18, 2024, aimed at enhancing creator engagement and community building. CEO Neal Mohan and product executives introduced tools such as the upgraded Dream Screen, powered by Google DeepMind, which allows creators to generate realistic backgrounds for Shorts. The new Inspiration Tab in YouTube Studio helps creators refine ideas with AI assistance. Features like Communities and Hype foster interactions between creators and fans, while Auto Dubbing enhances accessibility. Additionally, YouTube Shopping expands to new markets, supporting creators in monetization. These updates reflect YouTube's commitment to empowering its vast community of creators.
Google TV major update pre-streamer launch
Google has announced a significant update for Google TV ahead of the launch of its new streaming box, the Google TV Streamer. The update introduces a new home panel that allows users to control smart home devices directly from their TV, along with doorbell notifications that let viewers see who is at the door without interrupting their shows. A dedicated sports page in the For You tab aggregates sports content, including live games and highlights. Additionally, AI capabilities are enhanced, allowing for custom screensaver artwork and concise overviews of shows. Google TV is expanding its compatibility with more brands and launching in new countries, including Indonesia and Thailand, further solidifying its presence in the streaming market.
Meta Connect 2024 highlights AI, AR, VR
Meta showcased significant advancements in AI, VR, and AR during the Connect 2024 event, held on September 25, 2024. The highlight was the introduction of Orion, Meta's first AR glasses, designed for immersive experiences and equipped with a wrist control for intuitive use. While not yet available to the public, these glasses promise advanced capabilities compared to competitors like Apple and Snap. Additionally, Meta announced updates for its Ray-Ban smart glasses, enhancing voice commands and adding features like location memory and real-time translations. The Quest 3S VR headset was also unveiled, offering a budget-friendly entry point for mixed reality. New AI functionalities include celebrity voice options for chatbots and improved visual understanding for image editing, further enhancing user engagement across Meta’s platforms.
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Zefr expands brand safety for YouTube
Zefr has expanded its AI-powered Brand Safety and Suitability Verification solution on YouTube to include a reporting feature specifically for its misinformation category. This update, announced on September 27, 2024, allows brands to ensure their advertisements do not appear alongside misinformation across various campaign formats, including video action and performance max. Utilizing advanced AI technology and human reviews, Zefr accurately identifies misleading content, providing independent verification that aligns with YouTube's policies. Co-CEO Rich Raddon emphasized the importance of this capability in enhancing brand confidence and transparency in advertising environments.
Mozilla faces EU privacy complaint
Mozilla has faced a privacy complaint from the European Union privacy rights group noyb, alleging violations of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) due to default tracking of Firefox users. This complaint, filed on September 25, 2024, focuses on a new feature called "Privacy Preserving Attribution" (PPA), which noyb claims turns Firefox into a tracking tool for websites without user consent. While PPA aims to improve ad measurement without identifying individuals, noyb argues that Mozilla did not seek users' permission to enable this feature by default. The complaint seeks to halt this practice, arguing it undermines user rights and fails to replace cookie-based tracking, potentially exposing Mozilla to fines of up to 4% of its global revenue.
California vetoes AI safety bill SB 1047
California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed the Safe and Secure Innovation for Frontier Artificial Intelligence Models Act (SB 1047) on September 29, 2024. He cited concerns over the potential burden the bill would impose on AI companies and its broad application to all AI systems, regardless of risk level. Newsom expressed that the bill might create a false sense of security and could hinder innovation in the AI sector. While he acknowledged the need for safety protocols, he emphasized that a more tailored approach is necessary. The veto drew mixed reactions, with supporters arguing it would have ensured oversight of powerful technologies, while opponents, including major tech companies, claimed it would stifle innovation and growth in California's tech industry.
Meta expands Llama AI with image support
Meta has introduced multimodal capabilities in its Llama AI models, specifically versions 3.2 11B and 90B, announced during the Meta Connect 2024 conference on September 25, 2024. These models can now interpret images, charts, and graphs, allowing them to answer questions about visual data, such as identifying distances on maps or analyzing revenue trends from graphs. While the models remain available for text applications, they include a safety tool called Llama Guard Vision to detect harmful content. However, due to regulatory issues, these multimodal models are not accessible in Europe, limiting certain features for users in that region. Meta continues to face challenges related to compliance with the EU’s AI Act and GDPR while pushing for broader adoption of its AI technologies.
Virtual influencers become more popular
Brands are increasingly turning to virtual influencers to engage consumers, as highlighted in a recent PitchBook report. Notable companies like Dior, Calvin Klein, and BMW have utilized digital avatars such as Lil Miquela, who boasts nearly 3 million Instagram followers. This shift is driven by the potential cost savings and flexibility virtual influencers offer, as they can be tailored to specific audiences without the constraints of human influencers. However, while these digital personas are effective for simple products, they face limitations with more complex items. Consumer trust in human influencers remains high, with many still preferring their recommendations, indicating a nuanced landscape where brands may combine both virtual and human influencers in their marketing strategies.
WordPress Drama as co-founder criticizes WP Engine
Matt Mullenweg, co-founder of WordPress, has publicly criticized WP Engine, a key WordPress hosting provider, calling it a "cancer" to the community during his address at WordCamp 2024. This conflict centers on the use of open-source software, with Mullenweg accusing WP Engine of profiting without contributing back to the ecosystem. The situation escalated with legal threats, resulting in WP Engine's temporary loss of access to WordPress.org's servers, affecting its customers' ability to update their sites. Mullenweg demands either a licensing fee or contributions to the open-source project from WP Engine, asserting that companies benefiting from open-source should support its development, while WP Engine defends its practices under existing open-source regulations.
SEO Director @ Jellyfish
1 个月Andrea Girelli I'm disappointed. Not because they removed this feature (which was hardly used anymore and unreliable) but because this news went so under the radar that it failed to be included on the Google Cemetery/Killed by Google websites.
Global Performance Marketing Manager at Freeda
1 个月Andrea Girelli ciao! I am not a big fan of solutions made "to try to be what you are not", however, I do appreciate the attempt to make the platform more malleable for purposes other than those for which it was created.
Partner & Partnership Lead @ Aryel | 3D/AR Formats for Display Ads and Marketing Contents
1 个月Thank you Andrea Girelli for the mention! in my opinion, among the innovations presented at the Meta Connect 2024, the Orion AR glasses stand out as particularly promising for creating new advertising channels - these devices may enable brands to communicate in a highly personalized way, tailoring interactions directly to the consumer’s environment. This highlights how AR will increasingly place immersive creativity at the core, enhancing the overall “augmented” experience and offering exciting opportunities for brands to connect with users in more dynamic and interactive ways.
Digital Performance Supervisor at OMD Italy | DEI Activist
1 个月Thanks Andrea Girelli! For sure, the new version of Search Ads Campaigns must be explored to understand its effectiveness. I think a good balance among predefined keyword lists and platform suggestions based on users behaviour will be needed to make the most of it. Hope it will help TikTok increasing its ecommerce capabilities: at the moment, I see it much more like an "advanced discovery" platform, rather than a direct conversions source, at least in the EU (maybe, due to the lack of direct checkout, that seems to be around the corner, at last!)
Founder at Blocki and Mixer Digital - Software / Web3 / Blockchain / Digital Marketing | #?uidl
1 个月If you're gaining from the work of an open community, it's expected that you give something back—whether that's code, resources, or other support. Not contributing, especially when you clearly can, just comes off as really bad. IMHO