??Google Isn't Ditching Cookies, TikTok Introduces Custom Thumbnails & Image Ads, Meta's New Ads Promo Feature and Reddit Launches Lead Generation Ads

Hello Dispatchers!

Welcome back to The Digital Dispatch. I hope you all had a fantastic weekend.

Welcome new readers and thank you to all returning readers and subscribers!

The 2024 Olympics got underway in Paris on Friday. What were your thoughts on the opening ceremony? ??

The UK is finally experiencing some summer weather this week, with temperatures reaching 26c! Make sure you get out there and enjoy that sun! ??

What's Been Happening in the Realm of Social Media?

There's been some great updates within the digital marketing world since last week:

?? Google is no longer getting rid of Cookies, despite threatening to phase them out.

?? TikTok introduces Image Ads – save time and money by using your existing images!

?? TikTok now allows custom thumbnails, perfect for grabbing attention!

?? Meta's new URL detection automatically adds offers to your Facebook and IG ads, boosting visibility!

?? Reddit launches its own Lead Generation Ads.

?? YouTube lets you save and reuse music from Shorts, making content creation easier!

Google Decides to Keep Cookies: What This Means for Your Business

After years of threatening to do away with cookies, Google, in a complete U-turn, has decided not to phase out tracking cookies.

Instead, the search engine giant will introduce a new feature in Chrome that allows users to make informed choices about their data.

This change comes after facing various challenges and concerns from regulators and industry professionals.

For SMEs, this is good news! You can continue using your current data tracking methods, without having the imminent threat of needing to overhaul your systems.

Keep an eye on how Google implements this new user choice feature, as it could still impact how data is collected and used in the future.

But for now, breathe a sigh of relief - cookies are here to stay.

TikTok Introduces Image Ads & Custom Thumbnails

Great news for SMEs looking to streamline their ad creation process on TikTok! The platform now supports Image Ads, allowing you to upload your existing image assets directly to TikTok Ads Manager.

This means you can bypass the time and expense of video production while still creating compelling ads.

TikTok says that Image Ads help your campaigns exit the learning phase 120% faster than standard campaigns, unlocking new audience segments more efficiently.

Why should SMEs care?

Image Ads let you showcase multiple products in a Standard Carousel or use your own catalogue images in a VSA Carousel.

This is perfect for holiday promotions and competitive campaigns, offering a new way to tell your brand’s story.

Just log in to your TikTok Ads Manager, create a campaign, and choose between the Carousel options.

Fill in the ad text, add suitable music, and your Image Ad is ready for delivery!

TikTok Finally Introduces Custom Thumbnails

TikTok has finally introduced a new feature that allows creators to upload custom thumbnails and cover images for their videos. We've only been waiting for forever!

Previously, you could only use a still image from your video as the cover. Now, you can upload engaging and eye-catching images to attract more viewers.

This update is available both in the app and on desktop.

For SMEs, this means you can use branded images, helping to attract and engage potential customers.

Meta’s New Offer Detection Feature: Boost Your Ad Performance

Meta has rolled out a new feature that simplifies incorporating offers into your Facebook and Instagram ads.

Now, when you set up an ad campaign, Meta can automatically detect any discounts or promo codes listed on your website by using your URL when entered.

This means your ads can highlight special offers to potential customers when they're most likely to respond, based on their previous interactions.

Why is this important for SMEs?

This new automated feature not only saves you time but also ensures your ads are more effective by showcasing the right offers to the right audience.

You can still edit these offers during the ad setup, giving you full control over what your customers see.

Meta’s Advantage+ automated campaigns are already proving successful for many advertisers, and this update is a great addition, especially as we approach the holiday season.?

If you decide to take advantage of this new tool, get in touch with us and let us know how you found it.

Reddit Launches Lead Generation Ads

Exciting news from Reddit! The platform has just rolled out Lead Generation Ads, now available globally in public beta.

This new ad format could be a game-changer for SMEs looking to boost their lead generation efforts.

Here's why:

These ads let you collect potential customer details on Reddit, which means you can gather high-quality leads without needing extra steps.

They come with handy features like mobile optimisation and auto-filled email fields, plus a focus on keeping user data secure.

With many B2B decision-makers and tech-savvy users on Reddit, this could be a golden opportunity for SMEs to connect with engaged prospects and see better results from their marketing efforts.

In beta testing, companies like LaunchDarkly have already seen impressive improvements, including a 30% drop in cost per lead and a 25% boost in lead submissions.

So, if you're looking for a new way to generate high-quality leads efficiently, Reddit’s Lead Generation Ads might just be worth a closer look.

YouTube's Latest Update: Save Music from Shorts and More!

YouTube has introduced a new feature that lets creators save music directly from Shorts, making it easier to reuse popular audio clips in their videos.

No more workarounds—just click "Save Music" in the Shorts interface, and you’re set!

This update is fantastic for small businesses looking to enhance their video content with engaging audio.

Music has been a big part of TikTok's success, and YouTube is now making it simpler for its users to tap into this trend.

YouTube has also expanded its Inspiration tab offering AI-driven content tips and video ideas tailored to your audience's interests.

This can be a game-changer when you're stuck on what to post next.

In addition, YouTube has rolled out a new desktop extension for its shopping affiliate program, allowing creators to save products and compare commission rates while browsing on Chrome.

These updates provide valuable tools for maximising your YouTube presence and creating content that resonates with your audience.

That's all Folks!

Thanks for reading this week's Digital Dispatch!

I hope you gained some useful insights and actionable information.

If you have any questions, pop them in the comments.

Who are we? ????♀???♂?

We’re Add People – a group of down-to-earth digital marketing experts specialising in budget-friendly campaigns that help small to medium-sized businesses grow.

From Plumbers to Dance Schools, we’ve helped all kinds of SMEs tap into digital marketing.?

If you would like help with your digital marketing, then contact us here.

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