Fried Bids, Digital News - 11-17 Mar 2024
This is my personal selection of the most interesting articles published from 11th-17th March 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.
Meta has announced a range of updates to its Advantage+ and Shopping Ads. The updates primarily focus on retailers and aim to optimize video ads for various Meta platforms, including Reels, Facebook, and Instagram. Advertisers will be able to dynamically create multiple variations of an ad, and Advantage+ catalog ads now support branded videos and customer demonstration videos. Meta is introducing more eCommerce ad options, allowing users of Magento and Salesforce Commerce Cloud to create Shops ads within their management systems. Reminder Ads on Instagram will now include external links to new products or sales, and Meta plans to expand Reminder ads to Reels. Additionally, Meta is updating its Collaborative ads offering, testing the use of Collaborative ads with Advantage+ shopping campaigns, and introducing Advantage+ Catalog ads with omnichannel reporting.
Google has updated its Page Experience Documentation to acknowledge that Core Web Vitals (CWV) are used in their ranking systems. However, they stop short of explicitly stating that CWV are ranking factors. The change comes after Google's SearchLiaison previously caused confusion by tweeting that CWV were not a ranking factor or a signal. The updated documentation now states that CWV are used by Google's ranking systems and recommends site owners achieve good CWV for success in search and a great user experience. It is important to note that high CWV scores do not guarantee top rankings, as there are other factors involved in delivering a great page experience.
Google's March 2024 Core Update has resulted in the deindexing of hundreds of websites, primarily targeting low-quality content and AI-generated spam. The update, which began rolling out recently, has already led to the removal of approximately 1.7% of websites monitored in a study. Google's actions demonstrate their commitment to combatting AI-driven spam and prioritizing high-quality, human-generated content. The deindexing of websites engaging in manipulative practices, particularly those utilizing AI-generated content, signifies a significant shift in Google's approach to maintaining search result quality. While some deindexed sites have reappeared in search results, the impact of the March 2024 Core Update on the search landscape is expected to continue as it rolls out further.
TikTok is reportedly testing a new app called "TikTok Photos" that functions similarly to Instagram. References to "TikTok Photos" have been found in the code strings of the current TikTok app. The development of a separate photo app is not surprising, as TikTok has already introduced a "photo mode" and has been encouraging users to post more photos. The move aligns with the success of Xiaohongshu, China's version of Instagram, and its incorporation of eCommerce features. By expanding into still image posts and potentially Western markets, TikTok aims to enhance its eCommerce appeal.
Amazon is introducing a new feature that allows sellers to create product pages by simply pasting a link. The feature utilizes generative artificial intelligence (AI) to extract information from a seller's external website and automatically generate a product page on Amazon, including a description and images. The goal is to streamline the process of bringing products from external sites onto Amazon. The feature is being rolled out gradually and will initially be available to sellers in the United States. Amazon has been actively investing in AI tools and has recently launched AI-powered services for generating product listing text and photos, as well as an AI chatbot for customer inquiries.
First-id, in collaboration with Microsoft Advertising, has developed a programmatic advertising solution that enables addressability and privacy protection without relying on third-party cookies. The approach combines First-id's powerful identifier with Microsoft's Monetise Publisher Provided ID feature (PPID) and Curate platform, allowing publishers to integrate their first-party data with the PPID to enable addressability in a privacy-compliant manner. This solution expands campaign reach in cookie-less browser environments and offers an alternative identifier that respects user privacy and adheres to current regulations.
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Competition advocates are urging additional delays to Google's Privacy Sandbox proposals, which aim to replace third-party cookies for targeted advertising. They argue that the proposals could allow Google's Chrome browser to act as an ad server and supply-side platform, potentially nullifying any remedies sought by antitrust authorities. Meanwhile, European publishers have filed a lawsuit against Google, adding to the company's ongoing antitrust challenges. Overall, there are concerns about achieving a balance between privacy and competition in the online advertising industry.
Criteo is reportedly exploring the creation of a services layer for Privacy Sandbox, aiming to provide a solution for ad tech vendors grappling with the challenges and costs of developing their own alternatives to Google's cookieless environment. Todd Parsons, Criteo's chief product officer, revealed that the company is in active discussions with the Privacy Sandbox team to enable longer tail partners, such as supply-side platforms and demand-side platforms, to benefit from the services in order to support the industry's transition to a cookieless world. With the hefty expenses associated with developing solutions for the Privacy Sandbox, Criteo's venture is expected to attract interest from various players in the ad tech ecosystem.
An Adalytics report has revealed the complex nature of made-for-advertising sites (MFAs). The report highlights that many major advertisers unknowingly place ads on MFAs. Adalytics found that some advertisers could be spending up to $40 million per year on such inventory. These MFAs employ various tactics to inflate their ad inventory's value, including aggressive ad refreshes and lack of frequency caps. The report raises concerns about the effectiveness of efforts to address the issue and serves as a wake-up call to the industry, urging a reevaluation of advertising practices on these sites.
TikTok has announced a new integration for Apple's SKAdNetwork (SKAN) campaign tracking process. In response to Apple's iOS 14 App Tracking Transparency update, TikTok has developed a solution that enables marketers to measure campaign performance despite reduced datasets. The SKAdNetwork framework has been incorporated into TikTok Ads Manager, allowing privacy thresholds and providing mobile marketers and networks with more information and reporting capabilities for effective campaign optimization. TikTok's integration of SKAdNetwork has resulted in lower cost per acquisition and higher conversion rates for many partners.
The European Parliament has passed the AI Act, a landmark legislation governing artificial intelligence (AI) across the European Union. The Act, which was first introduced in 2021, addresses AI-generated deepfakes and mandates clear disclosures for AI-generated content. The AI Act adopts a risk-based approach, categorizing AI systems into high-risk and low-risk uses based on their potential impact on health, safety, and citizens' rights. It also bans certain AI applications, including social credit scoring and untargeted scraping of images for facial recognition. The AI Act is set to become law in the EU after a multi-year process, with enforcement and fines for violations expected by 2026.
The House of Representatives in the United States has passed a bill that could potentially ban TikTok unless the popular social media app separates from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. The legislation aims to address concerns over national security and the potential for Chinese law to compel ByteDance to provide user data. If the bill clears the Senate and becomes law, President Joe Biden has expressed his intention to sign it. Supporters argue that the bill is not an outright ban but an incentive for TikTok to sever its ties with China. However, opponents, including TikTok users, free speech organizations, and former President Donald Trump, argue that the bill could suppress speech, limit free expression, and grant excessive power to the government.