Bonded Bitesize - Your Midweek Roundup

Is your media mix underplaying audio? New data says it could be costing you ROI

Audio is making a stronger case for a bigger seat at the media planning table. New findings from Radiocentre show that campaign ROI is maximised when audio accounts for around 25% of total media spend, reinforcing its value as more than just a supporting channel. Audio is making a stronger case for a bigger seat at the media planning table. New findings from Radiocentre show that campaign ROI is maximised when audio accounts for around 25% of total media spend, reinforcing its value as more than just a supporting channel.

Meta’s new Forum app is taking aim at Reddit-style communities

Meta has launched Forum, a new standalone discussion platform designed to give Facebook Groups a dedicated home outside the main app.

Built around deeper conversation and interest-led communities, Forum strips away the noise of the broader Facebook feed and creates a more focused discussion environment. It also introduces AI-powered search functionality to surface relevant conversations and answers across groups.

ChatGPT ads just got smarter with new targeting and budget controls

OpenAI is continuing to build out its advertising ecosystem, with new updates to its Ads Manager beta giving marketers more campaign control.

The latest additions include daily and lifetime budgeting options, more advanced geo-targeting capabilities and improved reporting visibility across campaigns. These updates bring the platform closer to the flexibility advertisers expect from established digital ad platforms.

YouTube introduces new reach metrics and richer still-image content tools

YouTube is giving creators and brands more ways to understand performance and enhance static content.

The platform has introduced an updated Unique Reach metric, offering a clearer view of how many individual viewers are being reached across content. It has also added music functionality for still-image posts, giving creators more creative flexibility for lightweight content formats.

Google’s latest core update is live and search rankings are already shifting

Google’s May 2026 Core Update is officially underway, with early ranking volatility already being reported across sectors.

As with previous broad core updates, the rollout is expected to take around two weeks, meaning fluctuations are likely to continue as Google recalibrates search results. Early signs suggest noticeable movement across a range of verticals, making this a key moment for brands monitoring organic visibility.

Bonded Bitesize – Your Midweek Roundup