Bonded Bitesize – Your Midweek Roundup

Google launches automatic marketing content extraction

Google has introduced a new feature that automatically uses businesses’ existing marketing content – like promotions, social media links, and brand imagery – to boost visibility across Search, Shopping, and Maps. Merchants are automatically enrolled but can opt out via Merchant Center. Google gathers content by signing up to marketing emails or when businesses add a dedicated Google email to their mailing lists. This aims to save time and enhance exposure without extra effort, though concerns exist around brand control and whether the visibility will translate into meaningful traffic or revenue. Google hasn’t released performance metrics yet, and any extracted content falls under standard Merchant Centre terms. Businesses can manage participation through their account settings. 

Does the future of retail media lie in convenience stores?

Retail media is rapidly evolving in the UK, particularly within supermarkets, with Tesco predicting it will surpass TV in value by 2025. While major players like Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, and Asda are expanding their retail media networks, Co-op has found particular success in the convenience store sector. A recent study by Co-op Media Network revealed that convenience retail media can boost brand recall four times more effectively than in larger stores, thanks to higher shopper frequency and the unique environment. Tesco leads with bold digital strategies and a major partnership with GroupM, while Co-op innovates with the UK’s first convenience retail media network. Asda and Sainsbury’s are also progressing, using loyalty data to power targeted omnichannel campaigns.

Trump Grants TikTok a Second 75-Day Extension, Pushing Deadline to Mid-June

Donald Trump has granted TikTok a second 75-day extension for its U.S. sale, now pushing the deadline to mid-June. Trump stated that while progress has been made on a deal to ‘save TikTok’, more time is needed to finalise approvals. ByteDance confirmed ongoing discussions with the U.S. government but noted that key issues remain unresolved and any agreement must also comply with Chinese law. Major tech firms like Oracle, Amazon, and AppLovin have shown interest in acquiring TikTok’s U.S. operations amid security concerns, though it’s unclear how seriously these bids are being considered. Despite the political debate, most Americans remain largely indifferent to whether TikTok shuts down or not.

YouTube Adds New Inspiration Elements, Easy Re-Posting of TikToks to Shorts

YouTube has expanded its ‘Inspiration’ tab in YouTube Studio with three new features designed to help creators generate content ideas more easily. The first, ‘Brainstorm from anywhere’, lets creators use past videos and comments to spark new concepts directly within YouTube Studio. The second, ‘Hooks’, uses AI to suggest attention-grabbing openings for video ideas. The third, ‘Quick saves’, allows creators to save suggested ideas for later use. These tools aim to streamline the creative process and boost content performance, though some worry they may lead to less originality. Additionally, YouTube is promoting a Repurpose.io offer, enabling creators to upload short-form videos from TikTok and Instagram to YouTube Shorts amid uncertainty about TikTok’s U.S. future.

Google Things To Know Also Linking Back To More Search Results

Google Search is increasingly linking users back to its own search results within features like AI Overviews, ‘Things To Know’, and even the ‘People Also Ask’ section. Despite Google’s claims that it’s prioritising traffic to publishers, this practice appears to direct users further into the Google ecosystem rather than to external websites. Observations from users like Sachin Patel highlight how expanding these sections often reveals multiple dotted links that lead to more Google results rather than publisher content. This raises concerns about the authenticity of Google’s reported search growth and its commitment to supporting external publishers, suggesting a more self-serving strategy behind its AI-driven features.

LinkedIn Tests Video Trends to Encourage Member Engagement

LinkedIn is testing a TikTok-style video trends feature that encourages users to post their own video takes on trending professional topics. Similar to TikTok’s participatory format, these trends appear in-feed with a ‘Add to this trend’ call-to-action that opens your camera to record a response. It mirrors LinkedIn’s earlier Collaborative Articles concept—designed to prompt community contributions – though those saw declining engagement after the removal of the ‘topic expert’ badge.

The goal here? More native video content. And it’s working—LinkedIn says video watch time is up 36% year-over-year. As video becomes the default content format for younger professionals, this move feels like a natural evolution to boost platform engagement while staying (mostly) professional.

Hi! It’s Duo: The Marketing Strategy Behind the Internet’s Favorite Green Menace

Duolingo’s marketing team, led by global senior social media manager Zaria Parvez, has embraced a social-first approach that has driven its success across platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. From launching viral campaigns featuring its quirky mascot, Duo the owl, to staging a fake death for the character that captivated 66 million people, Duolingo has made creative, culturally relevant content central to its strategy. By listening to its community and reacting swiftly to trends, the brand has increased its monthly active users from 40.5 million to 116.7 million, with ad revenue soaring. With a nimble, flat organizational structure, Duolingo’s marketing team continuously pushes boundaries while building a playful, engaging brand identity that resonates with Gen Z and beyond.

Google Is Selling Ad Space in Roblox via Immersive Ads

Google is taking the next step in metaverse-aligned advertising by launching in-world ads within Roblox, using its Immersive Ads format. This format integrates ads naturally into the gaming environment, such as billboards or big-screen ads during virtual events. Players can watch 30-second video ads and receive in-game rewards like power-ups or currency. Early tests show over 80% completion rates, with some experiences seeing over 90%. This move into gaming ads might feel dystopian, especially as it targets younger audiences, but it aligns with the growing trend of digital interaction in virtual worlds. As platforms like Roblox, Minecraft, and Fortnite evolve, immersive advertising will become a key element of the metaverse, with brands like Gucci already offering exclusive digital items within Roblox. The challenge now will be how Google manages and responds to these promotions in a virtual space.

WhatsApp Adds New Ways for Businesses To Send Promotional DMs

Meta is introducing new features for businesses on WhatsApp, including ‘broadcasts’ that allow brands to amplify promotions to users who have previously interacted with them. This enables businesses to send offers outside of the usual messaging restrictions, though users can easily opt out or mark offers as ‘Not interested’. Meta plans to monitor user responses to ensure content remains relevant and engaging, while also imposing limits on the number of messages a user can receive per day to avoid inbox overload. These updates aim to provide a balance between monetisation and user satisfaction, allowing businesses to engage with customers without overwhelming them. While Meta hopes these controls will minimise backlash, it remains cautious, particularly in key markets like India, where WhatsApp has a massive user base.

Social Media Trends: Driving Engagement and Brand Affinity in 2025

Social media has become an essential tool for connection, with billions logging on daily to engage with friends, share messages, and shop. According to Emplifi’s 2025 ‘Social Pulse’ report, consumers primarily follow brands to stay updated on the latest deals and offers, with sales being a strategic priority for brands. Offers, user-generated content (UGC), and brand engagement are key factors that drive purchase activity and brand loyalty. The report also highlights consumer expectations for fast response times, with 32% of consumers expecting a direct message reply within an hour. Posting frequency matters, too—brands should aim for several posts a week without overwhelming their audience.