Bonded Bitesize – Your Midweek Roundup
Bonded Bitesize – Your Midweek Roundup
Bonded Bitesize – Bringing you your midweek roundup of the latest in digital and media.
Stay connected with recent updates from Microsoft, Google, Meta & many more!
ChatGPT has disabled access to users in Italy at the request of the Italian data protection
Italy’s local data protection authority has ordered OpenAI to stop processing the data of Italian users using ChatGPT. In response, OpenAI has begun geo blocking access to its generative AI chatbot, meaning that users with an Italian IP address can no longer use the service. OpenAI says that it will issue refunds to all Italian users who bought the ChatGPT Plus subscription, and notes that it is temporarily pausing subscription renewals.
Bytedance’s Instagram-like app Lemon8 surges to U.S. app store’s Top 10 list amid TikTok uncertainty
As TikTok continues to find itself in hot water in both the U.S. and the U.K amid concerns over national security, it seems its parent company Bytedance has a backup plan…Lemon8. The app that describes itself as a “lifestyle community”, with an interface not too dissimilar from that of Instagram’s, has quickly ranked to no. 9 in the U.S. app store charts. Although the app was quietly launched back in 2020, many believe its sudden catapult into the charts may be driven by recommendations on TikTik - with the #Lemon8 garnering over 2.8 billion views on TikTok.
Twitter has published its Tweet ranking algorithm data, providing insights into how tweets are ranked in feed
In yet another interesting move by Elon Musk, Twitter has published its recommendations algorithm code on Github for all to see. Unlike Meta or Google who hold their algorithms close to their chest to prevent scammers and spammers cheating the system, Musk believes that this increased transparency will help to win over the trust of users. According to the data, likes and retweets are the most significant indicators of interest, helping to push the Tweet further up the ranking. Tweets that only contain a URL, or trigger a user to block or unfollow an account, are pushed further down, hindering a Tweets performance.
Google’s new Ads Transparency Centre will help users learn more about the ads that they are served across the web
Google has launched the Ads Transparency Centre which will help users find and learn more about the ads that they see on Search, YouTube and Display. Users will be able to see the ads an advertiser has run, which ads were shown in a certain region, the last date an ad ran, and the format of the ad. Mike Froggatt, senior director analyst at Gartner, believes that the data collected by users who interact with this new site will provide additional information for Google’s data learning algorithms.
Channel 4 has signed up 30 brands to trial fewer ads as well as new interactive and shoppable formats
Uk broadcaster, Channel 4, has announced that it is setting up a 12-week trial with 30 brands to see the impact of reducing ad load and frequency - in the hope that a less cluttered viewing experience will make the ads served more impactful. The advertisers taking part are also being encouraged to test out a new range of ad formats - including dynamic ads with greater interactivity. Channel 4 has commissioned research agency BRDC to undertake research during the experiment, and they are hoping to replicate the success of a similar two-year test in the U.S. with Peacock.
LinkedIn is adding algorithmically suggested posts to help boost user engagement
Following in the footsteps of TikTok and Meta, LinkedIn is the latest social media platform to call upon algorithmic recommendations to expand the pool of content shown to users. New ‘suggested posts’ are designed to help users discover relevant content based on their field of interest, outside of the accounts and pages that they follow. The platform is likely hoping that by creating more compelling feeds, users will keep scrolling for longer - a similar ideology to Meta and Twitter who have also been increasing their recommended content as of late.
Meta has unveiled new AI-powered brand suitability controls and third-party verification for feeds
Meta has introduced new inventory filters for Facebook and Instagram feeds, helping ensure that ads appear next to suitable content, helping to maintain a positive brand image. These filters are now accessible to advertisers in both English and Spanish speaking markets. In addition, Meta has partnered with Zefr, a third-party verification solution - making it the first social media platform to do so, with more Meta business partners set to join in the upcoming months.
Google Search is adding a new ‘Perspectives’ carousel and ‘About this author’ feature to help users verify info they see online
Google is introducing several new ways to users to verify information that they find on Search. Firstly, a new ‘Perspectives’ carousel will appear below Top Stories, showcasing insights from a range of journalists, experts and other relevant voices. This feature aims to give users a variety of noteworthy voices on topics to help broaden their understanding. Secondly, a new feature called ‘About this author’ will allow users to find more information about the background and experiences of the author of a page or site. Similarly, Google are also making it easier for users to access its ‘About this page’ feature, showing more information about the source of a particular page.
Snapchat announces strategic partnership with mobile-first omnichannel ad platform, Kargo, to develop its e-commerce offering
Snap has announced it is teaming up with Kargo, a New York City based omnichannel advertising platform to help develop its e-commerce offerings. Together the duo will provide a product catalogue, enhanced formats, activation and optimisation solutions for both e-commerce and retail advertisers. Kargo is known for its ‘Creative Science’ approach, combining dynamically personalised design with a measurement feedback loop to optimise towards creative led outcomes.
Meta launches new Reels ad options including Click-to-Messenger ads and WhatsApp conversion optimisation
As Reels continue their growth, Meta has rolled out new ad options that aim to help advertisers maximise their engagement. Firstly, Meta is making its Click-to-Messenger ads available within Facebook Reels, which will allow users to DM businesses directly within Reels. In addition, Meta is also making WhatsApp Conversion Optimisation available for Facebook Reels ads, enabling users to also contact businesses via WhatsApp if they prefer. According to Meta, almost 50% of Reels viewers have contacted brands via direct messages after seeing their Reels content.
Reports suggest Twitter will exempt top 500 advertisers, and 10’000 most followed organisations from paying $1000 monthly verification fee
According to an internal document acquired by the New York Times, Twitter intends to impose a $1000 monthly verification fee for organisations - though its 500 biggest advertisers, and the 10'000 most followed organisations will be exempt from paying. Verification badges can help businesses establish their legitimacy and build trust among followers, though the high price tag will mean that many small and upcoming businesses will not be able to bag themselves a badge.
Pinterest shares tips on incorporating sustainable messaging into ads, based on study of 54 campaigns
Amid rising concerns over climate change, Pinterest has conducted a study of 54 ad campaigns to gain insight into the impact of sustainable messaging on consumer response. According to Pinterest, 94% of sustainable campaigns were successful in lifting pin awareness (compared to 84% of non-sustainable campaigns), and were 2.4x more likely to lift action intent. To help avoid greenwashing, the platform recommends having a clear eco-friendly visual focus (in both the imagery and colour scheme of a campaign), use of statistics and also to make use of their new sustainability ad targeting options when setting up campaigns. Read the full guide here.
Microsoft Audience Network is discontinuing manual bidding, transitioning new campaigns to Enhanced CPC
Microsoft will be discontinuing manual bidding for new campaigns on the Microsoft Audience Network beginning April 24th. Following this, all current image and feed campaigns using this feature will transition to Enhanced CPC (eCPC) by April 28th. It’s worth noting that these modifications only affect image and feed campaigns with manual CPS - not including video campaigns or campaigns with manual CPV or CPM bid strategies.
YouTube is expanding its Analytics for Artists tool by adding new metrics for Shorts, including fan-uploaded Shorts
YouTube has announced that its ‘Analytics for Artists’ Total Reach Metric will now include fan-uploaded Shorts, to help show how many people an artist is reaching. Alongside this, YouTube has also added a new songs section to help artists see the ways in which fans are listening to their music. According to YouTube, fan-created Shorts can increase the average artists audience of unique viewers by more than 80%, also adding that Shorts in general receive 50 billion views daily.
After months of delay, Netflix’s ad-supported tier is now available on Apple TV
Despite launching its ad-supported tier over four months ago, the cheapest tier is finally available on Apple TV. Prior to this, Apple TV users were instead asked to either upgrade to one of Netflix’s pricier plans, or to try on another device. The tier is still yet to become available on Chromecast, Playstation 3 and on Windows - though this extended support should help the streaming service get more eyeballs on the ads that it shows.
