Bonded Bitesize – Your Midweek Roundup

Bing expands generative search experience and Deep Search

Microsoft announces updates to Bing’s Copilot, expanding its generative search for informational queries like ‘how to run a one-on-one’ and ‘removing background noise from podcasts’. This AI-powered feature delivers deeper, more comprehensive answers beyond surface-level results. U.S. users can try it by typing ‘Bing generative search’ into Bing, accessing a demo carousel of queries. The search combines traditional results with large and small language models (LLMs and SLMs) for more relevant answers. Microsoft is also expanding Deep Search, now live since March, but still in beta. The company aims to improve accuracy and provide citations to support publishers while evolving AI in search. Publishers should stay updated and adapt to these changes.

Reach bosses in drive to increase websites’ story volumes

Reach plc is increasing story output across its regional websites to boost online traffic, which has been impacted by algorithm changes from Google and Facebook. While there are no individual targets, office-based reporters are encouraged to write around eight stories per shift to raise article volume. Editorial director Paul Rowland emphasised the need to increase page views to sustain the business, despite challenges from tech giants. Although page views aren’t a perfect metric, they’re vital for monetisation. The company aims to diversify revenue streams but, for now, focuses on increasing both article production and audience engagement to fund journalism.

Microsoft is about to change how Copilot ads appear and trigger

Microsoft Advertising is updating its Copilot ad experience, introducing a feature called ‘ad voice’, where ads will appear below Copilot’s organic answers with fewer annotations and extensions. This change starts on copilot.microsoft.com this month and will expand to Bing Search over time. Additionally, two new AI-powered features are launching in pilot: Diagnostics, which helps assess campaign health and suggest actions via conversational engagement, and Performance snapshot, offering natural language summaries of campaign performance. Microsoft claims these changes result in higher click-through and conversion rates, potentially enhancing advertising ROI.

Google’s AI Overviews Avoid Political Content, New Data Shows

A study by SE Ranking reveals Google’s cautious approach to AI-generated content for sensitive ‘Your Money or Your Life’ (YMYL) topics like health, finance, legal, and political subjects. AI Overviews (AIOs) appear most frequently for legal (77.67%) and health queries (65.33%), often accompanied by disclaimers urging users to consult professionals. Google avoids generating AIOs for sensitive topics like mental health, elections, and medications. Political queries, particularly those related to elections, rarely trigger AIOs, reflecting a hands-off approach. These findings suggest the need for authoritative, well-sourced content, especially when targeting YMYL keywords in SEO strategies.

Facebook launches a Gen Z-focused redesign

Meta is redesigning Facebook to attract younger users and rival apps like TikTok and Instagram, emphasising local community engagement, entertainment, and Facebook Groups. The updates include a ‘Local’ tab for nearby activities, recommendations, and Marketplace items, and a new ‘Explore’ tab for personalised content. Facebook is also enhancing its video features, making Reels more prominent, and updating Facebook Events and Groups with AI-driven tools and notifications. Additionally, the platform is integrating AI features like ‘Group AI’ for better search within groups and introducing new tools for Facebook Dating and Messenger. These changes reflect Facebook’s attempt to re-engage younger audiences with a focus on local connections and entertainment.

AI Briefing: Pinterest, Microsoft and Google bring new generative ad features for social and search

This week, platforms like Pinterest, Microsoft, Google, Meta, Reddit, TikTok, Snap, and Amazon launched new AI tools for ad creation and automation. Pinterest introduced its Performance+ platform, using AI for ad generation and media buying. Microsoft added AI features to Copilot and Bing, while Google expanded its AI-powered search ads. Meta rolled out tools for image and background generation. Reddit, TikTok, Snap, and Amazon also introduced AI-driven ad formats, focusing on personalisation and automation, although some advertisers worry about losing control over brand messaging.

Amazon Follows Google Into Visual Search To Strengthen Shopping

Amazon has launched five new visual search features in its mobile shopping app to enhance the user experience. These include visual suggestions that show image-based recommendations as users type keywords, the ability to add text to images for more specific searches, a ‘circle to search’ tool for isolating items within images, a ‘more like this’ option to find similar products, and ‘videos in search’ for watching product videos directly in search results. These features aim to boost engagement and shopping efficiency, with Amazon reporting a 70% year-over-year increase in site traffic from visual search.

YouTube apologises for falsely banning channels for spam, canceling subscriptions

YouTube recently apologised for a system error that led to the accidental banning of numerous channels, with creators informed that their channels were removed for “Spam & Deceptive Practices.” While YouTube acknowledged the issue and worked to reinstate the channels, it did not provide details on the cause or the full scale of the problem. The issue also affected YouTube Premium subscribers, some of whom lost access to their subscriptions and services like YouTube Music. Creators voiced their frustration online, with many seeking explanations and assistance, while YouTube worked to resolve the problem, ultimately claiming it was fixed by Friday afternoon.

Google Tests Videos In Knowledge Panel Image Carousels

Google is reportedly testing the inclusion of YouTube videos in the image carousel of its knowledge panels, which typically only display images. This was spotted by Gagan Ghotra, who shared screenshots and a GIF showing YouTube videos appearing alongside images in the carousel. Although the feature was not replicable by others at the moment, it seems to be an experimental addition. The discussion is ongoing in online forums, though there has been no official announcement from Google.

Google Shopping Ads Now Available In Google Lens Results

Google is rolling out new Shopping Ads capabilities for Google Lens, allowing users to see product information, price comparisons, reviews, and where to buy when using visual search. This feature is available in select countries and product categories, with a focus on holiday items like toys, electronics, and beauty products. Shopping Ads will appear in the same format as keyword searches, offering advertisers a familiar way to engage users. No additional actions are required for advertisers, but keeping product feeds updated is essential. The rollout will expand throughout Q4 and into 2025.