Bonded Bitesize – Your Midweek Roundup

YouTube is ramping up its livestream offering with the launch of side-by-side ads – a new mid-roll format that plays alongside livestream content rather than interrupting it entirely. Available on eligible CTV and web broadcasts, the feature reduces disruption by shrinking the livestream window while the ad plays in a separate display. However, stream audio is muted during the ad, with audio returning once the ad ends or is skipped. It’s the latest move in YouTube’s push to make live content more engaging – and monetisable – for creators, following recent additions like digital tipping with ‘Jewels’ and creator break options. For advertisers, it’s a chance to reach engaged viewers in real-time, without derailing the stream experience entirely.

See the ads in action in YouTube’s announcement video here.

LinkedIn has rolled out new post analytics tools designed to give users greater visibility into how their content is performing. Now, all members can view profile activity and follower growth generated by individual posts – a useful way to understand what’s driving interest. Premium subscribers also gain access to link engagement data, revealing how many users clicked on custom CTA buttons like website links or newsletter sign-ups. These enhancements support LinkedIn’s wider creator push, offering more strategic insight for professionals and content creators building their presence on the platform. 

Snapchat has released a new report exploring how social media and emerging tech are reshaping the way we shop – particularly among younger consumers. The study, created with Publicis Media and NRG, found that Snapchat users are significantly more likely to use tools like AR try-ons, visual search and AI styling guides to discover and buy fashion items. According to the report, 65% find AI-powered suggestions useful, and 63% say AR lenses reduce their need to visit stores. The app also plays a major role in influencing fashion inspiration and purchase decisions via friends, family and creators. With 82% of Snapchatters more likely to buy from brands their inner circle use, the findings highlight the growing value of social commerce.

Check out Snapchat’s full report here. 

YouTube is rolling out a new feature that lets Shorts viewers use Google Lens to search what they see within videos. By pausing a Short and tapping the Lens icon, users can scan the frame to identify landmarks, translate text, or even find visually similar products. While shopping isn’t the main focus of this initial rollout, the potential is clear – particularly for fashion or product-led content. Though Shorts with tagged products or paid promotions won’t support Lens search for now, this could pave the way for a new kind of influencer marketing, where viewers discover brands simply by scanning an outfit.

Google has begun rolling out a much-anticipated beta feature: Performance Max (PMax) channel performance reporting. This update offers advertisers detailed insights into how their PMax campaigns perform across Google’s networks – including Search, Display, YouTube, and more. By revealing which channels are driving results and which are underperforming, advertisers can make smarter decisions around budget allocation, creative relevance, and bid strategies. The feature also allows for search term analysis to reduce wasted spend and improve targeting. Although still in beta and subject to some reporting limitations, this marks a significant step towards increased transparency in PMax campaigns, which have historically been a ‘black box’ for many marketers. Greater visibility means more data-driven optimisations and better campaign outcomes.

Amazon Ads has launched a new suite of Twitch sponsorship tools designed to simplify how brands collaborate with streamers. The new offering includes Twitch Creator Sponsorships, which can be bought programmatically through Amazon’s DSP and activated in as little as two weeks. To help brands find the right fit, a free Creator Matchmaking tool makes it easy to discover streamers based on category, audience, location and budget. Sponsorship formats include everything from channel skins and host-read ads to follower promotions and sponsored subscriptions. Brands can also tap into real-time feedback via Twitch chat. With lower setup times and built-in measurement tools, Amazon is clearly hoping to attract more advertisers to test the waters on Twitch.

Netflix has significantly expanded its library this quarter, now accounting for over 20% of all content across major subscription streaming platforms, according to new data from Gracenote. Its catalogue grew by 18.2% between February and May — far outpacing Apple TV+ (3.7%), Prime Video (3.2%), Disney+ (1.6%), and Paramount+ (1%). Sport content saw the highest growth across platforms, increasing by 7.8%, with Netflix leading the charge by boosting its sports content by an impressive 22.1%. Together, Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+ now account for 92% of all sports content on SVOD platforms. 

Dig deeper into the streaming services report here. 

Google has expanded Demand Gen campaigns with a powerful new feature: Promoted Pins on Google Maps. These pins repurpose existing image assets and now appear in high-visibility areas of Maps like Browse, Directions, and Place Details. By surfacing in moments when users are actively exploring or navigating, Promoted Pins are designed to drive real-world action – turning digital interest into in-store foot traffic. This move reflects Google’s ongoing effort to blend online campaigns with offline results, helping advertisers reach mid-funnel users with greater intent. It’s a valuable update for brands looking to drive local discovery and store visits.

Amazon has dramatically reduced its ad presence on Google Shopping, marking the most significant pullback since early 2020. Data from Tinuiti reveals a sharp drop in Amazon’s daily impression share, a rare move that could indicate a strategic shift or reflect wider market trends. These insights come from Google Auction Insights data analysed across multiple retailers and product categories. Although impression share numbers reflect eligibility to receive impressions rather than total market share, this development highlights notable changes in how major retailers are approaching Google Shopping advertising. Marketers should watch this space as it could impact competitive dynamics in retail search ads.

Google search rankings have shown significant volatility since May 29th, sparking increased discussion among SEO professionals and visible fluctuations across multiple tracking tools. While more frequent algorithm updates have been expected in 2025, there hasn’t been an official announcement beyond the March core update. This recent surge in ranking shifts, mostly occurring around last Thursdays, suggests Google may be preparing a new update or making ongoing adjustments. Third-party tools like Semrush, Mozcast, and Sistrix all report increased turbulence in search results. SEO community feedback varies widely, with some sites experiencing steep traffic drops, others seeing gains, and many reporting erratic user patterns. This heightened unpredictability highlights the need for marketers to closely monitor their SEO performance and remain agile during these unsettled periods.