Bonded Bitesize – Your Midweek Roundup

YouTube Tests Comment Topic Sorting on Shorts Clips

YouTube is expanding its A.I. generated comment summaries to Shorts clips, after testing it on regular videos. This feature uses A.I. to detect common themes in comments and sorts them into categories, making it easier for users to find relevant discussions. Initially available on some Shorts with large comment sections, this feature aims to help both creators and viewers by highlighting key discussions. Creators can use these summaries to engage with their audience and get content ideas, while viewers can quickly see the main topics of discussion. The feature is currently being tested on the YouTube mobile app for a limited audience.

Google Launches New Connected TV Ad Placement Options

Google has introduced a new advertising option for connected TV sets via its Google TV network, accessible on selected smart TVs and OTT devices. Brands can now display ads on Sony, Hisense, TCL, and Chromecast devices, leveraging over 20 million monthly active Google TV devices. The network includes over 125 channels featuring live sports, TV shows, and movies. With 60% of U.S. households using free, ad-supported streaming services and viewers spending an average of 75 minutes per day on Google TV, this offers a significant opportunity for advertisers. The ad formats include non-skippable and 6-second bumper ads, available through Google Ads and Google Display & Video 360.

Pinterest Launches Promotional Campaign To Highlight Discovery

Pinterest has launched a new promotional campaign to attract potential ad partners by showcasing its ability to connect users with a wide range of interests. The campaign emphasises the platform as a place for self-discovery and creativity, featuring fantastical scenes without CGI or AI effects to highlight the work of artists. Pinterest notes that 518 million users visit the platform monthly for personalised inspiration and ideas. The campaign aims to capitalise on Pinterest’s steady usage growth, particularly among younger demographics, and will run across various media channels in the U.S. and U.K. through November 2024.

Here’s Everything Apple Announced at the WWDC 2024 Keynote

At WWDC 2024, Apple unveiled major announcements, including the debut of Apple Intelligence and enhancements to Siri with AI features. The company showcased updates on Vision Pro and other feature refreshes, along with its plans to collaborate with AI partners like Google’s Gemini model. Apple introduced ChatGPT integration in Siri, a new Passwords app, and Smart Script for handwriting on iPad. Notable updates include a new Calculator for iPad, macOS Sequoia with iPhone mirroring, and Messages via Satellite. The new iOS 18 and visionOS 2 bring customisation, productivity, and immersive experiences. The promotional campaign aims to showcase Apple’s advanced AI capabilities and boost engagement across various devices.

LinkedIn Drops User Targeting Based On Groups Data

LinkedIn will no longer allow advertisers to target users in Europe based on their participation in LinkedIn Groups, complying with the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA). This decision follows a complaint from civil society groups alleging potential discrimination based on sensitive data. Although LinkedIn maintains that its practices were DSA-compliant, it proactively removed this targeting option to avoid misconceptions about profiling. The change affects the precision and reach of European ad campaigns. EU Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton praised the move, highlighting the DSA’s impact. LinkedIn’s parent company, Microsoft, faces broader regulatory challenges in Europe, but this step ensures continued targeted advertising without sensitive group data.

Google Must Face $17 Billion UK Ad Tech Lawsuit

A UK court has ruled that Google must face a £13.6 billion lawsuit over its dominance in the online advertising market. The lawsuit, filed by Ad Tech Collective Action LLP, claims Google’s anticompetitive practices have financially harmed UK online publishers by promoting its own products over competitors. The Competition Appeal Tribunal in London rejected Google’s attempt to dismiss the case, allowing it to proceed to trial. Google dismisses the lawsuit as “speculative and opportunistic” and plans to vigorously oppose it. This case is one of many regulatory challenges Google faces globally, including antitrust trials and significant fines from the EU. No trial date has been set yet, and the case has already taken 18 months to progress to this stage.

Outsmart Q1 2024 report: OOH Revenues Up 16.4% YoY

Outsmart, the trade body for the Out of Home (OOH) advertising industry, reported that OOH revenues for the first quarter of 2024 reached £292 million, marking a 16.4% increase from the same period last year. According to PwC, Digital OOH revenue grew by 22.8% and Classic OOH by 6.2%, with digital’s share of revenue rising from 61% to 65% year-on-year. Outsmart chair Justin Cochrane highlighted the positive economic outlook and increased audience engagement as summer approaches. Andy Lobo of PwC UK noted the industry’s strong growth, driven by the rise in digital advertising, which enhances campaign flexibility and innovation.

Google Ad Manager Launches Programmatic Email Ads

Google Ad Manager has introduced a beta version of an advertising tag for email newsletters, supporting three types of email ads: sponsorships, context-based, and subscriber-targeted programmatic ads. Unlike traditional web ads, email ads do not rely on third-party cookies, making them an appealing alternative as browsers phase out cookies by 2025. Sponsorships feature personal endorsements and are sold at a flat rate, while context-based ads focus on the email’s subject and are priced per action. Programmatic ads target individual subscribers with personalised ads, similar to pay-per-click ads, and are also priced per action. This beta will primarily support programmatic ad slots, utilising linked HTML image tags with unique subscriber IDs for targeting.

Instagram May Soon Enable You to Cross-Post Stories to WhatsApp

WhatsApp is considering allowing cross-posting of Instagram Stories directly to WhatsApp Status, which has 450 million daily active users. This integration could significantly expand content reach, especially as WhatsApp gains popularity in Western markets. Currently, Instagram Stories can be cross posted to Facebook, and adding WhatsApp would further enhance audience potential. Despite some formatting issues, like interactive stickers not functioning the same way on WhatsApp, the ability to reach a broader audience with minimal additional effort is appealing. This feature could also benefit brands using WhatsApp Channels for product updates, linking visual Stories content to topic-based update streams. Although not yet confirmed by Meta, this potential update could provide valuable new engagement opportunities.

How The Google Leak Confirms The Significance Of Author And Publisher Entities In SEO

The May 2024 Google leak highlights the rising significance of author and publisher entities in SEO. It confirms that Google can identify content creators and website owners, presenting an opportunity for SEOs to optimise these entities in their strategies. The leak indicates Google’s ability to assess the credibility of content, website owners, and content creators, emphasising the importance of entity optimisation. SEO strategies now require optimisation of website owners (publishers) and content creators (authors), in addition to traditional website and content-level optimisation. This three-tiered approach focuses on understanding, credibility, and deliverability of entities, ensuring alignment with Google’s evolving algorithms. Incorporating author and publisher entity optimisation into SEO strategies establishes a clear identity within the digital ecosystem, fostering trust with users and search engines and driving engagement and revenue.