Bonded Bitesize – Your Midweek Roundup

Google Ads Finally Resolves ‘confusing Ad Text’ Issue For Most Users 

Google Ads has resolved the “Confusing Ad Text” and other content quality label errors for the majority of affected users which has persisted for the past 14 days. For those still impacted, Google assures that efforts are ongoing to restore the service and advise affected users to upload new assets or edit existing assets using a different label. The backlog of self-service appeals related to these issues has been reduced to normal levels, expediting the processing time for appeals. If appeals are currently in progress, and asset-level labels have been removed, users can safely ignore them as they will automatically expire after 5 days.

YouTube revamps Creator Channel pages for TV app to help boost in-app subscriptions

YouTube is introducing a revamped design for creators’ channel pages on its TV app, aiming to modernise the platform’s appearance on larger screens and boost in-app subscriptions. The update includes a new immersive layout prioritising relevant videos, a larger Subscribe button, and the option to play a mix of highlighted channel content. This follows design improvements announced in October, such as larger thumbnails, voice search integration, and updated navigation. YouTube’s focus on TV app enhancements aligns with a significant increase in views for creators on larger screens, with internal data showing a 400% rise in top creators’ TV views over the last three years.

Pinterest launches cooking series with shoppable experience

Pinterest is launching its inaugural streaming show, “Deliciously Entertaining”, a six-part cooking series premiering on the Tastemade streaming channel. Focused on Pinterest trends, the show allows viewers to scan on-screen QR codes during each 22-minute episode, leading them to a Pinterest board with shoppable Pins containing recipes, DIY tutorials, and related inspirational content. Hosted by Danni Rose with celebrity guests like Lance Bass, Asia Jackson, and Joy Cho, the series aims to leverage the persuasive impact of video on consumer purchasing decisions.

TikTok launches its ‘Add to Music’ app feature available in over 160 countries

TikTok has announced that it is launching its “Add to Music app” feature, which lets users add a song playing on a clip to services like Apple Music and Spotify, in 163 new countries. Users can find an “Add Music” button below the clip description, choose their preferred music service, and save songs to playlists. TikTok’s collaboration with Spotify recognises the role of social platforms in music discovery, with Spotify integrating with various platforms for easy song addition. ByteDance also launched TikTok Music in several countries last year and plans to extend the ‘Add to Music’ feature to TikTok Music users soon.

LinkedIn publishes actionable steps for businesses to take before third-party cookie deprecation

LinkedIn has released a guide offering marketers actionable steps ahead of the impending third-party cookie depreciation. The guide focuses on creating a robust first-party data strategy, advocating the use of LinkedIn’s tools like Audience Insights and Matched Audiences. Embracing AI, reevaluating reporting strategies, and adopting a test-and-learn approach are also emphasised in the report. The platform suggests collaborating with Sales and Finance to identify meaningful metrics, leveraging CRM data, and utilising tools like the Revenue Attribution Report. Additionally, LinkedIn highlights its partnerships with solution providers in predictive audiences and revenue attribution. The guide aims to help marketers navigate the evolving privacy landscape, anticipating that 75% of the global population will be covered by privacy regulations by the end of 2024.

Reddit signs AI content licensing deal with Google to enable training of AI models

Google has reportedly signed a $60 million per year content licensing deal with Reddit, allowing Google to use Reddit’s data for training its artificial intelligence models, including Gemini. While neither company has officially commented on the deal, Reddit’s increased visibility on Google Search has sparked speculation about its influence on search results. Reddit, gearing up for an initial public offering (IPO), aims to enhance its search capabilities, tapping into the $750 billion search advertising market by utilising artificial intelligence.

Meta Expands Instagram Creator Marketplace Access to provide broader range of influencers

Meta is expanding its Creator Marketplace to 90 more countries to help provide brands with a broader range of influencers for partnerships. Meta launched its Creator Marketplace in 2022 as a way to connect brands with content creators for in-app collaborations. As part of this expansion, Meta has introduced the tool to eight new markets, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, India, Brazil, China and the United Kingdom. In addition, Meta is also testing a new machine learning feature that will help recommend the best influencers for certain collaborations.

Google Analytics 4 Users Report Data Gaps In Reports 

Users of Google Analytics 4 have reported data gaps in User Acquisition and Traffic Acquisition reports, particularly for dates before September 6th. Google initially denied any missing data, but users claimed a lack of information despite its presence for at least two years prior. A screenshot shared on the Google Analytics Help Centre promoted 15 others to confirm the issue. In response, a Google spokesperson stated that data before September 6 was available by changing the primary dimension to Default Channel Group, and an update has been released to allow customers to access this data in the Primary Channel Group without making any changes.

Instagram pilots two new features: background editing tool and in-stream ordering

Instagram has started testing two new features for brands and content creators, including a new background editing tool, and an in-stream ordering tool. Firstly, the new ‘Backdrop’ feature uses generative AI to remove and replace backgrounds in images, allowing users to choose from a carousel of options, or input a prompt for a personalised image. This feature will first be available for Stories. Secondly, a new ‘Get Orders’ sticker is allowing content creators and brands to add a product link to their Stories, so that they can receive orders directly. This new tool will help to facilitate orders without the need to set up an Instagram Shop.

Streamers, like Amazon Prime & Disney+, join ThinkBox following launch of ad-supported subscription

Several of the big streaming platforms, including the likes of Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ have joined ThinkBox, the marketing body for commercial TV in the UK, following the launch of ad-supported subscription models. This expansion to include streaming platforms emphasises the increasing convergence between traditional TV and digital streaming. The collaboration aims to facilitate better communication and understanding between advertisers and the streaming industry, leveraging Thinkbox’s expertise in promoting the value of TV advertising.

Google Ads pushes Performance Max with new call-to-action

Google Ads has introduced a new ‘Recently Used’ call to action on Performance Max cards, suggesting that the platform is pushing the use of automation. The new CTA was first spotted by Google Ads expert, Thomas Eccel, who shared this preview on X. According to a Google spokesperson, the new CTA is an experiment designed to simplify and guide the advertiser through the campaign selection process.

Pinterest Beckons Advertisers To Its Platform In Action Series ‘the P Is For Performance’ 

Pinterest has released a new campaign showcasing its advertising potential to businesses, with the tagline ‘P is for Performance’.  The series of ads aims to communicate the effectiveness of Pinterest as an advertising platform for brands, in driving sales, brand awareness and performance. According to Pinterest, the platform is helping advertisers achieve a 28% increase in conversions and up to a 96% increase in traffic.

Google Announces Gemma, a Laptop-Friendly Open Language Model for Developers

Google has released a powerful new language model, called Gemma, which can help facilitate tasks like creating a chatbot or creating content. Gemma is both powerful and lightweight, meaning it can be used on a laptop or cloud infrastructure. The platform is available for both commercial and non-commercial use under an open licence, with restrictions in place to keep it from being used for malicious purposes. Google explains, “The Gemma models’ terms of use make them freely available for individual developers, researchers, and commercial users for access and distribution”.

Meta’s Overnight Board Extends Its Scope To Threads 

Meta’s Oversight Board, responsible for reviewing content decisions on Facebook and Instagram, is expanding its scope to include Threads. Users on Threads dissatisfied with Meta’s content or account takedown decisions can now appeal to the Oversight Board. This move is seen as essential for independent accountability in the early stages of Threads. The Oversight Board, established in response to Mark Zuckerberg’s 2018 proposal, has previously ruled on significant cases, including criticising Meta for the “indefinite” ban on former President Donald Trump. Threads has faced criticism for its content moderation practices, including blocking terms like “Covid” and “vaccines.” Users can appeal to Meta and then to the board if unhappy, with the board having up to 90 days to review the decision. The board can issue both recommendations and binding decisions that Meta must follow.

Google Pauses AI Tools Ability To Generate Images Of People After Historical Inaccuracies 

Google has temporarily suspended the ability of its AI tool, Gemini, to generate images of people due to issues with historical inaccuracy. Images generated by Gemini have surfaced on social media depicting the U.S. Founding Fathers as American Indian, Black or Asian – which has led to criticism of the AI model. Google released a statement declaring that they were working to improve these depictions immediately, stating, “Gemini’s AI image generation does generate a wide range of people, and that’s generally a good thing because people around the world use it. But it’s missing the mark here”.