1. Google passes on 2% “Regulatory Operating Cost” for ads served in India and Italy
Beginning on October 1, 2021, Google will include a 2% “Regulatory Operating Cost” surcharge to advertisers’ invoices for ads served in India and Italy. The surcharge applies to ads purchased through Google Ads and for YouTube placements purchased on a reservation basis. [Source: Search Engine Land]
2. YouTube Adds New Connected TV Ad Improvements, New Tools To Maximize Audio Ad Creative
With connected TV viewership on the rise – or people watching online streamed content on their home TV set – YouTube has announced some updates to its Connected TV (CTV) ad offerings, in order to help marketers maximize this growing opportunity, and get more out of its TV-like ad options. [Source: Social Media Today]
3. Snapchat Launches New ‘Campaign Lab’ to Help Guide Marketers on Best Snap Ads Approaches
Snapchat is looking to provide more guidance for brands seeking to maximize their Snap ad performance with a new element called ‘Campaign Lab’, available within Snap Ads Manager, which will enable marketers to run split tests, view full results, and get recommendations on next steps. [Source: Social Media Today]
4. Display & Video 360 gets new frequency and reach metrics
Google is adding a dedicated data visualization in Display & Video 360 (DV360) to show reach gains for each campaign that spans across channels and has a frequency goal set at the campaign level. In addition, DV360 will also calculate the added reach advertisers get for each Programmatic Guaranteed deal using DV360’s frequency management solution. [Source: Search Engine Land]
5. Pinterest Users Can Make Money With Affiliate Links
Pinterest is rolling out new ways for users to earn money on the site, including the ability to earn commission through affiliate links. Pinterest creators will be able to control the shoppability of their content simply by tagging products in idea pins. [Source: Search Engine Journal]
6. Google unveils its proposed ‘safety section’ for apps on Google Play
Google recently announced its own plans to introduce a new “safety section” on Google Play that offers more information about the data apps collect and share, and other security and privacy details. Today, the company is sharing for the first time what the new section’s user interface will look like, along with other requirements for developers. [Source: TechCrunch]
7. Snapchat Launches ‘My Places’ To Highlight Local Businesses of Interest Within the Snap Map
Snapchat is looking to improve business discovery in the app with a new element in Snap Map called ‘My Places’ which will highlight popular businesses, and places you’ve previously visited, on the map display. [Source: Social Media Today]
8. Instagram is disabling interest and activity-based targeting of underage users
Beginning in a few weeks, advertisers will only be able to target Instagram, Facebook and Messenger users under the age of 18 (or older in certain territories) based on their age, gender and location. As such, previously available targeting options, such as those based on interests or activity on other sites or apps, will become unavailable to advertisers. [Source: Search Engine Land]
9. Google Link Spam Algorithm Update Rolling Out on July 26
Google begins rolling out the “link spam update,” which makes its algorithms more effective at identifying and nullifying link spam. The update will take at least two weeks to roll out broadly to search results in multiple languages. Google cautions that changes in rankings are imminent for some site owners. [Source: Search Engine Journal]
10. Twitter pilots a new shopping section for brands
Twitter is piloting a new feature that allows businesses to add a shopping section to the top of their profiles, the company has announced. The Shop Module offers a carousel of products for visitors to browse. Tapping a product will link to a listing with the option of making a purchase without ever leaving Twitter. [Source: The Verge]
