Meta
Instagram is testing a new ads break feature, which would make 3-5 second ads unskippable. The feature is currently being tested with a select number of users but it’s not yet clear whether it will be rolled out further.
Meta introduces The Future of Facebook – highlighting their plans for the platform going forward. Updates include an increased focus on young adults, expanding on AI usage, making it easier to become a Facebook creator and to earn money on the platform, and improvements to video, including an updated fullscreen video player, and a slider to skip around in longer videos.
TikTok
TikTok releases its 2024 LGBTQIA+ Visionary Voices list. The list features 15 creators, SMBs and industry disruptors as well as highlighting PRIDE events taking place on the platform this month.
TikTok launches a UK General Election Centre, partnering with Logically Facts to make sure users are provided with reliable and authoritative information ahead of the upcoming election.
TikTok has published a new guide to its ads manager, which includes a step by step guide on how to create, publish and optimise a TikTok Ad.
Google has released a statement to address the odd results provided by the new AI Overview function on Google Search. The statement confirms that some results could be harmful and that Google has and is taking steps to improve the feature as well as limiting the use of user generated content in the responses.
Google enables Restricted Data Processing and user opt-outs across its ad and analytics products for some U.S. states to comply with new data privacy laws. Florida, Texas, Oregon, Montana and Colorado will introduce new data privacy regulations this year.
Google announces that it will be completing the transition to the new Google Ads design. Starting on August 30, 2024, the new Google Ads design will roll out to all markets and the old Google Ads design will be deprecated. Only the new Google Ads design will be available on desktop.
LinkedIn launches new ad placement options to tap into increased video usage on the platform. The update includes The Wire – a new program which allows you to promote in-stream video ads alongside trusted publisher content, as well as expanding AI capabilities via a new AI Marketing Assistant. Read the full announcement from LinkedIn here.
Pinterest has launched an Inclusion Fund in partnership with Shopify. The fund is intended to support small businesses, independent publishers and boutique creator agencies that are owned and operated by those from historically marginalised communities. In the US and Canada, this specifically means those within the BIPOC, Disability, LGBTQIA+ and plus-size community.
