Paid social
Search Engine Land is your source for paid social media marketing news and content. You’ll find a variety of up-to-date and authoritative resources, including the latest news, tactic-rich tutorials, and the latest data to help you work smarter and make better decisions.
What you read here is written by our experienced in-house team, and subject matter experts from leading brands and agencies.
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Google hits back at report criticizing the Privacy Sandbox
The IAB Tech Lab report claims that Privacy Sandbox could make it harder for brands to serve effective ads – particularly smaller businesses.
Driving lead generation with paid media: What’s new and what’s next
What every modern-day lead generation marketer needs to know for paid media success on LinkedIn, Google and Microsoft.
Google Analytics 4 adds new consent mode setting section
Setting up consent mode and ensuring GA4 is receiving consent signals should now be a little bit easier and faster.
Google warns Universal Analytics 360 users must migrate to GA4 ‘urgently’
UA360 users who do not switch to GA4 within the next two weeks risk losing critical advertising capabilities.
3 new YouTube features including live stream product tagging
YouTube is introducing live stream product tagging, post-only feeds, and the ability to upload videos and Shorts directly from mobile.
How to use AI to elevate social media campaigns
Discover how brands like Coca-Cola, Wowcher, and Sephora use AI to boost engagement through personalized content, chatbots, and more.
Instacart ad revenue up 18% at $871 million
CEO Fidji Simo described Instacart as 'the best advertising platform' and credited its success to shoppable display and video ad formats.
Google Ads launches email series delivering tailored optimization advice
Google is sending partners emails with customized recommendations to improve the performance of their ad campaigns.
Microsoft Advertising Network campaigns expand to Facemoji
Brands can now connect with the mobile app's extensive audience in the U.S., the UK, Canada, and Australia.
LinkedIn launches enhanced audience insights and predictive analytics
The Media Planning API offers deeper insights into a campaign's expected reach and ROI, enabling data-led decisions for better optimization.
Google expands generative AI capabilities for automatically created assets
Google's generative AI capabilities are now available to all English-language advertisers in the U.S. and UK.
Google tests Branded Local Service Ads with opt-out option
Marketers expressed concern about being unable to opt-out, but Google confirmed this functionality will be available for everyone.
Google Ads gambling and games policy updated
Effective immediately, advertisers can now run sports betting ads in North Carolina provided they have certification.
Pinterest announces major ad partnership with Google
The collaboration makes Google the second third-party ad partner for Pinterest, following its multi-year collaboration with Amazon.
Pinterest revenue rises 12% as monthly active users reach all-time high
The platform's success is attributed to a record number of ad solutions, driving improved campaign performance for brands.
Google Analytics 4 adds new dimensions for measuring paid and organic traffic
The platform now offers clearer insights into your traffic sources, both paid and organic, for enhanced optimization opportunities.
YouTube expands Content Takeovers to offer exclusive advertising on more inventory
Brands now have the option to pay for their ads to exclusively appear on creator channels, ensuring a 100% share of voice.
Google updates Gmail ads with new layout and ‘Sponsored’ label
The changes were introduced to make it easier for consumers to distinguish between ads and organic promotional messages.
Microsoft Copilot updates: New design, image editing tools and video highlights
The updates are now live and free to use in Copilot, which is compatible with Microsoft Edge, Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.
Google investigating ‘brutal’ Local Service Ads tactic destroying leads for businesses
This Google loophole enables competitors to intentionally manipulate the system, making your ads invisible without your knowledge.
Snap revenue rises 5%, after change in ad strategy
Snap shifted its advertising strategy to focus on direct response ads last year, resulting in lower sales during the first half of 2023.
Microsoft expands enhanced conversions and ad targeting capabilities
Advertisers can employ these new tools to optimize campaigns more effectively, resulting in improved performance and ROI.
Google will sunset commission bid strategies for hotel ads
Advertisers must switch to a new bid strategy before commissions (per stay) and commissions (per conversion) are phased out.
Google Ads investigating bugs impacting payment methods and credit card updates
Marketers utilizing the platform are currently facing challenges in updating their payment and credit card details.
Google investigating ‘confusing ad text’ error impacting ad campaigns
Users with time-sensitive campaigns on Google Ads are recommended to upload new assets or edit existing assets using a different label.
Google will face a new U.S. antitrust jury trial in September
The tech giant denies allegations that it abused its dominance of digital advertising technology.
Amazon strikes landmark deal in response to Google’s third-party cookie deprecation
The agreement could pave the way forward for advertisers trying to reach high-value customers in a cookieless world.
Google ‘cannot proceed with third-party cookie deprecation’
Competition concerns about Google's Privacy Sandbox must be addressed before third-party cookies can be deprecated.
Google exec addresses advertisers’ automation concerns
Search Engine Land spoke to advertisers about the potential risks automation poses on the future of digital marketing.
Amazon’s ad services revenue rises 27%, bringing in more than $14 billion in Q4
The retail giant exceeded digital advertising expectations and now predicts the strong performance to continue in 2024.
Meta’s ad revenue jump 24% in Q4, exceeding expectations
Meta's ad revenue surged to $38.7 billion in the last quarter of 2024, contributing to a total revenue of $40.1 billion.
Google Ads introduces new simpler way to create Solutions script templates
Solutions script templates now appear in the Bulk Actions menu in Google Ads, making it more convenient to access this feature.
Meta enhances non-click video ad conversions insights
Meta's new Engaged-view attribution setting measures conversions occurring within one day of a video ad view.
LinkedIn launches Website Actions to simplify action tracking
This tool removes the need to involve developers in implementing intricate coding for tracking and attributing website activity.
Google unveils major Responsive Search Ad asset updates
Google now provides additional capabilities for RSA assets, such as the option to serve a single headline.
Google investigating widespread issue impacting Ad Manager
Google expects to resolve the issue for all users in the near future but has not provided a specific timeframe for the fix.
Google boss addresses concerns of AI replacing advertising staff post layoffs
Philipp Schindler, Google's senior vice president, explains AI is being utilized to deliver ROI at scale more efficiently.
Microsoft Search and News Advertising revenue up 8%
This is the first time Microsoft has reported its quarterly earnings as a $3 trillion company and included revenue from Activision Blizzard.
Google search revenue rises to $48 billion, total ad revenue up 11%
Alphabet Inc., Google’s parent company, is back in double-digit growth after a shaky start to 2023, indicating ad spend is in full recovery.
Google Analytics 4 launches additional instant support options and new video tutorials
You can now find extra guides that show you how to use GA4 features, and have the choice to report any issues to the Google team.