- AI chat-based search for all
- An AI-powered shopping experience with virtual try on
- Gemini in Chrome
- Multi-modal search via camera
- XR glasses
- How will this change user behavior?
- How will big G monetize AI search?
- No more paying for default status (this was the obvious ask)
- Get rid of Chrome
- Open source the data—queries, coverage, performance, etc
- Provide more information to advertisers in search query reports
- Let advertisers opt out of broad and automated keyword matching.
Drop the look, keep the voice.
High-performing brands have shifted to voiceover-first UGC, Ads that strip away the face, drop the performance, and just let the message land.
As Google Ads tries to become more like social, are social ads becoming more like podcasts?
via Buyology
What Google announced at I/O that you might want to know about
(hint: it rhymes with “hey why”)
The two main questions for marketers:
We might get some hints during Marketing Live today.
Some Google updates you might have missed earlier this year:
Exclude age groups from shopping placements in Performance Max campaigns
an AI sales assistant in shopping related search results (in testing)
Demand Gen campaigns are adding display network to the placement portfolio at the ad group level (so much for quality).
Video Action Campaigns are being migrated to Demand Gen, but you
will be able to use Demand Gen to create a YouTube only performance campaign
More robust campaign planning with Advanced Plans. Looks to offer options based on your objective, recommending the campaign type mix and budget allocation.
Customer Match list membership duration will be capped at 540 days
Could Google’s best anti-trust defense be to play up its coming irrelevance?
Apple SVP of Services Eddy Cue said last week that AI will one day replace search engines like Google.
Cue said he expects Safari to eventually swap out Google for AI services from up-and-comers including OpenAI, Anthropic, and Perplexity.
Which of course brings to mind the Twain-ism, “the reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.”
In the long run, Google’s 10 Blue Links™ approach is likely dead, a former monopoly. But how long is that long run?
via The Daily Upside
Eventually all large platforms become commerce platforms
When ChatGPT users search for products, the chatbot will now offer a few recommendations, present images and reviews for those items, and include direct links to web pages where users can buy the products.
The ChatGPT search update is part of OpenAI’s effort to compete with rival Google by creating a better, more personalized experience to find products and information on the internet.
Everyone is coming for Google these days.
via TechCrunch
Perplexity wants to be Google, but based in AI vs. traditional search.
From TechCrunch:
“That’s kind of one of the other reasons we wanted to build a browser, is we want to get data even outside the app to better understand you,” [CEO Aravind] Srinivas said. “Because some of the prompts that people do in these AIs is purely work-related. It’s not like that’s personal.”
This aligns with the company’s vision and is not a recent pivot, but you can tell they smell blood in the water with Google’s regulatory woes.
Here’s how the DOJ & friends want Google to break up its search monopoly:
If it’s still a monopoly in 5 years, Android could be on the chopping block.
The advertising remedies are kind of weird…
On the first one, sure, whatever.
But on the second, feels like advertisers refusing to change and wanting their old toys back.
The behavior change Manton outlines here is one I find myself mirroring
I’m now asking AI for simple queries that Google would be equally good for. Using AI essentially automates the workflow of getting 10 links from Google, clicking on 3-4 of them, then skimming the web pages to get your answer.
Getting links in the response plays a part for me.
I imagine this will become more common.
The hits keep on coming for Google
Google created an illegal monopoly in the online advertising industry, a Federal judge ruled
According to the ruling, Big G pulled some anticompetitive shenanigans with ad servers and exchanges, and hurt publishers and users by doing so.
The Department of Justice argued that through acquisitions and anticompetitive conduct, Google seized control of the full advertising technology stack: the tools advertisers and publishers buy and sell ads and the exchange that connects them.
An appeal is coming.
via MarTech