This week: Google rolled out new Shopping features and AI-powered measurement tools while launching Gemini extensions for Search, Meta shifted priorities with Reality Labs cuts and new leadership appointments, Pinterest unveiled trend predictions and enhanced user controls, TikTok expanded AI creative tools for Shop listings, and industry leaders debated the courage gap in ad tech transparency.
This week: Google rolled out new AI-powered shopping capabilities and measurement tools while updating its ad policies, TikTok enhanced trust features for in-stream shopping as its U.S. future remains uncertain, Meta continued building Washington connections while testing new features, Reddit improved its AI targeting transparency, and Amazon Ads shared new research on interactive video advertising at CES 2026.
This week: Paid digital advertising was all about year-end retrospectives and looking ahead. Google dominated headlines with its AI Mode expansion and major algorithm updates, while Meta stepped back from brand safety audits (raising some eyebrows), TikTok doubled down on sports content for 2026, and the programmatic world continued wrestling with transparency issues that just won't quit. Plus, AI chatbots started testing ads, because of course they did.
This week: The holiday week brought a flurry of platform updates and industry shifts that savvy advertisers need to know about. Snapchat challenged misconceptions about its audience demographics, Google rolled out new transparency features for Performance Max campaigns, Nielsen and Roku deepened their data partnership for CTV measurement, programmatic's transparency problem came into sharper focus, and contextual advertising made a comeback as cookies and traditional targeting methods continue to break down.
This week: Google introduced new ad formats and targeting capabilities while facing regulatory pressure, Meta expanded its AI integrations and announced partnership deals, Pinterest made a major acquisition in the CTV space, LinkedIn rolled out enhanced creative tools, and TikTok launched new discovery features for brands.
This week: Google rolled out AI Mode as default search experience and revived Website Optimizer documentation hinting at new A/B testing tools, OpenAI paused ChatGPT ads after CEO Sam Altman ordered urgent quality improvements, Meta's Oversight Board shaped platform policies while Pinterest reported rising post-Christmas activity, TikTok faced a potential December 16th shutdown (unless Trump intervenes), and Microsoft Ads introduced individual asset disapproval with precise 90% conversion reporting.
