Just Ad'Ed January 05 - January 11

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.

GOOGLE BETS BIG ON AI-POWERED COMMERCE

📈  What Happened?

Last week, Google unveiled a new open commerce standard designed to streamline purchasing across Search, Gemini, and third-party retailer systems. The technology aims to reduce cart abandonment by enabling AI agents to complete purchases on behalf of users.

🔍  SO WHAT?

This is Google solving three steps ahead while others focus on attribution. If AI agents become the dominant shopping interface, your product feed optimization and merchant integration just became the most important parts of your digital strategy. Brands that don't prepare for agent-led commerce now will be drowning in data while their competitors close sales.

TIKTOK WALKS TIGHTROPE BETWEEN COMMERCE AND COMPLIANCE

📈 What Happened? 

TikTok launched new trust-building features for its in-stream shopping options last week, even as its U.S. ownership situation remained unresolved. The platform added enhanced security measures and verification systems for commerce transactions, while marketers expressed concern about the new ownership deal's impact on advertising capabilities.

🔍 SO WHAT?

Here's the chicken and egg problem: TikTok needs advertiser confidence to maintain commerce momentum, but advertisers need ownership clarity to commit budget. If you're spending in the blind on TikTok commerce, now's the time to diversify. The platform's still valuable, but don't let platform pixel politics blind you to the very real risk of disruption.

REDDIT OPENS THE KIMONO ON AI TARGETING

📈 What Happened?

Reddit rolled out new transparency features that give advertisers deeper insight into how its AI-powered targeting systems select and reach audiences. The update addresses the black box problem that's plagued algorithmic targeting for years.

🔍  SO WHAT?

This is breaking through the wall garden, Reddit-style. When platforms show you how they're finding your audience, not just that they found them, you can actually optimize strategy instead of just throwing money into the wind. Expect other platforms to follow. Transparency is becoming table stakes for advertisers demanding accountability.

AMAZON ADS CRACKS THE INTERACTIVE VIDEO CODE

📈 What Happened?

At CES 2026, Amazon Ads shared new research with Publicis Media showing that interactive CTV ads significantly outperform standard video, but only when they're simple. Complex interactions actually decrease engagement, with viewers overwhelmingly preferring straightforward calls-to-action over elaborate interactive experiences.

🔍 SO WHAT? 

The interactive CTV revolution finally moved from demo to reality last year, and now we know what actually works. If you're still running non-interactive video on CTV, you're leaving performance on the table. But if you're building complicated interactive experiences because you can, you're solving yesterday's problems. Keep it simple, make it valuable, and let robots crunch numbers on what drives action.

META DOUBLES DOWN ON WASHINGTON CONNECTIONS

📈 What Happened?

Meta continued strategic team building last week with appointments focused on strengthening relationships with the incoming White House administration. The moves signal the platform's focus on maximizing political influence and regulatory positioning.

🔍 SO WHAT? 

For advertisers managing sacred silos of platform data, Meta's political maneuvering matters more than you think. Regulatory changes around data access, attribution, and measurement don't happen in a vacuum, they happen in Washington. Meta's building leverage while others build dashboards. Watch how this shapes the single source of truth debate over the next 12 months.

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