Just Ad'ed June 16 - June 22

This week: TikTok received another deadline extension for its US divestiture, Meta rolled out Opportunity Score to improve ad performance, Pinterest updated its discovery algorithms, Google introduced Privacy Sandbox alternatives to cookies, and Microsoft overhauled its advertising platform with improved reporting and Performance Max updates.

GOOGLE INTEGRATES SHOPPING ADS INTO AI OVERVIEWS

📈  What Happened?

Google started showing Shopping ads within AI Overviews on desktop in the US, embedding product listings directly in AI-generated summaries for commercial searches. The placements leverage existing Shopping and Performance Max campaigns without requiring advertisers to opt in.

🔍  SO WHAT?

For ecommerce advertisers, this creates new visibility opportunities in AI-enhanced search results, but may push traditional organic and paid listings further down the page. Advertisers should monitor impression share, CTR, and conversion performance as these placements expand, as this represents the first major monetization of Google's AI search experiences.

TIKTOK LAUNCHES AI VIDEO GENERATION FOR ADVERTISERS

📈 What Happened? 

TikTok unveiled new generative AI tools that allow marketers to transform product images or text prompts into custom 5-second branded videos. The Symphony suite includes image-to-video and text-to-video capabilities with lifelike AI avatars that can hold products, demo apps, or model clothing.

🔍 SO WHAT?

These tools dramatically reduce the resources needed for TikTok-specific creative, allowing advertisers to test more variations, react faster to trends, and stretch creative budgets further. With integration into Adobe Express and WPP Open, marketers can incorporate these tools directly into existing workflows while maintaining brand consistency across platforms.

WHATSAPP INTRODUCES FIRST-EVER ADS AND MONETIZATION FEATURES

📈 What Happened?

After years of resistance, WhatsApp rolled out three major monetization features: ads in Status (similar to Stories), promoted channels for discovery, and paid channel subscriptions. These updates target the platform's Updates tab, which reaches 1.5 billion daily users, while keeping private chats ad-free.

🔍  SO WHAT?

WhatsApp's new ad options give brands access to a previously untapped, highly engaged audience in a trusted, mobile-first environment. Unlike traditional social platforms, WhatsApp offers a unique opportunity to reach users in a privacy-focused space they use daily, with ads designed to initiate direct, high-intent conversations with businesses.

AMAZON AND ROKU FORM MAJOR CTV PARTNERSHIP

📈 What Happened?

Amazon Ads and Roku announced a partnership that will give advertisers access to over 80% of US connected-TV households through a unified buying platform. The deal allows Amazon's DSP to place ads across the Roku Channel, Prime Video, and other inventory available on both platforms, with launch expected in Q4 2025.

🔍 SO WHAT? 

This collaboration creates a consolidated, high-scale way to reach streaming viewers through two CTV giants, solving fragmentation challenges for advertisers. Early trials showed 40% more unique viewers reached at no added cost, 30% lower ad frequency, and 3x increased media value—potentially reshaping how brands approach CTV buying for the holiday season.

REDDIT UNVEILS AI-POWERED COMMUNITY INTELLIGENCE TOOLS

📈 What Happened?

Reddit launched two alpha-stage AI products: Reddit Insights, a scalable social listening tool that analyzes conversations for brand insights, and Conversation Summary Add-ons, which surface real Redditor posts beneath ads as built-in social proof. Early tests showed the latter boosting CTR by 19%.

🔍 SO WHAT? 

These tools give advertisers unprecedented access to authentic consumer conversations at scale, helping validate creative, monitor sentiment, and leverage social proof directly in ad placements. For brands seeking deeper connections with high-intent communities, these AI-powered features provide valuable intelligence while maintaining the authentic human voice that makes Reddit unique.

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