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YouTube is adding a new tier with a “light” ad load. Plus, remember Facebook?

Google’s AI search drops click-through rates for organic search results to 0.4%; Trump’s China tariffs put the squeeze on Temu; and how other brands could pull back ad spend due to tariffs.

In response to shifting ad industry trends, A360 Media abandoned its made-for-advertising model four years ago and streamlined its site design to court programmatic demand.

Meta continues to tinker with its business model as it deals with the new European regulatory environment. Plus, Government officials liberally used location-tracking software Locate X in criminal investigations dating back to 2018.

Meta is testing several new generative AI tools, including one that can animate static images and turn them into full-blown video ads.

Enjoy this weekly comic strip from AdExchanger.com that highlights the digital advertising ecosystem … 

A web crime ring that sold Facebook account service tickets collapses in dramatic fashion; how US antitrust precedent could inform the DOJ/Google ad tech trial; and more publishers turn to paywalls as the open web shuts its gates.

Oracle’s advertising and third-party data businesses are officially kaput; political pollsters are abandoning misleading online data; and AI-generated slop is already overtaking the internet.

Someone will eventually need to make a Netflix-style documentary about the Google ad tech antitrust trial happening in Virginia. (And can we call it “You’ve Been Ad Served?”)

Google and the DOJ are currently questioning witnesses regarding how particular ad channels are established as defined markets. Plus, a wave of freelance advertising consultants has arrived.

In today’s newsletter: Google Demand Gen is the industry’s latest over-attribution controversy; data from third-party brokers might not be worth it; and The Trade Desk launches a CTV operating system.

In today’s newsletter: Google gets hit with another glitch; influencers fight gen AI provisions in their advertising contracts; and political fundraising pivots as social media bars campaign ads.

Advertising is still Reddit’s meal ticket – but until its ad revenue tops the $2 billion per year mark, it can’t really be considered competitive with other social platforms.

In today’s newsletter: Spotify surges on strong Q2; how Gen Z media preferences are transforming the Olympics; and QSR companies ditch subscription services after first-party data gains fail to materialize.

Ad tech faces a GDPR compliance paradox. Plus, TikTok will make it harder to target teenagers and plans to give users more control.

Happy Independence Day! Stay cool out there, and here’s a deep cut for you with a summery theme. This classic comic first ran in June 2011.

Ally’s newest Fortnite game, “Tee Time Speedrun,” launched last week to promote its sponsorship of the USGA and LGPA. The game ties into Ally’s goal of reaching gender parity in its sports sponsorships.

Media governance measures advertisers can put in place to navigate the complexity of brand safety and gain better control of the quality of their media spend.

In today’s newsletter: How changes in streaming ad inventory could impact upfront CPMs; video cracks 50% of engagement on Meta’s platform for the first time; and Apple is in talks to launch Apple TV+ in China.

BuzzFeed took another lap around its AI-related talking points as its advertising business took another lap around the drain.

In today’s newsletter: Online news revenue is being throttled around the web; Roblox is on a mission to build a $1 billion ad business; and TikTok is circumventing the Apple App Store’s 30% fee by directing users off iOS to purchase TikTok coins.

AdGPT, a startup that uses AI to automatically create hundreds of ads across Facebook, Instagram, Taboola, Outbrain, Google, LinkedIn and X, came out of stealth mode on Wednesday.

In today’s newsletter: Roku and The Trade Desk expand their partnership; Instagram changes its content recommendation system; and the European Commission investigates Meta for potential Digital Services Act violations.

CEO Mark Zuckerberg cautioned that it will likely take years before Meta’s generative AI products, including Meta AI, are ready for monetization.

Bonbon gives users rewards – such as discounts or chances to win merchandise – for setting up email registrations with publishers. Now The Trade Desk’s OpenPass will include that same rewards functionality.

In today’s newsletter: President Joe Biden signs the TikTok ban into law; upscale grocery and convenience store chain Foxtrot closes down; and IPG has a rough Q1.

In today’s newsletter: Google’s new generative AI image tool within its campaign planning product has some major limitations; Grindr faces a class-action claim over its data-sharing practices; and Snap snaps up political ads.

In today’s newsletter: The marketing data ecosystem is key for fin tech; media buyers acknowledge YouTube as part of their TV strategies; and Threads will launch ads later this year.

In today’s newsletter: The FTC finalizes order barring Outlogic from selling location data; even Snap is sending publishers less referral traffic; Chase Bank’s advertising (and ad tech) opportunities.

In today’s newsletter: The quantum entanglements of Google’s and Reddit’s contracts could come under scrutiny; Meta’s ad revenue growth is healthy, though its ad platform’s a mess; and TikTok’s developing AI-generated creators for advertising.