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Buyers can now shop and purchase directly in ChatGPT
AI in digital Platforms

Buyers can now shop and purchase directly in ChatGPT

  • ChatGPT is introducing Instant Checkout, letting users buy items directly in-chat (starting with U.S. Etsy sellers) without leaving the conversation.
  • This is powered by an open‑standard protocol (the Agentic Commerce Protocol) built with Stripe, so merchants and developers can integrate with minimal friction.
  • In this first phase, only single‑item purchases are supported; multi‑item carts and broader merchant/region rollout are coming later.
  • The vision: shift ChatGPT’s role from just “helping you find something” → “helping you buy something,” making AI an active participant in commerce.
  • Read more
Meta to target ads based on users’ interactions with AI
AI in digital Data privacy Platforms

Meta to target ads based on users’ interactions with AI

  • Meta will start using data from users’ interactions with its AI products (chats, voice, images, etc.) to target ads on Facebook and Instagram, with the change going live via a privacy policy update on 16 December 2025.
  • The policy change will apply globally except in the EU, UK and South Korea (where privacy laws block this usage).
  • Meta claims it will not use topics considered “sensitive” (e.g. political views, health, religion, sexual orientation) for ad targeting.
  • There will be no opt‑out option other than not using Meta AI features, according to their announcement.
  • For marketers, this adds a powerful new signal (conversational intent) to audience targeting, but risks around privacy, regulation, and brand trust will need to be carefully managed.
  • Read more
Microsoft launches new Bing Places for Business
Platforms

Microsoft launches new Bing Places for Business

  • Microsoft has launched a revamped Bing Places for Business, now offering free listing management across Bing Search and Bing Maps.
  • A new AI-powered recommendation tool helps businesses prioritise which listing fields to update for better visibility.
  • The Google Business Profile import is now faster, with support for bulk edits, dashboards, and real-time status tracking.
  • Existing users will be automatically migrated to the new platform, easing the transition.
  • Read more
Meta announces new AI features ahead of Advertising Week
AI in digital Platforms

Meta announces new AI features ahead of Advertising Week

  • Meta launches "Business AI" concierge: A no-code AI agent now helps businesses drive conversions via Meta ads, messaging apps, and even their websites—aimed at streamlining sales and support, especially for SMBs.
  • GenAI tools upgraded for creative optimisation: Advantage+ now includes AI music, dubbing for multilingual markets, and persona-based image generation—plus enhanced video visuals for more engaging storytelling.
  • New AI-driven shopping experiences: Features like virtual clothing try-ons and dynamic personalised landing pages are being tested to boost shopper confidence and ad performance.
  • Boosted creator partnerships via new APIs: Creator discovery on Facebook and Instagram is easier with expanded APIs, allowing brands to search, connect, and convert organic content into optimised partnership ads.
  • Meta AI Business Assistant debuts: This 24/7 AI chat tool in Ads Manager gives marketers campaign tips, troubleshooting help, and performance insights—rolling out to select small businesses before broader expansion in 2026.
  • Read more
OpenAI launches Sora 2 and TikTok-style app
AI in digital Platforms

OpenAI launches Sora 2 and TikTok-style app

  • OpenAI launched Sora 2, a next‑generation text-to-video + audio model, offering more realistic visuals, better physics, and synchronised sound.
  • Alongside it, they released a companion app called Sora (invite‑only, iOS currently), which presents AI-generated video clips in a TikTok-style vertical feed.
  • A standout feature is Cameos — users (or friends, with consent) can insert their likeness into generated scenes, and can revoke access anytime.
  • OpenAI says it's not optimising solely for consumption — the app is built to encourage creation, remixing, and collaborative content.
  • Read more
New requirements for message assets in Google Ads
Platforms

New requirements for message assets in Google Ads

  • Google will begin enforcing stricter Message asset requirements from 30 October 2025, rolling in full over ~4 weeks.
  • Message assets that don’t comply or can’t be verified will be prevented from serving.
  • Verification is required — e.g. for message IDs, usernames, and associated phone numbers — to ensure the message asset truly relates to the business.
  • Marketers should audit and update existing message assets ahead of the October deadline to avoid ad disruption or disapproval.
  • Read more
Google Search Live launched in US
AI in digital AI in travel Platforms Platforms in travel

Google Search Live launched in US

  • Google Search Live has launched in the U.S., now available in the Google app (no Labs opt-in needed), offering interactive voice and camera-based search powered by AI.
  • Users can tap the new "Live" icon or access it via Google Lens to have real-time, conversational help using visual input from their camera.
  • The feature is designed for on-the-go queries, like travel exploration, troubleshooting tech, or identifying objects in your environment.
  • ”Imagine you’re on vacation and getting ready at the hotel before a day of exploration. You can go Live with Search to have a hands-free conversation about the neighborhoods you want to visit, all while you finish applying your sunscreen. And once you’re out and about, you can fire up Live and activate your camera to ask about anything you see.”
  • Google positions it as a hands-free, instant knowledge companion — useful for learning new hobbies, helping with school projects, or even choosing a board game.
  • Strong play towards mobile-first, visually rich AI interaction, giving brands new reasons to optimise for conversational and visual search experiences.
  • Read more
Google piloting Brand Profiles in Merchant Center Next
Platforms

Google piloting Brand Profiles in Merchant Center Next

  • Google is piloting Brand Profiles in Merchant Center Next, letting retailers surface their brand story, values, and offers directly in Search.
  • These profiles support images, videos, business descriptions, and promoted offers — enriching what shows up above just product listings.
  • Right now, editing these profiles is locked to “super admins” and the feature is only available to a select group of merchants.
  • Google is aiming to expand eligibility over time and notify merchants as they become eligible.
  • In Google’s documentation, they note the profile content is auto‑sourced (from your site, Merchant Center data, third‑party & public sources), but some elements (promotions, delivery, returns, social links) can be updated in Merchant Center (in supported countries)
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OpenAI gearing up to turn ChatGPT into an ad platform
AI in digital Platforms

OpenAI gearing up to turn ChatGPT into an ad platform

  • OpenAI is hiring a Growth Paid Marketing Platform Engineer to build internal tools for ad campaign management, real‑time attribution, and ad platform integration — signalling a move to turn ChatGPT into an ad platform.
  • The hire is part of a new “ChatGPT Growth” team that will build the backbone of OpenAI’s paid marketing infrastructure from scratch (APIs, data pipelines, experimentation frameworks).
  • OpenAI aims to monetise free users via ads by 2026, offering brands direct access to ChatGPT’s ~700 million weekly active users.
  • Read more
Google introduces VaultGemma, a privacy-first LLM
AI in digital Data privacy Platforms

Google introduces VaultGemma, a privacy-first LLM

  • Google has released VaultGemma, a 1B‑parameter LLM trained with differential privacy to better protect individual data points during training.
  • It uses a mix of open datasets and synthetic data, plus added statistical noise, so that the model is less likely to “memorise” or leak sensitive training data.
  • VaultGemma aims to strike a balance: it delivers comparable utility to non‑private models (of older generations) while abiding by strict privacy guarantees.
  • Google is open‑sourcing the model, its training tools, documentation, and privacy verification scripts so researchers can experiment and build on it.
  • While it’s not intended yet for production use, it provides a privacy‑first testbed and signals where AI development might go for privacy‑sensitive domains like healthcare, finance and government.
  • Read more
81% of employees sharing sensitive company data with free AI tools
AI in digital Data privacy

81% of employees sharing sensitive company data with free AI tools

  • 81% of workers using free AI tools admit to feeding in sensitive company data — even though that data could be used to train the AI models.
  • A study by HP/Microsoft of Australian SMEs found 58% have already adopted AI, and 88% intend to use it to streamline operations.
  • Among tool users: 36% use ChatGPT, 32% use Microsoft Copilot, 35% use Google’s Gemini.
  • Top internal uses include reporting, operational tasks, customer interaction, and recruitment support.
  • The authors and company leaders flag big risks: data leaks, social engineering, malware exposure — “short‑term gains” may hide severe long‑term consequences.
  • Read more
Google rolls out seasonal bid adjustments in app campaigns
Platforms

Google rolls out seasonal bid adjustments in app campaigns

  • Google is rolling out a beta feature allowing seasonal bid adjustments in app campaigns, letting marketers pre‑flag periods of high conversion so Smart Bidding can ramp up proactively.
  • It works across all app campaign bidding strategies and is intended for short, high-impact windows (1–7 days), not for routine fluctuations.
  • The aim is to avoid Smart Bidding “learning too late” during spikes (e.g. launches, flash sales) and ensure you don’t leave revenue on the table.
  • It’s not meant as a replacement for everyday bid management — Smart Bidding will still handle usual conversion shifts.
  • Read more
Google launches Agent Payment Protocol with fully automated payments
AI in digital AI in travel Platforms Platforms in travel

Google launches Agent Payment Protocol with fully automated payments

  • Google has launched Agent Payments Protocol (AP2) — an open protocol for purchases initiated by AI agents. It aims to bridge AI platforms, payment systems and vendors to allow agents to shop and transact on users’ behalf.
  • Over 60 merchants and financial institutions are backing AP2. Major names like Mastercard, American Express and PayPal are already involved.
  • The protocol requires two layers of approval before a purchase: Intent mandate — user defines what they’re looking for (e.g. “flights to Sydney”) plus rules like price limits or timing. Cart mandate — final purchase approval once a suitable item is found.
  • There’s room for fully automated purchases, but only under stricter intent mandates so users’ constraints (budget, timing etc.) are respected.
  • Google is releasing the full spec on GitHub and wants the payments & tech community to build around it, possibly through standards bodies.
  • Read more
Gemini AI to be integrated into Chrome
AI in digital Platforms

Gemini AI to be integrated into Chrome

  • Google is integrating Gemini AI into Chrome on Mac & Windows desktops (in the U.S., English) and rolling it out for mobile soon.
  • A new “agentic browsing assistant” is coming: Gemini will be able to perform multi‑step tasks on behalf of users (e.g. booking appointments, ordering groceries). You’ll have control to stop it anytime.
  • Improved tab and history management: Gemini can work across multiple tabs to compare and summarise, and help you recall previously visited sites using natural‑language prompts.
  • Better integration with Google’s app ecosystem (YouTube, Calendar, Maps, etc.): you can do more without leaving your current tab.
  • Upgraded search tools: “AI Mode” via the address bar (omnibox) for asking more complex queries, getting AI‑powered overviews, and asking follow‑ups without leaving the page.
  • Read more
Google unveils The Store Widget for ecommerce sites
Platforms

Google unveils The Store Widget for ecommerce sites

  • Google’s new store widget helps boost online sales and shopper confidence by embedding trusted store info directly on merchant websites—businesses using it saw up to 8% higher sales in 90 days.
  • The widget is dynamic and interactive, showing store ratings, shipping/return policies, and customer reviews—keeping data current and visible right where it counts.
  • Three widget tiers reflect your store’s performance: “Top Quality”, “Store Rating”, and a “Generic” version, encouraging growth towards higher recognition.
  • Easy to add to any page on your site, especially homepage or product pages, where it can most effectively build trust and credibility with potential buyers.
  • Retailers can apply via Google Merchant Center, with support available through community forums or LinkedIn.
  • Read more
SEO tools affected by Google’s change to commonly used parameter
Platforms

SEO tools affected by Google’s change to commonly used parameter

  • Change to &num=100 parameter: As of around September 10‑14, 2025, Google appears to have disabled (or is testing removal of) the &num=100 URL parameter, which used to allow a single search request to return 100 results in one page.
  • Effect on SEO tools & rank tracking: Many third‑party tools that relied on that parameter are now disrupted. Instead of one request fetching 100 results, they may need to make ~10 separate requests (for 10 results each) to cover the same range. That increases cost, latency, complexity.
  • Impact on Google Search Console / impressions reporting: Some marketers have noticed sudden drops in desktop impressions in Search Console starting around the time the change rolled out. At the same time, “average position” metrics have improved (i.e. numerically better), likely because fewer “low‑position” results are being counted as impressions.
  • Google’s stance: Google has since confirmed it does not support that URL parameter (i.e. &num=100) as a formal feature. It had worked unofficially/implicitly, but is no longer reliably functional.
  • Broader implication: This change may help explain part of what’s been dubbed “The Great Decoupling” — where impressions go up without a corresponding increase in clicks — since inflated or bot‑driven impressions from deep SERP positions may have been registering before. Now that many of those impressions may no longer be registered, visibility & positioning metrics may look different.
  • Read more
AI Mode now available in more languages
AI in digital Platforms

AI Mode now available in more languages

  • AI Mode now supports five additional languages: Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, and Brazilian Portuguese.
  • Powered by advanced Gemini 2.5 model: Google emphasises that beyond mere translation, the AI Mode delivers nuanced, locally relevant insights by leveraging localised information understanding.
  • More sophisticated than traditional search: With reasoning and multimodal (text + image) capabilities, AI Mode enables deeper learning—especially useful for asking complex questions in one’s preferred language.
  • Accessible via google.com/ai: Users can now engage with AI Mode directly, asking complex queries in their new supported language and exploring richer web content.
  • Read more
Updated shopping results in ChatGPT
AI in digital Platforms

Updated shopping results in ChatGPT

  • Visual refresh on product grids: The display is cleaner now—larger product images, no overlaid labels, and removal of the “ChatGPT chooses products independently” notice.
  • Product titles sometimes pulled from HTML <title> tags: Instead of just using the feed title, ChatGPT shopping results may now pull titles directly from the website’s <title> tag—this is different to how Google Shopping works.
  • Product-specific reviews removed: Feed‑eligible reviews no longer appear in the results. ChatGPT has stopped displaying product review snippets altogether.
  • Currency now clearly shown in the grid when relevant: ChatGPT grids now reflect the currency appropriate to the user’s location (e.g. showing AUD when browsing from Australia).
  • Shifting away from Shopify‑centric sources: The results now seem less reliant on “partner” platforms like Shopify; more variation in content sources is evident—OpenAI‑hosted images, fewer Amazon/eBay links.
  • Read more
AI may become default for Google Search
AI in digital Platforms

AI may become default for Google Search

  • Google may soon default to AI Mode for search: Logan Kilpatrick (lead PM at Google DeepMind/Gemini) announced AI Mode will become the default “soon.” This follows google.com/ai redirecting directly to the AI Mode interface.
  • Mixed messaging from Google leadership: Robby Stein (VP Product, Google Search) cautioned against interpreting “default soon” as imminent, suggesting instead that the focus is simply on making AI Mode easier to access.
  • Google clarifies AI Mode isn’t replacing standard Search: Logan later emphasised that AI Mode isn’t meant to supplant “main Search”; rather, more AI‑powered responses and functionality will be integrated into core search experiences like AI Overviews from the search box.
  • Read more
Google Ads combines App + Web campaigns with new features
Platforms

Google Ads combines App + Web campaigns with new features

  • Expanded Web to App Connect: Now supports more campaign types including YouTube, Hotel, and Demand Gen, in addition to prior support for Performance Max, Search, and Shopping. This means ad clicks from these channels can now direct users straight into an app.
  • Unified Reporting & Workflows: Incorporates in‑product nudges prompting marketers to optimise toward in‑app events. Unified conversions now bundle together web and app events for simpler setup and clearer insights. Plus, a combined overview card on the Ads homepage lets you compare web and app performance side‑by‑side.
  • App Install Measurement via Web Campaigns: For the first time, Search and Shopping campaigns can be credited with driving app installs and in‑app conversions.
  • Read more
Sales & Promotions Feature Bundle with Flighted Budgets
Platforms Platforms in travel

Sales & Promotions Feature Bundle with Flighted Budgets

  • New feature bundle launched: Google is piloting a “Sales & Promotions Feature Bundle with Flighted Budgets” to help advertisers amplify spend during short, high-impact promotional periods—without overspending.
  • Main components: Campaign Total Budgets – lets advertisers set a total spend limit over a defined window (3 to 90 days). Promotion Mode – accelerates spend over a shorter burst (3 to 14 days), shifting focus toward volume rather than strict efficiency.
  • Cross‑campaign compatibility: Supports Performance Max, Search, and Shopping campaigns, including those using tROAS and tCPA bidding strategies.
  • Smarter spend orchestration: Unlike standard Smart Bidding which reacts to expected conversion shifts, this bundle actively uses sale dates, promotional assets, and explicit ROAS trade-offs to deliver stronger signals for promo periods—and reallocates budget accordingly.
  • Best suited for: Time-sensitive promotions like flash sales, holiday weekends, seasonal campaigns, ticket launches, travel deals, or any short‑term event where timing and quick impact matter.
  • Read more
Add custom event parameters to Ads and Floodlight tags directly in GTM
Platforms

Add custom event parameters to Ads and Floodlight tags directly in GTM

  • Google Tag Manager now lets you add custom event parameters directly to Ads and Floodlight tags, something previously only doable via manual gtag() implementations.
  • New “Event Parameters” field group appears within GTM’s interface for Ads and Floodlight event tags—so you can send custom parameters like audience or conversion details, configure tracker settings (e.g. user data dispatch), and reuse those via an Event Settings variable.
  • This fills a long‑standing gap in GTM’s capabilities, freeing advertisers from workaround custom code and aligning GTM’s tooling more with raw gtag() functionality—while keeping everything manageable through the GTM UI.
  • Read more
Google’s informational search share drops while ChatGPT usage triples
AI in digital Marketing by numbers Platforms

Google’s informational search share drops while ChatGPT usage triples

  • ChatGPT usage nearly tripled in six months: from 4.1% of U.S. users in February to 12.5% in August, while Google's share of general information searches dropped from 73% to 66.9%.
  • Daily AI tool usage doubled: the share of respondents using AI tools every day rose from 14% to 29%.
  • Platform switching is rising: 35% of users reported changing their primary search tool, up from 28% in February.
  • Local search is being influenced too: even local searches saw AI use doubling to 10%, indicating AI is gaining ground across different search types.
  • AI’s mainstream adoption is accelerating: overall, the trend indicates a growing shift toward AI tools for everyday information seeking, presenting a challenge to Google’s traditional search dominance.
  • Read more
Apple AI coming in 2026
AI in digital Platforms

Apple AI coming in 2026

  • Apple’s World Knowledge Answers arriving in 2026: A new AI-powered answer engine for Siri, internally named World Knowledge Answers, is expected to debut next year as a major upgrade to Siri’s search capabilities.
  • Multimodal answers with richer content: Unlike Siri’s current fact-check format, the new system will produce dynamic, multimodal summaries that integrate text, images, video, and local search results.
  • Expansion beyond Siri into core iOS tools: The technology will also be rolled out in Safari and Spotlight, broadening its presence across Apple’s ecosystem.
  • Powered in part by Google’s Gemini LLM: Apple will leverage Google’s Gemini AI model as a key component of this system.
  • Read more
Microsoft Copilot jumps 175% in a quarter, outpacing ChatGPT growth
AI in digital Marketing by numbers Platforms

Microsoft Copilot jumps 175% in a quarter, outpacing ChatGPT growth

  • Microsoft Copilot is skyrocketing: From March to June, Copilot added 5.6 million mobile users in the U.S.—a whopping 175% jump—taking its total to around 8.8 million. This growth significantly outpaced ChatGPT’s 3.9 million users (17.9% increase) in the same period.
  • ChatGPT remains the heavyweight: Despite slower growth, ChatGPT still leads with 25.4 million mobile users—clear sector dominance even as rivals close in.
  • Mobile is where it’s at: Overall mobile usage of AI tools rose 5.3% (from 69.7M to 73.4M) over the past three months, while desktop usage plunged 11.1%. From November 2024 to June 2025, mobile adoption surged 82%, signalling consumers truly shifting to AI on the go.
  • Google’s Gemini is climbing, too: Growth of 68% brought its mobile user base to about 14.3 million—boosted in part by being preloaded on Pixel phones.
  • Enterprise muscle and stickiness matter: Most notably, over 85% of frequent AI assistant users stick to one platform, showing these tools are becoming habitual. OpenAI boasts the strongest user retention, while Microsoft’s integration with enterprise tools like Microsoft 365 gives Copilot a unique growth edge.
  • Read more
AI platforms disagree on 62% of queries
AI in digital Platforms

AI platforms disagree on 62% of queries

  • According to a new Brightedge report, when it comes to brand mentions, different AI platforms disagree on 62% of queries.
  • Across Google AI Overviews, AI Mode, and ChatGPT, brands were only seen across all 3 platforms 33.5% of the time per prompt.
  • Just 4.6% of queries got zero brands across all platforms.
  • Google AIO mentions 2.5x more brands than ChatGPT.
  • Only 17% of queries result in the same brands across all platforms. But add “compare” or “buy” and agreement jumpts to 62-80%. Commercial intent doesn’t just trigger brands, it aligns them.
  • Read more
Claude flips on privacy-first approach: Users must now opt-out their data
AI in digital Platforms

Claude flips on privacy-first approach: Users must now opt-out their data

  • Major policy shift: Anthropic now defaults to using consumer chats and code to train Claude models—unless users actively opt out—marking a clear departure from its earlier privacy‑first approach.
  • The UI nudge: A prominent “Accept” button opts users in by default, while the smaller “help improve” toggle (which disables sharing) is off to the side and easily overlooked.
  • Retention changes: Opt‑in = data retained for up to five years for model training; opt‑out = stays under the existing 30‑day deletion policy.
  • Who’s affected: Applies to Claude Free, Pro, Max, and Claude Code consumer tiers. Commercial, educational, government, and API (via Bedrock or Vertex) users remain unaffected.
  • Read more
AI traffic converting at same rate as organic
AI in digital Marketing by numbers

AI traffic converting at same rate as organic

  • LLM traffic converts at roughly the same rate as organic search, with organic averaging 4.60% and LLM referrals at 4.87%—a difference that is not statistically significant.
  • LLM-driven sessions remain rare, accounting for less than 1% of overall traffic, while organic search comprises roughly 32%.
  • The challenge is scale, not quality—despite claims that AI referrals bring more qualified clicks, current data suggest conversion effectiveness is similar to organic search.
  • Past research supports this, with a May 2025 study finding that user engagement from LLM referrals was generally lower than from organic sources—LLMs only edged ahead in specific verticals like health, careers, and catalog sites.
  • Our take: Do your own research. Conversion rates will be different across brands, verticals, and industries. We recommend keeping a close eye on conversion rate changes across LLMs for your own traffic.
  • Read more
Google to show more links within AI Mode
AI in digital Platforms

Google to show more links within AI Mode

  • Embedded Link Carousels (Desktop Only for Now): Google has introduced clickable carousels within AI Mode responses on desktop, showcasing multiple contextual source links right inside the answer to encourage deeper exploration. Mobile support is coming soon.
  • Smarter Inline Links: The underlying AI models now intelligently determine where inline links should appear directly in the text—especially at moments when users are most likely to want to click and learn more.
  • Expanding the Web Guide Experiment: Web Guide, a Gemini-powered feature that groups helpful links by topic, is moving beyond the "Web" tab in Search Labs and will start appearing on the main "All" tab for opted-in users when relevant.
  • Read more
Google August 2025 Spam update
Help desk Platforms

Google August 2025 Spam update

  • August 2025 spam update rollout: Google launched its August 2025 spam update on 26 August around midday ET. It's a global update covering all languages and is expected to gradually roll out over several weeks.
  • Quick-seen impact: Unlike some updates where effects only appear after a few days, this one generated ranking fluctuations in under 24 hours, with many SEOs noticing shifts immediately.
  • What’s targeted — and what’s not: The update penalises sites breaching Google’s spam policies, but notably excludes link spam and reputation‑related abuses.
  • Context & comparisons: This is Google’s first spam update since December 2024 and follows closely after the June 2025 core update – marking a more aggressive season for algorithm changes.
  • Advice for marketers: Don’t rush changes mid‑rollout. Instead, keep an eye on Search Console trends, audit your content for compliance with spam rules, and double down on quality, E‑E‑A‑T (experience, expertise, authoritativeness, trustworthiness), and user-first SEO tactics.
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