Anna VoroninaSummer? Vacation? No, you haven't. π July was a month of quite a few updates for digital advertisers. Meta revealed the cards on its AI. Instagram posts can now be found on search engines too. Gmail is turning into a shopping showcase. And Telegram declares ambitions of a full-fledged advertising platform.
We've rounded up the key updates that can really make a difference to the effectiveness of your campaigns.
Meta
More transparency: detailing AI creations in Ads Manager
As of July 11, Ads Manager now has analytics on every creative. Previously, flexible formats and AI-generated images worked as a black box. Now the advertiser can see which photos or videos produce the best results.
Why it's important: you can quickly disable weak options, confirm hypotheses, and improve your strategy.
Instagram is now in Google searches
Instagram has announced that all public posts are indexed by search engines. Previously, this partially worked in certain regions, but now the update is global.
Why it's important: brand content (posts, reels, profiles) can appear in search results as separate pages. This gives a new level of SEO for businesses - optimize captions and alt-texts for key queries. Minus: you'll have to be more careful about what is published in the public domain.
Trial Reels for everyone
The reels testing feature is available for accounts with 1000 subscribers or more. The video can be shown to a small group of users before publishing. 80% of testers have already gotten more reach.
Why it's important: Brands can A/B test videos and only run the highest performing versions.
New Chips in Instagram Edits
Teleprompter, voice effects, fresh fonts and an Ideas tab are now available .
Why it's important: Meta continues to rely on short videos. Use trending audio and built-in editorial tools - that's how organics and advertising work more effectively.
TikTok
New targeting by engaged sessions
TikTok is testing an engaged session tool: you can optimize ads for users who spend 10+ seconds on a site or perform actions after clicking. It works for Traffic purposes, without depending on pixels.
Test results: -46% cost per engaged session and -13% bounce rate.
Why it's important: It helps you track real actions, not just clicks. A great answer to the limitations of tracking.
New rules for Live Gifts
Gifts are now only available to users 18+. Critters are not allowed to "beg" for donations. Violators will have their coverage reduced or blocked.
Why it's important: live streams should focus on the value of content and interaction. This is a plus for brands - less spam, more engaged audience.
Google Ads
Video Action Campaigns β Demand Gen
VAC campaigns are automatically converted to Demand Gen. The new format works on YouTube, Discover and Gmail, and supports video and images. Google promises up to +20% conversions at the same CPA.
Why it matters: revisit old video campaigns - Demand Gen now gives full funnel coverage.
Gmail as a marketplace
Google is testing a "shopping carousel" format in its Promotions section: items with a photo, price, rating, and badges like "Free Shipping."
Why it matters: Gmail is becoming an e-commerce channel with high purchase intent. Make sure the feed in Merchant Center is accurate and up to date.
YouTube's new goal is "follow-up views"
Now you can optimize your ads on those who are likely to watch a few more videos on your channel.
Why it's important: Suitable for brands with a learning and content focus. Builds a loyal audience.
Branded Searches as a new metric
Google tests "branded search " conversions - if a user searches for your brand on Google or YouTube after an ad for 30 days.
Why it's important: It helps you measure recognition growth, not just direct sales.
Telegram
Paid "Suggested Posts"
Subscribers can now send posts to channel owners, and those owners can charge for them via Stars or Toncoin.
Why it's important: new sponsorship format inside the app. It all depends on the quality of the content and the admins' decision.
Video banners
Ad banners may now appear in video channels. They appear after 5 seconds, close after 9, auto close after 30. CPM - about β¬1-1.3. Write to us to try the new type of placement.
Why it matters: a new immersive format for brands. Need short and strong CTAs.
Organic growth
- Global search of all public posts (for premium accounts)
- Story Albums - organize stories into thematic collections
- Profile rating based on Stars transactions
Why it's important: Brands get new reach beyond subscribers, plus easy formats for storytelling and a choice of ranking partners.
AdHand News
Connecting Google Ads
AdHand now has a separate section for working with Google Ads. You can launch and manage search, display, YouTube and DV360 campaigns directly from the platform. Email us to create a Google Ads account.
Why it's important: Google Ads is one of the key performance marketing channels. Now top-ups are available in AdHand: no need to switch between interfaces, easier to control budgets, and campaigns take less time to launch, thanks to the support of our team.
Dynamic templates for creatives
AdHand connects your product feed with ready-made dynamic layouts. Images, prices, discounts, and CTAs are automatically pulled and updated. Ads stay fresh and personalized at scale - whether you have 50 products or 50,000.
Additionally, you can use overlays, stamps, and localized versions for different audiences while maintaining a consistent brand style.
Why it's important: dynamic templates save hours of manual work and increase the efficiency of campaigns - the right offer always gets to the right customer at the right moment. Email us to create dynamic templates for your brand.
API for automation
AdHand's open API allows you to automate key processes: accounts, transactions and campaigns can be managed programmatically. This is especially useful if you work with a large volume of campaigns and multiple accounts.
Why it's important: APIs help remove routine, reduce repetitive tasks, and give you the ability to focus on strategy and results rather than manual management.
All these updates give an advantage to those who are not afraid to experiment: quickly run tests and just as quickly shut down weak campaigns. Platforms give us more and more data and tools to make informed decisions - it's important to learn how to use them to their full potential.
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