From Clicking to Thinking: November PPC News

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Laura Probstnerová
December 1, 2023

Google Analytics 4

Improved subproperty events filtering

Google Analytics 4 has improved its web data streams by resolving a subproperty filtering issue. Now, 'first_visit' and 'session_start' events will automatically match the event parameters of the session's first client-triggered event, ensuring more consistent and accurate reporting for subproperties. This update requires no action from users and will be implemented automatically to enhance data tracking and analysis for PPC professionals. (source)

Audience synchronization with Salesforce Marketing Cloud 

Google Analytics 4 now offers integration with Salesforce Marketing Cloud directly from the Salesforce interface. Currently live in Salesforce Marketing Cloud, this integration allows the synchronization of audiences created in Analytics with Marketing Cloud, facilitating their use in Salesforce email and SMS direct-marketing campaigns. This update is significant for PPC professionals seeking streamlined audience management across platforms. (source)

Scheduled reports

Google Analytics now allows administrators to schedule both standard and custom reports for regular email distribution. This feature enables team members to receive periodic updates with specified date ranges, including any filters or comparisons initially set when scheduling the email. (source)

Admin interface redesign

Google Analytics 4 has revamped its Admin interface, streamlining settings into intuitive categories for easier navigation and understanding. This redesign groups related settings, such as those affecting data display in reports, for more efficient administration. The update promises fewer clicks and increased user confidence in managing tasks. (source)

Google Ads

Small Business attribute

Google Ads has launched a "small business" attribute for U.S. merchants on Search and Google Maps, allowing shoppers to easily identify and support small, local businesses. The attribute can be added via Merchant Center or Business Profile. (source)

Show more helpful business information on Search

Google Ads is updating its Search function to display more detailed information about lesser-known businesses, aiming to build consumer trust. In select countries, retailer search knowledge panels will now include current deals, shipping policies, customer service details, and user reviews. This expansion will showcase data from the Merchant Center and other web sources, akin to the effective Business Profiles, which have driven billions of interactions for American businesses. This enhancement is a significant step for PPC strategies targeting increased visibility and credibility for newer businesses. (source)

Theme exclusion 

Google Ads is simplifying the management of brand suitability settings, now globally available. Advertisers can effortlessly exclude certain themes on both YouTube and the Google Display Network, from sensitive news to health topics, ensuring their brand doesn’t appear alongside unsuitable content. This update offers more nuanced control and clarity, reducing the time spent on settings and minimizing the chance of human error, a key improvement for PPC strategies focused on brand integrity and efficient ad placement. (source)


Product Studio: AI-Driven Image Customization

Google is rolling out Product Studio to all U.S. Merchant Center Next users, offering AI tools for innovative product image creation and management. This includes an AI-powered scene generation feature for placing products in various creative settings, with easy-to-use prompts for inspiration, including holiday themes. Product Studio also allows for quick background removal and image resolution enhancement. Product Studio is now available in Merchant Center Next and the Google & YouTube app on Shopify.

Generative AI in Performance Max

Google has integrated a new asset generation feature into Performance Max in the U.S., utilizing generative AI to boost campaign creatives. Users can simply enter their website URL, and the system will produce text and image assets tailored to the brand's identity, aiming to heighten campaign impact across multiple channels.

Meta

Grow Your Facebook Group with Ads

Meta now allows Facebook Group admins to promote their groups using Meta Ads Manager, aiding in member recruitment. Simply create a campaign with the Engagement objective, select 'Facebook Group' at the Ad Set level, and choose your group for the ad. Monitor effectiveness with two new metrics in Ads Manager: 'Join group requests' and 'Cost per join group request.' This feature is a strategic tool for expanding group membership and increasing visibility. (source)

Smarter Budget Scaling

Meta has introduced a feature showing the maximum budget increase for campaigns without triggering the learning phase. This aids advertisers in scaling effectively while avoiding instability and higher CPAs that come with relearning. Advertisers can still exceed this limit, but it will reinitiate the learning phase for the campaign. (source)

Increased Daily Budget Flexibility

Meta is now allowing up to 75% overshoot of your set daily budget on opportune days, a significant jump from the previous 25% limit. This change aims to capitalize on more favorable ad opportunities. However, weekly expenditure won't surpass seven times your daily budget, and for campaigns shorter than a week, total spending won't exceed the daily budget multiplied by the campaign duration. This update provides advertisers with more spending leeway to maximize ad performance. (source)

Meta's 'Flexible' Ad Creative Format

Meta has introduced a 'Flexible' ad creative format, allowing advertisers to upload up to 10 images or videos. This new feature personalizes ads by choosing the most effective format – be it single image, single video, or carousel – to optimize performance. Unlike 'Dynamic creative', this 'Flexible' option can create various ad formats in real-time, signaling a shift towards more AI-driven automation at the ad level. (source)

Meta's 'NO ADS' Subscription in Europe: Potential Impact on Advertising

Starting November, Meta introduced a 'NO ADS' subscription option in the EU, EEA, and Switzerland, allowing users to access Facebook and Instagram ad-free for a monthly fee. This development poses potential implications for advertisers targeting these regions, as the impact will largely depend on how many users opt for the subscription. Subscribers to this service won't be able to run certain types of ads, and may encounter errors in Ads Manager, indicating a restriction on both ad running and monetization capabilities. This change could significantly affect advertising strategies and audience reach in these areas. (source)

Lead Generation Enhancements: AI Tools and CRM Integration

Meta is rolling out cutting-edge lead generation tools, incorporating AI-driven features and CRM integrations, designed to enhance lead quality for businesses. Key updates include the introduction of WhatsApp chat ads, promotional coupons via Instagram Direct, and an instant form ad format. Additionally, Meta Advantage offers complete campaign automation. Integrations with CRM platforms like HubSpot and Zapier are set to simplify and optimize lead management processes. (source)

Microsoft

Maximize Reach with Microsoft's Advertising Platforms

Microsoft Advertising expands opportunities for advertisers to reach over a billion users globally through platforms like Microsoft Start, Outlook, Casual Games, and Microsoft 365. This integration offers extensive display, native, or video ad placements, targeting a wide consumer base engaged in work and leisure activities. Advertisers can now strategically connect with diverse audiences across Microsoft’s popular channels, enhancing campaign impact and reach. (source)

New bid strategies

Microsoft Advertising has launched a combined bidding strategy for Audience ads, featuring Maximize Conversions and Target Cost per Acquisition (CPA). This integration aims to enhance control and efficiency for advertisers. (source)

UET testing

Campaign improvements and Universal Event Tracking (UET) are set to boost performance. Advertisers will benefit from notifications for incomplete event setups, such as "Tag not found," "No traffic received," "Time out," or "Receiving traffic," directly within the platform, further aiding in effective campaign management. (source)

Microsoft Advertising's New Partnership with Baidu Global

Microsoft Advertising is partnering with Baidu Global to integrate its Chat Ads API into Baidu Global Keyboard, launching in early 2024 in the US, Canada, UK, and Australia. This collaboration leverages Baidu's expertise in natural language processing and generative AI, offering sponsored content recommendations through the Chat AI feature of Baidu Global Keyboard. Advertisers on the Microsoft Advertising platform can reach Gen Z and other key demographics, providing highly personalized content across various app environments. This partnership enhances ad relevance and potential conversion, with settings available in Microsoft Advertising campaigns to optimize mobile engagement. (source)

What's new in Dotidot

New step-by-step campaign creation process and menu

We released an improved campaign creation process for Performance Max. As of now, it has been launched for all campaign types (Search, DSA, Display, Shopping, and Meta). Enjoy smoother navigation and several other interface improvements. 

Updated catalog mapping for Feed Exports

All fields have been updated to align with the current status and have been categorized into required and optional fields. Setting up your export is now clear and efficient. Additionally, a quality check has been added: the more fields you complete, the higher the percentage displayed.

Improvements:

  • Users can now enter a specific URL they want to scrape instead of relying on three random URLs. This allows them to ensure they are extracting the correct fields and verifying that everything is accurate
  • The time has come to officially rename Google Extensions as Google Assets. Simultaneously, we have updated our knowledge base to reflect this change

Google Analytics 4

Improved subproperty events filtering

Google Analytics 4 has improved its web data streams by resolving a subproperty filtering issue. Now, 'first_visit' and 'session_start' events will automatically match the event parameters of the session's first client-triggered event, ensuring more consistent and accurate reporting for subproperties. This update requires no action from users and will be implemented automatically to enhance data tracking and analysis for PPC professionals. (source)

Audience synchronization with Salesforce Marketing Cloud 

Google Analytics 4 now offers integration with Salesforce Marketing Cloud directly from the Salesforce interface. Currently live in Salesforce Marketing Cloud, this integration allows the synchronization of audiences created in Analytics with Marketing Cloud, facilitating their use in Salesforce email and SMS direct-marketing campaigns. This update is significant for PPC professionals seeking streamlined audience management across platforms. (source)

Scheduled reports

Google Analytics now allows administrators to schedule both standard and custom reports for regular email distribution. This feature enables team members to receive periodic updates with specified date ranges, including any filters or comparisons initially set when scheduling the email. (source)

Admin interface redesign

Google Analytics 4 has revamped its Admin interface, streamlining settings into intuitive categories for easier navigation and understanding. This redesign groups related settings, such as those affecting data display in reports, for more efficient administration. The update promises fewer clicks and increased user confidence in managing tasks. (source)

Google Ads

Small Business attribute

Google Ads has launched a "small business" attribute for U.S. merchants on Search and Google Maps, allowing shoppers to easily identify and support small, local businesses. The attribute can be added via Merchant Center or Business Profile. (source)

Show more helpful business information on Search

Google Ads is updating its Search function to display more detailed information about lesser-known businesses, aiming to build consumer trust. In select countries, retailer search knowledge panels will now include current deals, shipping policies, customer service details, and user reviews. This expansion will showcase data from the Merchant Center and other web sources, akin to the effective Business Profiles, which have driven billions of interactions for American businesses. This enhancement is a significant step for PPC strategies targeting increased visibility and credibility for newer businesses. (source)

Theme exclusion 

Google Ads is simplifying the management of brand suitability settings, now globally available. Advertisers can effortlessly exclude certain themes on both YouTube and the Google Display Network, from sensitive news to health topics, ensuring their brand doesn’t appear alongside unsuitable content. This update offers more nuanced control and clarity, reducing the time spent on settings and minimizing the chance of human error, a key improvement for PPC strategies focused on brand integrity and efficient ad placement. (source)


Product Studio: AI-Driven Image Customization

Google is rolling out Product Studio to all U.S. Merchant Center Next users, offering AI tools for innovative product image creation and management. This includes an AI-powered scene generation feature for placing products in various creative settings, with easy-to-use prompts for inspiration, including holiday themes. Product Studio also allows for quick background removal and image resolution enhancement. Product Studio is now available in Merchant Center Next and the Google & YouTube app on Shopify.

Generative AI in Performance Max

Google has integrated a new asset generation feature into Performance Max in the U.S., utilizing generative AI to boost campaign creatives. Users can simply enter their website URL, and the system will produce text and image assets tailored to the brand's identity, aiming to heighten campaign impact across multiple channels.

Meta

Grow Your Facebook Group with Ads

Meta now allows Facebook Group admins to promote their groups using Meta Ads Manager, aiding in member recruitment. Simply create a campaign with the Engagement objective, select 'Facebook Group' at the Ad Set level, and choose your group for the ad. Monitor effectiveness with two new metrics in Ads Manager: 'Join group requests' and 'Cost per join group request.' This feature is a strategic tool for expanding group membership and increasing visibility. (source)

Smarter Budget Scaling

Meta has introduced a feature showing the maximum budget increase for campaigns without triggering the learning phase. This aids advertisers in scaling effectively while avoiding instability and higher CPAs that come with relearning. Advertisers can still exceed this limit, but it will reinitiate the learning phase for the campaign. (source)

Increased Daily Budget Flexibility

Meta is now allowing up to 75% overshoot of your set daily budget on opportune days, a significant jump from the previous 25% limit. This change aims to capitalize on more favorable ad opportunities. However, weekly expenditure won't surpass seven times your daily budget, and for campaigns shorter than a week, total spending won't exceed the daily budget multiplied by the campaign duration. This update provides advertisers with more spending leeway to maximize ad performance. (source)

Meta's 'Flexible' Ad Creative Format

Meta has introduced a 'Flexible' ad creative format, allowing advertisers to upload up to 10 images or videos. This new feature personalizes ads by choosing the most effective format – be it single image, single video, or carousel – to optimize performance. Unlike 'Dynamic creative', this 'Flexible' option can create various ad formats in real-time, signaling a shift towards more AI-driven automation at the ad level. (source)

Meta's 'NO ADS' Subscription in Europe: Potential Impact on Advertising

Starting November, Meta introduced a 'NO ADS' subscription option in the EU, EEA, and Switzerland, allowing users to access Facebook and Instagram ad-free for a monthly fee. This development poses potential implications for advertisers targeting these regions, as the impact will largely depend on how many users opt for the subscription. Subscribers to this service won't be able to run certain types of ads, and may encounter errors in Ads Manager, indicating a restriction on both ad running and monetization capabilities. This change could significantly affect advertising strategies and audience reach in these areas. (source)

Lead Generation Enhancements: AI Tools and CRM Integration

Meta is rolling out cutting-edge lead generation tools, incorporating AI-driven features and CRM integrations, designed to enhance lead quality for businesses. Key updates include the introduction of WhatsApp chat ads, promotional coupons via Instagram Direct, and an instant form ad format. Additionally, Meta Advantage offers complete campaign automation. Integrations with CRM platforms like HubSpot and Zapier are set to simplify and optimize lead management processes. (source)

Microsoft

Maximize Reach with Microsoft's Advertising Platforms

Microsoft Advertising expands opportunities for advertisers to reach over a billion users globally through platforms like Microsoft Start, Outlook, Casual Games, and Microsoft 365. This integration offers extensive display, native, or video ad placements, targeting a wide consumer base engaged in work and leisure activities. Advertisers can now strategically connect with diverse audiences across Microsoft’s popular channels, enhancing campaign impact and reach. (source)

New bid strategies

Microsoft Advertising has launched a combined bidding strategy for Audience ads, featuring Maximize Conversions and Target Cost per Acquisition (CPA). This integration aims to enhance control and efficiency for advertisers. (source)

UET testing

Campaign improvements and Universal Event Tracking (UET) are set to boost performance. Advertisers will benefit from notifications for incomplete event setups, such as "Tag not found," "No traffic received," "Time out," or "Receiving traffic," directly within the platform, further aiding in effective campaign management. (source)

Microsoft Advertising's New Partnership with Baidu Global

Microsoft Advertising is partnering with Baidu Global to integrate its Chat Ads API into Baidu Global Keyboard, launching in early 2024 in the US, Canada, UK, and Australia. This collaboration leverages Baidu's expertise in natural language processing and generative AI, offering sponsored content recommendations through the Chat AI feature of Baidu Global Keyboard. Advertisers on the Microsoft Advertising platform can reach Gen Z and other key demographics, providing highly personalized content across various app environments. This partnership enhances ad relevance and potential conversion, with settings available in Microsoft Advertising campaigns to optimize mobile engagement. (source)

What's new in Dotidot

New step-by-step campaign creation process and menu

We released an improved campaign creation process for Performance Max. As of now, it has been launched for all campaign types (Search, DSA, Display, Shopping, and Meta). Enjoy smoother navigation and several other interface improvements. 

Updated catalog mapping for Feed Exports

All fields have been updated to align with the current status and have been categorized into required and optional fields. Setting up your export is now clear and efficient. Additionally, a quality check has been added: the more fields you complete, the higher the percentage displayed.

Improvements:

  • Users can now enter a specific URL they want to scrape instead of relying on three random URLs. This allows them to ensure they are extracting the correct fields and verifying that everything is accurate
  • The time has come to officially rename Google Extensions as Google Assets. Simultaneously, we have updated our knowledge base to reflect this change
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Laura Probstnerová
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