TikTok launches Search Ads Campaigns in the US
TikTok has launched a keyword-based ad service in the United States as it continues to rival Google as a search engine. The new ‘Search Ads Campaign’ offering allows brands to target users and match their search intent. Previously, ads on the primary search page were largely generic. The move caters to evolving user habits; 57% of users now use TikTok’s search function to find content, according to first-party data.
Google updates documentation for spam
Google updated its spam policies document this week. There’s a new section on site reputation abuse, along with some light editing to better define ‘web spam’ and the tactics involved. Google added: “We review and refresh our documentation periodically. This update is part of that process.”
Gen Z use TikTok and Google for different searches
According to a Forbes Advisor survey, Google and TikTok can co-exist as search engines, with Gen Z using both for different purposes. Two-thirds of young people look for ‘local services’ and ‘restaurants and bars’ on Google, but less than a fifth research these topics on TikTok. On the other hand, ‘gift ideas’, ‘hair and makeup’, and ‘wellbeing and fitness’ are more popular searches on TikTok.
Meta to serve more AI-generated content
AI-generated images are coming to Facebook and Instagram. Meta announced on Wednesday that it is currently testing “Imagined for You” images in feeds. These images will be generated based on a user’s “interests or current trends.” Fortunately, this feature will only be active if you have signed up to Meta’s ‘Imagine Yourself’ service. It will also be possible to remove the AI images.
Google search volatility spikes
Google’s latest core update has fully rolled out, but ranking volatility spiked again this week. Tools including Advanced Web Rankings and SERPmetrics registered high levels of SERP volatility on Wednesday, 25 September. SEOs are also continuing to see significant changes in traffic and rankings.
Threads testing user tags for photos
A user tagging feature for photos is in the works at Threads. Meta’s conversational social platform, which reached a 175 million user milestone over the summer, will soon share some functionality with its sister app, Instagram, which has extensive photo tagging and editing features.
Social shopping is big for millennials too
Shopping on social media isn’t just for the younger generation. A new report by Fiverr has found 47% of millennials buy products on their favourite social platforms at least once a week. That’s significantly more than Gen Z (27%). Around a third of millennials also plan to shift “all or most” of their shopping away from regular e-commerce to social platforms in the future.
TikTok to shutter music business in November
TikTok Music will be discontinued later this year. ByteDance has confirmed that the streaming service will close on 28 November 2024. TikTok instead wants to deepen its partnerships with Spotify and other streaming platforms. It says “hundreds of millions of tracks” have already been saved to playlists via the convenient ‘Add to Music App’ feature, which allows users to link to third-party services.
