The AI race continues
And that is also reflected in this month’s news. However, that is not the only thing moving in the digital marketing world:
Tech giants are fined by the EU, Meta launches an app for their AI chatbot, and OpenAI makes it possible to get help with shopping at ChatGPT.
Stay up to date with the May edition of Xtracts, your digital news overview.
OpenAI adds shopping to ChatGPT
ChatGPT is receiving a major update. OpenAI is currently rolling out the ability to shop via product links through the platform. This means that you can now avoid having to go through Google when finding and buying products online.
So far, it is purely organic. This means that the purchase cannot be completed with ChatGPT, but you will instead be directed directly to the retailer’s website, where it is possible to complete the purchase.
Does it matter to your Google Shopping Ads? Initially, no. ChatGPT searches only make up about 1% of Google’s total searches. Don’t expect that number to change drastically overnight. Behavioral changes take time.
Source: Wired
Apple and Meta receive a fine from the EU
700 million euro. That’s the total amount of the fines the EU has handed out to Apple and Meta for violating the EU’s Digital Markets Act.
According to the commission, the two tech giants are reinforcing and developing consumers’ dependence on the platforms – which is against the rules. Apple is accused of not informing consumers about offers outside of Apple’s App Store. Meta is accused of not providing consumers with a corresponding service if they say no to sharing personal data.
At a time when relations between the EU and the US are already tense, the fines are not exactly flattering. However, the EU Commission believes that there has been ample opportunity for both Apple and Meta to have been able to act on the violations before it came to fines.
Source: DR
Threads Ads are now available to everyone
Back in January, it was possible for individual companies in the US and Japan to test the possibility of advertising on Meta’s Threads. The testing period is now over, and advertising on Threads has now become available to all advertisers.
Initially, the ads will only be rolled out to some users, but over time, all users will see sponsored content in their feed. The transition will likely be smooth, as Meta plans to increase the number of ads over time.
This means that there will soon be another market that you will need to consider whether to include in your marketing strategy – but don’t let that stress you out. It is still unknown what effect advertising on Threads will have on individual companies.
Source: Marketing Dive
Facebook wants to fight spam
Facebook is tired of spam and fake profiles. That’s why they are now trying to prevent these profiles and content from flourishing on the platform.
They are cracking down on posts that are clearly engagement bait. This includes posts with excessive use of unrelated hashtags, posts with irrelevant, long captions, and the same posts posted by multiple fake accounts.
AI is a large part of these profiles and this type of content, but it is not something Meta is cracking down on. Perhaps for the risk of appearing to have double standards, since they usually encourage Facebook users to use AI.
Source: Social Media Today
New AI chatbot on the market – this time from Meta
Another new ChatGPT competitor has arrived on the market. This time from Meta. They have launched their own separate app for their AI chatbot, Meta AI.
They themselves talk about a more personal and relational experience. Meta AI can help you get answers to questions, generate images, and provide you with relevant links to online pages – nothing that hasn’t been seen before. In addition, a discover feature has been added that allows the user to see other people’s interactions with Meta AI – including your Facebook and Instagram friends.
The app is not entirely new. It replaces the app that was previously associated with Meta’s smart glasses. Now the two functions coexist in the same app with their own dedicated tab.
In addition to encountering Meta AI in the app, you also encounter it – and have done for a long time – as an integrated part of both Facebook and Instagram.
Sources: The Verge and Social Media Today