Bits and Bobs from around the industry:
Google Removed More Than 5 Billion Ads From Its Platform Last Year | Adexchanger
Google removed over 5 billion ads from its platform in the previous year as part of its efforts to maintain a safe and trustworthy advertising ecosystem. The company took down ads that violated its policies on misleading, malicious, and inappropriate content. This was an increase from the 3.1 billion ads removed in the previous year. The company also suspended more than 1.7 million advertiser accounts for violating its policies, and removed over 1.3 million pages, groups, and accounts for misrepresenting themselves. The report highlights Google’s ongoing efforts to combat ad fraud and increase transparency in the advertising industry.
U.S. Ad Spending Still Expected to Grow in 2023 Despite ‘Stressful Economic Signals’ | Wall Street Journal
Despite ongoing economic concerns, U.S. ad spending is expected to grow in 2023, according to a report by Magna, an advertising agency. The report projects that ad spending will increase by 4.4% in 2023, up from the previous year’s growth rate of 3.5%. This growth is attributed to several factors, including the return of major events, such as the Olympics and the World Cup, which are expected to generate significant advertising revenue. Additionally, the report notes that digital ad spending is expected to continue to grow, with social media and digital video driving much of the increase. However, the report also warns that ongoing economic uncertainty and inflation could impact ad spending in the future.
That was fast! Microsoft slips ads into AI-powered Bing Chat | TechCrunch
Microsoft has begun testing ads in its AI-powered Bing Chat feature, which allows users to communicate with the search engine using natural language. The move is part of the company’s efforts to monetize its chat feature, which has been gaining popularity. The ads will appear within the chat interface, and will be powered by Microsoft’s advertising platform. The company has stated that the ads will be relevant to the user’s search queries and will not be disruptive to the chat experience. However, some users have expressed concern about the inclusion of ads in a feature that was previously ad-free.
