It’s summertime
We have now officially hit the first summer month of the year: June. It also means that it is time for five digital news.
Google’s latest AI feature, AI Overview, is attracting media attention, OpenAI and Reddit have moved closer together, and X has gradually erased all traces of Twitter.
You will not be bored – there is plenty to get involved with.
Here you get the June edition of Xtracts, your digital news overview.
1. Google’s AI Overview goes viral
You have probably seen it: mysterious, bizarre and incorrect statements from Google’s latest AI tool, AI Overview. It has gone viral, and several major media are reporting on the subject.
We understand why someone would take a second look when you are told by Google that it is possible to mix glue in the cheese to make it stick better on pizza.
The problem with this is that billions use and trust Google as a factual source – and a situation like this can quickly weaken that trust. Google is of course in the process of fixing the error.
However, this is not the first time that Google has experienced problems with its AI tools. Both in its current form, Gemini Chatbot, and its predecessor, Bard Chatbot, errors occurred that cost Google dearly.
Google AI Overviews is so far only available in the US, but that hasn’t stopped the rest of the world from seeing the bizarre answers.
Source: Search Engine Journal
2. Snapchat is giving its ad features a boost
At the end of 2023 Snapchat struggled with lower ad growth and higher costs than expected. But this year it has all turned around as they have redefined their advertising options and systems and put a greater focus on SMBs (small/medium-sized business).
Among other things, they have re-designed their ad format so that the ads look more like user-generated stories, and the platform appears more uniform. In addition, it has become easier for users to download apps – even without having to leave Snapchat. According to their measurements, this has created lower Cost per Installs and improved ROI for the advertisers. Also more focus has been placed on the possibilities with AR (augmented reality) and how AI can contribute positively – among other things by bringing a 2D image to life.
All elements that can contribute to a more creative and engaging advertising experience.
These are just a few of the additions and changes introduced. Even though some of them have been part of the system for up to a year, there is still much to learn and many opportunities in their presentation of the redesigned advertising system.
Source: Social Media Today and Snapchat
3. OpenAI and Reddit form a partnership
Recently, OpenAI and Reddit have joined hands and formed a partnership. This means that Reddit gets access to OpenAI’s technology to be able to create and integrate AI functions, while OpenAI gets the ability to feed ChatGPT and other of their products with Reddit posts.
OpenAI isn’t the only big tech company that Reddit has struck deals with. Earlier this year, they entered a similar agreement with Google.
How this whole collaboration is received among users on Reddit will be interesting to follow. In the past, users have not been afraid to express potential dissatisfaction when the platform has made changes.
Source: The Verge
4. Advertising on TikTok will soon become easier
Updates to AI tools, improved ad automation capabilities and new ad types are just a few of the things that TikTok presented during its annual World Event.
One of the big points was TikTok’s new creative AI package for advertisers: Symphony. A platform where all creative AI tools are gathered under one roof, making it easier for advertisers to adopt. Tools to help draft scripts, produce videos, brainstorm ideas and create video campaigns based on your already existing campaigns. Most of these tools are not new, but just given a new place to live.
The AI tools are not the only ones that get a house to live in. The marketing tools are also now gathered in the same place: TikTok One.
It may seem like a small thing that it all comes together, but it will most likely be significantly easier to be an advertiser on TikTok.
Source: Social Media Today
5. X has deleted the last official trace of Twitter
There is no doubt that Elon Musk is trying to erase all traces of Twitter. And now he has stepped further out of the blue bird’s shadow. This time by changing the domain name from Twitter.com to X.com. Thus, Twitter is officially a thing of the past and an era has ended.
For 25 years he has dreamed of launching X under the domain name X.com. X is not as new as you might think Musk has been brewing the idea since 1999.
Although it’s a farewell to the Twitter domain, the features of Twitter still resonate on the current X. If you don’t think too much about it, you might still think it was good old Twitter. That said, it’s not the same platform and they’re not aiming for the same goal.
Whether you’re a fan of Elon Musk and X or not, it remains the biggest platform in its field – although many competitors have tried to take its place.
Source: Social Media Today