The Top Three

🏆 THE INDUSTRY’S MOST IMPORTANT STORIES TODAY

🥇 AI WRITING PRODUCT DESCRIPTIONS

Not Google’s AI writing your copy for you: Google is testing writing product descriptions with generative AI in the Popular Products carousel in Search. While AI-driven copy has already shown up in knowledge panels and local listings, this is the first time it’s appeared in such a high-visibility section. more

• The popular products section usually has no descriptions at all.

• But, recent screenshots show that AI-generated descriptions are now being added.

• 🎯 Are they hitting the mark?: The descriptions seem pretty generic, which could risk the loss of brand voice and personalization.

🥈 NEW FILTER EXPOSES ADS TO SENSITIVE CONTENT

⚠️ Ads may appear next to hate speech: Starting February 24, Meta will change its default inventory filter for in-content ads. Ads on Facebook in-stream videos, Reels, and the Meta Audience Network will move from 'Moderate' to 'Expanded' inventory. more

• The current 'Moderate' filter blocks ads from appearing alongside highly sensitive content, while the 'Expanded inventory' filter lets ads show in any content that follows Meta’s monetization policies.

• This means your ads could show up alongside sensitive content on topics like 'tragedy or conflict,' 'debated social issues,' 'objectionable activity,' 'strong language,' and more.

• 💡 If you've already set a specific inventory filter for your ads, it won't be affected. Still, it’s important to check your default filter setting before launching new ad sets and make changes if needed.

🥉 ACROBAT’S AI CAN READ YOUR CONTRACTS

🤖 Decoding the fine print: Adobe's Acrobat AI Assistant now automatically detects contracts in PDFs and scanned documents, breaking down complex language into easy-to-understand summaries. more

• Adobe says the feature can surface key terms, generate citations, and recommend questions.

• The AI Assistant is a $4.99/month add-on for Acrobat users, available on desktop, web, and mobile worldwide — but only in English for now.

Today’s Other News

📰 EVERYTHING ELSE THAT MATTERS

Google Updates 🌐 

• Google Ads is now testing letting advertisers book a “tagging” consultation through the console to set up conversion measurement. A Google rep will guide you and your developer through implementing a Google tag for tracking ad performance, which can take about 30-60 minutes. more

  • While most of these “talk to a rep” opportunities are thinly disguised sales calls, this one seems to actually be helpful.

• Google has finally restored the ability to download filtered products in Merchant Center. Previously, merchants had to export the entire feed and sort through data manually. Now, applying filters in the product listings view will export only the filtered products. more

• Google has made it easier to import cost data into Analytics by reducing the number of required fields for data integration. more

  • Now, only three fields are required: Source, Medium, and Date.

  • Two previously required fields, Campaign_name and Campaign_id, are now optional.

Advertising 📣 

• Microsoft announced New Performance Max tools in pilot:

  • LinkedIn Profile Targeting: Advertisers in several markets will be able to use LinkedIn’s professional targeting data, including company, industry, and job function signals. (Microsoft owns LinkedIn.)

  • Reporting Updates: Advertisers will be able to analyze performance by audience segments and track individual asset performance. (More audience insights, like top-performing assets for specific segments, will apparently roll out soon.)

  • Conversion Value Rules: Advertisers can adjust conversion values in real-time based on factors like location and device usage, applicable to all campaign types, including Performance Max.

Commerce 🛒

• 🗣️ The referral domino effect: 
  Research shows referred customers make up to 70% more referrals and are more likely to become high-value customers. To boost this impact, researchers suggest sending targeted emails or notifications reminding them of their referral and asking them to invite others. more

Social Media 📱

• Will the U.S. government buy TikTok? 
  President Donald Trump signed an executive order yesterday to create a federally owned sovereign wealth fund, saying it could buy part of TikTok. The full text of the order has not yet been released. more 

• Editing the grid:
  Instagram is testing a feature that lets you rearrange your profile grid, with backend code hinting at an upcoming rollout. more

• Even desktop is going vertical: 
  LinkedIn’s "Videos for You" section is now available on the web/desktop, which features a vertical video feed. Videos play front and center with captions on the right, and you can scroll through with up/down arrows. more

Industry News 📰 

• The Chinese government is investigating Google after the U.S. imposed 10% tariffs on its imports. Just minutes after the tariffs took effect today, China's market regulator announced a probe into Google for potential anti-monopoly violations. Google has not commented. more

• Meta is calling it: 2025 is make or break for the metaverse. CTO Andrew Bosworth is reportedly giving it one year to prove whether Reality Labs’ mixed reality efforts are “the work of visionaries or a legendary misadventure."

  • My money is on "legendary misadventure." more

Analytics 📈

• In Q4 2024, U.S. consumers spent nearly 20% of their daily media time on audio, averaging 3 hours and 54 minutes of daily listening across both ad-supported and ad-free platforms. more

  • 67% was with ad-supported audio with radio

  • 18% with podcasts

  • 12% with streaming

  • 3% with satellite radio

You’re Not Charging Enough for Products You Like Making

🎙️ THE DEEP-DIVE INTERVIEW

Today, marketing professor Robert Smith joins Tod to discuss his recent research on how “enjoyment” in the production process impacts buyers and sellers.

His study found that buyers perceive higher quality and are willing to pay more when they know a product was made with passion. But paradoxically, sellers tend to charge less for products they enjoy creating.

In this interview, we’ll explore why, and what the marketing ramifications are.

A Web Browser for Marketers?

🔨 MARKETING TOOL OF THE DAY

Working in digital marketing feels like a constant race—tons of tabs, endless notifications, and a brain that just won’t shut off.

This morning, I came across Opera Air, a browser built specifically to help with focus and stress management. But rather than most similar offerings (which just block distractions), this browser is more of a mindfulness app than anything.

In addition to a free integrated VPN, it has:

• Built-in Mindful Breaks – It nudges you to step away for a few minutes with quick exercises that help reset your focus.

• Focus-Boosting Sounds – It has binaural beats and ambient sounds designed to help with creativity and concentration (without needing another app).

• AI-Powered Assistant – Its built-in AI can summarize web pages, answer questions, and even help with content ideas.

If you’re feeling the burnout creeping in, this might be worth a try. 🙂 

Today’s Trivia Question

🎁 TAP YOUR GUESS AND YOU COULD WIN

Spotted on Social

😃 THE SOCIAL WEB’S BEST POSTS IN THE LAST 24 HOURS

In partnership with