Starting in October, Google will unify all Local Services Ads badges into a single 'Google Verified' badge, creating a clear signal of business credibility. This badge will appear on eligible profiles that complete screening and verification, showing which checks they passed. It will be displayed dynamically on LSAs when predicted to help consumer decisions.
The new badge replaces existing programs like Google Guaranteed, Google Screened, License Verified by Google, and the Money Back Guarantee, streamlining trust indicators.
User acquisition (UA) remains critical in the maturing app market, with non-organic installs growing annually. Key challenges include rising media costs, churn, fraud, and fragmentation. Attribution data and multi-touch modeling help optimize UA by identifying high-performing channels and audiences. Strategic budgeting, A/B testing, and app store optimization (ASO) are essential for maximizing ROI. Ad ops decision-makers should prioritize fraud protection, explore diverse media channels (paid, owned, earned), and leverage cohort analysis to drive cost-effective growth.
The article discusses how mobile marketers can navigate 2023's economic slowdown, privacy changes, and post-COVID cooldown. Key insights include shifting from growth to profitability, prioritizing retention, diversifying channels, and adopting new measurement frameworks (SKAN 4.0, MMM, incrementality). Data shows apps spent $80B on UA in 2022 (5% YoY drop), iOS installs grew 16%, and non-gaming IAP revenue rose 20% while gaming fell 16%. Experts stress agility, LTV focus, and CTV growth.
App Store Optimization (ASO) is crucial for increasing organic app downloads and reducing user acquisition costs, especially with IDFA deprecation. ASO involves optimizing metadata (title, description, keywords), visuals (icons, screenshots, videos), and leveraging user reviews. Key differences exist between Apple App Store and Google Play Store (e.g., keyword duplication handling). Regular updates, A/B testing, and seasonality are essential tactics. Top 3 search positions capture most downloads, making ASO a high-ROI strategy.
In-app advertising (IAA) is projected to generate $314.5 billion in 2023, growing 10% YoY. For ad ops, balancing ad frequency with user experience is critical. Key takeaways include testing ad formats (banner, video, rewarded, native), choosing the right pricing model (CPM, CPC, CPA, CPI, CPV), and leveraging SKAdNetwork for attribution post-iOS 14. Success hinges on segmenting users, optimizing creatives, and adhering to privacy and viewability standards.
TikTok's full-funnel automation, integrating creative, media, and measurement, addresses fragmentation in AI tools. Brands using Smart+ and GMV Max see improved ROAS and CPA. Case studies show Naturium achieved 3.5x ROAS, PHLUR 191% higher ROAS, and Leatherman 97% revenue increase. Symphony and Content Suite enable scalable, authentic content. The key is pairing automation with strategic storytelling.
Meta launches Business AI, a turnkey sales concierge for WhatsApp, Messenger, Facebook/Instagram ads, and websites. Early adopters like Julep (13% ROAS lift) and Solgaard (6x higher conversion rates) show strong results. Setup is stress-free—AI learns from existing posts and ads. Business AI is free for ads and affordable for messaging/websites. For ad ops decision-makers, this means scalable, 24/7 personalized customer engagement that drives conversions and lowers costs, with easy integration and no technical expertise required.
Messaging Ads on TikTok enable real-time conversations between businesses and customers via Direct Message or third-party apps like WhatsApp and Messenger. Benefits include shorter conversion paths, immediate lead qualification, and enhanced customer experience. Best practices include using Smart+ automation, replying within three minutes, and aligning creative with CTAs. Key results show up to 67% lower cost per conversation and conversion rates up to 22.5%. Available in select markets, these ads help drive measurable business outcomes.
Retail media networks (RMNs) must prioritize accurate measurement to build advertiser trust and prove ROI. With 68% of advertisers ranking ROI as top priority, RMNs need user-level data, SKU-level attribution, and lift analysis to demonstrate campaign impact. The article outlines a checklist for effective measurement, including omnichannel coverage, deduplication, and easy-to-access reports. It emphasizes the importance of data collaboration platforms for bridging walled gardens and achieving precision. A case study of Wolt Ads shows a 32% revenue uplift using AppsFlyer's data collaboration platform. Key takeaways: measurement drives ad revenue, user-level data is essential, flexibility matters, and simplifying reporting is critical for brand adoption.
Local Services Ads (LSAs) for real estate are expanding across all 50 U.S. states, offering richer home listings with pr...
YouTube receives MRC brand safety accreditation for the sixth year, now expanded to include YouTube Shorts. This makes Y...
The Ads Decoded podcast final episode features Google product teams discussing Gemini models for Search and YouTube, plu...
Google Display Ads is transitioning into a unified Demand Gen platform, allowing display advertisers to manage GDN prese...
Google is introducing new ad formats powered by Gemini models for AI Mode in Search. These include Conversational Discov...
Google is testing new AI-powered ad formats in Search using Gemini models. Conversational Discovery ads answer specific ...