Google will fall below a 50% share of the US search advertising market next year for the first time since we started tracking it in 2008, per our forecast. It’s a pivotal time for paid search, with Google’s ad dominance threatened by generative AI, social media, retail media, and lawsuits. Meanwhile, ad-averse consumers are becoming hesitant to click search ads. Here are four trends our exclusive KPI data reveal about Google, retail media, and the future of paid search.
Ad spending projects to hold strong in healthcare and pharma: Here’s why health and pharma marketers are prioritizing some media channels over others.
FAST trend grows globally: New channels from Free Live Sports, CBC, and Pluto TV showcase demand for free, ad-supported streaming options.
Paramount ditches Nielsen, goes all-in on VideoAmp: The shakeup could help VideoAmp gain ground in Upfronts as it seeks a potential buyout.
CNN launches $3.99 paywall: It’s a bid to grow digital dollars as cable viewership and revenues decline.
Instagram’s value wanes for publishers: Ad spend and content posting drop as WhatsApp Channels gains traction for direct audience engagement.
CEOs’ politics impact their brands: Hastings’ endorsement triggers Netflix boycott, drawing parallels with Musk's controversies impacting Tesla and X.
Nearly every industry vertical we track outperformed our spending expectations last year, and most will see growth accelerate in 2024.
Google’s tough year of regulation gets tougher: The EU is reportedly planning to penalize Alphabet for Google’s favoritism in search results.
LG brings ads to CTV screensavers: The rapid pace of new ad space on CTVs reflects a race for ad dollars.
X releases first post-Musk transparency report: Platform seeks to reassure advertisers with increased content moderation and government compliance.
Search ads launch on TikTok: The keyword-based feature enables brands to reach users during searches, aligning ad efforts with user intent and behavior.
Streaming investments drive Paramount’s layoffs: the company struggles to balance growing debt with declining traditional TV ad revenues.
Creator economy wars heat up: TikTok launches new subscriptions, while Patreon’s Autopilot tool boosts fan conversion rates.
Google’s antitrust battle with DOJ: Company should demonstrate market competition, low barriers to entry, and no evidence of consumer harm.
The number of companies that generate more than $1 billion in annual US CTV ad sales grew from two in 2020 to five in 2024
Harris outspends Trump 20 to 1 on Meta platforms: Though Harris is largely spending on CTVs, millions are going to Facebook and Instagram.
Chinese retailers may cut ad spending under new tariffs: US tariff crackdown could impact Temu and Shein's ad investments, reshaping the digital ad market.
YouTube overhauls TV app to compete with streamers: New features like episodes, previews, and subscription tools aim to boost creator monetization and rival platforms like Netflix and Disney+.
Search, social, and customer ratings and reviews are the most influential channels for driving foot traffic and sales, according to SOCi’s Local Visibility Index 2024.