The vast majority (96%) of Pinterest searches are unbranded, said Brittan Bushman, Pinterst’s director of strategy, during a session at Advertising Week New York 2023. This means that consumers turn to Pinterest to learn what kinds of products are out there, unlike traditional search engines like Google, where they go to refine their search for something they already know exists.

Mobile is driving ecommerce sales growth, with 43.2% of the $1.137 trillion in US ecommerce sales we project for this year. As mcommerce sales rise, retailers are innovating to get a piece of the $491.14 billion pie. Mobile commerce will be especially vital this holiday season. Some 79% of US online shoppers shopped via mobile during the Cyber Five last year, according to Bizrate Insights data cited in a Forrester report.

Retail media ads are an important way to boost marketplace spend, but how brands go about advertising requires strategy. When setting up your retail media approach this holiday season, consider which products sell when, what kinds of ads drive conversions, and the importance of discovery in retail media.

Social commerce and livestream shopping are playing a larger role on TikTok as the platform builds out its ecommerce business, though influencers still have a lot of sway in purchase decisions, especially among Gen Z. To be successful on TikTok, marketers need to lean into discovery and put content at the heart of their strategy.

TikTok introduces Search Ads Toggle, allowing advertisers to reach high-intent users and improve RoAS: Clinique and DIBS Beauty report increased conversion rates and decreased CPA.

Instead of trying to compete with Amazon, Barnes & Noble is changing to appeal to consumers looking for the experience of an independent bookstore with the resources of a large chain. Leaning on local inspiration and a store layout that optimizes discovery, Barnes & Noble is revamping its 596 locations, as well as its membership program.

Every marketer wants to know: What do Gen Z consumers care about? How do they shop? What motivates them to make a purchase?

Streaming makes ad spending gains, Netflix experiences growing pains, and advertisers encounter a soft upfront market.

“Over 50% [of users] say they view Pinterest as a place to shop,” said Pinterest CEO Bill Ready. “Yet we haven’t made it easy for them to shop historically, as shoppable content was not integrated into core experiences.”

Discovery—not influencers—is what separates TikTok and Amazon’s ecommerce businesses: The retail giant is trying to replicate TikTok’s success via its “Inspire” video feed.

Around 60% of US TV viewers think the number of ads on Hulu, Discovery+, and HBO Max is reasonable. Fewer of them feel the same about Paramount+ and Peacock, while live TV is considered the biggest offender in this respect.

The Roku Channel takes first place in value among free ad-supported TV services. Among US users of these services, 84% said it provides excellent or good value. The CBS app holds the No. 2 spot, cited by 80%.

Are Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, Discovery+, and Peacock on their way from five to two? Our analyst Jeremy Goldman thinks it could happen by 2025. He shared his thoughts on a recent “Behind the Numbers” podcast.

Among major streaming video platforms, Peacock is the one where US subscribers are most likely to have the ad-supported version. Just 20% of Peacock subscribers shell out for the ad-free tier.

Following a few turbulent years, upfront TV ad spending will maintain momentum from last year.

How should businesses view these global trends and events? How are behaviors and spending changing? In this report, Insider Intelligence analysts weigh in on the questions they’re being asked by both clients and the media about the shifting landscape in key areas like digital advertising, retail and ecommerce, and financial services.

Warner Bros. Discovery will flex power in streaming, film, and measurement: The historic merger is set to be completed soon, reshaping the media industry.

Ad-supported video is the new streaming gold rush: Disney, HBO, Discovery, and even Netflix have toyed with or launched ad-based viewing channels

On today's episode, we discuss how connected TV (CTV) advertising will scale and how AI is poised to help TV advertisers. Then for "In Other News," we talk about Google curbing cross-app tracking on Android phones and what to expect from the WarnerMedia/Discovery merger. Tune in to the discussion with chief product officer at MNTN Marwan Soghaier and our analyst Paul Verna.

Reddit gets its own AI content recommendation page: The new Discover tab will look a lot like Instagram’s Explore page, surfacing photos and videos from communities that users aren’t yet subscribed to.