Holiday traffic surged with AI bots, but trust issues, security concerns, and web design flaws risk halting the agent revolution before it scales.

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss how the judge thinks Google is, and isn’t, an illegal monopoly, the most likely outcomes from this ruling, and who stands to benefit the most. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, Senior Director of Briefings Jeremy Goldman, and Senior Analyst Evelyn Mitchell-Wolf. Listen everywhere and watch on YouTube and Spotify.

Chrome is the hottest browser no one can buy—yet: OpenAI, Yahoo, and Perplexity are lining up to bid if the DOJ forces a Google sell-off, eyeing a shortcut to AI search dominance.

CEO Aravind Srinivas says Comet will track user activity to build deep profiles for hyperpersonalized ads but risks alienating privacy-focused users.

YouTube tests new AI features: The updates, including video carousels in search results and AI video summaries, promise innovation but require adaptation.

Google halts plans to remove third-party cookies in Chrome: The move delays a major privacy shift but doesn’t stop the push for user-centric ad models.

Google’s core businesses remain strong in Q1: Browser scrutiny and AI search shifts could test the foundation of its power

YouTube’s journey from zoo clip to video empire: A short upload about elephants was the starting domino in the rise of the internet’s most powerful platform.

Amid high costs and tariff risks, Amazon’s pause on colocation reflects a move to prioritize flexibility, control, and long-term scalability.

As AI changes how buyers discover content, B2B brands have an opportunity to gain visibility. This report explores how SEO strategies can evolve to meet AI-powered search and why structured, trusted content wins.

Control of the world’s top browser would give OpenAI data, default status, and an AI-native edge to rival Google in the search war.

Perplexity eyes smartphone deals to challenge Google’s mobile search dominance: With Motorola on board and Samsung talks underway, Perplexity’s AI could replace Google Gemini on Android phones

Despite mental health concerns and corporate distrust, teens still find value in social platforms—especially for connection, creativity, and emotional support.

A trade war with the US will hinder economic performance in Canada this year. Ad spending overall is expected to lose the momentum gained in 2024. But many digital formats will benefit from the emphasis on return on ad spending.

Google AI Overviews decrease CTRs: A new study bolsters claims that Google controls both the search experience and the advertising ecosystem.

A second federal judge says Google is a monopoly: The ruling, targeting Google’s ad servers and exchange, could rewrite the rules of digital advertising.

Anticipated tariffs are speeding up purchasing decisions, revealing a tension between economic caution and the desire to avoid future markups.

This is the Q1 2025 installment of our quarterly “Ad Spending Benchmarks” series, which helps ad buyers and sellers calibrate their spending and revenue mix against the market.​

This is the Q1 2025 installment of our quarterly “Ad Spending Benchmarks” series, which helps ad buyers and sellers calibrate their spending and revenue mix against the market.​

Gates thinks we have a decade before AI dominates; Schmidt says we have a year. Either way, AI will still need human intervention to keep it on track.