Google's AI Protection, TikTok's Disney Delight, Snapchat's Web Integration, and YouTube's AI Ad Revolution and More!

Google Offers Indemnity to its AI Users

Google will assume responsibility in cases where its users are sued for copyright violations as a result of using its AI tools. That means people who use Google’s generative AI tools, like its integrated image generator coming to search bars, will enjoy protection from the company against any third party claims about copyright infringement relating to the training data and generated output. It will not, however, apply if users intestinally create or use generated output to infringe upon the rights of others. Shutterstock and Adobe have also offered similar protection for their users.

Google Agrees to Pay German Publishers €3.2mn Per Year

Google will pay news publishers in Germany €3.2m annually to publish their content on its news search engine. This deal forms part of an interim agreement between the tech giant and Corint Media, a mega corporation with the rights to over 500 international media companies. The final decision is pending feedback from the German Patent and Trademark Office.

Google Search Generating Images and Text

Google is using generative AI to help users who opt-in the Google’s Search Generative Experience on Chrome or Google apps. This functionality is said to help brainstorm ideas by creating images and drafting text after users type a command into the search bar. 

Google’s Cookie Phasing Timeline

Google will begin to phase-out third-party cookies in Q1 2024, beginning with Chrome for 1% of users. This will facilitate testing before that figure jumps to 100% of users by Q3. Google is also launching various APIs to provide a “privacy-focused alternative” for data.

The Launch of CapCut for Business

Bytedance has launched CapCut for Business to assist with branded video creation. The new B2B version will feature advanced video creation and editing functions to help brands create ads, video content, promotions, and more. CapCut for Business is available on desktop, mobile, and tablets for ease of use.

All TikTok Videos to Have Default Auto Captions

TikTok is set to implement automated captions by default on all videos from next month. It will apply to all videos uploaded in supported languages, starting with English. This move is said to allow more users to engage with content and improve the app’s accessibility. 

TikTok Announces Disney Partnership

TikTok is celebrating 100 years of Disney with a limited-time activation. This partnership will offer fans new ways to engage with the entertainment brand from within the app by viewing clips from Disney’s brands, creating their own videos with effects and music, playing daily trivia games, and more. 

TikTok Goes Beyond the Mobile Screen

TikTok has announced that it will offer experiences beyond mobile phones with the introduction of “Out of Phone,” a home solution for partners and brands to leverage TikTok content beyond the platform. Videos can be used in the real world on billboards, at cinemas, and on other screens. Brand partners who have activated the TikTok Out of Phone solution already include DIVE Billboards, GSTV, Loop TV, ReachTV, Redbox, Screenvision and VEVO.

TikTok Report Reveals the Platform’s Impact

TikTok has released an article titled “How exponential entertainment on TikTok drives impact.” It is filled with insights for marketers about how to capture the opportunity to entertain audiences in a way that resonates and be part of cultural shifts as they take place. The article covers how brands can unlock audience attention and drive impact with powerful ad solutions by using exponential entertainment.

X Reportedly Restricts Links to Rival Apps

According to a new report by The Markup, X restricts links to rival platforms and news publishers that are linked within the app with time delays averaging 2.5 seconds. This applies to Patreon, WhatsApp, and Messenger. It has previously been reported that this also applies to links leading to Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, and Substack.

Snap Inc. Shares Rise

Shares in Snap Inc. have risen by 12% after Speigel published optimistic growth projections for 2024. Snaps AR tools for integrations and in-store activations seem to be an area of opportunity in the year ahead. The company estimates that it could beat market predictions by reaching 475 million active users in 2024 and an increase of 20% in ad revenue growth.

Snapchat Allows Websites to Embed Content

Snapchat now allows websites to embed content such as lenses, spotlight videos, public stories, and public profiles. A link is available for each of these when using Snapchat’s desktop version.

YouTube Launches AI Ads

YouTube has launched Spotlight Moments, an AI-based ad option. This allows advertisers to place their promotions within the most popular content themes. YouTube describes this as connecting the world around cultural moments and global events. AI technology will identify popular videos as they relate to a specific theme and then curate ads to be dynamically updated within playlists in the sponsored hub. 

Experts Discuss AI at AWNY

Advertising Week New York kicked off this week. Reports indicate that while there is excitement about technology in the industry, experts say that human guidance is still needed. The event, taking place in Penn, New York, brings together 12,000 industry professionals to more than 20 tracks with over 600 speakers and 400 sessions.

Gamers’ Attitudes Towards Ads

A study by Monetizr involving mobile gamers reveals significant shifts in players and their playing habits. Ads that enhance the gaming experience with tangible benefits are welcome. The study reveals many insights about demography and behaviours which illustrate mobile gaming is now one of the biggest media channels with 3.2b players worldwide who are highly active and engaged on the platforms. 

Twitch Launches Stories

Twitch has made Stories available on its mobile app to help creators stay connected with their communities while offline. It is currently limited to affiliates and partners with at least a single stream from the last month. Users are encouraged to use this feature to add more value to subscribers with exclusive content. 

Threads Tests Branded Content Tags

Threads will soon be launching “Paid Partnership” labels for creators that publish affiliate content. Meta reportedly does not plan to offer in-app ads until the app reaches a level of mass adoption.

Netflix Houses to Open in 2025

Fans are in for immersive TV show experiences when Netflix Houses launches in 2025. These houses will combine live experiences with retail and dining elements, and each theme will be based on trending shows at the time. It will begin with two venues in the US.