I’ve Replaced My Friends with a $99 AI Necklace!
This Week’s Must-Know Insights: Google, Instagram, and X!
Hey there🙋♂️,
Meet ‘Friend,’ the $99 AI-powered necklace designed to combat loneliness! Created by Harvard dropout Avi Schiffmann, known for his COVID-19 tracker, this quirky neck-worn companion is set to ship by January 2025. How awesome is that?
But while we're on quirky innovations, let's dive into something equally crucial for your business...
Exclusive Scoop!
Substack says the recent dip in newsletter open rates is due to an iCloud Private Relay glitch affecting Apple Mail users. But don't worry, click-through rates are still strong, proving readers are engaged. Substack's advice? Focus on those clicks for better engagement insights.
P.S. This newsletter is also on Substack; fingers crossed it reaches you safely🤞
This Week’s Buzz
1. How often does Google sneak in ads?
Feel like ads are everywhere? On Google, they're quite rare. Recent data shows Google mixes ads into organic search results in just 0.31% of desktop searches and 0.01% of mobile searches. Advertisers take note: when these rare ads appear, they’re strategically placed to maximize impact on click-through rates and ROI.
2. What's trending on X during the Olympics?
X is riding the 2024 Paris Games wave to attract advertisers amidst declining revenue. Despite slow growth, X reports record-high engagement for Olympic content, with 87% of users following the event. The "Portal to Paris" feature centralizes trends and clips, offering prime ad spots. Looks like the Olympics are giving X a much-needed boost!
3. Is YouTube’s new ad blocker strategy working?
YouTube’s playing cat-and-mouse with ad blockers! Now, users with ad blockers face a 6-second black screen before videos play, pushing them towards the $13.99/month Premium subscription. Despite these efforts, ad blockers like uBlock Origin keep adapting. Will YouTube's tactics convince more users to subscribe?
4. What's new on Instagram?
Say hello to your AI twin! Meta’s AI Studio lets US users create AI versions of themselves for Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. These AI profiles chat with followers and respond to comments effortlessly, keeping engagement high. Perfect for busy creators and businesses. Start via AI Studio's website or Instagram chat!
5. Will Google Chrome stop supporting your favourite extensions?
Chrome is shaking things up! Warnings are popping up about extensions losing support due to the shift from Manifest V2 to V3, impacting privacy and content blockers. Some, like uBlock Origin, might be less effective. Could your go-to extensions be on their way out?
Don’t miss👇!
1. Build a Winning CEO Email List by Premanand Arumugam
Learn to create a targeted Chief Executive Officer email list to communicate directly with key decision-makers in B2B marketing. Read more here.
2. Is hiring a Product Marketer the only way? by Karthick Raajha
B2B SaaS Founders often ask why hiring a Product Marketer is so expensive. Is it the only option for your product? This topic is discussed in the 13th episode of our podcast with Pulkit Narang, Founder of Flip Funnel. Listen here.
Stay tuned for more such insights and quirky innovations; there’s always something new to look out for!