Meta advertisers claim the cost of running campaigns across it platforms has surged due to ongoing issues with its algorithm. Brands report that sales and return-on-ad-spend have both plummeted, while cost-per-click and cost per 1,000 impressions are up by a factor of three in recent months – with no explanation from Meta as to why. Why we care. If the reported ongoing algorithm issues continue to impact ad performance, marketers will need to take action to reduce costs by exploring rival platforms like Google and TikTok. Details. Meta is a global leader in digital advertising with its platfor ..read more

Facebook is launching an updated video player that provides a consistent design for all video lengths, including Reels, longer videos, and Live content, in one fullscreen. This updated video player, which bears a striking resemblance to TikTok, will initially roll out on iOS and Android devices in the United States and Canada, with a global release scheduled in the coming months. Why we care. The full-screen video player, with its improved features, is created to grab people’s attention and increase interaction with your content. What’s changing? Now, whenever you tap on a video in the Faceboo ..read more

Meta announced a string of updates to its Advantage+ and Shopping Ads, designed to help brands improve engagement, drive conversions and deliver more personalized ads. The platform claims that the updates will help give consumers “the confidence to make a purchase after seeing an ad.” Advantage+ creative optimizations. This feature can now automatically optimize video ads to fit Reels or the mobile Facebook and Instagram apps with a 9:16 aspect ratio. Advantage+ creative optimizations also enable advertisers to generate multiple ad variations dynamically, tailoring them to each individual’s pr ..read more

Facebook, Instagram, and Threads are currently facing a widespread outage, with many users unable to access the platforms globally. Users attempting to log onto the websites and apps are encountering error messages, preventing them from refreshing their feeds as usual. Additionally, some users have been automatically logged out of their accounts and are unable to log back in. Update: Meta apologized and confirmed it is now “recovering” from the outage affecting the ability to log in to its platforms. Services are in the process of being restored. Why we care. If you are running campaigns on an ..read more

Meta issued an apology to advertisers following an Ads Delivery outage that resulted in campaigns overspending by “thousands.” The tech giant confirmed that services are now restored and expressed regret for any inconvenience caused to advertisers. Refunds, anticipated to take between four and eight weeks, are now awaited by affected parties. Why we care. If you were affected by the Ads Delivery outage, applying for a refund is necessary, but it’s important to note that payment is not guaranteed. To enhance the likelihood of receiving a full refund, there are specific steps you can take. Refun ..read more

Meta is offering small businesses a new way to boost posts without having to pay a 30% service charge to Apple. Starting later this month, advertisers will be able to use Facebook and Instagram directly on desktop and mobile to access all the features available in the iOS apps for boosting content without paying Apple. Why we care. This solution could prove hugely beneficial to small businesses as they can now boost posts without having to pay a charge, saving them money. What is the Apple service charge? Beginning later this month, when advertisers use the Facebook or Instagram iOS app to boo ..read more

Meta’s ad revenue increased by 23.8% in the final quarter of 2023 compared to the year-earlier period, surpassing expectations. Advertising revenue for Q4 2023 was $38.7 billion compared to $31.3 billion in the same period in 2022. This success helped drive total Meta revenue to grow 25% year-on-year from $32.2 billion in Q4 2022 to $40.1 billion in Q4 2023. Daily active users. Meta’s Q4 2023 performance also showed impressive growth in user engagement. Family daily active people was 3.19 billion on average for December 2023, an increase of 8% year-over-year. Family monthly active peopl ..read more

Facebook’s extensive monitoring of its users’ online activities has been exposed in a new study. The research conducted by Consumer Reports indicates that, on average, an astonishing 2,230 companies actively share data about each user with the social networking app. In some instance, users had their data shared with Facebook by as many as 7,000 companies. Why we care. As concerns over data privacy continue to grow, these statistics have the potential to create trust issues that could significantly impact your brand’s reputation. Moreover, in markets like the European Union, where data privacy ..read more

Meta has been accused of running corporate ads next to content that sexualizes underage users. The allegations by Walmart, along with Tinder’s parent company Match Group, have been made public as part of a lawsuit filed by the New Mexico attorney general’s office last month. Why we care. Placing ads alongside illegal content poses a serious threat to brand safety. The potential fallout not only includes reputational damage but also significantly diminishes the chances of an ad reaching its intended audience, likely causing a significant impact on ROI. The claim. New Mexico Attorney General, Ra ..read more

Advertising on Meta presents unique opportunities that Google Ads doesn’t offer. Whether your goal is lead generation or ecommerce, Menachem Ani, PPC expert and founder of JXT Group, shared valuable insights at SMX Next on how to optimize campaigns for Facebook and Instagram. Read on to learn Ani’s seven-step frameworks for building winning lead generation and ecommerce strategies in Meta’s automated landscape. Meta Ads > Google Ads? When advertising on platforms like Google, you’re restricted to reaching people searching for your product or service. However, when placing ads on social plat ..read more