New features, pricing changes, acquisitions and platform updates from the marketing software world — summarized briefly, with a link to the original source.
Recent analytics data shows a significant drop in traffic attributed to ChatGPT. Industry analysts have identified that links from the AI chatbot are increasingly opening without necessary tracking tags, leading to misclassification in web analytics. Marketing teams should audit their direct traffic spikes as these may actually be untracked visits from AI platforms.
Google has officially deployed its Universal Cart feature, allowing users to shop directly within Search results and the Gemini app. The system supports both internal checkouts and direct handoffs to a merchant's website for completion. For marketing teams, this reduces friction in the customer journey and requires an optimized product feed to capture direct sales.
Google is updating the layout of AI Overviews and AI Mode to position inline links more prominently within the generated text. Additionally, the platform is expanding carousels that feature preferred sources to improve click-through rates. This change means marketing teams should prioritize content structure to maintain traffic as AI-generated answers become more integrated.
HubSpot has launched new features to manage costs associated with consumption-based AI pricing. Users can now set spending limits and swap seats more flexibly within their subscriptions. This gives marketing teams better budget predictability and control over fluctuating AI usage costs.
Google has launched a new feature that analyzes search and discount data to highlight peak deal periods during the holiday season. The tool provides consumers with historical price trends and predictive insights for specific categories. For marketing teams, this increases the visibility of promotional timing and requires more strategic alignment of discount campaigns with Google's public recommendations.
Snapchat has shared new data regarding its discovery tool, highlighting how users interact with local businesses via the Map feature. While engagement is growing, the company acknowledges that Google Maps remains the primary choice for location searches. For marketing teams, this indicates a need to optimize local presence on Snap to capture a younger demographic while maintaining Google as the main priority.
TikTok has launched several new tools for UK merchants, including group deals, auction capabilities, and an automated shoppable carousel creator. These features aim to increase conversion rates by integrating social elements directly into the buying process. Marketing teams can now leverage dynamic shopping formats to drive more interactive sales directly within the app.
WhatsApp is launching a new feature that allows group chat hosts to invite participants via a link, even if they do not have a WhatsApp account. Guests will be able to join calls and view messages with limited functionality compared to registered users. For marketing teams, this lowers the barrier for quick customer consultations or focus group sessions without requiring participants to install the app.
Google Ads has launched new features that allow marketers to categorize channel groupings by priority and set specific allocation rules. These controls help define how spend is distributed across different campaigns and search categories. For marketing teams, this means more granular control over automated bidding and better alignment of spend with strategic business goals.
