📲 WhatsApp is getting ads

Today’s Insights

Feature

For the first time ever, WhatsApp will serve up ads.

Meta just announced that ads will start showing in the “Updates” tab - where users view Statuses (think: Instagram Stories) and Channels (one-way broadcasts from creators or brands). Private chats? Still off-limits for ads.

Why it matters: WhatsApp reaches nearly 3B users globally but has never monetized directly inside the app until now.

The finer details:

• Targeting is “privacy-conscious” — based on location, language, and engagement, not message content.

• Status updates can include photos, videos, and text, just like Instagram Stories.

• Channels can now be promoted by brands and creators, with paid placement options in the Explore tab.

Big picture: Meta just unlocked one of its last ad-free zones. This will be rolling out over the next several months and advertisers can find more information from Meta here.

Sponsored by Cousin Labs

💰 Influencer marketing spend to hit $33B globally 

In the U.S. alone, content creator marketing spend is set to top $10B this year. Consumer brands like Unilever now dedicate up to 50% of their ad budgets to social media and plan to hire 20 times more content creators.

And when it comes to Creator Marketing…

99% of advertisers are making THIS mistake

• Fact: algorithms care about engagement, not your media tactics. 

• To succeed on Meta or TikTok, you need creative velocity.

• Most advertisers are not making enough ads for short-form video. 

• Don’t be like most advertisers. Visit www.cousinlabs.com

📹 Google is testing video ads in Search, Image, and Shopping tabs

Google is giving auto-playing video ads prominent placements in search. When advertisers use Google’s Performance Max campaigns their videos can be shown to potential customers “earlier in their shopping journey”.

🆕 While Google is also showing Shorts within AI Overviews

Short-form videos can now appear directly in Google’s AI-generated summaries, with clickable YouTube Shorts included alongside answers. Microsoft is also adding short videos to Copilot’s AI search results on Bing.

🧠 Google is stepping up the AI Mode rollout

The feature was announced last month at Google Marketing Live and more users are sharing their experiences.

🎬 Meta announced AI-powered video generation from static ads

Advertisers can now turn static images into animated video ads with music, text, and transitions. Meta is also testing tools that highlight key product moments and automatically apply consistent branding across campaigns.

🤖 Samsung plans to preload Perplexity AI on its devices

The companies are in talks to integrate Perplexity’s search technology into Samsung’s phones, web browser, and Bixby assistant, starting with the Galaxy S26 in 2026. They have also discussed creating an AI-powered operating system and an AI agents app.

Samsung is also expected to invest in Perplexity’s upcoming $500 million funding round at a $14 billion valuation.

🤯 Perplexity processed 780 million search queries in May

The AI search startup is now handling 30 million queries daily, up from just 3,000 on its first day in 2022. “Give it a year, we’ll be doing, like, a billion queries a week if we can sustain this growth rate,” CEO Aravind Srinivas said.

📈 TikTok now has 30+ million monthly users in the UK

The platform claims the UK is now its biggest market in Europe. According to TikTok, over 1.5 million UK businesses use the app, contributing around £1.6 billion to the local economy.

🚀 LinkedIn launches ‘First Impression Ads’

The full-screen vertical video format allows brands to secure premium spots in LinkedIn's feed for 24 hours. The company is also introducing Reserved Ads, which lets marketers secure the first feed slot beyond the first day.

🧪 YouTube is testing 30-second non-skippable ads in regular campaigns

Previously non-skippable YouTube ads were 6 & 15 seconds long. Non-skippable ads support YouTube’s advanced targeting.

📍 Lyft has launched new ad formats within the app

Advertisers can now replace all vehicle icons on the Lyft map with their own branded icons for a day. The format also includes an option to wrap real cars to match the in-app experience. Lyft is also introducing ride discounts tied to brand sponsorships and full-screen vertical videos displayed during wait times.

🎥 Kalshi aired a fully AI-generated ad during the NBA Finals

The 30-second spot cost $2,000 to produce and was created using Google’s Veo 3. Ad producer PJ Accetturo claimed the AI ad cost 95 percent less than a traditional commercial. Accetturo said he was hired "to make the most unhinged NBA Finals commercial possible."

Thanks for reading

Thanks also to today’s sponsor, Cousin Labs.

Cousin Labs is a forward-thinking creator marketing agency who are looking for top talent to join their team. Cousin Labs Co-Founder, Paul Marvucic, has even included his personal email (!) for Meta or TikTok experts considering a new challenge and want to get in touch👇

Have a marketing friend who would find today’s newsletter useful? There’s a share button below.

We’ll be back next week!