Consumers researched extensively but purchased selectively in 2025 as clicks surged 2% while transactions fell 5% across 2,300 U.S. retail brands, signaling fundamental changes in purchase journeys.
by Luis Rijo
JWX launched Vertical Video on February 19, 2026, giving publishers a one-line JavaScript tool to create swipeable, social-like experiences on owned properties amid search traffic declines.
Walmart's global advertising business grew 46% to nearly $6.4 billion in FY26, with Walmart Connect up 41% in Q4, VIZIO triple-digit gains, and Sparky driving higher basket values.
ChatGPT serves first confirmed brand ads at $60 CPM; Dentsu and WPP exit Trade Desk OpenPath; Google Demand Gen targeting shifts; Omnicom posts $17.5B year.
Meta integrates Manus AI into Ads Manager after its December 2025 acquisition, giving advertisers autonomous agent tools for audience research, reporting, and campaign analysis.
Starting March 2026, Google Ads converts Lookalike segments in Demand Gen from strict targeting constraints to audience suggestions, reshaping advertiser control over audience boundaries.
The Trump administration is pressuring Utah Republican Rep. Doug Fiefia to abandon HB286, a bill targeting frontier AI developers with revenue above $500M.
European Commission opens formal DSA proceedings against Shein over illegal products, addictive design, and recommender opacity, affecting 145 million EU shoppers.
Google admits opting out of AI Overviews without losing search visibility is a massive engineering task, as the FT signs a new AI content licensing deal.