Major policy changes announced for Google's advertising platforms, covering privacy tech and new ad environments, effective February 2025.
by Luis Rijo
A class action filed Feb. 19 in California accuses Google of transmitting Americans' browsing data to Chinese-affiliated ad partners via real-time bidding, violating federal national security rules.
New VAB and TVision data shows premium video platforms deliver 33% stronger co-viewing, 49% longer sessions, and 18% higher sustained attention than YouTube on CTV.
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.