The feed
Martech news and analysis. Every story says what changed, why it matters and what marketers should do next.
On September 15, 2026 Google added Ad Count, Ad Density and two Ad Weight metrics to CrUX. They are experimental, have no published benchmarks, and Google's page experience documentation does not treat them as ranking signals.
Why it matters
It makes ad load public and comparable, which publishers, advertisers and ad platforms may use in their own decisions, even if Google ranking does not.
On September 24, 2026 Google announced web multimodal search reporting in Search Console, with a new search-type filter in the performance report and data in the Generative AI features report.
Why it matters
Visual search is growing and sites had no way to see its share, which makes it hard to value image and product photography work.
Google began the September 2026 spam update on September 24 at 09:15 Pacific. It applies to all languages and locations and may take up to two weeks. Google gave no new policy details.
Why it matters
Spam updates can change rankings for sites that rely on tactics Google treats as spam, and the lack of detail leaves site owners guessing.
On September 11, 2026 Amazon announced a managed-service pilot in which select US brands can buy text and image ads beneath ChatGPT answers through Amazon DSP, on a CPC or CPM basis.
Why it matters
It gives brands a way to buy conversational ads inside an existing DSP workflow instead of a separate OpenAI account.
Kargo announced on October 1, 2026 that Karlo is generally available at karlo.com, with creative and media intelligence built in. Pricing and minimum budgets were not disclosed.
Why it matters
It moves creative evaluation into the buying loop and offers a route for small teams to run multi-channel campaigns.
On September 9, 2026 Telly and Magnite said advertisers can buy Telly's Home Screen ads programmatically, including through The Trade Desk and Teads, and introduced duration-based marketplaces.
Why it matters
It extends programmatic into a premium, always-visible TV placement and tests a duration-based way to buy it.
A US judge in Manhattan rejected Google's challenge to the damage calculations of USA Today Co., Daily Mail and a class of about 5,000 publishers, allowing jury trials on AdX to proceed.
Why it matters
It adds financial exposure for Google on top of the government's behavioral remedies, and signals that publishers can seek compensation.
On September 2, 2026 Judge Leonie Brinkema rejected all three structural remedies the DOJ sought, including selling AdX, and accepted most behavioral remedies as modified. The reasoning remains sealed.
Why it matters
Publishers and advertisers will keep dealing with an integrated Google stack under rules, not a split one.
A changelog of Meta Ads for August 8-31, 2026 lists an MCP permissions panel with write actions on by default, value rules that cap bid reductions at 90%, an estimated-spend feature and a creative diversity rating.
Why it matters
Defaults that allow write actions can let an AI tool change budgets unless a buyer restricts them.
At TikTok World on May 13-14, 2026 TikTok announced TopReach premium placement, Search Hubs, Branded Buzz, Keyword Amplifier, Symphony AI creative tools and an Ads MCP Server.
Why it matters
The MCP server means an AI assistant can run campaign tasks, extending the agent trend to TikTok advertising.
