Platform pulse: August 2025
Published
2 Sept 2025
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Keep your finger on the pulse with the latest policy changes and feature updates across all the platforms in marketing technology.
The headlines are still dominated by AI, so we've cut through the noise and shared some key takeaways from across the digital landscape.
We'd also like to say a huge congratulations to the entire Labyrinth team for creating a truly iconic series 'Labyrinth On The Thames' at London's Old Royal Naval College. We were honoured to play our part!
Amazon
Amazon have left the Google Ads Shopping auction in the UK, Germany, France, and Spain. Should we be celebrating or concerned? Read more
Google is testing a new design for its sponsored search ads in the Google Search results. These have horizontal lines that are darkened or filled halfway through, alternating from left to right and right to left every other ad. Read more
OpenAI
OpenAI launches GPT-5, their smartest, fastest, most useful model yet, with built-in thinking that puts expert-level intelligence in everyone’s hands. Read more
Rally
Rally uses AI to make professional-grade Van Westendorp pricing analysis accessible for just $50, helping startups price smarter, faster, and without the cost of traditional market research. Read more
YouTube
For its 10th anniversary, YouTube Music has added new social and discovery features, including fan badges, album comments, personalised 'taste match' playlists, and local live show listings through a partnership with Bandsintown. Learn more
YouTube is also rolling out a new Effect Maker option, giving creators the tools to build their own effects for Shorts clips, plus improved tagging for brand collaborations. Learn more
TikTok
TikTok LIVE launches Music On Stage '25 – the global competition for emerging artists, hosted by Sam Ryder. Learn more
Over the last few months, LinkedIn has been testing out alternate feed options, which you can tap into from the top of your main LinkedIn feed. It appears to be scaling back. Learn more
Meta
Meta is consolidating some of their detailed targeting interest options by combining relevant interests into new groupings. Examples include combining certain interests that fall within the same sports category, film and music genre, car models or food and drink type. Read more
Meta is also ending political, electoral and social issue advertising in the EU in response to incoming European regulation. Learn more
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