Your Ecommerce Coffee Break Newsletter ⭐ (Issue 116)

Hey, Claus here. Happy Tuesday!

AI is taking over ad buying, but at what cost? Google and Meta are doubling down on automation, making ads more efficient but harder to control.

Grab your favorite drink and dive into this issue’s ecommerce updates. 👇

In Today’s Edition:

• The Latest Ecommerce News and Top Insights (Handpicked for you!)

• Podcast: (Ep 379)

• AI Is Taking Over Ad Buying—Like It or Not

Today's newsletter is 667 words—a 3-minute, and 19-seconds.

🎙️ ECOMMERCE COFFEE BREAK PODCAST

In Monday's episode, Timothy Andersen, Co-founder of Gojiberry, shared valuable insights on leveraging customer-provided data for better marketing decisions, inventory planning, and building trust.

🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast app: [Website] [Apple Podcasts] [Spotify] [YouTube]

Check out our playlist with over 400 free episodes on ecommerce and marketing.

📰 THE LATEST ECOMMERCE NEWS AND TOP INSIGHTS (Handpicked for you!)

General Ecommerce News

• Trump’s Tariffs Unpacked: What E-Commerce Businesses Can Expect [read more]

• Half of online shoppers in UK feel overwhelmed on sites [read more]

• Chinese sellers use fake USPS labels to boost their profits [read more]

• Retailers brace for impact as new tariffs push apparel costs higher [read more]

• Netflix and Wayfair make a surprising move—betting big on physical stores [read more]

Platforms & Marketplaces

• TikTok Shop expands in Europe while the U.S. market remains uncertain [read more]

• Amazon gives authors a major ad boost with new sponsored ads rollout [read more]

• Amazon DSP just made advertising faster and smarter—here’s what’s new [read more]

• The Pricing Strategy of Temu Sellers [read more]

• Best Buy takes a cue from Amazon—will this reshape online shopping? [read more]

• Slash your returns processing costs by 64% with Cahoot's* Peer-to-Peer Returns. Lower shipping fees, no warehouse costs, and simplified returns! Apply today* (limited spots)

Social Media & Advertising

• Instagram’s new editing app could change how influencers create content [read more]

• YouTube rolls out new teen safety features—here’s what’s changing [read more]

• Google’s AI-powered ads are here—what marketers need to know [read more]

• AI is taking over ad buying—are marketers prepared for the shift? [read more]

• Marketing budgets are skyrocketing—are brands wasting millions? [read more]
  

   

🤖 AI IS TAKING OVER AD BUYING—LIKE IT OR NOT

Why it matters: Google and Meta are doubling down on AI automation, with Meta’s CFO reporting a 70% surge in AI shopping tool adoption last year. While marketers push for more control, these AI tools lock in ad dollars for Big Tech while reducing transparency.

By the numbers:

• 80% of digital ad buys will be AI-driven by 2030. 

• Saxx allocates up to 60% of its Meta ad budget to AI tools.

• Event Tickets Center spends 10% of its $100M Google budget on Performance Max.

Business Benefits:

AI boosts efficiency, clickthrough rates, and lowers costs. Meta’s Advantage+ and Google’s Performance Max drive higher traffic and sales.

What’s next: Meta and Google are expanding AI automation, and limiting manual controls. Marketers demand greater transparency and targeting options.

Read the full article here.

☕ FRESH ARTICLES JUST FOR OUR MEMBERS [Sign In | Join here]

• The ROAS trap—why chasing returns might be killing your business [read more]

• 9 powerful psychology tricks to boost your marketing strategy [read more]

• Instagram’s 2025 algorithm is changing—here’s how to stay ahead [read more]

• Spring clean your digital marketing with these five expert tips [read more]

• Is fractional hiring the secret weapon for business growth in 2025? [read more]

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