First of all, we want to wish you a happy new year on behalf of the entire team at CLICKTRUST. May you have a fantastic 2024!

But what happened in the last month of 2023? Threads finally launched in the EU, Google dropped the Mobile-Friendly Test tool, YouTube announced third-party verification partnerships for shorts ad placements, GA4 audiences were rolled out on Google Ads and much more!

Let's get you up to speed.

From around the web

Data, Analytics & Privacy

The next step toward phasing out third-party cookies in Chrome
- Google The Keyword
"On January 4, we'll begin testing Tracking Protection, a new feature that limits cross-site tracking by restricting website access to third-party cookies by default. We'll roll this out to 1% of Chrome users globally, a key milestone in our Privacy Sandbox initiative to phase out third-party cookies for everyone in the second half of 2024."

Google Analytics 4 Features To Prepare For Third-Party Cookie Depreciation
- Search Engine Journal
"Google will roll out new features and integrations for Google Analytics 4 (GA4) for first-party data, enhanced conversions, and durable ad performance metrics. These features should help advertisers “unlock durable performance” while preserving user privacy."

Google Analytics 4 audiences are rolled out on Google Ads
- Search Engine Land
"Google Analytics 4 audiences can now be easily created and applied directly within Google Ads. You can now build Analytics audiences, including predictive audiences, using the Audience Manager feature and during the campaign creation process."

Google-related updates

Google officially drops Mobile Usability report, Mobile-Friendly Test tool and Mobile-Friendly Test API
- Search Engine Land
"Google has officially sunset the Google Search Console Mobile Usability report, the Mobile-Friendly Test tool and the Mobile-Friendly Test API today. "

A new way to buy reservation ads in Google Ads
- Google Ads Help
"In an effort to make more YouTube ads products available for self-service buying, we've launched an easier way to buy reservation media in Google Ads."

Google Ads: New Multi-Format Ads For Video Reach Campaigns
- Search Engine Journal
"New multi-format ad options in Google Ads give advertisers the ability to add in-feed and Shorts ads to Video Reach Campaigns (VRC)."

YouTube Announces Third-Party Verification Partnerships for Shorts Ad Placements
- Social Media Today
"YouTube marketers can now access more assurance around their YouTube Shorts campaigns, with both Integral Ad Science (IAS) and Double Verify expanding their brand safety and suitability measurement options to YouTube Shorts inventory, which is another key step towards maximizing the value of Shorts promotions."

A year on YouTube: Takeaways from great ads of 2023
- YouTube Official Blog
"In the world of YouTube ads, brands and culture moved together. Opportunities to connect with audiences felt boundless, driven by innovations in AI and growth on connected TVs and YouTube Shorts. With the year coming to a close, we’re taking a look back at the expansive creativity in advertising on YouTube—and looking ahead to what’s possible."

Social media

Threads Launches for EU Users, Expanding the Reach of Meta’s X Rival App
- Social Media Today
"The next stage for Threads has arrived, with the app now available for E.U.-based users, enabling millions more people to access Meta’s Twitter-like platform."

TikTok What's Next 2024 Trend Report
- TikTok
"Today we're launching the TikTok What's Next Report 2024, our fourth annual trend forecast, which will arm marketers with key knowledge around our community's changing wants and needs in order to shape the year ahead."

Report Finds Facebook and IG Reels Outperform TikTok Clips in Driving Views
- Social Media Today
"If you’re looking to update your content approach for 2024, you should probably consider adding more Reels video clips into your mix. That’s the message of the latest video performance analysis from Emplifi, which conducted a review of thousands of posts across Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to glean more insight into what’s working, what’s resonating with viewers, and what brands are currently posting."