July 18, 2025  |  SIGN UP

 
James Cooper

Sara Jerde
DIGIDAY, MANAGING EDITOR

It is clear we’ve entered a new era for search — and we’ve kept up our coverage on the topic accordingly.

We’ve covered off everything this week from how zero-click search is changing how small brands show up online to how the next browser wars (and the competition for ad dollars there) are here. We also published one of our signature WTF explainers breaking down what “Google Zero” means as a concept. We also have a new landing page for all zero-click related coverage.

Separately, we wrote about how even though there’s more money earmarked for creators, it’s going to fewer places, thus squeezing out mid-tier creators. And how some publishers are using clean-room tech for smarter data targeting.

Happy Friday (and lovely to e-meet you if we haven’t already, but don’t get used to seeing me writing this recap. Jim kindly returns from PTO next week). I do, however, write our media weekly on Mondays and trade off writing our marketing weekly with Jim, so consider subscribing to those if you haven’t already.

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Top stories

 
 

ZERO-CLICK FUTURE

Zero-click search is changing how small brands show up online — and spend

To appease the AI powers that be, brands are prioritizing things like blogs, brand content and landing pages.

ZERO-CLICK FUTURE

The next browser wars are here — and AI wants the ad dollars too

Perplexity and OpenAI are getting ready to take on Google's Chrome, but will need a solid ad business to keep their browsers ticking along.

SPONSORED BY EXPERIAN MARKETING SERVICES

Marketers take a connected campaign approach to exceed benchmarks

To meet current market demands for personalized, high-performing ad campaigns, marketers must implement a new ad campaign approach. A unified campaign strategy begins with a complete understanding of the customer, builds addressable audiences on a strong identity foundation, activates them precisely across channels and measures impact in real-time.

ZERO-CLICK FUTURE

WTF is 'Google Zero'?

The era of “Google Zero” — industry shorthand for a world where Google keeps users inside its own walls — is here. 

SPONSORED BY MARIGOLD

How Axios built a direct line between engagement and revenue

With the tools to collect first- and zero-party data throughout the audience lifecycle, publishers are unlocking revenue opportunities. For instance, by personalizing send times so newsletters arrive in inboxes when readers are most likely to read them, Axios saw its open rates increase by 8%.

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THE CREATOR ECONOMY

More creators, less money: Creator economy expansion leaves mid-tier creators behind

As brands get pickier and budgets tighten, mid-tier creators are finding fewer deals in the booming influencer economy.

RETAIL REVOLUTION

Retail media meets publishing: News UK, Future and Ocado tap clean room tech for smarter data targeting

News UK, The Independent, Immediate Media and Future are teaming up with retail media network Ocado to test clean room-powered data matching.

SPONSORED BY ACTIVISION BLIZZARD MEDIA

Why gaming is key to an omnichannel ad strategy

Audience attention is difficult to hold, but advertisers who add gaming to their omnichannel strategies have an advantage. Seventy-five percent of players consume other media while gaming. This second-screen behavior gives brands an opportunity to build a cross-media strategy — reinforcing messages across channels and extending their reach beyond a single-screen.

 
 

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