Discover the latest updates, platform developments, Beta placements, and changes in the sector, all in one place.

Maintenance grants to open to UK online students

From September, Jersey's government will provide the same financial support to young people pursuing online degrees as those attending university in person. The amount of grants will vary based on the intensity of their programs.

According to the Education Minister, these adjustments will guarantee that students studying for their degrees remotely receive the same maintenance and tuition grants as their campus-based counterparts.

Takeaway: 

Initially, these grants will be limited to degree courses regulated within the British Islands. However, this may indicate a growing trend, and drive increased demand for online programs across the UK.

13 June 2025

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Meta Launches Opportunity Score to All Advertisers

Meta has fully released its "Opportunity Score" in Meta Ads Manager. This optimization metric, now accessible to all advertisers, scores campaigns based on how many of Meta's AI-driven recommendations are followed.

Actioning these suggestions, which Meta identifies as potential ad improvements, positively impacts the score and has been beneficial for numerous advertisers. 

Takeaway: 

Testing showed that implementing these AI-driven optimizations led to an average 7% to 9% improvement in Cost Per Acquisition (CPA).

13 June 2025

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Spotify turns up the volume on programmatic ads

Spotify has announced major updates to its advertising tools, expanding access to its Ad Exchange (SAX) and rolling out new features in its Ads Manager platform.

Spotify’s Ad Exchange is now live through Google’s Display & Video 360 and Magnite.

This allows advertisers to reach logged-in users via real-time auctions, with support for audio, video and display formats across their music inventory, with podcast inventory expected to be added soon

Takeaway:

The Spotify Ad Exchange is now available in the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, India, Singapore, Brazil and Mexico. 

 13 June 2025

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Google Expands Conversational AI in Search

Google’s new “AI Mode” in Search allows you to take a more conversational approach to web discovery, with a ChatGPT-like UI.

“Millions of people are using AI Mode in Labs to search in new ways - asking longer, harder questions, using follow-up questions to hone in on what they really want to know, and discovering new websites and businesses along the way.”

This will soon be available to regular users, with a selection of users in the U.S. getting access to this feature in the coming weeks.

Takeaway: 

If prospective students are using these new search methods, universities need to update their website content and SEO plans to ensure they show up in AI search results.

 9 May 2025

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Meta's "Consent or Pay" Model Faces EU Scrutiny

Meta's "consent or pay" model in the EU, requiring users to subscribe or allow data combination, has been deemed non-compliant with the Digital Markets Act by the European Commission.

Meta will likely need to modify this model, potentially affecting user experience and revenue in the EU.

These changes will not affect UK users as the model hasn't been implemented there yet.

Takeaway: 

So, it looks like targeting EU students with Meta ads might get a bit trickier now.

Since Meta's facing some pushback on how they handle user data, universities might need to rethink their marketing plans for that region.

 9 May 2025

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Reddit sees increase in users and revenue

Reddit's daily active users are up an impressive 108 million, and their weekly user numbers have quadrupled!

Users are hopping on Reddit mainly when they're looking for specific information, not just for a daily browse.

The platform says their international growth is thanks to better translation tools, which is allowing more people to get involved in discussions.

Takeaway: 

With more people coming to Reddit for “real insights” and Reddit results now also appearing in many Google searches, this is a huge opportunity to reach audiences seeking answers.

Have you been utilizing Reddit in your campaigns?

9 May 2025

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Instagram Launches ‘Blend’ Reels Sharing Feature

Instagram has launched its new “Blend” option for Reels, which enables you to create a shared feed of recommended Reels with a friend or group chat. 

Rather than sending Reels to each other (the most common form of interaction in the app), the Blend feed will show you all of the Reels that you and your friend/s would be shown individually, within a single stream.

Takeaway: 

Shared feeds could feel less personal, and perhaps less engaging.

This new feature may require a shift towards creating content that resonates with broader shared interests within friend groups.

2 May 2025

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Google introduces new ad type: ''Pause Ads''

YouTube Pause ads are a new display ad format that appears when viewers pause the YouTube video that they are watching. This ad format helps you connect with viewers, capture their attention, and drive engagement without disrupting their viewing experience.

With YouTube’s wide reach, growing watch time, and advanced audience targeting capabilities, you can connect to your target audience and reach more viewers across connected TV devices.

Takeaway:

YouTube's new Pause ads provide a non-disruptive engagement opportunity for institutions to capture viewer attention during natural breaks.

2 May 2025

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Meta tests ads on Facebook notifications

With this new ad placement, there’s the opportunity to utilize one of the most visited sections of its app. Giving advertisers a way to reach people who have previously engaged with an ad or shown interest in their content.

Instead of relying solely on News Feed or Stories, brands can now reach users through their notifications. These sponsored messages will appear alongside regular alerts, such as friend requests, post likes, and event reminders.

Takeaway:

While still in its testing stage, if rolled out widely it could be an important tool for re-engaging users who might have browsed an ad but didn’t take action.

2 May 2025

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Instagram is using AI to find teens lying about their age

Meta has announced it will be using AI technology to search for kids who are lying about their age on Instagram in order to bypass safeguards.

These safeguards are applied to teens automatically, limiting who can contact a teen on the app and restricting the type of content they can view.

Meta says it has enrolled at least 54 million teens into Teen Accounts globally so far, and that 97% of teens ages 13-15 have remained in these protected accounts. 

Takeaway:

This development highlights the ongoing importance of understanding and adapting to changes in social media algorithms and regulations.

24 April 2025

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LinkedIn Expands ‘Wire’ Video Promotion Option

LinkedIn has announced a new expansion of its Wire video promotion, which enables brands to place their video ads alongside premium publisher content in the app.

Brands can now identify participating publishers that they want to place their video promotions with, then select those as placements within Campaign Manager, via its self-service in-stream video ads offering. 

Takeaway:

By matching your brand's message to the publisher's content, buyers can connect and increase brand awareness and encourage them to buy your product. And with overall video watch time on LinkedIn up 36%, there’s clearly an audience ready to consume this content.

24 April 2025

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National Institute of Health gives ultimatum for universities

The National Institutes of Health has announced what it’s framing as a new ultimatum for research universities:

Certify that you don’t operate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, or lose funding and access to future grants.

Sparking legal challenges and criticism from academic leaders concerned about academic freedom and institutional autonomy. 

Takeaway: 

It may be time to start thinking of ways to diversify your income streams, utilizing events like Giving Day to match funds!

Check out our blog for our top tips on how to supercharge your fundraising!

24 April 2025

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