Meta is acquiring Chinese AI startup Manus to boost AI integration across its platforms. Manus, based in Singapore, creates AI agents that perform tasks independently and outperform OpenAI's DeepResearch. Meta plans to operate and sell Manus services and integrate them into its products. Manus relocated to Singapore to avoid Sino-U.S. tensions. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Google's December 2025 core update was completed after an 18-day rollout from December 11 to December 29, 2025. It was the third core update of the year, with more frequent updates expected. The update aims to improve content relevance and quality across all websites, promoting high-quality pages rather than penalizing lower-quality ones.
Google has reduced the minimum audience size limit to 100 active users for all networks (Display, Search, YouTube) and all segment types, including Remarketing and Customer Lists. This change follows earlier reductions and aims to make audience lists easier to use for smaller accounts. The threshold for segments to appear in Audience Insights has also dropped from 1,000 to 100 users. Updated help pages now include more details and tips.
Demand Gen now includes "Google Maps" as a selectable channel in Channel Control, allowing its use within the channel mix or as a standalone campaign. This upgrade offers new ways to optimize Demand Gen campaigns and could significantly impact campaign strategies. For optimization tips, the Demand Gen Playbook is recommended.
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In 2025, Google advanced AI across its products with key updates to Gemini, Android, and educational tools. Major announcements included Gemini 2.0 and 2.5, AI Mode in Search, and the Flow filmmaking tool. Google I/O showcased various AI applications, while Chrome and Gmail updates enhanced user experience. The year ended with the launch of Gemini 3 and new features in Google Maps, highlighting AI's role in simplifying daily tasks.
Google updated its AI Overviews ad documentation to include support for ads in Australia, Canada, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, and the US. Previously, ads were only available in the US. The update also states that ads will not be shown for sensitive topics such as adult content, alcohol, gambling, finance, healthcare, and politics.
Google sued SerpApi for bypassing security measures to scrape Google Search results and licensed content, violating website owners' rights. SerpApi uses deceptive methods like cloaking and fake crawler names to steal and resell content, ignoring site directives. Google follows standard crawling rules but takes legal action against scrapers like SerpApi to protect content and fight web abuse.
Google's Gemini app now lets users verify if videos were created or edited with Google AI by detecting a hidden SynthID watermark in audio and visuals. Users upload videos up to 100 MB and 90 seconds, then ask if AI was used. Gemini provides detailed feedback on AI-generated segments. This verification is available worldwide in all languages supported by Gemini.
In early 2026, Apple Ads will add multiple ad positions in App Store search results on iOS and iPadOS 26.2+. Ads can appear in any position based on bid and ranking, but advertisers can't choose positions. Ads use default or custom product pages with optional deep links. Billing remains cost per tap or install. Existing campaigns auto-eligible for all positions. Ads match searches via keywords, focusing on relevance and bid, ensuring high conversion rates.