Rankster Newsletter #24: Augmented Reality With Cookies 🍪

The weekly newsletter that makes you feel like you CAN keep that Tamagotchi alive..... (I gave my 8 year old my Tamagotchi, she lost interest in 10 seconds.... if only she knew that's where I learnt how to be a parent 😞)

In this edition:

• TIKTOK SEARCH ADS....  Like Amazon PPC, but for TikTok

• CREATE AUGMENTED REALITY (AR) VIDEOS.... TikTok launched their own AR platform and it's so damn cool

• TIKTOK IS FIGHTING BACK....  They just launched Project Texas (sounds like something out a spy movie..... do they have a Chinese Miss Moneypenny? Miss Yuanpenny?

• NO COOKIE TRACKING..... TikTok's solution could be gold for us

TIKTOK SEARCH ADS

It's like Amazon PPC, but for TikTok

Ever seen the claims about how people use TikTok as a search engine? Well, the app has been listening.

And now, TikTok is putting on goggles and diving into the search ad market.

Something like Amazon PPC: Advertisers will be able to bid to keywords and phrases just like on Bing, Google and Amazon, but with a twist......

Because you can already segment users based on their interests, behavior, and demographics, TikTok’s algorithm offers laser pointer potential.

… And if you need more signs: TikTok launched a Keyword Insights element in the Creative Center.

This could help you browse relevant keywords by volume and click-through rate. It’s all coming together…

Why you should  care: TikTok’s ambitious jump into the search market is interesting, and could provide a completely new PPC experience compared to “traditional” search engines.

There’s a ton of potential here for brands that need to reach younger demographics.

Credit goes to the StackedMarketer crew 👊

CREATE AUGMENTED REALITY (AR) VIDEOS

TikTok launched their own AR platform and it's so damn cool

You can download TikTok's new AR generator for free here.

A won't lie..... I tried to make an AR video... and failed miserably 🤬

But I only spent 5 minutes on the app.... but my staff reported the same (maybe they just said that to make me feel better 😞).

But this is why I think everyone needs to learn it or find someone that knows it:

• It's a brand new feature and the 'early bird gets the worm', if you know what I mean 👊

• We can use these videos in Amazon Sponsored Ads.... TikTok content performs incredibly well on Sponsored Ads (our clients use the content we create on TikTok and Amazon).

TIKTOK IS FIGHTING BACK 👊

They just launched Project Texas (sounds like something out a spy movie)

As Rocky Balboa would say, fighters fight. And it looks like TikTok won’t go down without one.

Turns out the company is considering a few potential scenarios to avoid crackdowns by European and US governments.

Worst case scenario? Bye, ByteDance: Leaks from inside the company claim TikTok’s leadership discussed breaking off from parent company ByteDance, which is based in China.

In that case, the company could either go public, or be sold to the highest bidder. Interesting.

Hello, Project Texas: Another plan involves moving all US data to servers hosted by Oracle.

A multi-agency security panel was supposed to investigate how secure the data is, but so far, there’s only been cricket noises.

Meanwhile, the bans keep coming: The UK is the last country to ban the app on government devices after the US and several European countries.

With so much smoke, no wonder TikTok is rushing for the nearest fire extinguisher.

Why we care: It’s the first time we’ve received inside intel about TikTok’s plans, and it may offer marketers some hope for the future of the platform.

At the moment, TikTok is willing to sever Chinese ties in order to remain in major markets.

But is that enough to escape the bans? Time will tell…

Credit goes to the StackedMarketer crew for this... I literally 'copy and pasted' their write-up as they summed it up perfectly.

COOKIE-LESS TRACKING

TikTok's solution could be gold for us but don't tell Cookie Monster

TikTok partnered with a global marketing agency called Dentsu Digital. 

They want to integrate TikTok’s Events API into Dentsu Digital’s cookie-independent platform.

According to TikTok, “X-Stack Connect is a server-side measurement platform that helps advertisers measure online behaviors on websites using access logs with user consent. Profiles can be built around actions like website visits, logins, and form entry information.”

Will this help Amazon seller's to track their orders from external traffic?

Maybe..... but I doubt it 😞 

However, this could be an opportunity in the future and I am pretty some Chinese Amazon sellers are thinking about it.....

That's it for this week 👊

Thanks for reading.

- Paul

PS... My 8 year old used my Amazon 'know-how' to fight bullies....

Quick Story:

A few months ago, my 8 year old came crying because a few boys were teasing her about her stories....

So immediately, I did what any Amazon seller would do....

I helped her write a book and we used AI to create the images....

Then published it on Amazon 

Instead of confronting those boys, my daughter asked me to order a few copies and send it to them.

Each boy received an Amazon package with her book...... published 👊

Gangsta' move! Subtle and powerful..... those boys now think she is a published author with her own line of books.... they now get teased for being so wrong.

In all seriousness, if you buy her book and send me a photo, you will put a smile on her face and I will forever be in your debt..... and I will setup a free 1:1 chat to discuss your business and TikTok (UK listing and US listing).