• Small businesses will be able to book a 1:1 consultation with a Google Ads rep for fifty bucks.
• Watch: YouTube posted an interview with a Shorts expert to talk about the algorithm.
• A new study finds that older adults are still underrepresented in ads. 
• Gen Z is cool with targeted ads. 

If you’re in the Instagram game right now, you know that the platform is heavily prioritizing Reels, and investment in short-form video is paying off. For a closer look at what’s working, Socialinsider breaks down the numbers in a recent study:

• Instagram Reels have had a 57.4% YoY growth in usage.
• In 2023, Instagram Reels score an average engagement rate of 1.23%, making it the best performing content type on the app. That said…

“If your insights indicate Reels outperform feed posts, then lean in more to Reels – but don’t go all in on any one type of content,” Jen Herman, Instagram marketing expert

• Reels’ engagement entered a dropping phase, indicating that growth might not remain stable as other platforms compete in the short-form video race.
• Reels generate the highest amount of saves for the smallest profiles. Users save content they plan to return to, so this metric matters.
• Carousels generate the highest number of comments for the smallest and largest accounts.
• Reels is your best bet for virality, due to their reach rate being more than double other types.
• Reels have a 2x higher average impression rate than other types of content.

Check out the study in full over at Socialinsider.

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The reformulated and redesigned Pepsi Zero Sugar is looking crisp in this campaign as the brand looks to capitalize on growth in the not-as-sweet category. The “Better With Pepsi” push will continue through the fall to celebrate 125 years of the soda brand.