Is AI a wolf in sheep’s clothing for Google's empire? Mike Ryan and Christian Scharmueller are back to spill the tea on the biggest players in ecommerce! 

This week they're dissecting Google's "fortress" of a business and Meta's uncanny ability to sell us things we didn't even know we needed. Our hosts will also dive into the mysterious case of Amazon's Google Shopping Ads blackout and try to figure out if it was a secret negotiation tactic or just a costly mistake. 

Plus: Chris and Mike are checking out how JD.com is making bold moves in Europe with unexpected partners like IKEA and Media Markt. 

Grab a coffee and join the chaos! And if you don't want to miss our next unfiltered take on the industry, hit that subscribe button.

About smec (Smarter Ecommerce):

At smec - Smarter Ecommerce, we specialize in transforming business goals into optimized ad campaigns. With over 16 years of experience in Google & Microsoft Ads, our intelligent software and expert services help retailers achieve superior results.

We're committed to giving you the tools and insights needed to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of digital advertising.

Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights:

• smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.com
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbh
• Newsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/

Google is positioning AI at the center of its advertising ecosystem with substantial changes to search, shopping, and campaign management. The new "PowerPack" approach combines Performance Max, Demand Gen, and AI Max for search campaigns, though questions remain about how these components will work together without cannibalizing each other.

• AI Overviews and AI Mode represent massive shifts in search, with Google generating answers directly and using "query fanning" to search multiple queries behind the scenes
• Ads will be integrated directly into AI Overviews and AI Mode conversations, changing how users interact with advertising
• "Agentic" shopping experiences allow Google's AI to make purchases without users visiting websites, potentially transforming e-commerce
• Smart Bidding Exploration allows Google to miss ROAS targets by 10-30% to explore new queries, though the benefit to advertisers remains unclear
• New channel-level performance reporting for PMAX provides visibility into which channels and ad types drive results
• Enhanced New Customer Acquisition features offer more granular exclusion options for existing and warm traffic
• Asset Studio and Product Studio provide new creative tools for building and managing assets
• Commerce Media Suite introduces retail media network capabilities, allowing retailers to make first-party audiences available
• Three new AI Experts (Ads, Analytics, and Marketing Advisor) aim to provide conversational assistance for campaign management

Visit smarter-ecommerce.com to access resources like our State of PMax report, our brand versus non-brand PMax script, and our new PMax script to help understand channel performance reports.

About smec (Smarter Ecommerce):

At smec - Smarter Ecommerce, we specialize in transforming business goals into optimized ad campaigns. With over 16 years of experience in Google & Microsoft Ads, our intelligent software and expert services help retailers achieve superior results.

We're committed to giving you the tools and insights needed to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of digital advertising.

Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights:

• smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.com
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbh
• Newsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/

We broke the news: Temu hit the brakes – hard. In this episode, Mike and Chris dig into

• Why Temu suddenly killed all ads in the US, and what happened next
• Signs that Temu's ad spend shifted to Europe
• OpenAI’s move into ecommerce, joining Amazon, Perplexity, and Microsoft in the AI shopping race
• Does Google’s silence might signal hesitation or confidence?
• A debate: how profit vs growth is now the defining tension in retail strategy

This one’s all about who’s advancing, who’s retreating, and who’s holding the line in a market full of shakeups.

About smec (Smarter Ecommerce):

At smec - Smarter Ecommerce, we specialize in transforming business goals into optimized ad campaigns. With over 16 years of experience in Google & Microsoft Ads, our intelligent software and expert services help retailers achieve superior results.

We're committed to giving you the tools and insights needed to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of digital advertising.

Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights:

• smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.com
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbh
• Newsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/

Google’s turning into an answer engine—so why does it feel like the internet’s disappearing beneath it? 

In this episode of Growing Ecommerce, Mike and Chris tackle the search shake-up and what it means for everyone from advertisers to publishers:

• AI Overviews (AIO) could kill clicks — We break down how Google’s zero-click model is reshaping the internet and threatening entire business models.

• Can Google hold its ground in the AI era? Or are leaner, AI-native rivals closing in?

• What is “Vibe Marketing” and why are creative teams obsessed with it? We explore the rise of aesthetic-driven strategy in ad workflows.

• Tariffs are back—and they’re shifting ecommerce strategies fast. Why they might force brands to focus on profitability instead of just revenue growth.

• 2025 is not just about riding the AI wave. It’s about surviving the cracks forming underneath.

Whether you're a marketer, brand strategist, or just trying to stay sane in the age of AI illusions and platform power plays, this episode is your no-BS guide to what’s really happening.

🎧 Subscribe for more deep dives into the future of digital marketing, AI, and platform ethics.
💬 Drop your thoughts: Is zero-click search good or bad for the web?

#AIinMarketing #GoogleSearch #EcommerceStrategy #DigitalAdvertising #MarketingPodcast #GoogleAds

—

About smec (Smarter Ecommerce):

At smec - Smarter Ecommerce, we specialize in transforming business goals into optimized ad campaigns. With over 16 years of experience in Google & Microsoft Ads, our intelligent software and expert services help retailers achieve superior results. 

We're committed to giving you the tools and insights needed to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of digital advertising.

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Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights.

smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.com
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbh
Newsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/

#Instagram #GoogleAds #TikTok #Zuckerberg #DigitalMarketing #AIinAdvertising #BrandSafety #EcommerceTrends #MarketingPodcast

About smec (Smarter Ecommerce):

At smec - Smarter Ecommerce, we specialize in transforming business goals into optimized ad campaigns. With over 16 years of experience in Google & Microsoft Ads, our intelligent software and expert services help retailers achieve superior results.

We're committed to giving you the tools and insights needed to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of digital advertising.

Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights:

• smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.com
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbh
• Newsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/

Who’s real anymore? 

In this episode of Growing Ecommerce, Mike and Chris break down the chaos unfolding across the digital advertising world:

• Instagram is testing AI-generated user profiles — Are we entering a world of fake influencers, and what does it mean for ad targeting?

• Zuckerberg pulls back on content moderation — We dive into the actual data behind Meta’s shift in strategy.

• Google's ads are showing up next to harmful content — A CSAM scandal rocks Google's Display Network. How many brands were impacted?

• TikTok Shop expands to Europe — Could this reshape the e-commerce landscape or is it just another platform grab?

Whether you're a marketer, brand strategist, or just trying to stay sane in the age of AI illusions and platform power plays, this episode is your no-BS guide to what’s really happening.

🎧 Subscribe for more deep dives into the future of digital marketing, AI, and platform ethics.
💬 Leave a comment: How would YOU feel about running ads next to fake AI profiles?

Grab the State of PMax 2025 report—free on the blog or as a downloadable PDF:
https://shorturl.at/ali5A

—

About smec (Smarter Ecommerce):

At smec - Smarter Ecommerce, we specialize in transforming business goals into optimized ad campaigns. With over 16 years of experience in Google & Microsoft Ads, our intelligent software and expert services help retailers achieve superior results. 

We're committed to giving you the tools and insights needed to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of digital advertising.

—

Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights.

smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.com
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbh
Newsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/

#Instagram #GoogleAds #TikTok #Zuckerberg #DigitalMarketing #AIinAdvertising #BrandSafety #EcommerceTrends #MarketingPodcast

About smec (Smarter Ecommerce):

At smec - Smarter Ecommerce, we specialize in transforming business goals into optimized ad campaigns. With over 16 years of experience in Google & Microsoft Ads, our intelligent software and expert services help retailers achieve superior results.

We're committed to giving you the tools and insights needed to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of digital advertising.

Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights:

• smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.com
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbh
• Newsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/

Digital ads in 2025 are anything but boring. In this episode, Mike and Chris unpack:

• Mark Zuckerberg’s eyebrow-raising claim that ads aren’t important (despite 98% of Meta’s revenue coming from ads)
• Amazon’s move to sell its ad tech to other retailers—friend or Trojan horse?

Plus details from our comprehensive new PMax research:

• How Google’s Performance Max is finally shedding its “black box” label, with fresh data from 500+ accounts
• Why your PMax campaigns need 30–60 conversions a month, no matter what Google says
• Why campaign segmentation should follow business logic, not default categories

Grab the State of PMax 2025 report—free on the blog or as a downloadable PDF:
https://shorturl.at/ali5A

About smec (Smarter Ecommerce):

At smec - Smarter Ecommerce, we specialize in transforming business goals into optimized ad campaigns. With over 16 years of experience in Google & Microsoft Ads, our intelligent software and expert services help retailers achieve superior results.

We're committed to giving you the tools and insights needed to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of digital advertising.

Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights:

• smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.com
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbh
• Newsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/

Big changes on Growing Ecommerce! Chris Scharmueller joins Mike Ryan for a fresh, unscripted take on the latest in online retail. In this episode:

• Amazon vs. Temu: What Amazon’s “Haul” launch says about their playbook and profit risks
• Perplexity AI: Can it challenge Google by fusing search and shopping?
• Nike’s DTC misstep: When cutting out retail partners backfires
• Marketing strategy: Are you spending where influence occurs?

All that and more, plus a hot take or two. Hit play.

About smec (Smarter Ecommerce):

At smec - Smarter Ecommerce, we specialize in transforming business goals into optimized ad campaigns. With over 16 years of experience in Google & Microsoft Ads, our intelligent software and expert services help retailers achieve superior results.

We're committed to giving you the tools and insights needed to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of digital advertising.

Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights:

• smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.com
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbh
• Newsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/

Discover the forces reshaping the ecommerce landscape leading into 2025 as host Mike Ryan guides us through a labyrinth of game-changing developments and strategic maneuvers. From the Department of Justice's legal challenges against Google to the emerging battleground between Amazon and Temu, Mike gives insight into how these seismic shifts might just redefine what we know about monopolies, market dynamics, and consumer engagement. Could the verdicts against Google have unintended consequences? How are AI shopping assistants poised to shake the platforms? What is going on with Temu and Amazon's I-hate-you-so-much-that-I'm-going-to-copy-you-exactly strategies?Prepare for a year-end review like no other, as Mike tracks the tectonic movements of e-commerce titans and advertisers. Witness Pinterest’s alliance with Google as it seeks to unlock new monetization avenues, and get a glimpse into Meta's latest updates aimed at refining attribution and take over account structures. With AppLovin's unexpected rise in digital advertising and Microsoft's steady pursuit of relevance, this episode brims with expert analysis and provocative questions about what lies ahead. Whether it's the AI evolution or the competitive dynamics between industry giants, Mike Ryan unpacks the strategies and potential pitfalls in this ever-evolving landscape.

About smec (Smarter Ecommerce):

At smec - Smarter Ecommerce, we specialize in transforming business goals into optimized ad campaigns. With over 16 years of experience in Google & Microsoft Ads, our intelligent software and expert services help retailers achieve superior results.

We're committed to giving you the tools and insights needed to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of digital advertising.

Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights:

• smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.com
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbh
• Newsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/

Can a new low-price, slow-shipping strategy from Amazon truly rival Temu's direct-from-China model? On this episode of Growing ecommerce, host Mike Ryan dissects some of the biggest headlines from Q2 including Amazon's attempt to fight back against Temu, and Netflix's advertising woes, which led to another VP dismissal just one day after earnings were reported. He also discusses how Pinterest's ad deal with Google is shaping up, changes to Meta's remarketing mix, first reactions to Prime Day, and more.Tune in for an episode packed with insights and strategies that are shaping the future of the industry.

About smec (Smarter Ecommerce):

At smec - Smarter Ecommerce, we specialize in transforming business goals into optimized ad campaigns. With over 16 years of experience in Google & Microsoft Ads, our intelligent software and expert services help retailers achieve superior results.

We're committed to giving you the tools and insights needed to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of digital advertising.

Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights:

• smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.com
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbh
• Newsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/

(Recorded live at IRX Birmingham)
Rob Davis is Acquisition Marketing Director at THG Beauty, a division which is responsible for £1.2B of THG's total revenues, and which includes brands such as LOOKFANTASTIC, Cult Beauty, and Dermstore. Rob tells how growth in the Beauty ecomm sector is shaping up, and which tech and consumer trends he's watching now. Plus, we get Rob's take on economic trends including the resilience of the luxury market and mythbusting the Lipstick Effect. Lastly we get Rob's take on Google's automation and new AI features. It's a great conversation that might just change the way you view Health & Beauty.

About smec (Smarter Ecommerce):

At smec - Smarter Ecommerce, we specialize in transforming business goals into optimized ad campaigns. With over 16 years of experience in Google & Microsoft Ads, our intelligent software and expert services help retailers achieve superior results.

We're committed to giving you the tools and insights needed to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of digital advertising.

Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights:

• smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.com
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbh
• Newsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/