If you use an Apple device, you may have noticed you’re seeing fewer ads – and you may like seeing fewer ads. Most Apple users like Apple’s new privacy changes. However, if you’re one of the millions of people who have an online presence either as your full-time job or as a side hustle, there is a cost to Apple’s policy.
Apple’s privacy changes are starting to negatively impact the online advertising market. This is making it more difficult for ecommerce companies and tech companies i.e. Facebook, Snap, YouTube, etc. to make money on ads. Under Apple’s new policy, apps have to ask for users’ permission to track them. As a result, many users have opted out, which makes it harder for social media companies to offer brands and marketers targeted ads. This means it is harder for advertisers to test and measure the effectiveness of ad campaigns.
Meanwhile, the price of social media ads is increasing, with clients recently paying 25% more on average to run ads on Facebook. As a result of higher prices and less ability to target customers, some brands are reigning in the amount they spend on advertising.
Apple isn’t the only behemoth company making waves for consumers.
Google has decided to remove YouTube from Roku. Google announced that Roku customers will not be able to download YouTube or YouTube TV apps on their Roku devices after December 9, 2021.
The change does not impact existing Roku customers who already have YouTube installed, but any Roku device purchased after December 9th will not be able to access YouTube.
Roku says that in negotiations with Google, the tech giant asked for special access to search data from Roku customers before it agreed for YouTube to be available on Roku devices. Google also wanted YouTube’s videos to appear higher in Roku searches. Roku agreed to the terms but said it asked Google not to request any other customer data. Google refused, which led to the current impasse. The disagreement has drawn the attention of lawmakers in favor of more antitrust requirements for Big Tech.