🎯 ChatGPT Hits 1B Users
Hi, Marketers!
Scale hit first, monetization followed—now the entire stack is bending around turning usage into revenue.
ChatGPT Hits 1B Users
TL;DR: General Partner at a16z Andrew Chen shared that OpenAI reportedly reached 1 billion weekly active users for ChatGPT, far outpacing Gmail and Facebook’s growth timelines. The claim sparked debate over what counts as “users,” how much usage is real versus indirect, and whether this unprecedented scale reflects true engagement or simply the power of modern distribution and existing internet habits.
Google Tests AI Ads Strategy
TL;DR: Google is expanding ads into its AI-powered search experiences like AI Mode, introducing tools such as AI Max and “direct offers” that match ads to rich, conversational user intent. Early tests show some retailers achieving up to 80% revenue lift, as Google positions itself as a “matchmaker” between users and brands while experimenting with in-chat commerce and personalized promotions.
SEO No Longer Works
TL;DR: SEO expert Keval Shah argues that relying solely on SEO for growth no longer works in 2026, as Google increasingly prioritizes broader signals like branded searches, traffic, purchases, and reviews. He says brands must build demand through paid channels and other marketing efforts first, with SEO now acting as a secondary effect of overall brand strength rather than a standalone strategy.
TikTok NA Ad Lead Exit
TL;DR: Khartoon Weiss, TikTok’s North America lead for global business solutions, is leaving the company on April 9 after nearly six years to pursue a new opportunity. Her departure follows a wave of senior exits amid TikTok’s recent U.S. ownership restructuring, though the company says regional leadership remains in place and operations will continue without disruption.
Medvi Growth Triggers Ethics Debate
TL;DR: Controversy surged around Medvi, an AI-driven 2 man telehealth brand reportedly generating over $400M in 2025 revenue and targeting $1.8B in 2026, after reports revealed use of AI-generated “fake doctors” and aggressive affiliate ads. While some praised its rapid growth, critics argue these tactics reflect a wider normalization of misleading, legally questionable strategies in DTC.
ChatGPT Ads Moves Toward Scale
TL;DR: OpenAI is expanding ChatGPT Ads beyond its limited U.S. pilot, preparing to launch self-serve advertiser access in April and roll out to more countries. The initial program, previously invite-only with high pricing, generated strong advertiser interest and over 600 participants.
DTC Agency Practices Draw Criticism
TL;DR: A marketer highlighted growing frustration among DTC brands trapped in long-term agency contracts where services are heavily oversold but results fall short, sparking a viral discussion on X. Agencies often push new channels, tools, and strategies to justify retainers while lacking real performance accountability, leaving brands locked into agreements and paying for work that fails to drive meaningful growth.
CTV Ads Face Measurement Reckoning
TL;DR: A Digiday report highlights growing scrutiny from CFOs on connected TV ad spending, as traditional metrics like impressions and ROAS fail to prove real business impact. The report explains results are often overstated due to attribution bias, fragmented identity tracking, and multiple platforms claiming the same conversions, making it unclear if ads truly drove incremental revenue and pushing marketers toward stricter measurement frameworks.ITLE6
Aldi Hands E-Commerce to Instacart
TL;DR: German discount giant Aldi, one of the world’s most dominant low-cost supermarket chains, has abandoned its in-house U.S. e-commerce build and relaunched its website and app using Instacart’s Storefront Pro platform. Leveraging Instacart’s data, fulfillment, and digital tools, Aldi aims to accelerate innovation, improve customer experience, and scale online growth without maintaining its own complex tech stack.
Amazon Adds Fulfillment Surcharge
TL;DR: Amazon will impose a 3.5% surcharge on fulfillment fees starting April 17 across the U.S. and Canada, citing rising fuel and logistics costs driven by Middle East conflict and higher oil prices. Applied per unit rather than item price, the fee pressures already thin seller margins, raising concerns it could become permanent despite Amazon calling it temporary.
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