Digiday Daily

February 03, 2026

Several major U.S. publishers have filed lawsuits against Google in New York City, claiming that the tech giant’s dominance over ad servers and exchanges made it difficult for publishers to use other platforms, and kept prices for publisher inventory low. They want to be reimbursed.

TOP STORY

Google on Trial

A running list of publisher lawsuits targeting Google’s ad tech practices

Digiday has compiled a running list of publishers’ lawsuits against Google for its ad tech practices, seeking compensation for claimed lost revenue.

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW

The discussion around brand safety and suitability has matured. The industry is now entering a new phase, where brands expect more control, more extensibility into walled gardens and closer accountability to outcomes. Partner insights from Channel Factory.
Weather impacts what people try, buy and how they feel. This powers targeting to predict the moments when weather shifts a consumer’s mindset toward purchase, driving sales and long-term growth. Learn more in this video. Partner insights from The Weather Company.
First-party data offers publishers, commerce media networks and social platforms deeper insight into their audiences for targeting and measurement. Partner insights from Nexxen.

MARKETING

The Creator Economy

In the shadow of Khaby Lame's deal, marketers face hard questions about influence and value

Anyone in marketing gawking at the near-billion price tag attached to TikTok creator Khaby Lame and his deal with Rich Sparkle Holdings isn’t really looking at innovation

Brands in Culture

Gale agency study on emerging media encourages marketers to tap more deeply into communities

The Stagwell agency found that with more social platforms evolving their ad offerings, brands can essentially harness word-of-mouth in a 2.0 manner.

PARTNER INSIGHTS FROM NAME.COM

Why new top-level domains are a core piece of brand identity

Brands that thrive in the AI-powered search era will be those that make their digital identities crystal clear with descriptive top-level domains (TLDs). New TLDs signal credibility, specialization and relevance to algorithms and consumers alike.

Generative AI

How Tree Hut used AI to turn customer feedback into product insights and quadruple social engagement

Tree Hut is increasingly turning to AI to understand what its customer base wants next.

PARTNER INSIGHTS FROM ZETA GLOBAL

How community serves as a personalization and revenue tool for publishers

By offering continuing support and knowledge, like direct communication with journalists, publishers create an environment where readers and subscribers can find lifetime value, helping with sustained revenue.

MEDIA & PLATFORMS

Generative AI

Inside NBCUniversal’s test to use AI agents to sell ads against a live NFL game

NBCUniversal’s Ryan McConville joined the Digiday Podcast to break down the mechanics of the company’s first-of-its-kind agentic AI ad sales test.