Adthena vs Promptwatch

Adthena shortlisted at the Search ‘n Stuff Awards 2026

Adthena has been shortlisted at the Search ‘n Stuff Awards 2026, and its AI Overview Dashboard won at the Global Search Awards 2026.

OpenAI launches product carousels in ChatGPT ads

OpenAI has added a product-carousel ad format to ChatGPT that displays multiple products in a single placement at the bottom of user conversations, built from retailers' product feeds. While carousels currently surface items from a single retailer, the system supports showing multiple retailers side-by-side. OpenAI's ad platform automatically determines whether to serve a single-product ad or a carousel. Separately, an AppsFlyer integration lets roughly 40 brands (including Grubhub) attribute app installs, in-app purchases, and subscriptions to ChatGPT ads, though it does not measure incrementality. The rollout follows automation that enables retailers to bulk-create product-feed campaigns and includes guidance ahead of Q4 holiday spending. Together these moves create basic infrastructure for performance advertising on ChatGPT, even as advertiser control, measurement depth and scale remain open; reported ad-revenue targets include $2.5 billion for 2026 and $100+ billion by 2030.

• OpenAI launched a product-carousel ad format in ChatGPT that appears at the bottom of conversations and expands from single-product ads.
• Carousels and single-product ads are generated from retailers' product feeds; carousels currently show items from one retailer but the system can support multiple retailers side-by-side.
• OpenAI's ad platform decides whether to serve a single-product ad or a carousel rather than advertisers selecting the format.

Reddit citations plunge in ChatGPT, raising advertiser concerns

Analysts report a sudden, steep fall in Reddit-sourced citations in ChatGPT Search: PromptWatch recorded an 86% decline (from about 3.83% to ~0.52%) after August 14, and Petra Labs observed roughly an 80% drop with other social-platform citations also down. OpenAI declined to explain the change; observers suggest causes including ChatGPT’s source‑selection behavior, Reddit moderation to curb spam and low‑quality AI content, shifts in Reddit–OpenAI licensing or negotiations, or commercial motives as OpenAI builds advertising and retailer integrations. A similar, disruptive collapse previously followed Google removing a search parameter used by scrapers. Marketers warn the volatility undermines AI/GEO visibility strategies and reinforces the value of owned, first‑party content and authentic community engagement over manipulative tactics.

• PromptWatch tracked Reddit’s share of ChatGPT citations falling from ~3.83% (mid‑July to early August) to ~0.52% after August 14 — an 86% drop.
• Petra Labs’ analysis observed roughly an 80% decline in Reddit citations on ChatGPT and decreases in citations from other social platforms.
• Gizmodo asked OpenAI about the citation drop; OpenAI did not provide an explanation.

Promptwatch CEO on Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)

Promptwatch founder and CEO Gijs de Groot discusses how search behavior is shifting from traditional engines like Google to AI-driven systems, and why brands must optimize across a broader information ecosystem—what he calls Generative Engine Optimization (GEO). Promptwatch, founded in March 2025, offers a platform that measures brand visibility in AI dialog systems, uses CDN log data and other signals to recommend technical and editorial optimizations, and has introduced a new solution called "Agentic AI Search Optimization" that can apply optimizations automatically. De Groot stresses the continuing importance of owned websites, high-quality content, and trusted sources while warning against mass low-quality AI content and an exclusive reliance on LLM-centered strategies.

• Promptwatch was founded in March 2025.
• Promptwatch offers a platform to optimize brand visibility in AI-driven dialog systems and to measure visibility in language-model answers.
• Promptwatch's entry packages start at €85 per month; the company also offers business licenses and enterprise solutions.