CHECK24 vs Verivox

Verve CEO Remco Westermann Predicts Huge Growth for LLM Advertising

In an interview, Verve CEO Remco Westermann discusses the impact of AI on consumer trust and advertising. He cites a Verve study showing that users distrust AI-generated content, especially younger demographics (45% of 18-24-year-olds), but trust AI as a personal advisor and shopping assistant. Westermann sees this trust as a huge opportunity for LLM-based advertising, predicting that chatbots will eventually become ad-funded, similar to Google's evolution. He advises brands on AI disclosure, emphasizing its importance for trust, but suggests it should not overshadow the message. For comparison platforms like Check24 or Booking.com, he advises integrating AI capabilities to offer personalized advice. He believes LLM advertising will be 'very big', with a mix of premium and programmatic ad sales, and notes that consumer offerings will rely more on advertising than B2B models.

• Verve CEO Remco Westermann predicts LLM advertising will become 'very big'.
• A Verve study shows 45% of 18-24-year-olds report a loss of trust in AI-generated content.
• Verve's main business is in the USA, where AI usage in advertising faces less critical questioning than in Germany.

Check24 Achieves High TV Reach with Few Spots

Check24 reached the Top 25 of highest-reach brands in German TV ad breaks by running only 230 spots, achieving 304 XRP (rank 19). The ads promoted Check24's tax software, which received good grades from Stiftung Warentest. Most spots ran on large broadcasters—21.3% on RTL—and almost 85% of Check24's airtime was placed via the Ad Alliance; the remainder aired on ProSieben, Sat.1, Das Erste and ZDF. All Eyes On Screens compiled the ranking using XRP (Exact Rating Points) measured in Vodafone households. The article also notes broader weekly ad-ranking results: Kinder (Ferrero) topped the list, and Trade Republic significantly increased its ad pressure.

• Check24 ran 230 TV spots in the measured week, the fewest in the weekly ranking.
• Check24 achieved a gross reach of 304 XRP, placing it 19th in the weekly TV-ad ranking.
• 21.3% of Check24's spots aired in RTL ad breaks; the Ad Alliance accounted for almost 85% of Check24's spots.

CHECK24 adds Dealz, Handwerker-Modus, and Umzüge-Modus to navigation

New navigation links for Dealz (deals), Handwerker-Modus (craftsman mode), and Umzüge-Modus (moving mode) have been added to the CHECK24 website.

BNPL Surges for Large Purchases

Buy now, pay later (BNPL) is gaining significant traction for larger online purchases. According to a representative Verivox survey, 15% of respondents would now prefer to pay for an online purchase over 1,000 euros in installments, up from 9% in 2024. This is the strongest growth among common payment methods. Invoice remains the most popular (29%), followed by PayPal (21%) and cards (14%). The trend is particularly pronounced among lower-income households, with 23% of those earning under 2,000 euros net monthly favoring installments, versus only 7% of those earning over 4,000 euros. However, the rise in BNPL usage also increases the risk of over-indebtedness. New stricter regulations on installment financing, including comprehensive creditworthiness checks, will take effect from November 20. For smaller purchases (25-100 euros), PayPal remains dominant, and installments are rarely used.

• 15% of respondents prefer installment payment for online purchases over 1,000 euros, up from 9% in 2024.
• Invoice (29%) and PayPal (21%) are the most preferred payment methods for large purchases.
• 23% of households with net income below 2,000 euros prefer installment payments, versus 7% of households earning over 4,000 euros.

Anschlussfinanzierung: Rate steigt um knapp 400 Euro – Zinsvergleich kann bis zu 10.000 Euro sparen

Verivox reports that the monthly rate for follow-up financing (Anschlussfinanzierung) is rising by nearly 400 euros, but a comparison of interest rates can save up to 10,000 euros.

Digital Daily Use Varies by Age and Income in Germany

A Verivox survey reveals that despite near-universal device ownership (99% have smartphones, 98% have laptops/PCs), a significant portion of Germans still perform everyday tasks offline. 10% do banking without internet, 16% plan trips offline, and 17% close contracts without digital tools. Usage patterns vary strongly by age, gender, and income: older adults (60+) are more likely to do tasks offline, women prefer smartphones more than men, and higher income/education correlates with laptop use. Shopping and online research are highly digitalized across all groups.

• 10% of Germans conduct banking without internet, 16% plan travel offline, and 17% close contracts without digital devices.
• 99% of respondents own a smartphone; 98% own a laptop or PC.
• Among those over 60, 32% close contracts offline, 26% plan vacations without digital help, and 28% do not use social networks.