KIMP’s Picks January 30th: Weekly Highlights In Design, Marketing, AI, & More
As we wrap up another week, it’s time to take a moment to stop and look back at some of the highlights of this week. All those shareworthy posts you perhaps missed. AI news that everyone might be talking about when you clock in next week, social media algorithm changes that might impact your experience in the coming weeks – the buzz that’s worth your time! All that wrapped up in a neat recap post, that’s precisely what the KIMP’s Picks is all about.
So, are you ready for the KIMP’s Picks January 30 Edition? Let’s go!
In the Marketing Realm
Make the most of Google Analytics
Google shared an informative video delving into some actionable tips for brands to adopt in order to tap into the capabilities of Google Analytics. If you are not doing these, you are missing out on all the latest features and improvements.
The video summarizes insights from Eleanor Stribling, a Group Product Manager at Google Analytics. She reiterates the significance of Analytics Advisor to access and process data to improve your strategies. She also highlights the need to regularly audit data to ensure that the campaigns are aligned with the goals and finally, talks about using the Budgeting and Planning tools to understand and effectively plan media spend.
The rise of CTV and the role of YouTube
A recent post from Business Insider explores a fresh take on YouTube and its position in the emerging CTV advertising trends.
New industry research shows a growing number of media agencies are treating YouTube as part of their TV ad strategy, not just an online video channel. A survey of US and UK agency pros found that most of them plan to include YouTube in connected TV ad buys this year. Moreover, many are increasing the portion of campaigns tied to TV screens rather than phones or desktops.
So yes, creating content for YouTube and tweaking your marketing strategy for the platform should now take a different approach.
New research shows agencies are increasingly including YouTube in their connected TV ad budgets ⬇️
— Updates From YouTube (@UpdatesFromYT) January 26, 2026
– A Pixability survey shows 62% of US and 85% of UK media agencies plan to include YouTube in their CTV ad buys this year
– Most agencies (69% US; 80% UK) expect to run more…
Social channel insights in Google Search Console and what they mean for advertisers
Digital platforms no longer exist in siloes. Google is officially blurring the lines between search and social media. A new experimental update in Google Search Console (GSC) now integrates performance data for social channels directly into the Insights dashboard.
While currently limited to auto-detected accounts like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, the update provides a unified view of how your brand is discovered across the web, including social media.
The new insights (currently visible to select sites) show how social content drives discovery, including referral traffic.
Valuable marketing insights from Google
Google shared a video where Steve Hartmann, Head of Integrated Marketing for Experian Consumer Services, shared his quick takes on recent marketing shifts.
In the rapid fire he highlights how the term “authenticity” has been so overused recently that it feels like a marketing jargon to “never hear again”. He also briefly discusses how AI-powered hyperpersonalization looks good on paper but feels impractical sometimes.
He also briefly hints that third-party cookies aren’t dead and that AI in marketing can sometimes “make marketers” lazy. He emphasizes the need for a marketer’s intuition to make marketing more meaningful. Those are some serious insights to ponder over!
In the Content Marketing Realm
The reality behind ranking position in AI recommendations
A post shared by Search Engine Land explores the reality of ranking positions in AI recommendations.
A new study shows that AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Google’s AI rarely give the same brand or product recommendations twice, even when prompts are identical. The research analyzed nearly 3,000 AI responses from identical queries run by 600 people. The observation was that there is no clear consistency when it comes to ranking in AI search results, unlike the consistency in traditional search engines.
The same brands may appear repeatedly, but their position changes constantly. Sometimes a response lists two options. Other times it lists ten. While ranking might change, visibility in AI search matters.
Take this into account when optimizing your content for AI search visibility.
In the Design Realm
Cole Palmer unveils new logo with hidden meaning
Footballer Cole Palmer has revealed a new personal logo inspired by his well-known goal celebration, often called the Ice Man or Cold stance.
The logo blends his initials “CP” into a smart visual reference. A slanted C and an interlocking P form crossed arms, mirroring his signature celebration pose. It moves beyond a basic monogram and leans into what fans instantly associate with Palmer on the pitch.
The online reaction to this logo has been overall positive, highlighting how packing strong meaning into a creative minimalist design creates maximum impact.
In the AI Realm
xAI unveils Grok Imagine API
Grok has unveiled the Imagine API, a new all-in-one suite built for video and audio generation, editing, and creative control. Positioned as its most advanced model yet, Grok Imagine allows users to generate videos from text, bring still images to life, or even refine detailed cinematic scenes, all within a single workflow.
The company says the model matches top video AI providers on quality while improving speed, cost, and scalability. Grok Imagine is designed to let creators and teams test ideas quickly and iterate without friction.
Beyond generation, the API supports advanced editing features like adding or removing objects, changing scenes and environments, restyling footage, and animating characters using real performance input.
Chrome gets smarter with deeper Gemini 3 integration
After expanding Gemini to more languages, Google has announced major updates to Gemini in Chrome. These updates are rolling out across macOS, Windows, and Chromebook Plus. Built on Gemini 3, the update introduces a new side panel that lets users multitask without switching tabs. Gemini now works alongside browsing, helping with tasks like comparing products, summarizing reviews, and planning schedules in real time.
Chrome is also getting built-in image transformation through Nano Banana, allowing users to edit and rework images directly in the browser using simple prompts. No downloads or extra tabs required. Deeper integrations with Google apps like Gmail, Calendar, Maps, Flights, and Shopping mean Gemini can now handle connected tasks, such as pulling details from emails and helping plan trips end to end.
Google introduces Agentic Vision in Gemini 3 Flash
Google has unveiled Agentic Vision in Gemini 3 Flash, a new capability that changes how AI understands images. The model now treats vision as an active investigation, in contrast to glancing at the image just once.
Moreover, when details in the image are hard to spot, Gemini can zoom in, crop, annotate, and analyze images step by step. This helps eliminate guesswork.
According to Google, Agentic Vision uses a Think, Act, Observe loop. The model plans how to inspect an image, executes code to manipulate or analyze it, then reviews the updated visuals before responding. Enabling code execution delivers a consistent 5-10% boost across vision benchmarks, according to Google.
Agentic Vision is currently available via the Gemini API in Google AI Studio and Vertex AI, and will gradually roll out to the Gemini app.
OpenAI introduces an AI-native workspace for scientists
OpenAI has introduced Prism, a free AI-powered workspace designed to modernize how scientists write, collaborate, and publish research. Built on GPT-5.2, Prism brings drafting, editing, working on equations, citations, and collaboration all into one LaTeX-native, cloud-based environment.
It’s available now to anyone with a ChatGPT personal account. Also, OpenAI plans to expand access to this workspace to Business, Enterprise, and Education users soon.
Given that scientists around the world constantly juggle multiple disconnected tools for research and reporting, OpenAI aims to bridge the gap and reduce any friction that affects day-to-day research.
Claude now supports interactive tool integrations
Anthropic has introduced a major update with respect to tool integrations in Claude. This update now allows users to interact with connected tools directly inside the conversations. Instead of switching tabs, users can now build project timelines in Asana, or even draft and preview Slack messages, explore analytics in Amplitude, design diagrams in Figma, and create presentations in Canva, all in real time within Claude.
In fact, these tools don’t just run in the background anymore. They appear visibly inside the chat, allowing users to see changes, adjust inputs, and collaborate as work happens.
Additionally, Claude can search files in Box, analyze data in Hex, manage projects in monday.com, and support sales and research workflows through Clay. Salesforce integration is coming soon as well.
The update is built on the open Model Context Protocol, with a new extension called MCP Apps.
Amazon One Medical launches health AI assistant
Amazon One Medical has rolled out a new Health AI assistant inside the One Medical app. This assistant is designed to make healthcare more personalized, accessible, and easier to manage. Available now to all One Medical members, the assistant provides 24/7 health guidance based on each patient’s medical records, lab results, and medications.
Unlike generic health tools, Health AI understands individual medical history without manual uploads. It can explain lab results, answer complex health questions, recommend the right type of care, book same or next-day appointments, and help renew prescriptions, including through Amazon Pharmacy.
Social Media Feature Updates and Algorithm Changes
Stricter account settings on WhatsApp
WhatsApp is rolling out a new security feature called Strict Account Settings, designed to protect users from highly sophisticated cyber attacks. The feature adds a lockdown-style layer of protection for people who may face elevated risk, such as journalists, activists, or public figures.
With a few taps, users can switch their account to the most restrictive security settings available on WhatsApp. This includes automatically blocking attachments and media from unknown senders, silencing calls from people outside your contacts, and limiting certain app behaviors that could be exploited in advanced attacks. The goal is to reduce potential entry points without requiring users to manually adjust multiple settings.
Snapchat introduces enhanced parental controls for teen safety
Snapchat is rolling out new updates to Family Center, giving parents clearer visibility into how their teens use the app while preserving private conversations. The changes build on Family Center’s original goal of supporting safer, more balanced online experiences with strong default settings.
Based on these updates, parents can now see the average time their teen spends on Snapchat each day and how that time is divided across features like chatting with friends, using the camera, exploring Snap Map, or watching Stories and Spotlight. This is designed to encourage more informed conversations around screen time and digital habits.
X introduces the “Brand Ranx” tracker for improved Super Bowl ad rankings
As the Super Bowl approaches, brands are once again racing to dominate attention around the biggest ad moment of the year. In the past, X (then Twitter) played a central role in measuring which campaigns sparked the most buzz, most notably through its annual Brand Bowl rankings.
Now, X is bringing that idea back with a new feature called Brand Ranx. The live mini-site tracks Super Bowl ad discussions on X and highlights which brands are generating the most engagement on the platform.
Leaderboards are already live, showing which campaigns are being mentioned most, with each listing linking directly to the brand’s profile and posts.
To Conclude…
With that whirlwind of updates, we close this week’s KIMP’s Picks. If you would like a quick snapshot delivered to your inbox, sign up for The KIMP Scoop newsletter! For more extensive coverage, stay tuned for the next edition of KIMP’s Picks! See you soon!
