1. Google adding local store details to Shopping, free Promoted Pins for Smart campaigns, more
Google announced several features and updates aimed at helping small and brick-and-mortar businesses re-emerge as local economies begin reopening during the coronavirus pandemic. [Source: Marketing Land]
2. YouTube Tests New Shoppable Product Ads, Launches “Video Action” Campaigns
YouTube is adding a new eCommerce ad unit, and a new way to maximize your video campaigns, in order to help marketers, capitalize on the rise of online video. YouTube is also adding new eCommerce products listings beneath video ads. [Source: Social Media Today]
3. Twitter starts rolling out audio tweets on iOS
Twitter is rolling out the ability to record audio snippets and attach them to your tweets. The new feature is available first on iOS and launching for “a limited group of people,” according to the company. [Source: The Verge]
4. Google Adds Quick Insights on Ad Performance and ‘Keyword Themes’ for Ad Targeting
Google’s looking to enhance its simplified Smart Campaigns offering by adding a new way to quickly check on your Google Ads performance, and a new listing of keywords to target, based on your products and services. [Source: Social Media Today]
5. Facebook takes legal action against individuals scraping platforms for data
Facebook is attempting to clamp down on those creating and using automated tools that puts users of its various platforms at risk of data theft or manipulation. [Source: Silicon Republic]
6. Google’s latest experiment is Keen, an automated, machine-learning based version of Pinterest
A new project called Keen is launching from Google’s in-house incubator for new ideas, Area 120, to help users track their interests. The app is like a modern rethinking of the Google Alerts service, which allows users to monitor the web for specific content. [Source: TechCrunch]
7. Instagram Tests Shopping Tags in Post Captions
Instagram is testing a range of in-stream shopping tools, including Shops and the expansion of shopping tags. Instagram profiles will have the ability to add product tags in their post captions, which, when tapped, take you through to a shoppable product page. [Source: Social Media Today]
8. Google‘s New Chrome Extension Supports ‘Scroll to Text Fragment’ Feature
Google has released a new Chrome extension that makes it easier for people to link to specific pieces of text within a page called as ‘Scroll to Text Fragment’ allowing anyone to create a link that, upon click, takes users to a specific piece of text on a page. [Source: Search Engine Journal]
9. Facebook Expands Fan Subscriptions for Gaming Streamers, Adds In-Stream Ad Breaks
Facebook is now looking to expand its Fan Subscription program to more streamers, while also adding more options for streamers to monetize their broadcasts. Facebook is also working on several versions of ads in gaming streams. [Source: Social Media Today]
10. Google Ads’ Policy Crackdowns Continue
Google continues a busy few months of ad policy updates and changes, this time dealing with ad creative and imagery, along with pausings for violations. [Source: Search Engine Journal]
