1. Google Gives Businesses Free Ads in Google Maps
Google Ads is rolling out promoted pins to smart campaign advertisers and making them completely free to use for the next few months. [Source: Search Engine Journal]
2. YouTube’s latest experiment is a TikTok rival focused on 15-second videos
YouTube is taking direct aim at TikTok. The company announced it’s beginning to test a new feature on mobile that will allow users to record 15-second long multi-segment videos. [Source: TechCrunch]
3. TikTok Launches ‘TikTok for Business’ Platform for Marketers
TikTok has launched a new ‘TikTok for Business’ website, which provides marketers with a range of resources and tools to help them utilize the short-form video app for their ad campaigns. [Source: Social Media Today]
4. Google Combining Search Console & Analytics Data Into One Report
Google is working on a way to combine data from Search Console and Analytics together in one report that is accessible from either service. Site owners are given advance notice of this beta test. [Source: Search Engine Journal]
5. Facebook Rolls Out Updates for Live Producer Streaming Platform, Including Graphic Overlays for Broadcasts
Facebook has rolled out new tools for creators, with a dedicated ‘Graphics’ tab in Live Producer. In addition to this, Facebook is also adding a new ‘Feature Link’ option to live-streams. [Source: Social Media Today]
6. Instagram expands shopping to more businesses, including creators selling their merch
Instagram announced it’s expanding access to Instagram Shopping to more businesses, including creators who want to sell their own merchandise. [Source: TechCrunch]
7. Google Expands Access to its Business Messaging Tools from Search and Maps
Google will enable more businesses to facilitate direct messaging from customers via maps and search listings, with a new expansion of its business message tools. [Source: Social Media Today]
8. Twitter Pushes More Ads into Feeds, Improves Responsiveness of Algorithm
Twitter has been slowly upping its ad load for some time, but it seems to have been pushing them a little harder in recent weeks. Hence, users are likely to see more ads in the Twitter feed. [Source: Social Media Today]
9. Google updates its analytics tools for newsrooms
Google has introduced two journalism-focused products that sit on top of Google Analytics-News Consumer Insights and Realtime Content Insights, to help newsrooms understand their audiences. [Source: TechCrunch]
10. Instagram Will Enable New Advertisers to Create Ads Without Linking to a Facebook Page
Instagram will now allow new advertisers in some regions to create Instagram ad campaigns without having to link to a Facebook Page. [Source: Social Media Today]
