1. Google brings free product listings to its main Google Search results
Google is introducing a shift to free product listings in the main Google Search results page in the U.S. Before, it would only showcase sponsored links in its “product knowledge panel.” [Source: TechCrunch]
2. Facebook Adds Custom Audience Creation Options Based on Shopping Activity
Facebook has this week added some handy new Custom Audience creation options to align with increasing eCommerce activity. Now, in your Custom Audience options through Facebook Ads Manager, there’s a new option to create a listing based on ‘Shopping’. [Source: Social Media Today]
3. Microsoft launches a free Search and Social campaign management platform for SMBs
Microsoft’s Digital Marketing Center is moving past pilot stage. The platform enables small businesses to manage organic social media and paid search and social campaigns across Microsoft, Google, Facebook and Instagram, and Twitter’s ad platforms. [Source: Marketing Land]
4. Google is streamlining ‘Ad’ labeling for Shopping ads
In November, Google quietly changed the way it labels Shopping ads across mobile search results. Now it’s bringing that change to desktop. Soon, the “Sponsored” label that still appears in the upper right above Shopping ads on desktop will be replaced with the black “Ad” label as well. [Source: Search Engine Land]
5. LinkedIn Adds New Analytics Tools for Company Pages, New Process to Limit Page Follow Invites
LinkedIn has rolled out a range of new tweaks, including new Follower analytics for company pages, a new audio option for pronunciation on user profiles, and an alternative process for limiting company page invites. [Source: Social Media Today]
6. With new ‘pilot program,’ Google again testing ads on local business profiles
Google is testing ads again in local business profiles. The company did something similar in 2017 and again last year. Businesses cannot opt-out or choose the advertisers that appear on their local profiles. The ads can appear both on desktop and mobile. [Source: Search Engine Land]
7. Instagram is Testing a Full-Screen Stories Display as Stories Usage Continues to Rise
Instagram has confirmed that it’s testing a somewhat intimidating full-screen Stories display. The new test points to the likely future of Instagram, which will be one where the app opens to a full-screen Stories display, in order to align with increasing Stories use. [Source: Social Media Today]
8. Facebook Expands Creator Monetization Program, Adds New Analytics Tools and Ad Options
Facebook is opening up its Fan Subscriptions and live-stream ‘Stars’ payment options to more creators, while also adding new ad tools and analytics insights to help creators maximize their Facebook presence. [Source: Social Media Today]
9. Google Analytics Filters Bot Traffic From App + Web Properties
In an update to Google Analytics, bot traffic will be automatically filtered out of reports for Web + App properties. This filtering cannot be turned off and site owners will not be able to see how much bot traffic was excluded. [Source: Search Engine Journal]
10. Twitter’s Working on a New Collaborative Option for Fleets
Twitter already looks to be testing out a new iteration of its Fleets tool, which would enable users to create collaborative Fleets, which is Twitter’s version of Stories. That could provide a range of new use cases, including interviews, real-time highlights from events, GIF wars, etc. [Source: Social Media Today]
