1. Google rolls out placement exclusions for Smart Shopping campaigns
The ability to exclude undesirable ad placements for Smart Shopping campaigns has been spotted in the Google Ads interface. Placement exclusions can be applied to the Google Display Network and YouTube. [Source: Search Engine Land]
2. WhatsApp could soon allow users to search for nearby restaurants, local stores: Report
Instant messaging platform WhatsApp is reportedly planning to announce a new feature that will allow users to search nearby businesses. The feature has been rolled out for some people in Sao Paulo and it will be released to more people in the future. [Source: Indian Express]
3. Zoom acquires video production assets from Liminal
Video meeting platform Zoom announced today that it has acquired assets from Liminal, a video production technology startup built largely off of Zoom’s SKD. This addition caps off a series of events upgrades Zoom has implemented throughout 2021. [Source: MarTech]
4. Google Merchant Center allows retailers to save product filters
The ability to save product filters has been spotted in Google Merchant Center. This nifty, albeit minor, update can save marketers some time that might otherwise be spent fumbling through data to find what they’re looking for. [Source: Search Engine Land]
5. Draft ecommerce policy, rules to be released together soon
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the ministry of commerce will release the draft ecommerce policy, which will lay down the ground rules for online trade and address gaps in overall digital commerce policy. The ministry of consumer affairs, food and public distribution will release the draft ecommerce rules aimed at ensuring consumer interest is protected. [Source: The Economic Times]
6. Google Search Console testing announcement bar
Google is testing a new announcement bar or tab at the top of the Google Search Console interface. The bar does not yet seem to function properly but has three levels of announcements depending on the urgency of the information. [Source: Search Engine Land]
7. HT Media partners with AdsWizz to launch programmatic podcast marketplace
HT Media has partnered with AdsWizz to create India’s first programmatic podcast marketplace. This strategic relationship enables brands to access millions of listeners in India with real-time buying and selling of podcast advertising. [Source: Best Media Info]
8. Google now lets you place products at the top of your local and Maps listing
Google Business Profile, formerly Google My Business, has a new feature in the products section that lets you mark a product as “special.” After you mark a product as special, that product will be moved to the top of the products you listed in your Google Business Profile listing. [Source: Search Engine Land]
9. Instagram to ‘double down’ on video, focus on Reels in 2022: Report
In a video message, Meta-owned photo-sharing platform Instagram’s head Adam Mosseri said that the platform will “double down” on video and focus on Reels in the upcoming year. [Source: Business Standard]
Google had a busy year of search algorithm updates in 2021, but some might question the timing of many of those updates during an already super stressful year. [Source: Search Engine Land]
