1. Google Makes Changes to GMB Listings With Distance-Based Service Areas
Google is going to automatically apply changes to Google My Business listings with distance-based service areas. Managers of Google My Business listings affected by this change will have the opportunity to review these updates after logging into their account. [Source: Search Engine Journal]
2. Facebook Might Follow Instagram By Removing Like Counts
Facebook may take a page out of its own playbook by removing like counts, similar to what’s being tested on Instagram. The screenshots shared by Wong indicate that Facebook’s hidden likes will work the same way. [Source: Search Engine Journal]
3. YouTube Announces Changes to Data Collection and Ad Targeting on Videos Aimed at Children
YouTube has announced a range of new measures to better protect children using its platform, reducing data collection on content aimed at kids, and the capacity for advertisers to target young viewers through ads on such content. [Source: Social Media Today]
4. Google Introduces New Structured Data for Movie Carousels
Google is rolling out a new type of structured data to help movies appear in new dedicated movie carousels. In order for a movie to be eligible to display in a carousel, only the title of the movie and an accompanying image need to be defined using structured data. [Source: Search Engine Journal]
5. LinkedIn Launches New Course on Building a LinkedIn Presence and Utilizing its Ad Tools
LinkedIn has launched a new course designed to educate people on how to make best use of the platform for brand-building and marketing, covering all aspects of LinkedIn’s on-platform tools. [Source: Social Media Today]
6. Google Search Console Makes it Easier to Verify Domain Properties
Google is working with domain name registrars to automate the process of verifying domain properties in Search Console. Domain properties were introduced to Search Console this year as a way of providing site owners with a complete view of their data. [Source: Search Engine Journal]
7. YouTube Outlines its Improving Efforts to Remove Inappropriate Content
YouTube has provided a specific update on the first element listed – removing inappropriate content, and how it’s been working to improve its efforts on this front. [Source: Social Media Today]
8. Google launches an open-source version of its differential privacy library
Google has released an open-source version of the differential privacy library it uses to power some of its own core products. Developers will be able to take this library and build their own tools that can work with aggregate data without revealing personally identifiable information either inside or outside their companies. [Source: Tech Crunch]
9. Facebook Begins Rolling Out Updated Desktop Layout
Facebook has now started rolling out the new experience to users, with a prompt notifying them of the change. The new layout aims to make it easier to navigate to your favorite elements, with tabs along the top of the screen, and a more compressed view. [Source: Social Media Today]
10. Facebook Updates Face Recognition Permissions to Provide More Control
Facebook has announced that it is removing its current ‘tag suggestions’ setting, which relates to the prompts it generates based on people it can identify in an uploaded image and improving its face recognition permissions, enabling users to opt-out of the process with one click. [Source: Social Media Today]
