1. Google Lets Businesses Add a Custom List of Services to GMB Listings
An update to Google My Business will allow service-based businesses to specify the types of services they offer to customers. Google My Business will provide a selection of suggested types of services. [Source: Search Engine Journal]
2. Twitter tests new conversation features from twttr prototype, rollout planned for 2020
Twttr, the prototype app Twitter launched earlier this year, has been testing new ways to display conversations, including through the use of threaded replies and other visual cues. Now, those features have been spotted on Twitter.com, giving the service a message board-like feel where replies are connected to original tweeter and others in a thread by way of thin, gray lines. [Source: Tech Crunch]
3. ‘Pinterest Shop’ Supports Small Businesses This Holiday Season
This year, it’s good to be a small business; especially if you are one that gets to be featured on Pinterest Shop, Pinterest’s new online marketplace for small merchants. According to Marketing Dive, “the rollout of the feature is timed ahead of Small Business Saturday on Nov. 30, an annual occasion that urges people to support local businesses during the holiday rush.” [Source: Social Media Today]
4. Snapchat Usage Projected to Grow Over 14% This Year
Snapchat is projected to grow more than anticipated by the end of this year as the company is making a comeback following several years of disappointing user growth. The fastest growing demographic for Snapchat is users aged 12 to 17. The number of users aged 35 to 64 is also growing in double digit percentages. [Source: Search Engine Journal]
5. AWS makes it easier to add machine learning prediction models to your martech tools, dashboards
Amazon is bringing its machine learning capabilities to more business analysts and developers. The company announced that Amazon Aurora, Amazon Athena and Amazon QuickSight users will now have access to machine learning prediction models that can easily be integrated into various applications and business intelligence dashboards. [Source: Martech Today]
6. Twitter halts plan to remove inactive accounts until it can memorialize dead users
Twitter has followed up with more details surrounding its plan to remove inactive accounts over the coming months. First, the company says the process “impacts accounts in the EU only, for now.” That important tidbit wasn’t made clear when the news broke on November 26th. But far more important is that Twitter has recognized that it can’t go around deleting accounts until it finds a way to preserve the accounts of people who’ve died. [Source: The Verge]
7. Truecaller to foray into credit business in early 2020: Co-founder Nami Zarringhalam
Truecaller plans to use its payments platform to foray into credit business early 2020, turning it into a complete fin-tech company, co-founder Nami Zarringhalam said. [Source: Mint]
8. DAA introduces CCPA opt-out mechanism similar to ‘ad choices’
As the CCPA deadline approaches, there are multiple companies offering tools for compliance. The latest comes from trade group Digital Advertising Alliance (DAA). Conceptually similar to ad choices, The DAA will enable online users to opt out of the sale or transfer of their personal data “across all of the DAA participating companies integrated into the new tools, from a single website or app.” [Source: Martech Today]
9. Google Maps the dominant local search tool, followed by Facebook and Yelp
It’s not a secret that Google Maps has solidified its place as the dominant entry point for local search. In fact, a new consumer survey from Brandify found that 77% of respondents use Google Maps to find “near me” business information well ahead of other sites. [Source: Search Engine Land]
10. WhatsApp Spotted Working On Snapchat Cloned Feature
A month ago, WABetaInfo revealed that it had spotted a new WhatsApp feature called disappearing messages in the beta build 2.19.275 of the Android app. The feature is reportedly in the works, and it has now been named as Delete Messages in the latest beta build 2.19.348 update. This upcoming feature enables users to set chat messages to be detached after a particular period of time. [Source: IBT Times]
