1. Coronavirus Delays Google Chrome Cookie Update
Google is delaying the rollout in how they treat cookies because the coronavirus epidemic makes it difficult for companies to manage their developer teams and keep them from complying with the new standards. [Source: Search Engine Journal]
2. YouTube Officially Lifts Monetization Ban on COVID-19 Content
YouTube has lifted the monetization ban on content that is either about, or references, COVID-19. Although some exceptions apply. The monetization ban had already been lifted for a limited number of channels, but now the change has been rolled out throughout the platform. [Source: Search Engine Journal]
3. Pinterest Adds a New ‘Shopping’ Tab to Search Results
Pinterest is expanding its shopping capabilities with upgrades to existing features and new shopping tabs throughout the platform. Pinterest is introducing new ways to shop from pins, on pin boards, and in search results. [Source: Search Engine Journal]
4. Google postpones Google Partners program changes slated for June
In February, Google announced sweeping changes to the requirements for agencies to qualify for the Google Partners badging and certification program. Now, amid the upheaval caused by the coronavirus pandemic and shelter in place orders, Google is postponing the changes until 2021. [Source: Search Engine Land]
5. Twitter Will Now Allow Some Brands to Make Reference to COVID-19 in Ads
After announcing a ban on all ads which mention “coronavirus” or “COVID-19” last month, Twitter has now revised its stance in order to enable some advertisers to mention the virus in selected promotions, based on utility. [Source: Social Media Today]
6. Bing Introduces New Ways for Site Owners to Control Their Search Snippets
Bing is rolling out new tools for site owners to control how their site appears in Bing’s search results. The site owners have always had some control over their search snippets, but with the features, site owners can further customize how their web pages are previewed in Bing search results. [Source: Search Engine Journal]
7. Google pushes out Google Ads API v1 sunset date
Google is postponing the Google Ads API v1 retirement and giving developers more flexibility around updates that require changes to their AdWords API and Google Ads API code. The decisions announced, are meant to help businesses dealing with the upheaval caused by COVID-19. [Source: Marketing Land]
8. LinkedIn Events is Now Available to All Pages to Assist with Connectivity Amid the COVID-19 Lockdowns
LinkedIn has now made its new Events option available for all company pages, previously only available to selected company pages, but it recently announced that it would make it more broadly available sooner to help cater for the COVID-19 impacts. [Source: Social Media Today]
9. Facebook Lets Businesses Show Temporary Service Changes on Their Facebook Pages
Businesses making temporary changes to their usual services can now prominently display those changes on their Facebook page. This capability is being added in response businesses being forced to close due to the COVID-19 outbreak. [Source: Search Engine Journal]
10. Spotify’s Self-Serve Ad Studio Exits Beta to 18 Markets Worldwide
Spotify is continuing to move forward even during COVID-19 outbreak with their ad model growth, particularly for brands that may not have the in-house capabilities of bigger name players who routinely crank out radio ads. [Source: Search Engine Journal]
