After a June full of interesting features and updates, the month of July signifies that brands are bettering themselves with each update.
In the first half, we saw many tests and updates, and the second half looks just as interesting.
From WhatsApp’s new voice message previews, Twitter new Retweet with Comment, Instagram’s new algorithm to take down accounts to Facebook’s new ad format, LinkedIn’s notification filters and Bing’s new Carousel format, platforms are updating themselves in every way possible.
New Features Coming Up For Google Search Console
Google is coming up with two new features:
(a) Search within the markup so you can quickly find the spot that you want to adjust.
(b) Copy the code and markup and then make tweaks to it.
See if these tweaks pass validation and result in the outcome you desire.
Alexa is Announcing Two New Features to its Competitive Analysis
The new Alexa Site Overview service now gives keyword opportunities and audience analysis about any site or its competing sites.
WhatsApp is Testing An Update To Share Status Update as Facebook Story Too
In WhatsApp’s new testing program, there is a feature that allows you to share a new status update on Facebook Stories too.
For those who are using the WhatsApp beta version, you will now see a sharing option underneath your Status update.
Instagram Has Updated Its Layout, again!
The photo and video-sharing social networking service is continuously updating its software.
This time the users will notice a change in their profile layout.
When a user visits a profile, you can either click on your photos separately or see your tagged photos only.
You can still scroll through the pictures instead of clicking on them individually.
Previously message and following button were under the number of followers and post but with this updated version you’ll find the button under the profile bio.
Facebook Is Testing a New Update to Mute Notifications
Tired of all the unimportant notifications and missing out on the main ones? Facebook constantly brings news features and this time we have yet another update.
It is trying out some new, simple commands to clear all your notifications. Also, it will mute push updates for whenever you choose.
This option will remove almost all the red dot notifications, dropping them from your feed.
As Facebook said, “We are testing new ways to give people more control over the notifications they receive in the Facebook app. People don’t necessarily want to see a notification on the badge [the in-app dots on tabs] if they’re already getting notifications in the jewel [the red counter on the Facebook app icon on your phone’s homescreen]”
LinkedIn Adds New Custom CTA Buttons for Pages
Recently, LinkedIn is introducing exciting and helpful features and updates for its users.
For its new update, LinkedIn is adding some new options to help businesses.
This time, it will help brands drive more desired action from its users. This will be in the form of custom call to action buttons for company pages.
As explained by LinkedIn:
“As a Page Admin, we’ve heard that you want the ability to customize the way you engage with your Page followers and visitors. Beyond the primary “Follow” button, we’ve now added the ability to select a custom CTA button for your Page. Five new options make it easy to turn your Page visitors into potential leads, and new analytics dashboards will provide deeper insight into how many visitors are clicking through.”
The five new CTA options are:
– Contact us
– Learn more
– Register
– Sign up
– Visit website
Twitter Updates Search Results with Additional Contextual Info
Have you noticed a change in your search results lately?
This might be because of Twitter’s new update.
You may have noted that there’s more information there, relating to trends, mutual follows – additional context to help guide you to the results that you’re actually looking for.
This update is now being rolled out to all mobile platforms.
Instagram is Rolling Out New Ad Units in its Explore Tab
Instagram has announced that it’s adding a new ad unit to its Explore feed.
When you tap into an image in the Explore feed, it will redirect you to a separate listing with relating posts. Within that separate stream, as you scroll through, you may also now be shown a related ad.
As explained by Instagram:
“We’re introducing ads in Explore slowly and thoughtfully in the coming months. After tapping on a photo or video in Explore, people may begin to see ads as part of their browsing experience just like in the main feed.”
LinkedIn Is Reportedly Working On Notification Filters
Lately, LinkedIn is coming up with various updates and new features for better user experience.
One such update is enabling a filter to notifications bar to get only specific types of alerts.
The filter options are:
a) All Notifications
b) Your Updates: Related to any activity involving the user such as mentions, reactions, comments, etc.
c) Network Updates: Related to activities transpiring in a user’s group or network.
d) Jobs: Related to Job Recommendations and Alerts.
LinkedIn Updates Campaign Manager
LinkedIn is constantly coming up with new updates. Here’s what’s new- it is adding three new features to its Campaign Manager, along with an optimized click pricing option.
a) Brand Awareness campaigns. This new feature allows advertisers a top of funnel campaign option designed to help them increase their “share-of-voice” on the platform.
Brand Awareness campaigns are charged by impressions (CPM: cost per thousand).
b) Enhanced Website Conversion capabilities– the platform is enhancing its website conversion capabilities.
It’s building “tighter integration” with its conversion tracking tools, according to Senior Product Manager Amita Paul.
To this Paul comments, “You can create campaigns that are optimized for specific actions on your website, like purchases, downloads or event registrations,”.
c) Ads for LinkedIn Talent Solutions customers. LinkedIn is introducing Campaign Manager to its LinkedIn Talent Solutions customers.
They are giving HR and recruitment professionals the ability to runs ads which aim at delivering more completed job applications via either LinkedIn or the customer’s website.
d) Optimized Click Pricing. LinkedIn is now introducing optimized click pricing to align with an advertiser’s objectives.
Advertisers that select “website visits” as their objective will only be charged for clicks that take users to the advertiser’s landing page.
Facebook Updates Ad Tools
Ever wondered why do you see a specific ad on Facebook even though you’re not relating with it?
This may be because of Facebook’s new update.
Facebook is introducing a series of updates to its suite of ad tools.
The update will provide people with the logic behind why they are being shown specific ads beyond a simple demographic match or internet history.
Earlier Facebook showed you ads basis your website visits or demographics. But now, you’ll see more detailed targeting, including the interests or categories that match you with a specific ad.
Facebook is Changing its Ad Format
If you’re using Facebook for advertising, you might want to take a note here.
The key changes are as follows:
- Fewer lines of primary text will show on mobile News Feed– Earlier, about 7 lines of primary text were shown on Facebook’s mobile news feed.
Now only 3 lines of primary text will show, after which people will be prompted to click to view the additional text.
- Maximum media height for photos and videos will reduce – The tallest supported aspect ratio for images without links and for videos is now vertical (4:5).
Media taller than 4:5 will be masked on the news feed.
LinkedIn Adds New Services Listings for Profiles
Calling out all the freelancers and SMBs- now it’s easier for you to get listed on LinkedIn.
LinkedIn is rolling out a new update which will enable freelancers and SMBs to list the services they provide on their LinkedIn profile.
This, in turn, will help them to be found for the same in search results.
The new option will allow users to add a section on their profile which showcases the various services they provide.
LinkedIn has also added this as a search option, meaning that when people go seeking other people who offer the same, they’ll be able to filter their results based on this new section.
– Visit your profile page from your mobile app or desktop, and if this feature is turned on for you, you’ll see a box under your profile photo/headline that talks about how to showcase the services you provide.
– Click “Add Services,” and then fill out the form to provide details about the services you provide. Be as detailed as possible so members who view this section have a good sense for what you provide.
– Click “continue” and this will automatically be added to your profile.
WhatsApp to soon allow users to preview voice messages before sending
WhatsApp lets its users send short audio recordings but there isn’t a way to preview the recorded message before sending.
This pain point will soon be taken care of and the upcoming update will let the users listen or preview the audio message before hitting the send button.
Instagram is Testing AR Effect Sticker
Instagram is reportedly testing a new feature that will allow users to use a “green screen” effect in their Stories.
It is testing a new update that will allow users to use a “green screen” effect in their Stories.
Hence, exciting AR effect stickers are coming on our way.
‘Swipe to Visit’ is finally on Google Images
Google introduces “Swipe to Visit,” an Image search feature that displays a preview of an AMP-enabled website’s header.
Once a user selects an image result, he/she can swipe up on the preview to load the image’s corresponding web page.
This new UI feature may help AMP-enabled publishers get more traffic from their photos by making their websites a single swipe away.
New Tool ‘AdInboxMe’ Provides Email Alerts
With new features and updates introducing every day, it is giving the advertisers the power to reach out to their competitor’s audiences too.
Making use of Facebook’s Ad Library, PixelMe’s new ‘AdInboxMe’ tool is an interesting one.
It will send you an alert whenever your competitor launches a new Facebook ad campaign.
This, in turn, will help you to stay up to date with the offers and processes they’re using.
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