Daily Archives: May 19, 2020

While Facebook takes a big leap into eCommerce with its new Shop options for both Facebook and Instagram, it’s also working on a range of more advanced AR and AI-based tools to improve the online shopping experience. This week, The Social Network has outlined some of its evolving digital shopping tools, which are designed to make product recommendations more personalized, and address limitations in virtual product assessment. First off, Facebook’s testing out a new 3D-like option which enables Marketplace sellers to provide a full view of their items within their listings. As explained by Facebook: “We’re introducing Rotating View, a state-of-the-art 3D-like photo capability that allows anyone with a camera […]

Facebook is testing out a new option that would enable group admins to set up specific alerts for posts that are seeing increased engagement within their communities. As you can see in these screenshots from Facebook group admin Karen Cummings (shared by social media expert Matt Navarra), in addition to ‘Keyword Alerts‘, which Facebook rolled out late last year, some admins now have a new option to create ‘Engagement’ alerts also. As per Facebook, engagement alerts let admins know ‘when posts or comments in your group are getting a big response’. When you choose to set up an alert, you can also select the specific types of engagement you want to know […]

Facebook has reportedly expanded its test of mid-roll ads in video to all forms of video content, after initially only trying them out within selected live-streams, in addition to them being available within publisher or Facebook original content. As reported by AdWeek, Facebook has confirmed that the mid-roll ads in the new trial will be non-skippable for the first five seconds, then users will be able to tap a ‘Skip’ button to go back to their video. AdWeek provided this example of how the skippable ads will look. Facebook will allow video ads of up to 15 seconds in length during the test, though it hasn’t specifically noted how long […]

LinkedIn has published a new guide to key content trends during COVID-19, which includes a range of tips on how to maximize connection with your audience, and examples of how brands are responding to the crisis. There are some handy, helpful insights and notes in the 22-page guide. Here’s an overview of some of the key points. First off, LinkedIn notes that content engagement on its platform around the topic of COVID-19 has seen a massive rise in recent months. In general, LinkedIn was already seeing steady growth in overall user engagement, quarter-on-quarter, but as with all online platforms, usage has gone through the roof during the coronavirus lockdowns, and the […]

As many, including myself, have noted many times over the years, Twitter has a problem with bot profiles. For years, users have complained about the impact of bots and fake accounts on the platform, and while various research reports have pegged Twitter’s fake profile levels at between 5% and 15%, their presence is seemingly even more significant than that. Researchers have repeatedly pointed to massive swarms of bot accounts being used for malicious purpose, with the most concerning use being the amplification of political messages, in order to drown out opposing views. But Twitter now says that a lot of those stats are incorrect – and not only are they incorrect, but they’re also, potentially, […]

LinkedIn has today launched its fourth annual State of Sales report, which looks at key market trends and shifts, based on surveys of over buyers and sellers across the US. And based on the topline findings, it’s clear that COVID-19 has significantly altered the current sales landscape. The pandemic has impacted almost everything we do, and as such, these trends will likely come as no surprise. But it is interesting to note how businesses are now changing their approaches in line with the new sales environment. First off, LinkedIn notes that the measures for success have changed, with more organizations moving to longer-term growth goals. “Our survey data indicates that […]

Pinterest is rolling out a new product recommendation tool called Shopping Spotlights, which will showcase selections of Pin products as chosen by fashion influencers and publishers. As explained by Pinterest: “Today, we’re excited to introduce an entirely new feature called ‘Shopping Spotlights’ which bring the expert recommendations of influential fashion and home tastemakers, as well as publishers, directly to you. In addition to editors’ picks, you’ll be able to easily shop curated ideas based on current Pinterest trends. With the feel of a personal stylist, and the look of an editorial magazine, shopping the latest trends as well as product picks of your favorite influencers and magazines has never been easier.” […]

After years of working around the edges, and trying to find ways to make a bigger dip into eCommerce, the COVID-19 pandemic has finally given Facebook the push is needs to take the next major step. Today, Facebook has launched ‘Shops‘ on both Facebook and Instagram. As explained by Facebook: “Facebook Shops make it easy for businesses to set up a single online store for customers to access on both Facebook and Instagram. Creating a Facebook Shop is free and simple. Businesses can choose the products they want to feature from their catalog and then customize the look and feel of their shop with a cover image and accent colors […]