This Week in Digital

As a new blog feature, we take a look at what’s been making news and what’s caught our eye in the ever evolving world of digital marketing and all that it entails. Stay on top of what matters and make sure you follow the links to the full articles so you can learn in detail the marketing headlines your business needs to take note of. This week…

• Facebook is testing multiple news feeds on mobile, and a ‘marketplace’ section too. Instead of only one News Feed on the Facebook mobile app, the multiple news feeds will focus on select topics. Some of the news feeds being tested include ‘Style’, ‘Headlines’ and ‘Travel’. Facebook are testing the changes off the back of feedback they’ve received. Their marketplace feature, which is essentially Facebook’s shopping feature, seems to have entered centre stage and is being tested on the US Facebook app. Replacing the Messenger icon on the menu situated at the bottom of the screen, the new Marketplace icon allows you to enter a shopping portal where you can search for and buy products.

• 3 PPC trends and tactics you can’t ignore in 2016. For 2016, your Google AdWords can reach maximum impact with the vast array of ad-extensions available to you. It means your scope to cleverly use AdWords to work with your marketing strategy is more flexible than ever. TrueView ads via YouTube will aid businesses wanting to extend their reach with video campaigns, and Remarketing Lists (RLSA) when properly used will allow you to target those who are interested in your products and services at the right moment, in the right format and optimised for the right device.

• Is Penguin 4.0 coming in March 2016? Of course, the original Google Penguin update hit us in April 2012, and the last update was in October, 2014. So will 2016 see the latest update? Whether it’s this year or the next, without doubt there will be an update. Make sure those links are spam free and try to get some editorial exposure for your business.

• Michael Brenner’s Top Content Marketing Predictions for 2016. As we approach the age of ad blocking, businesses will renew their search for content which seamlessly markets, educates and entertains. Far from viewing ads as ‘evil’ ad delivery will simply need to become smarter in who they are delivered to and how. Alongside this, targeting, visual content and marketing return on investment (ROI) are all featured on the prediction list.

• Nielsen Tops of 2015: Digital. Not much of a surprise, but in the US Facebook took out the lead spot as the top smartphone app. In second place was YouTube, and in third, Facebook Messenger. The top smartphone operating system was Android OS. What this tells us though is that if your business isn’t utilising social media platforms such as Facebook, then you’re severely missing out.

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