TODAY’S SPOTLIGHT

What is with the all-Google newsletter?

This is a very light time of year for the digital marketing world. Cyber Monday is a week away, and we’re all watching and remaining ready to react to shifts. There’s always one major shopping surprise.

But Google took advantage of the slow time to release a huge quality document it gives its search raters, re-launched Google+, and rolled out a nifty new feature for users of Google Photos.

If you think Google is influential in the US, where it holds about 2/3 of all search traffic, the company has 97 percent market share in Belgium, France, and Finland and 90 percent across Europe.

And that is what you need to know for this week without the hype. Enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday. We’ll be back bright and early on Cyber Monday!

News You Should Know

Google Releases Search Quality Rating Guidelines
Google Releases Search Quality Rating Guidelines

Many search agencies (including us) had seen this 160 page document with links and illustrations on every page. Google made it public so organizations not complying do so at their own peril.

Google Redesigns Google+
Google Redesigns Google+

Google+ has a new look that is centered around communities and “collections” (think Pinterest), but reviews are underwhelming across the marketing sphere. You can preview the new look by logging out and logging back in.

Google Photos Can Now Free Up Space on Your Phone
Google Photos Can Now Free Up Space on Your Phone

Google Photos has a new feature that will let you bulk delete photos and videos already stored online.

Tech in our Lives

The 20 Most Viral Ads of 2015

Total sharing of the top 20 ads: 40.2 million times. See all 20 at the AdWeek article on this link.

TODAY’S SPOTLIGHT

  • Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne blamed a big part of missing earnings on missing a Google ranking change. Wall Street hammered the stock.
  • Just in time for the holiday advertising season, Yahoo! introduced its own advertising platform while it partners with many others.
  • Google’s privacy became easier to understand thanks to the company’s new AboutMe feature and privacy check.

And that is what you need to know for this week without the hype.

News You Should Know

Overstock Blames Change To Google Search Rankings For Hurting Its Growth
Overstock Blames Change To Google Search Rankings For Hurting Its Growth

Overstock.com says it was hit by a change in Google’s search ranking algorithm, hurting growth. Its stock dropped 18% based on the earnings report news.

Introducing Yahoo Product Ads
Introducing Yahoo Product Ads

Yahoo! gets back into advertising the old fashioned way–by offering their own just in time for holiday campaigns.

Google makes it easier to control your personal data and privacy
Google makes it easier to control your personal data and privacy

This is the best overall article we’ve seen on Google’s AboutMe privacy feature. With the new “About me” page, you can view and control what other people see about you across Google’s various services.

Tech in our Lives

Own a Vizio Smart TV? It’s Watching You by ProPublica
Own a Vizio Smart TV? It’s Watching You by ProPublica

Vizio, one of the most popular brands on the market, is offering advertisers “highly specific viewing behavior data on a massive scale.”

TODAY’S SPOTLIGHT

  • Federal officials said they won’t force Google, Facebook, and other companies to honor “Do Not Track” requests.
  • Facebook posted huge increases in usage and revenue. A Bloomberg reporter says usage growth is “accelerating again”.
  • Google’s infamous Penguin update is late, but still on track for 2015.

And that is what you need to know for this week without the hype.

News You Should Know

The FCC says it can’t force Google and Facebook to stop tracking their users

The agency says its net neutrality policy doesn’t let it regulate Web sites — just Internet providers.

Facebook Sales Top Estimates, Fueled by Mobile Advertising

Facebook Inc. notched another quarter of revenue that beat estimates after stepping up its mobile-advertising efforts.

Google Confirms Penguin Update By End of Year
Google Confirms Penguin Update By End of Year

Good news for those anxiously awaiting a Google Penguin update, Google confirms we will be seeing the update before the end of the year. Big news coming on the heels of the “Rank Brain” main algorithm change a couple of weeks ago.

Tech in our Lives

Gmail’s Inbox app will now write (some of) your e-mails for you - The Washington Post
Gmail’s Inbox app will now write (some of) your e-mails for you – The Washington Post

E-mails written by actual robots, rather than just office drones. For now, this is just the Inbox app, not the Gmail app.