News

TODAY’S SPOTLIGHT

More than one billion accounts accessed Facebook in a 24 hour period this week. There are 7.3 billion individuals on Earth. Your organization needs a Facebook strategy.

Google continues making inroads on local search and is warning businesses to verify their listings via a Google My Business account. Let us know if you need help–we are the local Google partners for Chantilly, Virginia.

And finally, a look at how the power logos have for your brand when an artist swaps logo colors of competing brands.

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

News You Should Know

One Billion Accounts Accessed Facebook in A Single Day
One Billion Accounts Accessed Facebook in A Single Day

Following in the footsteps of AOL, CompuServe, and other gateways to the Internet, Facebook is the place many people start and end their Internet journey. One billion unique accounts accessed Facebook in a single day this week. No organization can afford to ignore Facebook.

Google Warns Again, Login To Your Google My Business Account Or Else...
Google Warns Again, Login To Your Google My Business Account Or Else…

In June, Google began warning business owners that they need to login and verify their business listings within the Google My Business account. If they did not, they run the risk of a deleted listing.

Here's What 22 Famous Logos Would Look Like If They Swapped Colors With Competitors
Here’s What 22 Famous Logos Would Look Like If They Swapped Colors With Competitors

As the author points out, this is a little disconcerting. We already know what makes a successful logo—remember, simplicity is key. But what about its color scheme?  A Brazilian graphic designer, Paula Rúpolo, recently experimented with 22 major brand logos, swapping the colors of a brand’s logo with that of its competitors.

News

TODAY’S SPOTLIGHT

While talking with a client I’ve known nearly 10 years, the conversation moved to the concept of a filter bubble. Everyone needs to understand those just for their own education on how you are shown media, online content, and why there is no such thing as a universal Google ranking. Eli Pariser gives a great 9 minute TED Talk about this issue, and it’s still very relevant.

We also have news this week about social media used by Millenials (born 1981-1997), some time-saving new WordPress features, and the latest search marketshare numbers that show a surprise.

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

News You Should Know

Millennials Love Kik, Snapchat and Other Messaging Apps

Traditional text messaging isn’t dead, but it’s facing stiff competition from messaging apps like WhatsApp and Kik says a Pew report.

WordPress 4.3 Brings Improved Password Security, Easier Text Formatting

Latest release, named “Billie” in honor of famed jazz singer Billie Holiday, also adds easier menu changes, site icons and more. I LOVE the new keyboard formatting shortcuts. Give them a try.

comScore Releases July 2015 U.S. Desktop Search Engine Rankings – comScore, Inc

Google Sites led the explicit core search market in July with 64 percent of search queries conducted. The big news is that Bing & Yahoo just reached 33% market share in North America. Stop ignoring them if you are.

SPECIAL: Filter Bubble TED Talk Video

Eli Pariser: Beware online “filter bubbles” | TED Talk

As web companies strive to tailor their services (including news and search results) to our personal tastes, there’s a dangerous unintended consequence: We get trapped in a “filter bubble” and don’t get exposed to information that could challenge or broaden our worldview.

SPOTLIGHT: Target’s Social Media Challenge, Google Updates Ad Settings
News

TODAY’S SPOTLIGHT

There was lots of news about a man who posted troll-like (but hysterical) Facebook comments to people complaining about a new policy. I thought that the way Target handled things was worthy of further probing and was moved to write a blog post–on a Saturday, no less.

Plus, read how to get out of Google’s interest-based ads, see the ad that got Bic in hot water, and read about the New York Times automating journalism (again).

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

NEWS YOU SHOULD KNOW

Target Wins Social Media Challenge | Silver Beacon

Department store company Target could easily have blown this social media challenge when a non-employee began telling off vocal protestors over a new policy. We don’t post our own stuff a lot, but this is a great case study.

The New York Times built a Slack bot to help decide which stories to post to social media

The bot, named Blossom, helps predict how stories will do on social media and also suggests which stories editors should promote. The trend is many years old, but the results are stunning for the stories it predicts.

Google Updates Ad Settings
Google Updates Ad Settings

This is a worthy read because of the many illustrations. Google now tracks you when you’re logged in or logged out. There is a 3 step proces that helps you control this. Bottom line: you can opt-out of Google’s “interest-based” ads by following instructions. You’ll still see ads. They just won’t be targeted to your behavior.

AD OF THE WEEK

Bic Apologizes for Women's Day Ad That Mostly Just Made Women Furious
Bic Apologizes for Women’s Day Ad That Mostly Just Made Women Furious

This is normally a funny or great ad, but wow, did Bic mess up—-AGAIN. Bic continues to have trouble talking to women. The pen maker, which was the object of ridicule a few years ago for its absurd “Bic for Her” pens, failed spectacularly in South Africa this week, posting a tone-deaf ad on social media for national women’s day that drew swift criticism—and soon led to an apology.