News

TODAY’S SPOTLIGHT

If your organization advertises using AdWords, you can now target Gmail with an ad that expands when the viewer clicks the screen.

In reputation news, Yelp is now posting a harsh note about 100 different moving companies when its network reportedly pressured customers for good reviews (they actually gave them discounts…) And the FTC, which is far more powerful than Yelp, cracked down on testimonials that were not disclosed as paid testimonials.

This is the third time we’ve mentioned this in 29 issues. You must stop if your organization is using paid endorsements that are not marked as paid. If you’re the one caught, you face harsh penalties, If your agency is doing it, fire your agency. Most people remember the brand names that got caught, not the agency’s name.

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

News You Should Know

Inside AdWords: Native Gmail ads arrive in AdWords for all advertisers
Inside AdWords: Native Gmail ads arrive in AdWords for all advertisers

Big change Ad targets Gmail in “collapsed” mode & only expands when someone clicks to expand it.

Yelp Penalizes 100+ Movers Alliance Business Listings After Group Charged With Misleading Customers
Yelp Penalizes 100+ Movers Alliance Business Listings After Group Charged With Misleading Customers

Yelp has its own issues, but still influences some consumer behavior. A cautionary tale about trying too hard to manipulate those ratings.

FTC Settles With Gaming Network Accused Of Failing To Disclose Paid Endorsements

US agency fires another warning shot against lack of social media disclosures by settling complaint that gamers were paid up to $30,000 to upload video endorsements of the Microsoft Xbox One console.

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.