Google Discovery Ads Take On Facebook
Google ads have traditionally been different to social ads because they rely on ‘search intent’. They show you ads based on what you type into the Google search bar.
This week Google launched ‘Discovery Ads’ a new ad type that works differently and will compete with Facebook ads. These ads will appear in the ‘Discover’ feeds on Google, YouTube and Gmail giving a potential audience of 2.9 billion according to Google.
Google ads traditionally target users on search intent. If you search for something they provide sponsored results based on that search.
Discover ads will target users by audience data which sounds like they’ll use interests and audience retargeting just like social ads.
Retargeting has long been part of Google ads but interest targeting is new. It’s definitely a long awaited response to Facebook ads.
Facebook Workplace Is Beginning To Look Fun
More businesses are talking about allowing remote work full time. This means that businesses need to find better interactive ways to stay connected to co-workers.
Facebook Workplace is an internal networking tool for business that connects co-workers. Mark Zuckerberg announced some big updates this week that will make it more of the tool businesses need.
First up they are making Rooms available in workplace. For businesses that have been using Zoom Facebook is making workplace more attractive. Rooms will be handy for virtual meetings and presenting through the screen share option.
Portal, the device that makes video calling easier will be integrated into workplace. This means meeting attendees won’t have to rely on a laptop to attend a meeting and can comfortably have their laptop open for notes at the same time.
Because the device is fully set up in your home there’s no fumbling around with piles of books to get the camera angle right.
Live studio, the new Facebook live tool that gives you more control over live streaming is being made available in workplace making training sessions easier to manage.
Most exciting of all is virtual reality. Workplace users will be able to set up VR rooms using the Oculus headset making meetings more ‘real’ and giving attendees the opportunity to review products and projects in an VR space.
At Last We Can Create Posts In The Creator Studio App
When Facebook launched its mobile Creator Studio App it was missing one very important thing. The ability to create posts. Which was weird given the name of the app.
This week Facebook is updating their Creator Studio App to allow users to create posts.
This update is rolling out to users immediately and will complement the analytic, comment and direct message features.
As more Facebook users and social media managers become mobile only or at least mobile first we need better tools to manage our social media. When this tool is finished it could be the tool we’ve been looking for.
Does this mean an end to the Facebook Pages app? Will they integrated the ads manager app into Creator? We can only wait and see.
https://www.facebook.com/facebookmedia/blog/post-creation-now-available-on-creator-studio-app
Facebook are re-introducing messenger polls
Group conversations in messenger can be hard to navigate. Even when people use threads it’s difficult to stay on top of responses to a question.
Polls can make it easier to get a quick answer to a question or get feedback on a topic. They used to be a part of messenger but disappeared when Facebook streamlined it.
But they’re back.
How will you use this in business chats? We know there are many Facebookers who are more comfortable with private messaging rather than public. Polls in messenger a great way to get feedback on specific topics, products or services. Use them in group conversations with customers or mastermind groups.
Facebook Shares Accessibility Tips
Are you excluding members or your audience and potential customers from your audience because they have a disability?
This week Facebook shared their tips on making Facebook and Instagram content accessible to all. This is advice we can implement beyond Facebook on all social media, email marketing and our website.
Tips include:
- Capitalise the first letter of each word in a hashtag. This makes it easier for a screen reader to understand.
- Use alt-text to describe the images you share. Again this is helpful for screen readers.
- Use captions on all your videos for those who can’t hear what you are saying.
- Use emoji icons, don’t try and construct them from text as these will confuse screen readers.
Rooms arrive on Instagram
Want to brainstorm or get to know your Instagram followers better? Rooms, the tool we’ve seen being rolled out on Facebook over the last few weeks is now available on Instagram.
To open a room, click on DM, then the video camera icon and select the friends you want to add to the chat.
I’d love to see this paired with a sticker so that you could start chats directly from a story and have conversations with customers.
Facebook Launches 2 New Apps
CatchUp is live now and is like ‘rooms’ for audio calls. You’ll be able to see when people are online and invite them into a group call.
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/catchup-effortless-calling/id1480482152
Collab is in Beta and will help musicians make video collaborations by recording, playing back and playing along. Videos will be 15 seconds long and look pretty cool.
Twitter chat windows
How often do you use DM’s on Twitter. It’s definitely the place I use them least. This week Twitter is testing a pop up chat window, like on Facebook and LinkedIn that could encourage more desktop users to use the DM function.
Would it make you use it more? I think I might.
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