Digital Marketing Updates: Let us take a ride to the world of the internet and discover the latest Digital Marketing Updates january. If you missed last month’s digital marketing updates, you could click here to read them. Here is a list of #NewThingsInDigital for December2024.
1. 20 Predictions for Social Media in 2025 [Infographic]
Social media expert Jessica Zollman shares her 20 predictions for the future of social platforms in 2025. She forecasts that platforms will evolve to focus on private sharing and experiential content. Video and immersive technologies will dominate while influencer marketing grows. However, concerns around data privacy and screen time will push users toward more mindful and meaningful connections online.
2. Meta Tests eBay Listings in Facebook Marketplace
Meta is testing integrating eBay product listings directly into Facebook Marketplace as part of a partnership between the two companies. The test allows sellers on eBay.co.uk to sync eligible listings to Marketplace, making them available to buyers in the UK, Ireland, Austria, and Slovakia. This could help both platforms compete with Amazon and other online retailers.
3. TikTok Promotes Lemon8 in the US as Ban Looms
TikTok has been actively promoting Lemon8 to US users as uncertainty around its future in the country grows. The ByteDance-owned app is pushing its similar platform Lemon8 which is already available in some international markets. With the looming ban deadline, TikTok wants to have an alternative recommendation for its community in case it’s forced to cease operations in the US.
4. Google Announces Advanced AI Options for Retailers
Google unveiled new AI features at its marketing Live event to help retailers improve customer experiences. Retailers can now access AI agents to answer common questions on Google Assistant and search. Chatbots can be built without coding using a no-code tool to engage customers and promote products. Advanced machine learning capabilities give insights to better target audiences and personalize interactions.
5. Mastodon Moves To Nonprofit Structure
Mastodon, the decentralized, open-source alternative to Twitter, is transitioning to a non-profit structure to help ensure long-term sustainability and independence. The new non-profit entity will manage funding and development of the Mastodon codebase to maintain it as a free and open microblogging platform not controlled by any single for-profit company.
6. WhatsApp Adds More Video Effects, Improved Reactions UI
WhatsApp continues to improve the video sharing experience with new creative tools. Users can now apply filters and stickers to videos before sending. The popular messaging platform also updated the reactions interface, making it easier for recipients to respond to messages with emojis. These enhancements reflect WhatsApp’s focus on enriching communication through innovative features.
7. Are We Set for a Major Shake-up of Social Media?
This update discusses how social media giants like Facebook and TikTok could face major challenges by 2025 due to younger users switching to newer platforms. Regulation and data privacy laws may also reshape the social ecosystem. New technologies may disrupt the way we connect online. It’s an uncertain time but new opportunities may emerge for both users and marketers.
8. Court Documents Reveal Meta Used Pirated Books To Train Its AI Systems
Court documents reveal that Meta used pirated books to train its AI systems without proper licensing. The documents show that Meta scanned and uploaded copyrighted books from Project Gutenberg and other sites to train AI models on natural language processing. This allowed the models to learn from text but violated copyright law by not obtaining permission to use the full books.
9. Bing Testing Bold Sponsored Labels
Bing is experimenting with new sponsored ad labels that use bold text to distinguish paid results from organic listings. This visual update aims to provide clearer delineation between advertisements and regular search results on the Bing platform. By making the “Sponsored” label more prominent, Bing hopes to enhance transparency and user experience. As digital marketers, this change could impact click-through rates and impressions for Bing Ads.
10. Bing Tests Updated AI Copilot Answer Which Is More Publisher-Friendly
Bing has introduced an updated version of its AI Copilot that aims to provide more publisher-friendly answers. The new Copilot responses are designed to better attribute sources and avoid directly copying content from websites.
This update is in response to concerns from publishers about AI assistants potentially infringing on copyrights by reproducing large portions of text. Bing’s goal is to strike a balance between offering helpful information to users while respecting the intellectual property of online publishers.
11. Google Search Result Snippets Related Reviews Carousel
Google has introduced a new “Related Reviews” carousel that appears in some search result snippets. This carousel displays relevant reviews from third-party sites, providing users with additional context and information beyond the standard listing. For digital marketers, this represents a new opportunity to surface positive reviews and ratings prominently on the search engine results page.
By optimizing their online reviews and structured data markup, businesses can increase the chances of having their reviews featured in this valuable real estate. This development underscores Google’s ongoing efforts to enhance the search experience with more diverse and informative content formats.
12. Google Search Tests Sitelinks Carousels On Desktop
Google has been spotted testing a new sitelinks carousel format in desktop search results. This carousel displays additional links from a website directly in the search results, allowing users to easily navigate to different pages. The carousel features a horizontal scrolling interface, providing a more visually engaging way to surface a site’s top content. This test builds on Google’s existing sitelinks functionality, potentially making it easier for users to find relevant information within a website.
As Google continuously experiments with new SERP features, digital marketers should monitor these changes and adapt their strategies to improve visibility and user experience.
13. Google Tests Search Results Zooming In To Next Page Of Search Results
Google is currently testing a new feature that allows users to zoom in directly to the next page of search results. Instead of clicking through to the next page, users can now scroll or click a button to seamlessly transition to the next set of results. This provides a more streamlined and immersive search experience, keeping users engaged on the search results page for longer.
The test is limited to a small percentage of users for now, but if successful, it could become a widespread change to Google’s core search functionality in the near future. Digital marketers should monitor this development closely, as it may impact user behavior and SEO strategies.
14. Google Testing AI-Generated What People Are Saying
Google is experimenting with an AI-powered “What People Are Saying” feature in search results. This feature would use natural language generation models to automatically produce snippets summarizing what people are saying about a topic online. The goal is to provide users with a quick overview of popular opinions and sentiments without requiring them to sift through individual pages.
However, the accuracy and objectivity of these AI-generated snippets will be crucial, as they could significantly impact how users perceive a topic. Digital marketers should monitor this test closely, as it may present new opportunities and challenges for managing online reputation and brand perception.
15. Instagram Adds Vertically Aligned Thumbnails to the Profile Grid
Instagram has transformed its profile grid display to feature vertically aligned thumbnails, optimising for the modern content format. According to Instagram chief Adam Mosseri, this change reflects how most users now upload vertical content.
While this update impacts existing grid layouts, Instagram is developing customisation tools to help creators maintain control over their profile aesthetics, including options to re-order grid content and adjust thumbnails.
16. In the US, X Introduces a Specialized Video Tab
In a significant move, X (formerly Twitter) has introduced a specialised video tab for users in the US. This new feature aims to enhance user engagement by providing a dedicated space for video content, making it easier for creators and brands to showcase their videos. This update reflects the growing importance of video in digital marketing strategies.
17. Microsoft Bing Now Hiding Google Search Results
Microsoft Bing has begun hiding Google search results on its platform, according to a report from Search Engine Roundtable. This move by Bing appears to be an effort to promote its own search engine and reduce the visibility of its main competitor, Google.
The change was spotted by users who noticed that Bing was no longer displaying links to Google’s search results, even when the Google results were highly relevant to the user’s query. This development is significant, as it represents an escalation in the ongoing rivalry between the two tech giants in the lucrative search engine market.
18. Google Tests Expandable Brand Store Panel
Google is testing an expandable “Brand Store” panel in search results that allows users to browse a brand’s products directly from the search page. This new feature could significantly impact e-commerce and digital marketing strategies, as it provides a more immersive shopping experience without requiring users to navigate to the brand’s website.
By making it easier for consumers to discover and interact with branded content, this feature has the potential to drive increased engagement and conversions for businesses leveraging this new Google search functionality.
19. Bing Tests Real Estate Search Menu Filter
Bing has recently introduced a new real estate search filter in their menu. This allows users to easily navigate and refine their real estate searches directly from the Bing search results page. The new filter lets users toggle between viewing homes for sale or for rent, as well as filter by various property attributes like bedrooms, bathrooms, and price range.
This feature makes Bing a more powerful tool for real estate searches, providing users with a streamlined and efficient way to find the right property. As a digital marketing influencer, this update highlights Bing’s continued efforts to enhance the search experience for users in key verticals like real estate.
20. prior to the expansion of AR, Meta intends to introduce new smart glasses.
Meta is set to unveil new smart glasses as part of its strategy to expand into augmented reality (AR). This launch aims to enhance user interaction and connectivity, positioning Meta at the forefront of AR technology. As the demand for immersive experiences grows, these smart glasses could redefine how brands engage with consumers.
21. After scheduling, threads are released to app users.
Threads is rolling out a post-scheduling feature, allowing users to plan and schedule their content in advance. This much-anticipated update caters especially to social media managers, enabling them to craft more effective strategies on the platform. Scheduled posts will appear in users’ drafts, streamlining the content creation process and enhancing engagement opportunities on Threads.
22. Yahoo Search Tests AI Chat
Yahoo has been testing an AI-powered chat feature within its search engine, allowing users to engage in conversational queries and receive dynamic responses. This integration of generative AI technology aims to enhance the search experience, providing users with more interactive and personalised answers.
23. Google Search Tests Frequently Saved Label On Local Results
Google is testing a new “Frequently Saved” label that appears on local search results. This label indicates which local listings users have frequently saved or bookmarked in the past. This feature aims to surface the most popular and useful local businesses based on user engagement data.
24. Google Search Tests Jobs At Similar Employers
Google has been testing a new feature that allows users to see job postings from employers similar to the one they’re currently viewing. This feature aims to help job seekers quickly find relevant positions at companies that may have similar roles or industries.
The test was spotted by the Search Engine Roundtable team, who noticed a “Jobs at similar employers” section appearing in some Google search results. This addition could streamline the job search process and make it easier for candidates to discover new opportunities they may have overlooked.
25. Bing Tests Black Organic URLs & Green Sponsored URLs
Bing has been testing a new visual update to its search engine results pages, where organic URLs are displayed in black text while sponsored/paid URLs are shown in green. This change is aimed at making it easier for users to distinguish between organic and paid search results. The update is currently in testing and may roll out more broadly in the future.
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