The constantly evolving world of social media is ever-changing and marketers, business owners and even the daily Facebook user should be aware of the updates. Make sure you are subscribed to our blog to get the monthly news and updates on all things social media sent right to your inbox. Let’s check out some of the latest news.
Google+ is Headed for the Google Graveyard
Joining the deathly ranks of Google Reader, Google Glass and Dodgeball, Google+ is officially on the way out. If you’re thinking that it’s about time, then you’re not alone. After a security breach in which user data was exposed (and the revelation that G+ sessions last less than 5 seconds for 90% of users) Google has decided it’s time to close it down. Just in case you have actually been using Google+ in recent years, you can read their blog about their plans to shut it down and how you can save your data.
You Can Now Sell Products Through Instagram Stories
Earlier this year Instagram announced that it would be extending its product tagging feature from posts to Stories. For brands that have products for sale on their website, Instagram can be a powerful tool to bring people to your website and sell your goods! Instagram finally rolled out the new feature in recent months, so if you haven’t set up your product catalog yet, get to it! Instagram Stories is the new and best way to keep engagement up on Instagram. For more recent Instagram updates, read this.
Your Facebook Page Can Join Facebook Groups
Facebook Groups were around before Pages were a thing, and now they’re coming back in style. Some Groups will now allow Pages to join and post, so if you’re a brand that wants to get into some local niche Groups to promote events or services, give this a try. It’s a much better option than posting in Groups through your personal profile! Make sure you read the Group rules before posting, as many have rules against being overly promotional.
Facebook Adding First-Party Cookies to Their Pixel
Starting on October 24, 2018, Facebook will be adding first-party cookies to their Pixel. A cookie is a small snippet of text that is placed on the hard drive of a user’s computer by the server of a website that they visit. Facebook’s update is good for advertisers – the number of individuals manually blocking third-party cookies or deleting them regularly has been steadily increasing. Think about the number of times you clear your cache, you’re removing all those third-party cookies as opposed to the first-party cookies.
As an advertiser, you can opt out of this if you want to (by default you’re opted in, you’ll need to change your settings to opt-out). For those who are advertising in data-sensitive areas such as healthcare and finance, you’ll want to opt-out.
For everyone else, you’ll probably want to keep the first-party cookies. The first-party cookie (in addition to the third-party cookie that the Pixel already utilizes) will help give you more data and a better overall picture of your marketing efforts. This is good for advertisers!
If you’re advertising on social, you can and should add tracking pixels to your website so you can utilize remarketing audiences.
- Add the Facebook Pixel
- Add conversion tracking for Twitter
- Add the LinkedIn Insight Tag
And just for fun… 7 Cringeworthy Social Media Fails.
Questions about social media? Need help with a competitive audit or social strategy? Let us know! Email Caitlin at cthayer@matternow.com.