Happy Tuesday,
Another week means another series of the latest internet marketing news to help you stay on top of the marketing game!
This week, we'll discuss some essential updates, starting with Instagram sharing their revenue with creators through ads on IGTV. Then, we'll see Google adding new ways for businesses to highlight service offerings in their GMB profiles. We'll also take a look at the new tools Google is adding to help businesses call for support and promote online options during COVID-19.
Finally, we'll look at Facebook Marketplace opening up for businesses to sell their new products. As well, we'll take a peek at Google Discovery Ads!
So, let's dive right in!
Instagram will Share Revenue with Creators for the First Time Through Ads in IGTV
There's great news for Instagram creators who used to rely on indirect sources of revenue, like branded content and merchandise sales! As of now, the Facebook-owned social platform is rolling out new ways for creators to make money directly using their content on Instagram Live and IGTV.
IGTV's initial monetization will have two offerings: ads and budgets. They've also noted the expansion of their Live Shopping offerings. On Instagram Live, creators will be able to sell badges and monetize their videos. Viewers have the option to choose between three different badges. All of them look different, and once bought, they will show up in front of a purchaser's name as they comment. Creators will also be able to see everyone who made the purchase.
Instagram will begin to run ads on IGTV and share at least 55% of the ad revenue with creators. A few brands that will be running IGTV ads include Sephora, Puma, and Ikea.
Google Rolls Out 3 New Attributes for GMB Listings
Google is adding new ways that will allow businesses to highlight service offerings in their GMB profile. As such, they're adding three new attributes to Google My Business profiles. These attributes let customers know what a place has to offer so they can know which places are open for them to visit.
These attributes will show up as customers look up a business in Google Search and Maps. Initially, these attributes have been "WiFi," "outdoor seating," and things of that sort. But, according to our present situation, it's more helpful to know whether a business has a curbside pickup.
Since many businesses are back and opening up, highlighting whether a business has resumed its dine-in service or not is very useful for customers. Because of this, Google has decided to focus on the new attributes.
Google Adds New Tools to Help Businesses Call for Support and Promote Online Options During COVID-19
Google has expanded options to allow businesses to call on clients for donations while looking for new ways to promote alternate, online offerings to help SMB's during the COVID-19 lockdowns.
Firstly, Google is giving businesses access to its support links on GMB profiles. This enables them to call for donations and promote gift card purchases within their Google listings.
According to Google:
"We've partnered with PayPal and GoFundMe for donations. For gift cards, merchants can link directly to the relevant page on their website or to their gift card offerings with one of our eligible partners, which includes Square, Toast, Clover and Vagaro."
Along with this, Google is also adding a new search option for making it easier for customers to find support options for local businesses.
"To help connect them with nearby businesses in need, we've made it possible for people to look up their favourite local businesses by name to see if they've added donation or gift card links to their Business Profile. And in the coming weeks, people will also be able to use Search and Maps to find all of the nearby businesses that are asking for support."
Read the entire article to learn more about these tools!
Facebook Marketplace is Open for Businesses Selling New Products
The old misconception that Facebook Marketplace is still only a C2C platform is no longer true. Initially, FaceBook Marketplace gave individuals the option to make local purchases. However, as they grew in popularity, Facebook added new features, like the ability to make transactions and the option to offer shipping. Currently, they are only open to US-based businesses selling new products.
Facebook's internal data in 2019 shows that one out of three Facebook users also utilizes Facebook Marketplace. This provides major B2C opportunities for US retailers. We can definitely expect it to be useful to retailers globally.
Read the complete article to explore the reasons why sellers should get a jump on using Facebook Marketplace!
Google is Coming for Facebook Budgets with Discovery Ads, Now Available Globally
Google introduced two image-driven ad tests at its Google Marketing Live event last year. This includes gallery ads for search campaigns and Discovery ads for testing. However, Gallery ads didn't perform well enough and will soon get shuffled off!
Discovery campaigns rolled out last month and are now available to all advertisers globally. These ads are eligible to serve across the YouTube Home and Watch Next feeds, Discover feed on the Google Search app, and in Gmail Promotion and Social tabs. This will open up new avenues for both Google and advertisers.
Discovery campaigns are not just an effort by Google to surpass search intent and deliver audience connections through the funnel. But most importantly, they give Google an avenue into working with social budgets and teams.
To learn how to get started with Discovery campaigns, check out the entire article.
Wrapping Up!
So far, we saw some new features and essential updates rolling out to help you market your products, even during this pandemic. From Instagram sharing revenue with creators for the first time through ads in IGTV to Google rolling out three new attributes for GMB listings and new tools, there's a lot happening. As well, Google is adding to help businesses call for support and promote online options during COVID-19. We also came across Facebook Marketplace opening for businesses selling new products. Finally, we saw Google coming for Facebook budgets with discovery ads!
If you'd like to learn more updates on the world of digital marketing and enhance your knowledge, take the time to check out our latest blogs and #StayHomeStaySafe.
