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Category: Insights

Instagram Expands Carousel Limits: What 20 Frames Mean for Your Content Strategy

Posted on by amber90

Introduction

Instagram carousel format is once again evolving, offering users more creative freedom with their content. Recently, Instagram announced that all users can now include up to 20 frames in a single carousel post, doubling the previous limit of 10. This update, which follows months of testing, allows creators and businesses to share even more photos and videos in a single post, making it easier to tell a comprehensive story or showcase a series of related images.

The Expansion of Instagram Carousels

For years, Instagram carousels have been a popular way to share multiple photos or videos in one post. Originally introduced in 2017 with a 10-frame limit, carousels quickly became a favourite feature among users, offering a dynamic way to engage followers with multiple pieces of content at once. Over time, Instagram has gradually increased the number of frames users can add, first expanding to 15 frames earlier this year, and now to 20 frames as of August 2024.

What the New 20-Frame Limit Means for Users

The ability to add up to 20 photos or videos in a single carousel post opens up new possibilities for content creators and brands alike. Whether you’re sharing a step-by-step tutorial, a travel photo album, or a detailed product showcase, the expanded frame limit allows for more comprehensive storytelling.

Additionally, Instagram has been experimenting with other carousel features, such as text overlays and variable image formats, which further enhance the creative potential of carousel posts. With 20 frames, users can create what is essentially a live photo album or a mini-video series, all within a single post.

How to Leverage the 20-Frame Carousel for Your Content Strategy

So, how can you make the most of Instagram’s expanded carousel feature? Here are a few ideas:

  1. Storytelling: Use the extra frames to craft a more detailed narrative. For example, share the full journey of a project, from concept to completion, or document an entire event or trip.
  2. Product Showcases: Showcase different angles, features, or uses of a product in one post. This is especially useful for e-commerce brands looking to highlight product details.
  3. Tutorials and How-Tos: Break down complex processes into easy-to-follow steps, using each frame to illustrate a different part of the tutorial.
  4. Engagement: Encourage followers to swipe through all 20 frames by creating a story or series that builds intrigue or offers value with each swipe.

By strategically using all 20 frames, you can increase engagement and provide a richer experience for your audience. Check out this video here as Katie Lance shares how to create this content.

How Instagram’s Carousel Update Compares to Competitors

It’s interesting to note that Instagram’s move to increase carousel frames is part of a broader trend in social media. TikTok, for instance, allows users to include up to 35 photos in a single post, showing that the demand for more comprehensive content-sharing options is growing. However, while TikTok is often associated with short-form videos, its photo slideshow feature has become increasingly popular.

Instagram’s 20-frame limit strikes a balance between offering more content space without overwhelming users, and it will be interesting to see how this impacts content strategies across the platform.

Conclusion: Maximize Your Content with Instagram’s 20-Frame Carousel

The expansion of Instagram carousel to 20 frames is a game-changer for content creators and businesses. This update provides more room to showcase your work, tell your story, or engage with your audience in a meaningful way. As Instagram continues to innovate and expand its features, staying ahead of these updates can help you maintain a competitive edge in your social media strategy.

At Amber 90, we specialize in crafting social media strategies that leverage the latest tools and features. Contact our team today to learn how we can help you make the most of Instagram’s new 20-frame carousel and other updates to enhance your brand’s presence.

LinkedIn Introduces Company Page Verification: A New Way to Establish Trust

Posted on by amber90

Introduction

LinkedIn, the professional networking giant, is taking another step to enhance trust and authenticity on its platform. After rolling out verification badges for individual users last year, LinkedIn is now extending this feature to company pages. This new verification process aims to help businesses establish credibility and trust with their audience by displaying a grey verification badge on their official pages.

Why LinkedIn Company Page Verification Matters

In today’s digital landscape, authenticity is more important than ever. Businesses need to assure their audience that they are legitimate and trustworthy. LinkedIn’s new company page verification badge does just that. This grey badge signals to users that a company page has passed LinkedIn’s checks for identity and authenticity, making it easier for users to trust that they are interacting with the official representatives of the brand.

What the Verification Badge Means

The grey verification badge on LinkedIn company pages is not just a symbol; it represents LinkedIn’s confirmation that a company has met specific criteria. According to LinkedIn, the verification process includes assessing:

  • The accuracy of key data points on the page, such as location and website URL
  • The presence of active page administrators
  • Whether the page is claimed and not just a listing
  • Compliance with LinkedIn’s policies

These factors ensure that the company page is authentic and actively managed, which in turn helps to build trust with the audience.

How to Get Your Company Page Verified

If you’re interested in getting your company page verified, LinkedIn has made the process relatively straightforward—though it may take some time. Currently, LinkedIn is rolling out the verification feature to a limited number of company pages.

To check if your page is eligible, navigate to the “Verification” settings on your company page. If your page meets the criteria, you can add it to the waitlist for verification. LinkedIn will approve pages at its discretion, and verified pages will display the verification date in their settings.

However, it’s important to note that with over 58 million company pages on LinkedIn, the verification process may be slow. LinkedIn has a lot of pages to review, so it could take some time before your page receives its grey badge.

Is the Verification Badge Valuable?

The introduction of the verification badge is a positive move for LinkedIn and its users. Any additional layer of trust and authenticity is beneficial, especially in a professional setting where credibility is key.

That being said, the limited rollout and slow approval process might be frustrating for some businesses. However, once fully implemented, the verification badge will likely become a valuable asset for companies looking to establish their brand’s authenticity on LinkedIn.

Conclusion: Enhance Your Brand’s Trust with LinkedIn Verification

LinkedIn’s new company page verification feature is an excellent way for businesses to establish trust and credibility on the platform. Although the process might be slow, the benefits of having a verified page are clear. If you’re looking to enhance your brand’s trustworthiness on LinkedIn, it’s worth checking your page’s eligibility for verification.

At Amber 90, we specialize in helping businesses navigate the ever-changing landscape of social media. If you’re interested in optimizing your LinkedIn presence, contact our team today. We can help you get the most out of LinkedIn’s new features and ensure your brand stands out in the crowded digital space.

Meta’s Removal of Detailed Targeting Exclusions is a Game-Changer for Advertisers

Posted on by amber90

Introduction

The world of digital advertising is always changing. Meta, a leader in social media ads, recently made a big update that will affect how businesses target their audiences. Starting July 29, 2024, Meta will no longer allow detailed targeting exclusions in new ad campaigns. This change, backed by Meta’s advanced AI, aims to improve ad performance by letting the platform optimize who sees your ads.

Why Meta is Removing Detailed Targeting Exclusions

Many advertisers might be surprised by Meta’s decision to remove detailed targeting exclusions. In the past, these exclusions helped refine audiences by filtering out certain demographics, interests, or behaviours. This seemed like an effective way to improve ad performance. However, Meta’s research suggests otherwise.

The Impact of Meta’s Research

In fact, campaigns without detailed targeting exclusions had a 22.6% lower median cost per conversion compared to those that used exclusions. This data shows that exclusions might actually harm, rather than help, your campaign’s effectiveness.

Moreover, Meta’s AI-powered ad targeting has become very good at showing the right ads to the right users. By trusting Meta’s AI, advertisers can reach a broader, more engaged audience without accidentally excluding valuable prospects.

What Does This Mean for Your Campaigns?

So, what should advertisers do now that detailed targeting exclusions are being removed?

Starting July 29, 2024, you won’t be able to use detailed targeting exclusions in new ad sets. If you currently use this feature, you’ll need to adjust your campaigns before January 31, 2025. After this date, Meta will stop delivering ads that include detailed targeting exclusions.

Adapting to the Changes

This might sound worrying if your campaigns rely on exclusions. However, Meta offers other ways to make sure your ads reach the right people. For example, you can use custom audience exclusions and audience controls to protect your brand and ensure your ads meet specific criteria.

Meta’s AI aims to improve the accuracy of ad delivery. Even if you’re nervous about giving up control, the data shows that this change could lead to better results. The focus is now on broader, automated targeting that uses AI’s ability to learn from user behaviour.

How to Adapt to the Change

To stay ahead, it’s important to adapt to this change now. First, review your current ad sets and find any that use detailed targeting exclusions. Meta Ads Manager will show a warning banner for these ad sets, helping you edit and republish them without exclusions.

Shifting Your Strategy

Next, consider shifting your strategy to take full advantage of Meta’s AI. By embracing broader targeting and letting AI optimize delivery, you may find that your campaigns perform better, reaching new and more relevant audiences.

The Future of Meta Advertising

Meta’s decision to remove detailed targeting exclusions is part of a larger move toward automation in digital ads. The company’s vision for the future includes less manual input from advertisers. Soon, you might only need to provide a product URL, and Meta’s AI will handle the rest, from creating ad content to choosing the best audience.

Embracing AI-Driven Advertising

This shift might seem unusual, especially if you’re used to having more control over your campaigns. However, the evidence shows that Meta’s AI is effective at connecting ads with the right people. By allowing AI to lead, you might achieve better results with less effort.

Conclusion: Prepare for the Future with Amber 90

Meta’s removal of detailed targeting exclusions marks a new era in digital advertising, where AI takes centre stage. For businesses that want to stay competitive, it’s essential to understand and embrace these changes.

At Amber 90, we specialize in optimizing Meta ad campaigns to help your business succeed. Contact our team today to learn how we can help you navigate these updates and get the most out of your advertising.

Beginner Guide to Internet Marketing for Small Businesses

Posted on by amber90

The Beginners Guide to Internet Marketing for SMBs

Move over print ads and direct mail: Internet marketing is the new trend. Digital marketing now accounts for 56% of total marketing spend, with the industry expected to reach over $786 billion globally by 2026. For Canadian and North American businesses, staying ahead means embracing online marketing strategies.

Use this beginner’s guide to internet marketing to understand the basics and learn how to leverage digital channels for your business.

What Is Internet Marketing?

Internet marketing, also known as digital marketing, involves using online channels to help an audience learn more about your products. By leveraging tools such as websites, email, online advertising, social media, and more, you can reach potential consumers, educate them on your offerings, and convert them into customers.

Types of Internet Marketing

Internet marketing encompasses various strategies and approaches. Here’s a look at some of the most popular types:

Content Marketing

Content marketing involves creating and distributing valuable content to attract and engage your target audience. This can include blog posts, infographics, podcasts, videos, and more. The goal is to establish your expertise, promote your brand, and provide value to consumers, which can lead to increased audience retention, higher conversion rates, and greater brand awareness.

SEO Marketing

Search engine optimization (SEO) marketing involves optimizing your content to rank highly in search engine results pages (SERPs). This includes using relevant keywords, crafting compelling meta tags and descriptions, optimizing headings, and building high-quality backlinks. SEO is crucial for increasing organic traffic to your website.

Social Media Marketing

Social media marketing uses platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube to promote your brand and connect with potential customers. With an estimated 4.89 billion social media users spending an average of 151 minutes per day on these platforms, it’s a vital channel for engagement and brand awareness.

Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing involves partnering with influencers or other entities to promote your products. For every sale or lead generated, the affiliate earns a commission. This strategy leverages the influence of trusted individuals to reach a broader audience.

Email Marketing

Email marketing involves sending targeted, personalized emails to a specific audience to promote products, services, or foster engagement. With a potential ROI of $36 for every dollar spent, email marketing remains one of the most effective digital marketing strategies.

Internet Marketing vs. Traditional Marketing

While both internet and traditional marketing aim to promote services, products, and brands, they differ significantly:

Communication Mediums

  • Internet Marketing: Utilizes online platforms like websites, social media, emails, and search engines.
  • Traditional Marketing: Employs offline methods such as billboards, direct mail, print publications, radio, and television.

Demographic Targeting

  • Internet Marketing: Allows for precise demographic targeting, enabling you to reach specific audiences based on various criteria.
  • Traditional Marketing: Often targets broader geographic areas with less precision.

Budgeting

  • Internet Marketing: Generally more cost-effective, with lower CPM compared to traditional methods.
  • Traditional Marketing: Typically more expensive, with higher CPM for mediums like direct mail and TV ads.

Lead Tracking

  • Internet Marketing: Offers robust tracking capabilities, allowing you to measure impressions, clicks, and conversions easily.
  • Traditional Marketing: Tracking ROI is more challenging, with less direct data on ad performance.

Interactivity and Engagement

  • Internet Marketing: Facilitates two-way communication, enabling interactions with consumers through comments, likes, and shares.
  • Traditional Marketing: Less interactive, with limited opportunities for direct engagement.

Global Reach

  • Internet Marketing: Provides the ability to reach a global audience with ease.
  • Traditional Marketing: Typically confined to specific geographic regions, making global reach more challenging.

Digital Marketing Strategies

Here are some key internet marketing strategies to guide your efforts:

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Optimize your website and content to rank higher in SERPs by using relevant keywords, creating compelling meta tags, and ensuring your site is user-friendly and fast-loading.  A tool we highly recommend to review your SEO performance is SEMRush.

User-Friendly Website Design

A well-designed website is crucial for retaining visitors. Ensure your site is easy to navigate, mobile-responsive, and optimized for speed.

Social Media Outreach

Engage with your audience on social media platforms by responding to comments and messages, and participating in discussions. Link your posts with your content strategy to maintain consistency.

Customer-Centric Approach

Focus on understanding your customers’ needs and preferences. Develop detailed customer personas and create tailored content that addresses their challenges and provides solutions.

Pay-per-Click Advertising (PPC)

PPC advertising allows you to pay for ads that appear on platforms like Google and Facebook. You only pay when someone clicks on your ad, making it a cost-effective way to reach interested consumers.

Bottom Line

Internet marketing is an essential tool for small and medium-sized businesses. It offers cost-effective methods to reach a global audience, target specific demographics, and provide measurable results. By leveraging a mix of internet marketing strategies, you can enhance your brand’s online presence, drive sales, and build customer trust.

Ready to boost your digital marketing efforts? Contact us today to learn how we can help you create impactful online ad campaigns and more.

Transform Your Social Media Strategy with Metricool

Posted on by amber90

Leveraging Metricool: A Comprehensive Guide for Marketers and Businesses

In today’s digital age, effective social media management is crucial for businesses looking to maximize their online presence. With countless tools available, choosing the right one can be challenging. Metricool, a powerful social media planning and analytics tool, stands out for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features. In this blog, we’ll explore why marketers and businesses should take advantage of Metricool and how it can transform your social media strategy.

What is Metricool?

Metricool is a versatile social media management tool designed to simplify and enhance your social media marketing efforts. It offers a wide range of features, including:

  • Content Scheduling: Plan and schedule your posts across various social media platforms.
  • Analytics and Reporting: Track your performance with detailed analytics.
  • Competitor Analysis: Monitor your competitors’ social media activities.
  • Ad Management: Manage and analyze your social media ads.
  • Hashtag Tracking: Identify and analyze trending hashtags.
  • Link Tracking: Track the performance of links shared on social media.

Why Marketers and Businesses Should Use Metricool

  1. Streamlined Social Media Management

Metricool’s intuitive interface makes social media management seamless. Whether you’re a small business owner or a marketing professional, the tool’s easy-to-navigate dashboard allows you to manage multiple social media accounts from one place. This centralized approach saves time and ensures consistency across platforms.

  1. Comprehensive Analytics and Reporting

Understanding your social media performance is vital for crafting effective strategies. Metricool provides in-depth analytics, including engagement rates, reach, and follower growth. These insights help you measure the success of your campaigns and make data-driven decisions to improve future efforts.

  1. Efficient Content Scheduling

Consistency is key in social media marketing. Metricool’s content scheduling feature enables you to plan and automate your posts, ensuring a steady flow of content. You can create a content calendar, schedule posts at optimal times, and maintain an active online presence without the need for constant manual updates.

  1. Competitor Analysis

Staying ahead of the competition requires continuous monitoring. Metricool’s competitor analysis feature allows you to track your competitors’ activities, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and adjust your strategies accordingly. This competitive intelligence is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge in your industry.

  1. Ad Management

Social media advertising is a powerful tool for reaching your target audience. Metricool simplifies ad management by providing detailed analytics on your ad performance. You can track key metrics such as click-through rates (CTR), conversions, and ROI, enabling you to optimize your ad campaigns for maximum impact.

  1. Hashtag and Link Tracking

Effective use of hashtags can significantly increase your reach on social media. Metricool’s hashtag tracking feature helps you identify popular and relevant hashtags, allowing you to engage with a broader audience. Additionally, link tracking lets you measure the performance of the links you share, providing valuable insights into your audience’s behavior.

How to Get Started with Metricool

  1. Sign Up and Connect Your Accounts

Getting started with Metricool is straightforward. Sign up for an account and connect your social media profiles. Metricool supports various platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and more.

  1. Explore the Dashboard

Familiarize yourself with Metricool’s dashboard. The intuitive layout makes it easy to navigate through different features such as content scheduling, analytics, and competitor analysis.

  1. Plan and Schedule Content

Start by creating a content calendar. Use Metricool’s scheduling feature to plan your posts in advance. Take advantage of the optimal posting times suggested by Metricool to maximize your engagement.

  1. Monitor and Analyze Performance

Regularly check your analytics to monitor the performance of your posts. Use the insights provided by Metricool to refine your content strategy and improve your social media efforts.

  1. Leverage Competitor Analysis and Ad Management

Keep an eye on your competitors and analyze their strategies. Use the data to identify opportunities and adjust your approach. Additionally, manage your social media ads effectively by tracking their performance and optimizing for better results.

Conclusion

Metricool is a powerful tool that can significantly enhance your social media marketing efforts. By streamlining content scheduling, providing comprehensive analytics, and offering valuable insights into competitor activities, Metricool empowers marketers and businesses to make data-driven decisions and achieve their social media goals. Start leveraging Metricool today and take your social media strategy to the next level. Contact us today to implement a bulletproof social media strategy.

For more information and to sign up, visit Metricool’s official website.

New Guide to Instagram Live Streaming: Enhance Your Performance

Posted on by amber90

How to Maximize Your Live Streams

Instagram has released a new guide to live streaming on its platform, offering valuable insights for brands looking to enhance their outreach and increase engagement with their audience. This comprehensive guide covers everything from scheduling broadcasts to incorporating co-hosts for dynamic live chats.

How to Go Live on Instagram

Instagram’s live streaming guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to start a live broadcast. It explains the basics, such as scheduling a live session and inviting co-hosts, which can help facilitate engaging conversations and interactions with your viewers.

Leveraging Live Notifications

The guide also details how Instagram’s live notifications work and how they can be used to your advantage.

As per Instagram:

“Instagram will notify all your followers or Close Friends depending on the audience you select that you’re live, allowing them to join by watching and commenting on your livestream. After you finish your broadcast, the video will be stored in your archive (if you have Live archives turned on from profile settings before you go live), but you can choose to save it to your camera roll or share it as a reel on your profile.”

Benefits of Instagram Live Streaming

Instagram highlights several benefits of live streaming, including real-time interaction and the opportunity for authentic connection. Live streaming allows you to showcase your personality and create more content for your IG feed, thereby enhancing your overall engagement.

Tips for Successful Instagram Live Streams

To help you get the most out of your live streams, Instagram offers the following recommendations:

  1. Plan Your Content:
    • Whether you want to share your current mood or a new project, having a clear idea of what you want to discuss helps keep the broadcast focused and engaging.
  2. Promote Your Live Broadcast:
    • Inform your followers ahead of time so they can set reminders and join your live stream.
  3. Engage with Your Viewers:
    • Respond to comments and questions during the broadcast to make viewers feel connected and heard.
  4. Be Authentic:
    • Show your true self and let your personality shine through. Authenticity fosters a stronger connection with your audience.

Enhancing Your Live Stream Experience

Instagram’s guide also includes tips on using additional live functions to enhance the viewer experience. These features include filters and effects, fundraisers, and sharing images within the broadcast.

With these insights and tools, Instagram Live can be a powerful avenue to boost your IG performance, especially during the upcoming holiday season. The new features and tips provided can help you engage more effectively with your fans and followers during live streams.

Conclusion

Utilizing Instagram Live can significantly enhance your brand’s engagement and connection with your audience. By following Instagram’s tips and leveraging the platform’s features, you can create dynamic and engaging live streams that resonate with your viewers.

Ready to boost your content strategy? Contact us today to learn how we can help you!

Maximize Your Marketing: TikTok Unveils Marketing Guide for SMBs

Posted on by amber90

Introduction

With holiday planning now in full swing, TikTok has released a comprehensive marketing playbook tailored for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). This guide is designed to help businesses maximize their marketing efforts on the popular platform, providing valuable insights and strategies.

A Comprehensive Guide to TikTok Marketing

The 19-page playbook offers an extensive overview of TikTok marketing, filled with useful tips and strategies to enhance your approach. This guide covers various aspects of TikTok marketing, ensuring that businesses can effectively leverage the platform to reach their target audience.

Key Highlights from the Guide

1. TikTok’s Popularity and Relevance: The guide begins with an overview of TikTok’s growing popularity and its relevance for marketers. It provides a range of usage statistics that highlight why TikTok is an essential platform for marketing efforts.

2. TikTok Ad Tools: The playbook details the different ad tools available on TikTok and how businesses can use them to their advantage. Understanding these tools is crucial for creating effective ad campaigns that resonate with your audience.

3. Creative Tips for Videos: TikTok has included a variety of creative tips to help businesses produce engaging and compelling videos. These tips are designed to inspire and guide you in creating content that captures attention and drives engagement.

4. Content Inspiration and Ideas: To spark your creativity, the guide offers numerous ideas and examples for TikTok content. These suggestions can help you brainstorm and develop a content strategy that aligns with your brand and goals.

5. Content Mapping: The playbook provides an example of how to map out your TikTok content. This section is particularly useful for planning and organizing your content calendar, ensuring a consistent and strategic approach to your TikTok advertising efforts.

Why This Guide is Valuable

While some of the notes and tips in the guide might seem familiar, there are valuable pointers that can refine your TikTok strategy. By following the recommendations in the playbook, businesses can make the most of the tools available on TikTok and enhance their marketing performance.

Download the Guide

If you’re looking to focus on TikTok marketing campaigns this year, this guide is definitely worth considering. You can download TikTok’s 2024 CPG Playbook for SMBs here.

Call to Action

Ready to elevate your TikTok marketing strategy? Contact us today to learn how we can help you create effective TikTok ad campaigns that drive results.

Reddit Unveils Lead Generation Ads: A New Era for Marketers

Posted on by amber90

Reddit has introduced a new advertising format, Lead Generation (Lead Gen) Ads, designed to help marketers collect prospective customer information directly from their promotions within the app. This new feature promises to enhance user experience and improve lead quality for advertisers.

Reddit Lead Gen Ads: How They Work

Reddit’s Lead Gen Ads function as expected, featuring a “Sign Up” call-to-action (CTA). When users click on this CTA, they are directed to a sign-up form where they can enter their details. This streamlined process is designed to be user-friendly, particularly for mobile users, with features like auto-population of the email field to reduce friction.

Positive Early Results

Early testing of Reddit’s Lead Gen Ads has shown promising results. For example, LaunchDarkly, a feature management platform, reported a 30% decrease in cost per lead and a 25% increase in lead submission rates compared to their previous conversion campaigns on Reddit. These improvements highlight the potential effectiveness of this new ad format across various industries.

Benefits of Reddit Lead Gen Ads

Lead Gen Ads on Reddit offer several advantages:

  1. Enhanced Lead Quality: Advertisers have reported better quality leads, which can lead to more effective marketing campaigns.
  2. Improved Campaign Performance: The initial tests have shown increased lead submission rates, indicating higher engagement from users.
  3. Targeted Advertising: Marketers can direct these ads to specific Reddit communities, allowing for precise targeting and increased brand awareness.

Integration with Zapier

In addition to the Lead Gen Ads, Reddit has announced a new integration with the automation platform Zapier. This integration allows advertisers to seamlessly transfer lead information from Reddit directly into their CRM systems. This automation can streamline the process of managing and nurturing leads, making it easier for businesses to capitalize on their advertising efforts.

Expanding Reddit’s Ad Suite

The introduction of Lead Gen Ads and the Zapier integration represent significant additions to Reddit’s growing suite of advertising tools. As Reddit continues to expand its business opportunities, these features provide valuable tools for marketers looking to maximize their reach and effectiveness on the platform.

Lead Gen Ads are now available to all advertisers globally, while the Zapier integration is available to brands working directly with Reddit’s ad team.

Conclusion

Reddit’s new Lead Gen Ads offer a powerful tool for marketers to collect high-quality leads directly from their promotions. Coupled with the Zapier integration, these ads can streamline lead management and enhance campaign performance. As Reddit continues to innovate and expand its advertising capabilities, marketers have more opportunities than ever to engage with the platform’s diverse and active user base.

Looking to leverage Reddit’s new Lead Gen Ads for your marketing campaigns? Contact us today!

Google Has Abandoned It’s Plan to Phase Out Cookies

Posted on by amber90

Wait a Minute

In a surprising shift, Google has announced that it will not be retiring third-party cookies after all. After years of signalling a major shift towards enhanced data privacy, Google has decided to abandon its plan to phase out tracking cookies, opting instead to introduce a new approach that prioritizes user choice and control.

Google’s Revised Approach to Data Privacy

For years, Google has been preparing the digital marketing industry for the end of third-party cookies. Initially, Google planned to phase out cookie tracking by 2022, aligning with global trends toward greater data privacy and user control. However, due to various challenges and industry pushback, this phase-out was delayed multiple times.

Now, Google is taking a different route. According to a recent statement, Google is proposing an updated approach that elevates user choice rather than deprecating third-party cookies.

As per Google:

“We are proposing an updated approach that elevates user choice. Instead of deprecating third-party cookies, we would introduce a new experience in Chrome that lets people make an informed choice that applies across their web browsing, and they’d be able to adjust that choice at any time. We’re discussing this new path with regulators, and will engage with the industry as we roll this out.”

This announcement effectively ends five years of uncertainty and speculation within the industry.

The Journey to This Decision

Back in 2020, Google announced its initial plan to eliminate cookie tracking, targeting 2022 for the full phase-out. This move was part of a broader initiative to enhance data privacy and give web users more control over their personal information. Google’s Federated Learning of Cohorts (FLoC) was developed as an alternative, designed to track user activity without personal identifiers. However, FLoC faced significant challenges and criticism from various industries and regulatory bodies.

In response to these challenges, Google shifted its focus to the Privacy Sandbox project, an initiative aimed at developing privacy-preserving alternatives to third-party cookies. Launched for public use in September 2023, Privacy Sandbox was intended to replace cookies by categorizing users into topic groups rather than tracking individuals.

Despite these efforts, concerns raised by regulatory bodies, particularly the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), led to further delays. By January 2024, Google had a new plan to implement Privacy Sandbox as the primary alternative by Q3 2024. However, due to ongoing regulatory challenges and industry feedback, Google has now decided to maintain the status quo.

What This Means for Marketers

For digital marketers, this announcement means a temporary reprieve from overhauling their data tracking and analytics systems. While Google will continue to develop and invest in Privacy Sandbox APIs, third-party cookies will remain in use for the foreseeable future.

Future Implications and Industry Impact

Google’s decision to retain tracking cookies while exploring new data privacy solutions signals a significant shift in its approach. The new model will focus on user empowerment, allowing individuals to control their data sharing preferences across web browsing activities.

This move is expected to have several implications:

  • Continued Use of Cookies: Marketers can continue using third-party cookies for tracking and analytics without immediate disruption.
  • User Choice: Enhanced user control over data privacy settings may lead to increased transparency and trust.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Ongoing collaboration with regulators will shape the development and implementation of new privacy solutions.

Google’s revised approach aims to balance user privacy with the needs of the digital marketing industry. As this new path unfolds, marketers and industry stakeholders will need to stay informed about changes and adapt their strategies accordingly.

Conclusion

Google’s decision not to phase out tracking cookies marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing evolution of data privacy and digital marketing. By prioritizing user choice and regulatory compliance, Google seeks to navigate the complex landscape of privacy concerns while maintaining the effectiveness of digital marketing tools.

Stay tuned for more updates on Google’s data privacy initiatives and how they will impact the future of digital marketing.

Looking for more insights on digital marketing trends and data privacy? Contact us today!

Unlock New Advertising Potential: Meta Expands Reels Overlay Ads

Posted on by amber90

Meta Updates Reels Ads

Meta introduces an innovative advertising option within Reels, its fastest-growing content format. Reels overlay ads are now available to a broader range of advertisers, offering new opportunities to engage audiences in a dynamic and visually compelling way.

What Are Reels Overlay Ads?

Reels overlay ads appear directly on the screen with a prominent call-to-action (CTA) prompt. Additionally, they can feature either single images or carousel promotions. These ads integrate seamlessly into the Reels experience, providing a non-intrusive yet impactful way to capture viewer attention.

Key Features and Benefits

Reels overlay ads offer several unique features:

  • Single Image or Carousel Format: Choose between a single image or a carousel of images to deliver your message effectively.
  • On-Screen CTA: A large CTA prompt encourages immediate viewer engagement.
  • Flexible Placement: Ads can either expand on the second playthrough of a Reel or appear between clips as direct promotions.

How Reels Overlay Ads Work

According to Meta, these ads appear as banners on Reels videos or as video ads between Reels. This dual approach provides flexibility, allowing advertisers to choose the format that best suits their campaign goals. Moreover, whether the ads expand on the second view or insert between clips, they are designed to maximize viewer engagement.

The Power of Reels

Reels drive major engagement on Facebook and Instagram, generating a staggering 200 billion views per day. Consequently, this shift underscores the importance of video content in capturing user attention. In addition, Reels engagement significantly contributes to user retention and interaction, thereby transforming Facebook into a more entertainment-focused platform.

Strategic Implications for Advertisers

As Facebook evolves into an entertainment hub, marketers must adapt their strategies to leverage video content effectively. Utilizing Reels overlay ads helps brands tap into this captive audience, enhancing their reach and impact through visually appealing and engaging promotions.

How to Get Started

Meta is gradually rolling out Reels overlay ads to more advertisers. To start using this feature, publish ads on Reels at the Ad set level in Meta Ads Manager by selecting Reels placements (or Advantage+). This straightforward process allows you to easily incorporate Reels overlay ads into your marketing strategy.

Conclusion

The introduction of Reels overlay ads marks a significant expansion in Meta’s advertising capabilities. By embracing this new format, advertisers connect with a highly engaged audience, ensuring their brand messages reach and engage viewers. Stay updated with Meta’s announcements to fully leverage these opportunities and keep your marketing efforts ahead of the curve.

Contact our team today to get started with Meta ads or get a free analysis on your current ads.

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