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Google’s Chrome Could Be Search History
Chrome’s future in the Google stack may be running out of bandwidth.
Following its loss in the recent landmark monopoly case, Google received word that the U.S. Justice Department and several states now have a proposed remedy: forcing Google to sell its Chrome browser.
The move follows the August court ruling that found Google had illegally maintained its monopoly in online search.
What else is at stake
Beyond Chrome, the government has asked the judge to give Google a choice: sell its Android operating system or stop making its services mandatory on Android devices. If Google fails to comply, or if these changes don't improve competition, the government could eventually force the sale of Android.
The government also wants to block Google from making paid deals with Apple and others to be the default search engine on smartphones and browsers.
Lastly, the government wants the court to require Google to let rival search engines display its results and access its data for the next ten years.
High stakes for Google
Chrome holds nearly 70% of the global browser market, while Android powers about 70% of mobile devices, according to Statcounter. Losing either could upend the company's $2 trillion empire.
Google’s counterproposal is due in December, and a ruling is expected by the end of summer.
Run CTV Ads on Roku This Black Friday
Black Friday is Roku’s most-streamed period of the year, marking the start of a month-long holiday streaming (and shopping) frenzy. Roku’s new self-serve advertising tool has a simple UI, advanced targeting options, real-time performance optimization, and engaging ad formats so you can run ads—allowing your brand to appear alongside the TV, movies and sports your audience is streaming over the holidays. You can even run shoppable ads that let viewers transact directly on-screen without ever leaving their couch.
Google Steers Shoppers to Your Competition
Google is giving consumers the gift of price-matching this holiday season—which may be a challenge for brick-and-mortar retailers.
Price comparisons
The company announced some new Google Shopping features this week, including updated listings in Google Lens searches that will show consumers price comparisons for items at competing stores when they search in-store.
Now, shoppers can take a photo of an item, and Google will show nearby stores with comparative prices, similar products, and availability details.
Improved search via Google Maps
Google is also enhancing product searches within Google Maps. By searching for items, like a festive sweater, shoppers can find nearby stores that stock the item and view inventory.
This feature supports a range of products, from home goods to clothing and grocery items.
Expanded payment options
Finally, the tech giant expanded payment options via Google Pay. Soon shoppers will be able to pay with buy now, pay later options like Afterpay and Klarna.
LinkedIn’s Tips for B2B Ads That Work
What ads perform best for B2B advertisers?
LinkedIn has shared some new tips for effective ad strategies based on its top-performing campaigns from the past year.
Understand user interests
First, the professional network suggests tapping into niche communities.
Nearly half of LinkedIn users follow sports, while about 4 out of 10 are into fashion or automobiles.
To create relevant content, marketers should align their ads with these intersecting interests.
Emotional engagement
LinkedIn’s data also suggests that ads tapping into users' emotional triggers, such as nostalgia, hope, and FOMO tend to drive higher engagement.
Humour plays a significant role in ad success. LinkedIn found that funny content receives 65% more engagement than non-humorous ads.
Ad design
For ad design, LinkedIn says vertical-aligned ads perform best. The key is to grab users’ attention in a fast-scrolling environment by using strong visuals, contrasting colours, and dynamic movement.
Pinterest Unwraps Holiday Campaign Hub
Pinterest is rolling out new ad options for the holiday season, along with a “Festive Season Hub” to help businesses with its ad tools.
Special Offers for Pin Ads
Advertisers now have access to its new “Special Offers” feature for Pin ads, which lets you add specific promotion tags like discounts, free delivery or other offers by choosing from various templates.
These promotions will automatically display as a new visual element on standard, video and shopping ads.
2024 Festive Season Hub
Pinterest also recently updated its automated ad tools, with the launch of its “Performance+” automated ad suite, which is another part of its holiday campaign push.
These updates are included in Pinterest’s 2024 Festive Season Hub, a new resource center providing ad tips, insights, and guidance for brands using its ad tools during the festive season.
LinkedIn Lurks Your Leads for You
LinkedIn added a new feature to its Sales Navigator platform yesterday that will do the lurking for you.
Lurking made easy
The new tool, called “Lead IQ”, provides a snapshot of a lead's professional background, interests, and common connections. It compiles LinkedIn data into an overview of a lead’s experience, achievements, and activities.
LinkedIn says this feature is particularly useful for preparing for last-minute meetings or prepping for interviews.
Account IQ updates
Alongside Lead IQ, the platform also enhanced its “Account IQ” tool in Sales Navigator, with more detailed insights that will help users identify how their products or services align with an organization’s needs.
Threads Puts Follows First
One small step for Threads, one giant leap for mankind.
Threads boss Adam Mosseri announced that starting today the platform is making a major change to its algorithm to prioritize content from people and brands that users actually follow, which means less recommended content from accounts they don't follow.
What to expect
Brands and creators can expect a drop in “unconnected reach” but a boost in “connected reach,” according to Mosseri.
This change follows other recent updates to Threads, including its new customizable feeds, since social users have been flocking to Bluesky.
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