Word is the European Union is about to fine Google over a billion Euros. That’s an amount greater than the GDP of the Solomon Islands, but less than what Google makes from AdWords in nine days. In other news, Stuff.co.nz is outed for still using Google Site Search (now with ads) and GWI reveals that around two in five of us are just using social media as a way to fill in time.
We know what you’re doing on Facebook
Asked what their main reasons were for using social networking services, most people told digital marketing data company GlobalWebIndex that it’s to stay in touch with what their friends are doing. No surprises there (but, hey, it would be nice if you called once in a while…). What was surprising were some of the other reasons people gave, and sharing stuff was down the list.
Worryingly, GWI’s survey of nearly 73,000 Internet users revealed that 39% (and a majority of 16-24-year-olds) say it’s just to fill up spare time. News media companies won’t be too happy either: 39% also said one main reason was to stay up-to-date with news and current events.
Google’s latest gift to SMEs: Google Post
Launched late last week, Google Posts allows local businesses to highlight offers, events and products in their Google My Business listing, and these will be shown in Google search results. Text is limited to 300 words, but you can also add images, titles and a Call to Action button. So, what are you waiting for?
Stuff.co.nz still to find a Google Site Search replacement
We’ve warned you before, and if you’re still using Google Site Search on your website you really need to find a replacement. We called out WorkFlow Max on this (they were quick to make the fix), now we’re calling you out — yes, you, Stuff.co.nz.
You can thank Andy Favell at eConsultancy for spotting that Stuff is yet to get its…er, stuff together. Kindly, he’s also found some alternative options anyone still using Google Site Search might want to consider.
The ad industry debates “programmatic” versus “automation”
According to eMarketer, four out of every five dollars spent on display advertising in the U.S. this year will transact programmatically. That amounts to almost $33 billion in ad spend.
But ironically, programmatic is still the source of significant confusion among marketers. In fact, if you ask 10 marketers what “programmatic” is, chances are you’ll get 10 different responses.
The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), aware of this, has called for the industry to move beyond the term “programmatic”. Instead, it wants “to shift the industry from discussions about ‘programmatic’ to ‘automation.’”
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Google’s US job listings search opens to all job search sites and developers
Will you find your next job by searching Google? We don’t know if (or when) Google’s new Job search results will be coming here to NZ. But, after previewing the new feature last month, Google has now made it possible for companies to add their job listings to US search results.
EU Likely to fine Google over 1 Billion Euros in Anti-Trust Case
The EU is close to releasing a judgment on the Google Anti-Trust Case and experts are picking a fine in excess of a billion Euros and potential changes in the way Google operates in the region.
Google can easily afford the fine (it makes enough from AdWords every nine days or so). But it is likely to appeal any fine (and prolong any final judgement for a few more years) if the changes requested are thought too restrictive.
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These search marketing news updates feature articles of interest picked up through the week by the SureFire team.
