1. Google AdSense publishers can now turn on Auto ads without new code
Google announced updates to Adsense Auto ads designed to make them easier to implement and customize. AdSense publishers will be notified via email when the updates, which will be rolling out over the next several weeks, are live in their accounts. [Source: Marketing Land]
2. Facebook Launches New Tools to Help With Holiday Marketing
Facebook has released several new tools to assist businesses with their holiday marketing efforts. The company will be continually sharing tips, such as customizable story templates, enhancements to messenger and Instagram direct, to help businesses use its services to achieve their holiday marketing goals. [Source: Search Engine Journal]
3. YouTube testing ad buying tool that lets you reserve ad placement 120 days out
YouTube is testing a new Instant Review tool in Google Ads that allows advertisers to reserve ad space on a 120 day-rolling window via an automated process with no minimum spend. [Source: MarTech Today]
4. Google showing mobile ‘search by photos’ option in selected local verticals
Google is starting to show a new option to “search by photos” box in certain local verticals. It appears only in mobile results right now and is distinct from “interesting finds” and “discover more places,” which are also photo-centric boxes in SERPs. [Source: Search Engine Land]
5. Instagram Updates its Stories Camera with New ‘Create’ Mode to Highlight Creative Options
Instagram’s now rolling out a new format for its Stories Camera, which will make the app’s various Stories tools – including GIFs, Countdown Stickers and Polls – easier to access and apply, direct from the main function bar. [Source: Social Media Today]
6. Adobe is redesigning Creative Cloud’s desktop app as a hub for tools and assets
Adobe’s Creative Cloud desktop app, once just a drop-down tab for downloading and updating Adobe apps, is getting turned into an assets library. The new desktop experience will feature tutorials for all apps in one hub. It basically looks like the current Creative Cloud website, but now in a desktop app form. [Source: The Verge]
7. Pinterest Launches ‘Pinterest Academy’ Education Resource for Marketers
Pinterest launched a new set of platform education course for marketers, under the umbrella of the ‘Pinterest Academy’. The new Pinterest Academy offers a range of education courses, and links to various other tools and reference studies, in order to help you get a better handle on how to utilize Pins for your business. [Source: Social Media Today]
8. Google is Testing Search Results Without URLs
Google has slowly been moving away from showing full URLs since the introduction of breadcrumbs a few months ago. The company appears to be testing the complete removal of URLs from search results, displaying only the website name instead. [Source: Search Engine Journal]
9. Facebook’s Adding Post Topics to More Groups, Helping to Better Organize Relevant Discussion
Facebook announced that it’s expanding its post topics tags for groups, which will enable group members and admins to categorize group posts accordingly. [Source: Social Media Today]
10. Snapchat Enables In-Game Purchases for First Time in New Campaign with Adidas
Adidas has launched a new, interactive campaign on Snapchat which, for the first time, will enable users to purchase a product via a game in the app. [Source: Social Media Today]
