1.Google Updates Search Console Crawl Stats Report
Google launched an updated Crawl Stats Report in the Search Console featuring more granular reporting. [Source: Search Engine Journal]
2. Instagram businesses and creators may be getting a Messenger-like ‘FAQ’ feature
Instagram is developing a new product, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), that will allow people to start conversations with businesses or creators’ accounts. [Source: TechCrunch]
3. Snapchat Spotlight Feature Launched, Designed to Be In-App Competitor for TikTok
Snapchat unveiled a new curated short-form video feed in a stepped-up challenge to social media rivals like TikTok. [Source: Gadgets 360]
4. Twitter is Bringing Back Account Verifications
Twitter is bringing back verifications after shutting down public applications three years ago. The program is relaunching with a few changes made to the process. [Source: Search Engine Journal]
5. Google tests multiple contextual links in featured snippets
Google confirms Google-generated web stories as featured snippets are not a great experience for searchers. [Source: Search Engine Land]
6. YouTube Tests Automated Video Chapters to Improve Navigation
YouTube is running an experiment which will see chapters automatically inserted into selected videos, using machine learning to identify segments within each clip. [Source: Social Media Today]
7. Google puts some contextual search features in context
Google is using newish language understanding models specific to leveraging conversational context for the search features. [Source: Search Engine Land]
8. WordPress 5.6 and PHP 8 Compatibility
WordPress offered guidance about compatibility of new WordPress 5.6 with PHP 8 and explained why upgrading to PHP 8 should at this time be done with care. [Source: Search Engine Journal]
9. Facebook Partners with Better Business Bureau to Help Online Shoppers Avoid Scams
Facebook has announced a new partnership with the Better Business Bureau which will seek to provide online shoppers with more information about potential scams. [Source: Social Media Today]
10. Instagram is Letting Advertisers Create Posts With Users’ Accounts
Instagram is giving advertisers the ability to publish sponsored posts from users’ accounts through an update to branded content ads. [Source: Search Engine Journal]