One of the major themes of Facebook’s F8 developer conference and this week’s Google I/O is privacy. Location is a sensitive and central part of the broader privacy discussion. Survey data have repeatedly shown that users care about who gets access to their location data and want more control over it. Android has historically given…
As expected, Google announced coming changes to the way its Chrome browser handles cookies and addresses fingerprinting on Tuesday at its annual I/O developer conference. New tools in Chrome will allow users to block or clear third-party cookies more easily, Google said. The company also announced a browser extension that will show more information about…
As expected, Google introduced a new 10-inch screen smart display at Google I/O. Google smart displays and speakers have now been rebranded under the Nest moniker. The rationale involves bringing the Google Home and Nest smart-home products together in the same group under the same brand, which makes complete sense. Cool hardware, clumsy branding. All…
Facebook has updated its video ranking algorithm to surface more video content routinely sought out by users and watched repeatedly, along with videos that keep people engaged for a longer amount of time. “We will add more weight in ranking to videos that keep people engaged, especially on videos that are at least three minutes…
Once upon a time, influencer marketing was reserved for brands putting their products in the hands of high-profile public figures and celebrities, but social media — Instagram in particular — has changed the game. Now, the majority of Instagram influencers are “micro-influencers” with fewer than 10,000 followers according, to a new report from Socialbakers. The…
We’ve all heard of the term the “hot hand” in the context of sports. Basketball players go from missing every shot, to scoring in streaks. Sometimes players are in such a “zone” that he or she seemingly can’t miss a shot. Baseball players also tend to hit home runs in bunches. Throughout my career and…
NEW YORK — In an event laden with advertisers and influential video creators alike, YouTube’s Brandcast in New York on Thursday was a brandish of metrics, niche content development and new inventory opportunities in a glamorous pitch for ad dollars. Key announcements included updates to the Google Preferred algorithm, a fresh YouTube TV lineup grounded…
Spotify announced Thursday it’s testing a new voice-enabled ad experience on mobile to give listeners the ability to interact with content using voice commands. For now, the streaming service is experimenting with the format to direct listeners to branded or original content. The initial test ads promote a branded playlist from Unilever’s Axe and Spotify…
Facebook is making ThruPlay the default buying option for video ad campaigns, the company announced Thursday. It will also begin the process of sunsetting 10-second video view optimization beginning this month. Starting July 31, Facebook will pause campaigns still set to use the 10-second video view optimization. Why we should care The ThruPlay video option,…
It’s your typical overcast Saturday in downtown Portland, Oregon, and I’m heading out to the park to walk my dog, Betty. What I find this particular evening is anything but typical as instead of a few homeless guys sleeping on benches and fellow dog walkers, I encounter hundreds of people of all ages walking through…
