We’re pleased to present our latest digital news roundup, where we bring you quick overviews of recent developments across the major platforms. In this 1st-week roundup, we discuss Facebook’s Link History feature, Instagram’s trial of ‘Collections’, Google’s update to its Ads policy, GroupM’s partnership with online ads, and much more. Take a look at the changing world of digital trends, which include WordPress weaknesses, Bing’s favicon change, and Google’s valuable views on challenges to redesigning your site. Stay informed with our informative summary of the most recent technological developments.

Table of Contents

Facebook’s ‘Link History’ Feature Raises Concerns Over Targeted Advertising and Privacy

Facebook has globally rolled out the ‘Link History’ feature, which archives users’ site visits across Android as well as iOS devices. Users can choose to disable the feature; the default setting allows Meta to utilize the gathered data to create targeted advertisements. In the age of cookie-free marketing and strict privacy laws, this feature could open up loopholes for advertisers seeking high-value consumer marketing. However, its viability over the long term is not certain as privacy issues remain high.

Its slow introduction has raised concerns about its accessibility, and Meta hasn’t specified an exact date for its worldwide implementation. It is currently only available to mobile users. The leading social media agency in Mumbai says the Link History tracks the last 30 days of web page visits in Facebook’s mobile browser, not including hyperlinks from Messenger chats. Users can turn the feature on and off in conjunction with Meta, highlighting the control of users over their data and offering the option to delete their data, which could last as long as 90 days.

Instagram’s New Public ‘Collections’ Feature: A Peek into User Interests

1st Week Roundup – Instagram’s New Public ‘Collections’ Feature

Instagram is currently testing the extension of the Collections feature. It will allow users to share carefully curated collections of their posts on their profiles. This is a move to provide users with greater insight into a person’s interests, from famous people to books or films. The public Collections feature, which is accessible via the Instagram profile, allows users to browse the featured content in the application.

This feature, which is still in development, builds on the collaborative Collections launched in March. It encourages private discussions on the basis of posts. Though it’s still in the process of progress since the beginning of September, it provides an opportunity to allow users to interact with each other based on common interests. If it’s implemented by brands on the profiles of their brands, it could be an additional platform for showcasing products, though concerns about the possibility of clutter persist. The date of launch for this new collection of profiles feature has yet to be established by Instagram.

X Platform Reintroduces Headlines to Link Previews

In a recent update for the X platform, headlines for posts have been reintroduced to previews of links in the website version of the app. This marks an evolution from the prior design Elon Musk preferred. The new format displays a simple headline above the image of the article but without preview text. Elon Musk had previously mandated the elimination of any text on previews of link links in-stream due to cosmetic reasons, Musk then revisited the issue and reinstated headlines in November.

The experts from the leading social media agency in Mumbai say although it’s deemed to be less effective by certain users, restoring headlines could help social media administrators write posts without the necessity of sharing headlines on their own. However, the update isn’t a complete improvement over the initial link preview option, and there’s no set date for the general launch of headlines on links for all platforms and users.

Google Ads Adjusts Policies, Now Allows Sports Betting Ads in Delaware

1st Week Roundup – Google Ads Adjusts Policies, Now Allows Sports Betting Ads in Delaware

Google Ads has updated its gaming and gambling policy to the United States, permitting the acceptance and display of betting on sports advertisements in Delaware starting on January 4. Advertisers looking to run advertisements in Delaware must apply for accreditation, and there are distinct procedures for privately licensed operators, state-run organizations, and social casinos. Privately licensed operators must complete an online application for gambling to ensure timely submission of all necessary details.

State-run entities need to utilize a specific form which outlines their application for certification as a state-run gambling establishment and provides all relevant information. Game operators operating in the social casino have to submit separate applications to each nation they plan to target, with the details of their app or website as well as Google Ads customer ID. This update opens up new possibilities for eligible advertisers while highlighting the need to adhere to Google’s policies and specific requirements for each country.

GroupM Partners with Industry Giants to Revolutionize Streaming Ads

To transform the traditional 30-second advertisement and make it easier to buy ads for streaming platforms, GroupM has launched the Ad Innovation Accelerator program. In collaboration with industry leaders, including Disney, YouTube, and NBCUniversal, this program is designed to create a brand-new ad format for viewers who prefer an ad-free experience. This initiative is a response to evolving viewers’ preferences and offers the possibility of better advertisements on platforms that stream.

With the help of modern digital technology, The collaborative effort aims to improve brand-viewer relationships and deliver tangible results for advertisers who work with GroupM. This initiative by GroupM is a solution to the difficulties of managing the ever-changing media landscape. It provides advertisers with a simplified method to launch interactive ads in the ad-supported streaming market.

Google Initiates Phasing Out of Third-Party Cookies with Tracking Protection Rollout

Google has officially started the process of gradually removing third-party cookies. They have also introduced an entirely new feature called Tracking Protection. It was initially available to just 1% of Chrome users worldwide. Beginning on the 4th of January, 2024, this feature will automatically limit third-party cookies, signaling an important shift in online tracking methods. The users affected by the change will be notified of the launch of Chrome on their desktops and Android devices.

For those who rely heavily on targeted advertisements via third-party cookies, it is essential to review strategies and make the necessary web-based preparations prior to when Google retires third-party cookies during the second portion of 2024. The best SEO company says the effect on the effectiveness of Tracking Protection is still to be determined. However, discussions between digital marketers have highlighted issues and possible disruptions which highlight the need to make proactive adjustments.

Critical WordPress Google Fonts Plugin Vulnerability Puts Over 300,000 Sites at Risk

1st Week Roundup – Critical WordPress Google Fonts Plugin Vulnerability Puts Over 300k Sites at Risk

A high-rated vulnerability that has been rated as was discovered and corrected inside the WordPress Google Fonts optimization plugin GDPR/DSGVO Compliant. This vulnerability allowed attackers without authentication to remove directories and upload malicious scripts, creating serious threats to the safety of more than 300,000 websites. The plugin, renowned for its ability to optimize Google Fonts usage and ensure GDPR compliance, was targeted for attack due to an absence of checks for capability in the code.

An attacker who is not authenticated could exploit this vulnerability, gaining the ability to wipe directories as well as execute cross-site scripting attacks. While previous updates were designed to fix security issues, Wordfence recommends version 5.7.10 as the safest version of the plugin. Wordfence also advises users to upgrade immediately to protect their websites.

Google Discover Introduces “In Case You Missed It” Label for Older Stories

Google Discover is now enhancing the user experience by introducing a new tag, “In Case You Missed It,” to certain older stories. Although Google Discover has previously showcased older content, this latest label offers users an obvious indicator of the story’s current status. The label is prominently displayed over the title and the image, alerting users to the significance of the story despite the fact that it was published earlier. This feature is designed to keep users informed of interesting stories that they might not have noticed as part of Google’s efforts to enhance the discovery of content and offer an engaging and personalized browsing experience on Discover.

Google Introduces “Explore Stocks” Carousel in Search for Financial Insights

To improve the accessibility of financial information to users, Google has introduced a new feature dubbed “Explore stocks” in the results of its search. The addition includes a special carousel that showcases popular stocks on the market. The experts from the best SEO company say that users can now browse and find out more information about different stocks within the Google Search interface. “Explore Stocks” is a carousel that aims to give an easy and easily accessible overview of the most popular stocks, providing users with an easy way to stay up-to-date on market trends and the performance of the stock.

This financial feature is in line with Google’s mission to provide an extensive and user-friendly experience for search and catering to the varying requirements of its customers in terms of information, especially those who are interested in keeping track of movements in the stock market.

Microsoft’s Bing Search Results Embrace Square Favicons for Snippets

The leading SEO company in Mumbai reports that Microsoft has released an aesthetic update to Bing search results that replaces the old circular favicons using modern square shapes. The users will notice a change in the look of the favicons that appear alongside search result snippets. They now have an updated and sleek appearance. Although the new shape of the favicon isn’t noticeable, it is a sign of Microsoft’s dedication to enhancing users’ experience with Bing in line with current fashions in design. This design tweak improves the visual appearance of results on the search page, which contributes to a more coherent and visually pleasing user interface. Bing clients as they browse and interact using the service.

Google Introduces “Units Available to Rent” Section in Local Panels

Google has widened its local panel services by introducing a brand new section titled “Units available for rent.” This feature offers users an easy and quick method of exploring houses, condos and other apartments available for rent in their area. This feature is in line with Google’s goal of improving the experience of users by offering more complete and useful information directly in the search results.

In the integration of real estate listings into the local panel, Google aims to streamline the process for those looking to find rental properties, providing an invaluable resource for those looking to navigate the market for housing. The experts from the leading SEO company in Mumbai say this is a sign of Google’s constant efforts to make results more relevant and suited to the needs of each user, specifically in the area of real estate research.

Google’s John Mueller Offers Insights on Link Importance and Search Rankings

Responding to a post on Reddit about the significance of some links not appearing in third-party link trackers, Google’s John Mueller provided valuable insights. A user was curious as to why an important link of an affiliate company didn’t appear in link trackers even though it was regularly reciprocal linking.

Mueller clarified that the link tracking tools don’t track each link, and Google does not rely on third-party metrics such as Domain Authority (DA). He stressed that PageRank is unique to each page, meaning that links from a major domain could be the site with less influence. Mueller recommended exploring more permanent sites within the same company to get greater results. He cautioned against over-focusing on links since the tools do not fully capture all the links.

Google Search Experiments with Blue-Colored Header in Mobile Results Page

The experts from the leading SEO company in Mumbai say Google is conducting tests on its mobile results page for search and is rethinking the blue-colored header. This is a follow-up to an incident that was observed in January 2022 when Google tried using a blue-coloured header. Google has a history of testing different colors, which included a subheader in green in 2020 and later multicolored versions.

The ongoing tests show that Google is continuing to investigate aesthetic enhancements as well as changes to the user interface to improve the mobile experience. The colors used in the header design are a reflection of Google’s dedication to improving its visual elements. The goal is to increase user engagement and overall design for mobile results.

Does Google Find Homepages That Important?

1st Week Roundup – Does Google Find Homepages That Important?

Recent statements from Google insiders point to that there is a new emphasis on the value of a site’s homepage in Google’s eyes. In contrast to the usual emphasis on the inner pages of a website to aid in SEO, Google’s Gary Illyes emphasized in a Search Off the Record podcast that, according to Google’s view the homepage is the most important page of a website.

This statement is in line with previous remarks made by John Mueller, who highlighted the role of the homepage in providing an entry point to crawl and assess the significance of other pages. While some argue that this is more of a generalization than a strict principle, the consistent message from Google regarding the homepage highlights its importance in determining a website’s importance and rank.

Google Says It’s Easy to Mess Up a Site Redesign

In a recent conversation with John Mueller from Google, John Mueller addressed the intricate connection between the user interface (UI), user experience (UX) changes, and SEO impacts during a website redesign. He stressed the need for careful planning. Mueller advised mapping out any changes, especially ones that could have SEO implications. Major changes to UI/UX, in conjunction with the creation of new websites, need careful consideration because of the potential impact on SEO rankings, from the technical aspects of crawling to ranking on-page factors.

Mueller stated that it’s “easy to mess up a bigger revamp or migration in terms of SEO” in the absence of adequate preparation. He advised seeking advice from experienced experts to make sure that the transition was smooth and that there were no post-revamp problems.

Conclusion of the Roundup

In the digital news roundup, Facebook’s ‘Link History’ raises privacy issues, Instagram tests Collections, Google changes its Ads policies, GroupM partners for streaming ads, and Google begins phasing out third-party cookies. Also, a WordPress security flaw, Bing’s square-shaped favicons, and Google’s insights on the challenges of redesigning websites are discussed. If you like this blog check out our previous blog Graphic Design Trends That Ruled 2023