March Online Marketing Roundup

Have you heard about Instagram and Twitter´s changes in their algorithms? Did you know that Google is changing Adwords design? If you missed all these news, do not worry our March Online Marketing Roundup is here to save your day!

1. Google is Killing off PageRank From its Toolbar

As confirmed by Google’s Webmaster Trends Analyst John Mueller, Google is removing PageRank from its Toolbar.

So if you’ve been using the extension to see all the juicy PageRank data from any website you visit, I’m afraid you won’t have access anymore.

Google has explained that it will still be using PageRank internally within its ranking algorithm. It’s just that regular people won’t be able to see it. So from an SEO perspective, it might be harder to quickly figure out value of sites with legacy PageRank…. but that metric has really been useless for years.

At the end of the day, it really only matters if this removal of legacy PageRank from public view has any impact on sites. Google confirmed it does no.

2. 101 Essential Public Relations Tools in 2016

Check out these useful PR Tools list made by David Sawyer. You’ll find:

• Analytics Tools
• Email Marketing Tools
• SEO Tools
• Content Curation Tools
• Influencer Relations Tools
• Social Media Tools
• Content Marketing Tools
• Productivity Tools
• Website Tools

Find here everything that you’ll need for your digital communications in 2016.

3. Google Report On HTTPS Adoption Within Google & The Top Web Sites

Google shared a new report in the Transparency Report for HTTPS both by Google properties and the top sites on the web.

It appears that Google has encrypted 77% of their traffic to date but is aiming to go to 100%.

On the "top sites" which Google determined by using Alexa data and their own internal data, about 25% of those sites are encrypted. You can see which sites are on that list over here.

4. What Does Twitter's Algorithmic Feed Mean for Social Marketing?

Last week saw a major shift in the new media landscape, as Twitter switched all of its users to a so-called “algorithmic feed.” That means users will be more likely to see tweets that match their own preferences, rather than just the most recent ones. At the same time, Instagram was reported to be testing similar changes.

From users’ perspectives, the shift to algorithms should (at least in theory) make feeds more interesting and engaging, as Facebook’s newsfeed filtering has. But it’s potentially disruptive for the many businesses who use Twitter and Instagram to try and reach customers.

In short, the most skilled marketers will still be able to generate organic attention on Twitter and, if it makes the switch to algorithmic filtering, Instagram. But those who can’t are going to have to pony up for better placement -- which is totally sensible, since these are advertising-driven media companies.

5. Google is Completely Redesigning AdWords: Offers First Peek

At more than 15 years old, AdWords is looking like a bit of an old fogey, with an aging facade that looks to be creaking under the weight of hundreds of features accumulated over a decade and a half.

On Monday, the company announced the start of a major redesign process aimed at rejuvenating the AdWords interface. The last time Google touched up AdWords was way back in 2008.

The redesign is based on Google’s design language, Material Design, that is used in many of its consumer products, like Gmail, Maps and Search.

Is any functionality changing?

No. Unlike the Enhanced Campaigns update, for example, the redesign won’t affect the way campaigns are structured or run. The focus is on updating the way data is displayed and what is shown when.

What’s the timeline for the rollout?

Google says it will be introducing a small number of advertisers to those facets of the redesign that are built starting today.

Over the next 12 to 18 months, areas of the redesign will roll out to select advertisers — big and small — for testing and feedback based on the capabilities they’re using.

The goal is to have the redesign fully rolled out to all users by the end of 2017, says Feng from Google.

6. Changes in Instagram’s Algorithm

Instagram is changing the way it displays posts to become more like Facebook. Here's how to make the change work for you

Rumour has it that Instagram's new algorithm will be dropping tomorrow, resulting in a big change to the way posts are displayed.

Rather than presenting users with a chronological list of posts, the algorithm will sort posts based on "the likelihood you'll be interested in the content, your relationship with the person posting, and the timeliness of the post".

This means that Instagram will choose what to show you and when – essentially mirroring Facebook’s news feed. Small business users are also worried that their posts will be drowned out by bigger brands with more clout on the social network.

Now many Instagram users are urging their followers to turn on notifications for their posts - using the hashtag #turnmeon - so followers will receive an alert every time they post an update.

In the long run, a better way to ensure that your posts still get seen is to work with Instagram's algorithm rather than against it, and convince it that people want to see and engage with your posts.