eCommerce Express Digest - January 2024

Another exciting year has begun in the world of Digital Commerce. It seems like Google has taken a (well deserved?) break and there weren’t too many major updates for the Search Engine in January 2024. If you had a break and didn’t keep up with the latest online trends don’t stress – we got you! 

Starting with the non-Google News this month (for a change!)

LinkedIn’s advertising pricing soared by as much as 30% due to businesses boycotting X (formally Twitter). Marketers are saying that they’re getting good returns however (as much as 20%). Read more about this as reported in the Financial Times.

More on LinkedIn, January saw the roll-out of Sponsored Articles, a new advertising feature that allows users to read sponsored posts without leaving the platform. This addition provides advertisers with an additional tool to enhance their outreach and engagement strategies and the aim is to increase engagement.

Facebook introduced a feature allowing users to access and manage their link-clicking history. This move aims to increase transparency in advertising by giving users more control over their data and preferences, ultimately contributing to a more personalised and user-centric approach to targeted ads. Users have a choice to opt-out but it’s turned On by default. Read the statement from the platform here.

TikTok launched new ad performance measuring tools by utilising Cross-Channel and Lift Partners. This strategic move will pair Cross-channel and Lift Partners with TikToks attribution model to help advertisers to, ‘better understand the customer journey and incremental nature of TikTok campaigns through vetted third-party solutions.’

Shopify strengthens its position in the e-commerce industry by joining the Google Cloud Marketplace. This partnership was touted as the ‘Next chapter’ by Shopify, and the platform to leverage Google’s cloud services, providing users with enhanced performance, scalability, and security for their online stores.

And finally onto the Google news….

Google’s 2023 Year in Search Trends became available in January, and offers a comprehensive overview of the most popular global searches, revealing the trending topics and interests that captivated people’s attention. This valuable information can be crucial for businesses and marketers looking to stay attuned to consumer preferences and adapt their strategies accordingly.

Google Search underwent an AI update in January 2024, introducing improvements to search results and functionality. Some of the cool new features include ‘point your camera, ask a question, get help from AI’ and ‘circle (or highlight or scribble) to search)’. These updates aim to enhance the overall user experience by delivering more accurate and relevant information, showcasing Google’s ongoing commitment to advancing its search capabilities. We’re excited to see where this will on in 2024 and beyond.

Google released a new Performance Max Guide update, providing advertisers with valuable insights and strategies to optimize their performance marketing campaigns. This guide serves as a resource for businesses looking to make the most of Google’s advertising platforms, ensuring efficient and effective utilisation of their marketing budgets. For a good breakdown of the changes, see this article from Search Engine Land.

So there you have it folks! One month down and many more exciting months of eCommerce developments to come. Have we missed something important or have any questions? Contact the Megantic team today.