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# Digital Marketing Updates You May Have Missed
- URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/digital-marketing-updates-you-may-have-missed/
- Published: 2015-12-19T21:25:08.000Z
- Updated: 2015-12-20T22:57:48.000Z
- Author: Greg Kihlström
- Tags: Marketing, Digital, Communications, #wp-bottom-left-sponsored, #Import 2026-10-08 18:46

**The release of more than 25 relevant updates** has our ears ringing! From new releases of Google Maps and Google Photos to Facebook’s work-friendly platform, this holiday season is definitely one to be grateful for. So, snuggle up by the fire and substitute your book for this reading material.

**Mobilegeddon: The Appscapade**

With [mobile app usage growing roughly 90% in the past two years ](https://www.doubleclickbygoogle.com/articles/doubleclicks-mobile-bootcamp-app-success/?utm%5Fmedium=email-d&utm%5Fsource=201512-publisher-connection-us&utm%5Fcampaign=20151215-publisher-connection-b-OT-MR-EL&mkt%5Ftok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRohuqvNZKXonjHpfsX66OUsUKe%2FlMI%2F0ER3fOvrPUfGjI4HRcRnI%2BSLDwEYGJlv6SgFTrDBMaN2wrgLXhY%3D)and contributing 77% of the total increase in time spent on digital media, it’s no surprise that companies are turning to mobile applications for their next big move. [Google recently brought ‘Trial Runs’ to mobile ads](http://techcrunch.com/2015/12/03/google-brings-its-app-streaming-technology-to-mobile-ads/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), allowing users to test an app for 60-seconds or less without downloading it. Furthermore, to follow the Google AdWords application release for Android, Google announced the release of a [Beta AdWords application for iOS](https://twitter.com/adwords/status/674655084756643840?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) on Twitter.

**Google’s mapped out plan to help businesses**

With Google’s release of more than five business-related updates since December 1, it seems like Google hasn’t taken a break for the holidays! [Google Maps for iOS](https://itunes.apple.com/app/apple-store/id284815942?mt=8&ref=capitolcommunicator.com) has been upgraded to include 3D touch integration, offline navigation, local gas prices and more. Speaking of maps, [business owners can now reopen or close businesses](https://www.en.advertisercommunity.com/t5/News-Updates/Keeping-Your-Location-Status-Up-to-Date/m-p/491008?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) on Google’s new map interface, making it easier to communicate with and inform customers. And, yet again, Google has continued to remove Google+ local features, this time by [removing local listings](https://googleblog.blogspot.com/2015/11/introducing-new-google.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

**Optimize, Analyze, Report \[Repeat\]**

Since [marketers are considered data scientists](http://searchengineland.com/10-reasons-search-marketer-can-call-data-scientist-237896?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) these days, it’s important to keep up-to-date with the most recent advertising, reporting and optimization trends. A recent release of [Smart Goals by Google Analytics used in AdWords](http://adwords.blogspot.com/2015/12/use-smart-goals-powered-by-google.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) will help optimize AdWords conversions through identifying the highest-quality visitors to a website and automatically optimizing campaigns for those visits. Facebook has opened the door to understand consumers on Instagram through adding the ability to create [Instagram Ads through Facebook’s Power Editor](https://www.facebook.com/business/help/1443935649245791). For businesses that rely on reviews for customer acquisition, consider adding an ad extension onto your advertisements because [Google has removed social extensions from AdWords ads](https://support.google.com/adwords/answer/2375499?hl=en&ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

**2016: The Age of Connectivity and Speed**

We’re beginning to see the start of social media becoming the new “IT” product for organizing consumer lives through improved connectivity and a faster interface. [Snapchat now allows linking to its content](http://www.forbes.com/sites/kathleenchaykowski/2015/12/01/snapchat-lets-publishers-link-directly-to-their-discover-content-on-facebook-twitter/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) from anywhere outside the app. [Google’s Accelerated Mobile Pages](https://googleblog.blogspot.com/2015/10/introducing-accelerated-mobile-pages.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) are said to be in effect in early 2016, with a ranking boost to follow; naturally, [Twitter, LINE, Viber, and Tango will begin using AMPs](https://amphtml.wordpress.com/2015/12/09/continued-momentum-for-the-amp-project/amp/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) in early 2016 as well.

**Facebook has been busy, busy with some very businessy updates**

[Facebook has unofficially released a Professional Services platform](https://www.facebook.com/services) that helps users find nearby businesses. For businesses that use Facebook, there is now a [Page plugin that connects a Facebook Page to a website](https://developers.facebook.com/blog/post/2015/12/02/page-plugin-enhancements/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com). It was also announced that there are [new tools available to help Page managers utilize communication](https://www.facebook.com/business/news/new-tools-for-managing-communication-on-your-page) with customers that include a redesigned Inbox and an easier way to keep track of comments. Last but not least, keep a look out for Facebook’s professional version called ‘[Facebook at Work](https://www.facebook.com/help/work/919032648190117/),’ as it is expected to be released soon.

**1, 2, 3, say ‘Cheese!’**

Social media companies have been quite busy improving and encouraging image-heavy user content. [Snapchat has released Story Explorer](http://blog.snapchat.com/post/133805828475/story-explorer?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), a feature that gives users the ability to see different perspectives of a similar moment. [Twitter is introducing an improved photo experience](https://blog.twitter.com/2015/a-new-look-for-your-twittercom-photos?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) by no longer cropping photos posted in Timelines. [YouTube has released a Trending tab](http://youtube-global.blogspot.com/2015/12/youtube-rewind-2015.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), giving visitors a full picture of what the world is watching. Google introduced a way to share memories through [shared albums in Google Photos](https://googleblog.blogspot.com/2015/12/shared-memories-made-easy-with-google.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), and [Yahoo! has announced the release of a virtual reality Flickr app ](http://yahoo.tumblr.com/post/134860036664/new-flickr-app-offers-360-photo-experience-via?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)to Samsung Galaxy smartphones.

**We’re uber excited to announce more social media updates**

Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and Bing, oh my! Facebook has enabled the ability to [post comments while offline, or in bad connection](http://newsroom.fb.com/news/2015/12/news-feed-fyi-continuing-to-build-news-feed-for-all-types-of-connections/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com). Twitter is also looking into[ promoted Tweets that can target audiences who do not login to an account](https://blog.twitter.com/2015/testing-promoted-tweets-on-our-logged-out-experience?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) and a [new timeline format that sorts Tweets by relevance](http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2015/12/08/twitter-reorders-tweets-in-timeline-test/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com). Tumblr is now promoting an update that [gives users the opportunity to send posts through messaging](http://staff.tumblr.com/post/134923441640/send-a-post-to-someone-thatll-love-it-messaging?ref=capitolcommunicator.com). [Bing added Uber into its iOS search app](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bing-search-across-apps-web/id345323231?mt=8&ref=capitolcommunicator.com) giving users real-time map data when looking for a ride, and [Facebook Messenger added Uber to their application ](https://www.facebook.com/Davemarcus/videos/vb.800665194/10156429336080195/?type=2&theater)enabling users to request rides and receive updates on drivers’ status – and your first ride’s free up to $20!

*To learn more on the topics covered in this series, please visit the website of* [*Carousel30*](http://www.carousel30.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)*, a Capitol Communicator sponsor.*