“We’re launching a new link spam fighting change”: Google’s new algo update, and its effect on sponsored, guest, and affiliate content
"Focusing on producing high quality content and improving user experience always wins out compared to manipulating links." Google’s link spam algorithm update, a 2-week process initiated on July 26, is… (more)
Online video is going through the roof
“Video now accounts for almost half of all time spent on Facebook,” announced Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, during the Q2 earnings call last week. “Video, in particular, is becoming the… (more)
Publishers, what do you do when search traffic drops? Google answers
Most drops in organic search traffic can be reversed: Google Publishers’ organic search traffic from Google keeps fluctuating over time—even without major changes in terms of content—for a variety of… (more)
Facebook launches independent publishing platform, while its traffic to publishers drops significantly
The “Bulletin” is out. Facebook has just launched its newsletter platform Bulletin, focused on “independent writers who are making a living by connecting directly with their readers.” In other words,… (more)
Digital News Report 2021: Top 5 takeaways for publishers
“These are positive findings from publishers’ point of view”: Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2021, the most comprehensive annual report on news consumption worldwide, launched today. This year's report reveals… (more)
“Advertising growth is far exceeding previous expectations”: GroupM forecasts $1 trillion+ in 5 years
“COVID has only served as an accelerant ... the overall view is one of optimism” “Midway through 2021, advertising growth for the year is far exceeding previous expectations thanks, in… (more)
Apple WWDC 2021: What publishers need to know
Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference kicked off yesterday, with a keynote by Chief Executive Tim Cook. While WWDC is primarily a developer-focused event, it also provides an in-depth look at… (more)
Google shares how it ranks news sources: Transparency is “a major factor”
“Our systems are designed to use these guiding principles… They help ensure we’re elevating content from trusted, authoritative sources.” There are some surprises for publishers. For example, publishing pieces without… (more)
“An internet without friction and frustration”: What we know so far about Twitter’s upcoming subscription service
"There’s a model for a better internet. Members get clean, fast-loading sites without ads while publishers make more money." Twitter previously confirmed, a few months ago, that the social media… (more)
“A monumental change is coming”: Apple’s first 2021 event, and what publishers need to know
Apple wrapped up its ‘Spring Loaded’ event yesterday, and there weren’t too many big surprises… except for “exposing” the mild-mannered Apple CEO as a “kind of daring superspy who can… (more)
“Everyone sees the same storyline”: Google Search rolls out Full Coverage for news stories
Google is updating search results with the Full Coverage feature; it was previously exclusive to Google News Google Search is now getting the Full Coverage feature for news results, which… (more)
“We’re not going to block advertisers and publishers from connecting”: Google
Earlier this month, in a somewhat surprising move, Google announced that it will stop using users’ browser history for ad targeting. The company also stated it won’t develop new ways… (more)
Google’s massive algo update in 2 months: Publishers concerned about WordPress’ “Gutenberg bloat”
"WordPress doesn’t seem aware of what publishers need in terms of better user experience." A major Google search algorithm update—with “wide-reaching impact”—takes effect in 2 months. This update will introduce… (more)
“Facebook has refriended Australia”: Will restore news on its platform
Australia agrees to amendments in proposed law. Facebook reverses news ban. Facebook has agreed to restore Australian news on its platform following an agreement with the government on amendments to… (more)
Publishers lose up to 20% traffic after Facebook’s news blockade, but there’s some good news
Australia wanted Big Tech to pay for news. Facebook didn’t. Rather than pay media companies in return for linking to their stories, as a forthcoming Australian law would require, the… (more)
Google’s search algorithm update with “wide-reaching impact” takes effect in 2 months: Publishers, get ready
Google’s search algorithm currently depends on certain signals like mobile-friendliness, safe-browsing, HTTPS-security, and intrusive interstitial guidelines. In about 2 months, there will be a major update with new page experience… (more)
Violations of Google News and Discover guidelines can now result in manual actions, “most serious of all Google penalties”
This marks the first time publishers could potentially receive manual penalties for violations of Google News and Discover policies. Google has just added 12 new types of manual action penalties,… (more)
Facebook rolls out “a new destination for news” in the UK: Will pay publishers for content
Facebook has started rolling out Facebook News—a destination within its app that features news from hundreds of leading national, local and lifestyle outlets—across the UK. Users will now be able… (more)
Google agrees to pay French publishers for news, but threatens to exit Australia if media code becomes law
In a high-stakes drama unfolding across the globe, Google indicated just how much it’s willing to bend, before it reaches what it considers to be a breaking point. First, in… (more)
Snapchat will now pay creators “more than $1 million” a day, for viral posts
Snapchat has just launched a new feature called Spotlight, to “to shine a light on the most entertaining Snaps created by the Snapchat community.” To encourage viral posts, Snapchat will… (more)
