1) OK Google! Hands-free desktop search has arrived
Voice search is certainly nothing new. Going completely hands free on desktop? Yeah, that’s new. Using OK Google, you can now search the web without a single keystroke. Download the new Chrome extension, open up a Google Chrome search browser and say “OK Google” to activate voice search at any time. Click here to read more.
2) Are ad clicks still the most valuable metric?
Measuring the effectiveness of your digital ads is the foundation of online marketing. For a long time we’ve relied on clickthrough and conversion rates as gold standards. But, that’s not all that matters. What if time spent viewing ads is a better metric for success? In order to answer this question, ad exchanges are looking for ways to implement and standardize a method to track time spent viewing ads. Read the full article here.
3) Yahoo introduces Motion Ads, not to be confused with Video Ads
Yahoo recently introduced Gemini as a part of an ongoing effort to create new ad platforms. They have now added motion ads to their offering. Yahoo says these ads, “use high-quality brand images with subtle animation to create high-impact experiences for advertisers that are equally entertaining for readers.” Will Motion Ads perform better than Video Ads? We’ll find out soon.
4) 8 Brands that are crushing it on Google+ Hangouts
At Spyder Trap, we are seeing high clickthrough rates on Google’s video thumbnails and video content in general. And using live video is proving an even better way to engage your audience. Here are eight amazing examples of brands using live Google+ Hangouts.
5) NCAA Tourney predictions
If you’re like us, you’re pulling your hair over the first round of NCAA College Basketball upsets right about now. If you wanna see the best predictor on the internet, check out FiveThirtyEight’s custom and statistically-adjusted bracket. This thing rocks.
6) Zappos uses Instagram to offer personalized shopping recommendations
Zappos is rolling out yet another pilot project in an effort to boost engagement and personalization on Instagram. Piggybacking on the popularity of #OOTD Instagram photos (outfit of the day), Zappos is offering to send consumers personalized shopping recommendations if they use their custom hashtag #NextOOTD. The future of retail looks a lot like this. To read more, click here.
