Google has seen astronomical changes to its paid search landscape in 2020, and whilst a lot of this can be attributed to the pandemic and drastic changes in economies. Research from Search Engine Land shows a decline in tablet use and a consistent move away from broad match targeting, which in turn is having big knock on effects on how businesses are utilising their paid search campaigns. Pairing this, which started long before the pandemic, with utilisation of alternative channels such as social and Amazon, is proving to be a long term challenge for a force that has long dominated the paid landscape. You can find out more here. 

Changes are coming on Android devices, which will see users being required to manually select their preferred browser when setting up their phone. DuckDuckGo’s research determined that an incredible 24% of UK residents would instead opt for a non-Google search engine should they get prompted. Could this move, another enforced by European regulators, disrupt Google’s dominant 98% stake of the mobile search market? Time will tell. Learn more about it here. 

iOS 14 will require app development to notify users and obtain consent if their app collects unique device code (IDFA or ID for advertisers). 

Facebook has opted for its apps to stop collecting the code, rather than asking users for permission to collect the IDFA. Marketers will have to get innovative about their marketing, which will lead to a better connection, personalised, contextual offerings, and overall engaged consumers. So it’s pretty good news all round. Find out more here. 

This month, in the latest of Instagram/Facebook string of responding to other popular apps by straight up copying features, Instagram has launched Reels. A feature that is heavily inspired by TikTok’s 15sec videos set to music. Now available in the UK and 50 other countries, it’s a fun way to create engaging videos. Check it out here. 

Many Pinterest users use the app for beauty, and we are buzzing about the fact that they’ve introduced skin tone search qualifiers to this section, making it more inclusive for different types of people. It also makes searches more specific and better serves users. You can read more about it here.