The latest update from Google (BERT) brings with its machine learning to improve Google’s understanding of complicated search queries. This will affect not only search rankings but what rich snippets, excerpts and other info is shown to a user. Ultimately, BERT highlights the importance of good SEO practice working with detailed content to achieve impressive organic results through a high-quality websites.

More news from Google – with an announcement we had seen coming for a while now – the end of third-party cookies in Chrome in the next two years. It’s not all doom and gloom though as it will no doubt lead to an increase in people-based campaigns as opposed to the antiquated cookie dependant ones of today. Creating a far better user experience all round.

The latest development in the AR world is Pinterest’s new ‘Try On’ tool which allow users to try products on virtually. This comes as part of Pinterest’s attempts to become the platform for beauty inspiration. L’Oréal’s own version (‘Modiface’) saw conversion rates on products tripled when it was tested on various sites such as Amazon.

Research body GlobalData have predicted that a fifth of all retail spend will be online by 2024, with user-experienced focused developments like ASOS’ ‘See My Fit’ playing a huge part in online sales growth. The report highlights the growing prevalence of ‘digital first’ marketing strategies and the importance of always considering the online market as part of marketing plans.

Social giant Facebook released its full year results earlier this month, announcing a 25% year-on-year growth in its advertising revenue for Q4 2019. However, Facebook’s shares dropped by about 7% as year-on-year growth – while it remains strong – has shown signs of slowing (ad revenue for Q4 2018 was up 30% on the same period in 2017). Insight suggests that it could be Instagram which is keeping the company’s advertising revenue up, picking up the slack for an otherwise downturn in spend growth over time.