Meta has added some tempting new perks to the Meta Verified benefits catalogue to try and lure more users into the membership, so is it finally worth the $$$? Pinterest have also upped their advertising game once again and want everyone to know about it! This week’s digital updates are loaded with goodies so don’t miss out on a thing!

What’s new with Meta?

Meta Verified, is it worth it?

Meta Verified has been around for a while, but they just added some new perks for members. It’s a $20.49 monthly fee, so it’s not cheap. You need to have a Creator Account and a personal Facebook account to use it, so it might not be for all businesses, but if you’re thinking about signing up here are some things you need to know!

Perks:

• Existing perks: Verified Badge, impersonation protection, enhanced support, exclusive stickers and access to trial features.
• New perks: Upgraded profile features such as adding header images to your links for an engaging brand experience and search optimisation that pushes your profile to the top when people search for you

Recommendations for Businesses: If you think these perks are worth the money for your business, we say go for it! These benefits certainly can’t hurt however if this fee is too much for you, there are definitely other ways you can work on your engagement before resorting to this! One of our co-founders, Hayley, is going to try this one out on her creator account for a month so we can actually see if this hefty membership is worth all it’s been cracked up to be.

📔 Other noteworthy updates from Meta this week:

• Meta’s got a ton of tips to help you crush your holiday ad campaigns! They’ve just released a bunch of guides and resources that cover everything from Reel ads to using AI for creative. There’s even a guide on how to make your ads more entertaining and practical tips on the framing of your reels!
• A full guide of the Meta Advantage tools has been compiled to teach businesses how to maximise their Ads’ performance with AI. Meta Advantage includes features such as automated campaign creation, improved targeting, optimised bidding, creative automation and simplified campaign management.

👀 Tests Spotted on Meta this week:

• Facebook has announced the new features it’s introducing for a Youth-focused refresh. These features aim to improve user experience, including local and explore tabs, updated video tabs, AI-powered tools, Messenger Communities, and enhanced notes and memories. These updates aim to make Facebook more engaging and personalized for users.
• Groundbreaking AI tool “Movie Gen” lets you create and edit videos with just a few words. You can describe the scene you want, add music or sound effects, and even use your own photos to create personalized videos. It’s like having your own personal movie director at your fingertips!
• Last week at Advertising Week 2024, Meta introduced new features to help advertisers improve their video campaigns on Facebook and Instagram. These features include a new video tab, generative AI tools, and image animation and video expansion tools.
• Threads is adding a new feature called Loops! This will make it easier to find and join communities based on topics you’re interested in. It’s like having your own little social club within Threads!

If you’re a business owner or marketing team that wants to solidify your point of difference, win customers and grow your market share — enquire now to meet your dream team.

What’s new with Google?

Google Searching of the Future!

Google’s making Search even smarter! They’re adding new stuff like better Lens features, easier shopping, and even a way to find songs you hear. Plus, Search results are getting a makeover with AI, and you’ll find more links to helpful websites. It’s like having a super smart assistant right in your pocket!

Key features:

• Lens updates: Improved video understanding and voice input for Lens, allowing users to search by taking a video and asking questions about the moving objects they see. You can now get an AI Overview by pointing your camera and asking a question.
• Shopping with Lens: Easier to shop the world around you with Lens, showing key information about products you’re looking for, including reviews, price info across retailers, and where to buy.
• Circle to Search: Instantly search the songs you hear without switching apps by circling your screen.
• AI-organized search results: Search results pages organized with AI to help users explore and discover a wider range of results from the web.
• More connections to the best of the web: Prominent links to supporting webpages directly within the text of an AI Overview, making it easier for users to visit sites that interest them.
• Ads in AI Overviews: Ads in AI Overviews for relevant queries, allow people to quickly connect with relevant businesses, products, and services.

Whether it’s the first time you’re outsourcing, it’s time to break up with your agency or you need a dream team to help you fill the shoes of your Marketing person while they’re out of action. Consider us your plug and play marketing team. With a wide range of skills and specialties, flexible packages and monthly contracts, we’re here to support you through every season of business. You ready? Enquire here.

What’s new with Pinterest?

Pinterest’s Advertising Makeover!

Pinterest has introduced new AI and automation features to make advertising campaigns smarter and more efficient. These features include the Pinterest Performance+ suite for lower-funnel performance, Pinterest Performance+ creative for generating engaging ads, and Pinterest Performance+ bidding for ROAS optimization. Additionally, Promotions are now available to help advertisers highlight sales and discounts. These updates aim to help advertisers drive better results and reach their target audience more effectively on Pinterest.

Key features:

• Pinterest Performance+: Businesses can now automate targeting, budgeting, and even ad design. This means you can spend less time on ads and more time focusing on your business. Plus, early tests show that it can boost your results by up to 15%.
• Promotion: With new features like personalized promotions and AI-powered ad creation, you can reach customers at the right time with the right offer. This can boost sales and help you stand out from the competition.

Recommendations for Business Owners: If you’ve ever considered advertising on Pinterest, these new features are making Pinterest ads more accessible and hopefully more effective than ever!

📔 Other noteworthy updates from Pinterest this week:

• Pinterest has released its annual Halloween Trend Report, and it’s full of spooky and stylish ideas. This year, people are leaning into pop culture with costumes inspired by “it girls” like Charli XCX and Olivia Rodrigo. Vintage Halloween is also a big trend, with searches for “90s Halloween decorations” up 140%. And don’t forget about the food! Searches for “ghost pizza” and “pumpkin s’mores cookies” are skyrocketing.

What’s new with TikTok?

👀 Tests spotted this week:

• TikTok announced new tools to help businesses succeed on the platform. These tools include automated ad solutions, improved measurement capabilities, and privacy-enhancing technologies. With these new features, businesses can more effectively reach their target audience, measure their results, and ensure privacy compliance.

Our plug and play marketing team will guide your audience from brand fans to repeat buyers. Click through our quick and easy quiz to discover the best way we can support your business as you grow! Once you submit your answers we’ll be in touch with the next steps.

We can’t wait to see if Meta Verified actually makes a difference on our accounts so we can report back to you with the goss! Feel free to sign up for our weekly updates here (plus so much more hot goss) so you never miss the best updates. AND don’t forget, if you do miss out you can always go back to last weeks blog posts here.

XOXO

Oh My Digital Team