Missed the important digital marketing news and updates from last week? We’ve got you covered with the WDA Digital Marketing Round-Up. This is our last Round-Up this year so enjoy and we’ll be back with a bumper edition in the New Year!

Google

Lead Form Ad Extensions Enhanced: Google has introduced some new enhancements to Lead Form Ad Extensions which are now available. Firstly, an option to apply and share the extension across all campaigns has been added. Secondly, more pre-made question options have been added. Third and finally, Lead Forms can now be connected to a webhook to automate lead gathering.

Web Story Ads: Web Story Ads are now available via Google’s Display Network, with more demand sources set to be coming in the future. Web Stories enable advertisers to deliver full-screen mobile experiences.

App Campaigns Rolled Out: Google has started the global roll out App Campaigns for engagement. These Ads are specifically designed to re-engage existing app users and can run across Google Search, YouTube, Mobile Display and the Play Store.

Facebook/Instagram

Instagram Reels Test: Instagram is testing the option for users to let Reels clips be recommended on Facebook, possibly being shown in both Facebook Watch and News Feed. While this is just a test at the moment, it looks as though it could be a new feature to boost views of Reels.

Brand Collabs Manager Expanded: Facebook has expanded Brand Collabs Manager to include Groups. Here’s how Facebook explained the update: “Public Group admins can collaborate with brands to create campaigns that resonate with their group members. Brands will be able to connect with relevant audiences in spaces people trust and actively engage in, and group admins will also have an opportunity to earn money to support their work to manage engaged communities.”

Instagram’s Shoppable Christmas Catalogue: Instagram continues to improve eCommerce potential on the app with the addition of its first shoppable 12-page Christmas Catalogue. The shoppable catalogue has been created in collaboration with 9 prominent UK influencers.

Instagram Story Timers: According to reports. Instagram has been testing a Story timer to show how long the Story will remain visible for, which could greatly improve engagement. It’s just a test for now so stay tuned for more news on this in the future.

Twitter

Tweet Reply Options Being Extended: Tweet reply controls were rolled out earlier this year, enabling users to choose who can reply to their tweets with the options – everyone, people you follow or people you mention in the Tweet. These look set to be expanded as Jane Wong, reverse engineering expert, has shared that they’re working on a new option that would enable users to also limit replies to followers only.

Tweet Sharing on Snapchat: Twitter has announced a new update specifically for iOS users at this time that will let them directly add tweets to Snaps. Additionally, for some iOS users, they’re going to be testing the option to share Tweets as a sticker to Instagram!

LinkedIn

LinkedIn Test Ads in Stories: Stories were rolled out to all LinkedIn users back in September and LinkedIn now looks to be considering story ads as they’ve just announced an initial test of ads in stories. Here’s what LinkedIn said: “Today, we’re excited to announce that we are testing Stories Ads with a limited number of advertisers in a closed beta with all members globally. Stories Ads can help brands grow their reach with our community of more than 722M members with video and image ads. Already, we have had more than 600 advertisers activate campaigns with positive performance in clicks, views and cost metrics.”

LinkedIn Increases Page Roles: LinkedIn has expanded its company page administrator roles, providing more page management options. Here’s what they said… “LinkedIn Pages offer Page Admin and Paid Media Admin roles to allow for tiered levels of management for all activities related to your Page. Page Admin and Paid Media Admin roles can be granted to members, associated employees, and advertisers.”

Other

WhatsApp Carts: WhatsApp’s eCommerce possibilities continue to grow further with the launch of Carts. Carts enable users to add items while engaging with a business and then place the order all at once. Here are more details from WhatsApp… “Starting today, we’re excited to bring carts to WhatsApp. Carts are great when messaging businesses that typically sell multiple items at once, like a local restaurant or clothing store. With carts, people can browse a catalog, select multiple products and send the order as one message to the business. This will make it simpler for businesses to keep track of order inquiries, manage requests from customers and close sales.”

Pinterest New Board Features: Pinterest aims to further improve navigation on the platform with a suite of new board features. Firstly, ‘Notes to Self’ lets Pinners add notes that only they can see to any board. Secondly, ‘Board Toolbar’ helps Pinners to sort boards according to their preferences. Third and finally, they’re testing a feature which allows Pinners to sort boards by favourite Pins and make it easier to find top ideas and take action.

WDA’s Highlight of the Week

Our highlight for this week is the launch of WhatsApp Carts.

This is a fantastic update, especially for small local businesses who don’t currently have an online shop or website. Carts were previewed back in October so it’s good to see them now launched. The option to communicate with a business at the same time as buying products from them, all within the app, makes for a seamless user experience. Businesses that aren’t using WhatsApp as part of their marketing strategy currently may also want to reconsider.