X is moving forward with plans to remove its blocking feature, which it’s been considering for over a year. There have been claims that the process began when Elon Musk discovered that he was one of the platform’s most blocked users, however, this is purely speculation. While the exact reason isn’t clear, Musk has repeatedly said that blocking doesn’t work well, because people can simply log in with a different account to see your posts.

Although this might be true in some cases, blocking still serves an important purpose for many users who feel they have an element of control over their security. Nevertheless, X recently explained its new approach: if you block someone, they’ll still be able to see your posts—possibly through the “For You” feed—but they won’t be able to comment or interact with your content.

X’s Reason for the Change

X claims the update will address situations where blocked users might have harmful or private information shared about them without their knowledge. Under the new system, blocked users will be able to see and report such posts, which X says will lead to better privacy and transparency.

However, this explanation overlooks the fact that blocking is used for other reasons. For example, many people block others simply to stop them from viewing their posts, especially when dealing with harassment or abuse. While some individuals may go through the trouble of creating new accounts there is a common acceptance that this isn’t the norm. Blocking usually stops casual harassment because the person is unlikely to create a new profile just to keep following you.

Concerns About the Change

X suggests users can still protect their posts by switching to “Protected Posts,” allowing only approved followers to see them. However, this may not replace the security that blocking provides.

While there is logic behind the update, there has been an argument it weakens a user’s ability to protect themselves online. Social platforms are required to have a block option, and X will need to ensure it follows these rules.

Google’s latest update will see a revamp to their online shop which will be powered by AI and roll out new features such as personalised home feeds, virtual try-ons and more. The latest update will initially be available in the US over the coming weeks.

The AI powered online shop will have a host of new features in order to improve user experience and make Google’s online shop more accessible. 

Personalised Home Feed

The new AI powered tool will use past shopping experiences and user preferences as a guideline to build a new, customised home feed to display products users are more likely to engage with.

AI Summaries

AI will also be integrated into the shopping experience for customers by highlighting key product features and giving recommendations based on user searches

Virtual Try On

This new feature will allow users to see what clothes look like on a ‘range’ of different models. Google has listened to feedback from users who have claimed that they find it difficult to see how certain clothes may fit them online, therefore this AI powered tool will let users choose models of different shapes, sizes and skin tones to see how an outfit would best suit them. 

Pricing Tools

Google has announced new pricing tools in order to help customers find the best deals across the web. Price comparison, price insights and price tracking filters throughout the shopping experience, as well as a dedicated deals page that only shows items with the best prices. 

How this will impact brands

A personalised shopping experience is great for E-Commerce brands as a larger variety of products will be shown to customers, with enhanced targeting features, which will mean higher conversion rates for brands in the future. 

The new shopping experience has begun to be rolled out to customers in the US and will be available in the UK at a later, unconfirmed date. Google will continue to make changes and enhance the shopping experience.

YouTube has listened to user feedback to develop fantastic features that will likely improve user experiences. The changes will be implemented across mobile, TV, desktop, and YouTube Music.

YouTube states over a dozen new features have begun to roll out, since the initial announcement on the 15^th of November.

Playback speed

One of the features users can expect to see and be able to use is the adjustable playback speed. Initially, YouTube offered users the ability to speed up or slow down content in increments of 1, now however, users will be able to adjust the playback speed by 0.5.

Sleep timers

This new feature is going to change the game when it comes to viewing habits. Most users can share the experience of falling asleep to an auto-queue of YouTube videos.

This posed a bit of a dilemma for users, as they navigate the content they have and have not actively watched. This new feature will mitigate that by having users set a sleep timer. The sleep timer will turn off the content within a set time frame (which is selected by the users).

Collaborate playlist

YouTube looks to foster connections amongst users, providing the option for users to create and collaborate on playlists together.

The release demonstrates that YouTube is bringing more features to enhance music lovers’ experiences. This also means users have the same capabilities as competitors Spotify and Apple Music.

The feature will be available to TV users with the use of a link or QR code displayed on screen.

Miniplayer improvements

The feature will allow viewers to watch content and simultaneously scroll content options whilst also being able to adjust the size of the viewing window.  This will make for a seamless watching experience as users are able to navigate to their next piece of content whilst continuing to browse what is in their current viewing window.

Badges for listeners

Users will be rewarded for their actions with badges! These badges will specifically celebrate the achievements of the users, whether that answering quizzes or reaching milestones on YouTube!

Customisable thumbnails

Users can create their playlist’s thumbnails with their own original imagery or utilise the new AI tool which can generate one for users. User simply need to upload their content to the platform, to then be able to edit with filters, stickers or text.

Enhanced TV experience

The viewing experience on YouTube when watching on a TV is about to change drastically. The feature is called ‘immersive channel pages’ and it auto-plays video content when users click on a creator’s channel.

This allows users to explore and watch content as they discover creators’ channels, opening up the opportunity to discover more exciting content!

User Interface changes

YouTube is implementing some visual changes across platforms to incorporate more brand elements like the iconic red hue, as well as some graphics to accentuate the screen and create a captivating viewing experience.

Users will be able to browse the comment section, YouTube shop all without leaving the content they’re watching. Making for a seamless experience across the app. This will be available to mobile, TV and web users.

We’d love to know what features you’re most excited to use!

Google Search has now expanded Store ratings to more countries, including the UK, Australia, Canada, and India. Store ratings were previously only available in the US.

What are Store ratings?

Store ratings are a feature that helps people find businesses with good customer service. They are designed to build trust between customers and businesses, helping shoppers make informed decisions before making a purchase. These ratings appear in Google Shopping search results, where users can click on the rating to see more details about a business, such as customer reviews, shipping options, and return policies. This allows potential customers to feel more confident in their decision-making.

How can businesses get Store ratings?

If you’re a business owner in one of these countries and want Store ratings to appear with your search results, you can join Google’s free Customer Review program or collect reviews through independent review platforms. If you’re already using these, your business is likely eligible for Store ratings to appear automatically.

Who this news is important for.

• E-commerce businesses: For online retailers, especially those in the newly added countries (UK, Australia, Canada, and India), this is an opportunity to increase your business’s credibility and online visibility. A good store rating can make all the difference in attracting customers in a competitive marketplace.
• Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs): For smaller businesses or those just starting out, Store ratings provide an affordable way to compete with larger companies. As ratings are available for both free and paid listings, even businesses with smaller marketing budgets can benefit.
• Local businesses expanding online: If you’re a local business transitioning to online sales or expanding your digital presence, Store ratings can help establish trust with new customers who may not be familiar with your brand.
• Businesses relying on Google Shopping: Companies already leveraging Google Shopping ads and listings will find this especially useful. With the inclusion of Store ratings, you’re more likely to see an increase in customer engagement and conversions.
• Consumers: While this news primarily benefits businesses, it’s also significant for consumers who now have more information to help them make confident purchasing decisions when shopping online. With detailed reviews and policies at their fingertips, shoppers in these new regions will find it easier to choose reputable businesses.

Why it matters.

• Increased visibility: Store ratings help businesses stand out in Google Shopping search results, making it easier for customers to find and trust your business.
• Builds trust: Positive store ratings give potential customers confidence in the quality of your products or services, increasing the likelihood they’ll click through to your site.
• Competitive advantage: A high store rating can set you apart from competitors, especially in crowded markets, attracting more traffic and interest in your business.
• Qualified traffic: Store ratings help drive more relevant customers to your site—those actively looking for businesses with good reputations.
• Higher conversions: Customers are more likely to make purchases from stores with positive ratings, leading to higher conversion rates and potentially larger sales.
• Free visibility: Store ratings are available for both paid ads and free listings, allowing smaller or newer businesses to compete with larger brands without extra advertising costs.
• Cost-effective growth: Using store ratings as part of your online strategy can grow your business by increasing customer confidence and boosting sales, without additional marketing spend.

In summary, having Store ratings can boost your business’s visibility on Google, attract more qualified customers, and potentially increase your sales. It’s a useful tool for businesses wanting to improve their online presence and attract more customers. If you haven’t looked into it yet, it’s worth considering.

Meta reveals at Advertising Week new AI-powered features to enrich advertisers’ creative opportunities with ad creation. The tools offer creators the ability to finesse visual elements with image animation and video expansion.

Meta is currently trailing its AI, configuring the tool to capture a brand’s voice and tone to help with generative copywriting for campaigns. Additionally, Meta looks to forge closer creator partnerships by providing a tool to produce integrated creator campaigns.

More on the features announced by Meta

Brand voice & tone

The brand voice and tone tool is not yet available, but it is in the works. It will allow advertisers to prompt the AI with information about their brand’s tone and messaging to produce ad creative in line with their brand.

This tool could have a significant impact on production, making the process more efficient for advertisers to produce unique variations of ad creative.

Image animation

Image animation will give advertisers the capability to animate any photography or graphics they have for ad creative. This could be a fantastic opportunity for brands predominantly using static to explore video creative for their campaigns.

Close creator partnerships

Integrated creator campaigns will be made possible with Meta’s now creator partnership tool. The tool enabled advertisers to use videos produced by content creators in their ads across Meta platforms. Advertisers are also able to utilise creator testimonials to produce ads.

Video Expansion

Video expansion is a feature which expands the aspect ratios of original video content that has been uploaded. It can do this by using the pixels within the video to generate an expanded version of the content.

This can help enhance the content, bringing new and unique aspects to the ads. Meta initially offered the feature for images; its popularity is what led to the feature being developed.

Meta’s historical AI updates

Meta first launched AI capabilities in October of 2023, with features like text variation where advertisers could adjust their body of text in campaigns, background generation and image expansion. Its initial release was a leap taken by Meta, to amplify the creative abilities within ad campaigns.

In April of 2024, Meta began to launch new AI features with Meta AI, an AI assistant for its millions of users to access for free. The tool enables users to prompt the AI on basic topics, and even image and GIF generation. This launch was available to users in feed, chats and search across Meta’s apps.  The tool is yet to launch in the UK as Meta contemplates the legal implications the tool could have due to EU regulations.

In May (2024) Meta expanded its AI offering with further text variations, allowing for campaign titles and body text to be tailored to key selling points. Meta also unveiled complete image generation, which could be produced utilising previous campaign assets as inspiration.

The future of advertising on Meta

Meta signals to advertisers that they can offer tools to improve and elevate campaign creative. As they begin to integrate more tools to enhance video with AI, we have to give some praise in their ability to keep up with consumption trends.

As video continues to dominate in user content consumption, video tools can help advertisers position their ad campaigns more naturally within the social media landscape they exist in.

Interstitials, or pop-ups, are overlays that block part or all of a website’s content, often for promotional purposes. These can be disruptive, negatively impacting both user experience and SEO. Google considers intrusive interstitials harmful and may demote sites using them, even without a formal penalty.

Google’s official guidance on interstitials

Google advises avoiding intrusive interstitials and dialogs that block content. They can frustrate users, degrade trust, and make it harder for search engines to understand a site’s structure. Instead, use banners or unobtrusive alternatives to improve both usability and search performance. Banners take up less screen space and allow users to interact with the content more seamlessly.

Key recommendations from Google:

• Avoid covering content: Pop-ups or full-page interstitials that obstruct the view of the content should be avoided unless legally required.
• Use banners or slide-ins: These offer a less disruptive way to capture attention while allowing users to access your content immediately.
• Common libraries and plugins: Use standard plugins for pop-ups, such as newsletter sign-up prompts, to ensure a smoother user experience.
• Mandatory interstitials, like age verification or legal notices, are generally exempt from these guidelines, but it’s recommended to design them in a way that search engines can still crawl and index your content.

Findings from Anna Crowe’s case study

Anna Crowe recently wrote a great case study about interstitials for Search Engine Land (it’s worth a read), a client lost significant traffic after launching intrusive pop-ups across their site. Here are the main findings:

• Organic traffic loss: An 82% drop in the first month and a further 97% decline in the second.
• Keyword rankings fall: Desktop rankings dropped by 97%, with mobile rankings dropping by 96%, particularly affecting branded terms.
• Page speed impact: Pop-ups led to slower load times, from 3 seconds to 13 seconds, which contributed to a further decline in search rankings.

These issues occurred despite there being no formal penalty for the interstitials, emphasising how user experience factors into SEO.

Alternatives to interstitials

To avoid SEO penalties and improve user experience, consider these alternatives to intrusive interstitials:

• Banner ads: Place promotional messages in banners at the top or bottom of the screen, allowing users to view content without interruption.
• In-line calls to action (CTAs): Integrate CTAs directly into the page content, making them a natural part of the user’s reading experience.
• Slide-ins: Use smaller, less intrusive elements that slide in from the side of the page, grabbing attention without blocking main content.
• Exit-intent pop-ups: Triggered when a user is about to leave the page, these pop-ups are less disruptive and still effective for capturing user attention.
• Time- or scroll-based pop-ups: Delay pop-ups to trigger based on how long users are on the page or how far they scroll, giving them time to engage with your content first.

While interstitials can seem like an effective way to capture conversions, they often hurt SEO and user experience. Google advises using more subtle options like banners, slide-ins, or delayed pop-ups. Following best practices helps maintain user trust, optimize site performance, and avoid ranking demotions.

TikTok, a popular social media app for sharing short videos, is being sued by 13 US states. These states claim that TikTok is harming young people’s mental health and not doing enough to protect children. The lawsuit argues that the app is designed to be addictive, keeping young users hooked, which could hurt their development.

What are the complaints against TikTok?

The states involved in the lawsuit accuse TikTok of contributing to serious mental health issues among young people, such as depression, anxiety, and problems with body image. Some even say that dangerous behaviour has been encouraged because of the content shown on the platform. New York’s Attorney General, Letitia James, said that young people are struggling with their mental health due to addictive social media platforms like TikTok. Similarly, the Attorney General for Washington DC called TikTok “intentionally addictive.

How has TikTok responded?

TikTok has denied the claims, saying that the accusations are “inaccurate and misleading.” The company says it has features in place to protect young users, like setting default time limits for screen use and ensuring more privacy for users under 16. TikTok also says it doesn’t allow children under 13 to use the app, and certain content is restricted for users under 18.

TikTok is disappointed that the states chose to sue instead of working with the company to find solutions. A spokesperson for the company, Alex Haurek, said they had been trying to work with the states for over two years but were upset that legal action was taken instead of cooperation.

Could things get worse for TikTok?

TikTok is facing bigger problems beyond this lawsuit. The app is under investigation in the US, and there is a possibility it could be banned across the country unless its parent company, Bytedance, which is based in China, sells it. This legal battle could even go all the way to the US Supreme Court.

WordPress Co Founder, Matt Mullenweg has this week announced a new Executive Director for the platform, Mary Hubbard, after the previous director’s resignation due to the ongoing turmoil currently taking place at WordPress.

Who is the new director?

Mary Hubbard has already been working at WordPress for four years, taking up the role of Chief Product Officer in 2020. The Executive Director position became available after Josepha Haden Chomphosy left Automaticc, along with a whole host of employees, due to ongoing legal issues with WordPress and their competitor WPEngine.

WordPress vs WPEngine

WordPress and WPEngine are now locked in a legal battle which has been causing the current high levels of turnover within WordPress. The issues initially arose when Automaticc CEO, Matt Mullenweg, made disparaging claims about WP Engine, including that they should be paying WordPress ‘’a significant percentage of its revenue for a licence to the WordPress trademark’’ due to the use of WP in their name.

These comments caused a whole host of issues to take place. Both companies sent cease and desist letters to their respective parties and Matt Mullenweg banned WPEngine from using WordPress features such as plug-ins and themes. This caused huge controversy as WordPress runs around 40% of the Internet’s websites and broke many sites overnight.

WPEngine has since sued Automaticc for their abuse of power and breaking their promise to run WordPress as open source. 159 WordPress employees, including Executive Director Josepha Haden Chomphosy, left the company due to the direction of the company and were given severance packages.

Google’s search results for shopping now resemble Amazon’s, meaning retailers need to
focus on making their product pages stand out. Chris Long, in his insightful article on Search
Engine Land, has explored this shift in detail. He highlights how Google is transforming the
ecommerce search experience, and why it’s essential for retailers to adapt.
Below, we’ve summarised the key points from his article to help you understand the major
changes Google has made and how retailers can respond effectively.

Products in search results

One of the most significant changes to Google’s search results is the way products are
displayed. Instead of just showing website links, Google now displays product grids directly
within the search results, creating an Amazon-like experience.
For instance, Chris recommends that if you search for “espresso machines”, you’ll be met
with a grid of product options before seeing the usual organic results. Each product listing
includes images, prices, and information from multiple retailers, allowing users to compare
products without leaving the search page.

Additionally, users can refine their search using built-in filters. If the initial results don’t match what they’re looking for, they can narrow down the options by selecting specific features, such as “automatic” or “with grinder”. Google adjusts the results based on these selections, providing more tailored product options immediately.

This emphasis on products within the search results means retailers have fewer opportunities to rely on traditional organic results. Product pages must now compete for attention directly within the search engine results page (SERP) itself.

The end of the traditional category page

With Google offering product listings and comparisons directly within the SERPs, the need for traditional category pages has diminished. Google’s new format provides a similar experience to what users would expect from category pages on a retailer’s site – but without requiring them to click through.

This shift has clear implications for how retailers should approach SEO. Rather than focusing heavily on optimising category pages, the priority now needs to be on individual product pages. These pages must be optimised for search, with clear titles, detailed descriptions, and key product information such as price, availability, and features.

Why is Google doing this and what does it mean for product pages?

Google is competing with Amazon, where most people now begin their product searches. To win back shoppers, Google has made its search results resemble Amazon’s, displaying detailed product information directly within the search page.

This shift means retailers must prioritise individual product pages. Product grids and filters are pushing these pages into the spotlight in search results, so it’s crucial to optimise them with clear titles, descriptions, and essential product details. Accurate and complete product data is also vital to ensure your products appear correctly in Google’s new layout.

What’s next?

It’s clear that Google is moving towards creating a category-page-like experience within search results, and this trend is likely to continue. Retailers should adapt their SEO strategies, with a focus on optimising individual product pages to remain competitive.

On October 1, 2024, Instagram launched its new “Best Practices” hub, which will be regularly updated to help content creators succeed on the platform. This initiative shows Instagram’s commitment to supporting creators by providing useful tools and guidance. Creators can access additional resources by visiting Instagram for Creators.

The new feature includes a professional dashboard aimed at helping creators grow their audiences. It covers five important topics: content creation, audience engagement, reach, monetization, and community guidelines. Each topic provides general advice and personalized recommendations based on the performance of individual accounts. Creators will also find educational reels featuring successful users sharing their experiences.

Instagram is launching this hub to better support its diverse community of users and content creators. With increasing competition from platforms like TikTok, it’s essential for Instagram and its parent company, Meta, to demonstrate the advantages of using their services.

Key Features of the Hub

• Integrated Dashboard: Accessible directly from the Instagram professional dashboard.
• Comprehensive Guidance: Offers insights on five key areas:
  • Content Creation
  • Audience Engagement
  • Reach
  • Monetization
  • Community Guidelines
• Personalized Tips: Provides tailored advice based on account performance.
• Creator-Led Education: Features educational reels from successful creators.

Importance of Education Hubs on Social Media

Education hubs give users easy access to various learning resources, such as courses and articles, which help develop their skills. They offer flexible learning options, allowing individuals to learn at their own pace while connecting with industry experts and peers. Many hubs also provide certifications, giving users recognized credentials. By keeping content up-to-date and affordable, these hubs make quality education accessible to a broader audience.