Invite-only, anti-ad social media network, Ello, is gaining an influx of new users resulting from the debate around Facebook’s Legal Name Policy. Interest in the platform hit an all-time high this week after The Daily Dot declared, “the great gay Facebook exodus begins.”
Rumor has it that Google may be breaking into native advertising next year, a logical next step for the company. According to AdExchanger, insiders are reporting plans that include “ad-serving support for sponsored posts on premium publisher websites, and a content recommendation engine of the sort pioneered by Outbrain and Taboola.”
A study from eBay Enterprise predicts digital will be the most utilized avenue of marketing for retailers this holiday season. The “2014 Holiday Retail Audit” revealed that 63% of retailers will use online tools more than any other marketing strategy over the holiday season, with social media being the main focus.
Pinterest is updating its Privacy Policy next month to reflect changes to the social network’s Promoted Pins. The new policy will show users “more relevant” Promoted Pins as well as provide advertisers with performance analytics.
As traditional print publications continue to see a drop in readership, they are turning to social media networks as one of the more valuable sources of web referral traffic. Facebook has built up a formidable media partnerships division over the past year, recruiting former journalists and publishing execs from the world’s most recognizable media companies to help foster the company’s relationships with publishers. Pinterest is also increasing its focus on working with online publishers. Robert MacDonald joined the company this week to manage media relationships for the site and plans to hire more team members in the coming months to work with digital and print magazines.