Consumers don't trust influencers, Facebook launches 3 new ad tools for small businesses, Amazon storing UK biometric data, Facebook relaxes cryptocurrency ad rules, Google's new consumer privacy plans, Facebook removes "dangerous users", digital ad revenues top $1bn, Facebook political ad warning and Singapore passes 'fake news' law.

This week has seen a number of big digital and marketing stories in the headlines. We've taken a look at some of the biggest, including new findings that show only 4% trust information shared by celebrity influencers, bloggers and vloggers. On top of this, Facebook has announced three new advertising tools that are aimed at helping small businesses make the most of the platform. There are also concerns being raised about a new Home Office contract that could see Amazon storing biometric information belonging to millions of people in the UK. Other Facebook news reveals that the platform is loosening its rules on advertising related to cryptocurrencies…

Both online and offline businesses are using social media to market their brands to their target audiences.

There are about 4.338 billion internet users. Out of these, about 3.484 billion people use social media, which translates to almost half the population of the world. This makes it one of the most important platforms to reach your customers. Both online and offline businesses are using social media to market their brands to their target audiences. However, with the right Customer Relationship Management software (CRM), you can improve your customer service through social media too. A presence on social media makes it easier for customers to reach out to your business for any queries. [si_guide_block id="5768" title="Download our Individual Member Resource – Social media marketing strategy guide" description="Our social media strategy guide will help you create an integrated social media marketing strategy that shows you how to…

Global sports sponsorship grows as eyes turn to women's games, Instagram tests shoppable content feature for influencers, American and Aussie most-trusted brands are recognized, Google Keyword Planner updates and a turbulent week for Google shareholders

This week, we take a look at how the global sports sponsorship industry is forecast to grow significantly, with female sports taking a more central, and long overdue, role in this growth. There's also important news regarding Instagram's shoppable content feature, which is being tested for use by influencers for the very first time. Australian and American brands are also under the microscope as the most-trusted brands are recognized by consumers. Last but not least, we'll take a look at two pieces of Google-related news. We've got information regarding updates to the Keyword Planner, then there's the small matter of Google's market value sliding by $80bn.

Women's games contributing to global sports sponsorship growth

Many would argue that it has taken…

Twitter's new reporting tool ahead of elections, LinkedIn's new 'services' feature, Facebook suing a company for selling fake 'likes', Instagram replacing travel brochures, Sri Lankan blocks social media following terrorist attacks, Snapchat seeing user recovery and Google adds fun Avengers-themed feature

This week has seen another update to Twitter, this time to help stop the spread of misinformation ahead of elections. A new reporting feature will allow users to flag incorrect information that could influence people's election decisions. LinkedIn is helping freelancers and business-owners showcase their services on their profile with a new trial feature. Facebook has launched a lawsuit against a company and individuals who have been selling fake engagement on Instagram. New research has found that more people turn to Instagram to find holiday locations than travel agents, with many people choosing destinations based on how photogenic they are. The Sri Lankan government has blocked social media while investigations into the terrorist attacks…

Instagram to stop recommending 'borderline' content, the UK government is proposing new rules for social media companies, Amazon Alexa conversations being listened to by people, Netflix is testing new subscriptions in India and Lego named as the UK's favourite brand

A big focus this week across the board is social media and the spread of harmful content. Instagram has announced that it is set to stop recommending 'borderline' content that isn't quite breaking its rules but could be seen as potentially harmful. On top of this, the UK government is seeking to make social media in the country as safe as possible with proposed new regulations and sanctions for platforms failing to ensure users' safety. In other news, Amazon has admitted that some recorded Alexa conversations are listened to by people, raising security concerns. Netflix is seeking to grow its market share in India by offering new subscription services in the country, including weekly subscriptions. Finally,…

Small businesses can save time and get better results with these handy Twitter marketing apps

Social media provides a great platform to amplify your social media marketing strategies. It can help you establish a community, raise brand awareness and encourage engagement with your audience. However, social media management can be quite time-consuming, as it involves managing multiple social media accounts at the same time, and posting content on a regular basis. If you find it too time-consuming to be constantly posting updates on Facebook or Twitter, there are some amazing tools and apps out there that can help you save time and increase the effectiveness of your efforts. They help you juggle your social media accounts from your desktop and smartphones to make sure you have a very productive social media marketing campaign. [si_guide_block id="18501" title="Smarter Twitter marketing guide" description="For a detailed look at Twitter and how you can use it…

Instagram trailling new video trackbar, Facebook banning white nationalism on its platforms, LinkedIn's new partnership with Adobe, Twitter highlighting politician's tweets that break community standards, Facebook's clamp down on political advertisers and online video subscriptions outstripping cable customers

This week has seen most of the big social media platforms release new features or make policy changes. Facebook has banned content, searches and groups related to white nationalism and is also launching new requirements for political advertisers in a bid to make political ads more transparent. Twitter is looking into ways of flagging tweets from politicians and public figures - including President Trump - that break community standards but shouldn't be deleted as they are in the public interest. LinkedIn announced its new partnership with Adobe, which is aimed at offering better ad targeting on the platform. In simpler news, Instagram seems to be trialling a new trackbar so users can skip through videos. Other news this…

Millions are 5G-ready, Facebook disagrees with ACCC recommendations, YouTube will never be "100% safe" for brands, Facebook to improve messaging privacy and new interracial couple emojis announced

This week's news roundup sees concerns raised about privacy when 5G is rolled out, with the Information Commissioner's Office raising concerns about personal data on a faster network. Facebook has also responded to the ACCC's initial recommendations, disagreeing with the suggested extra regulations. Google has admitted that there is very little chance YouTube will ever be totally brand-safe, although it is making changes to its advertising program to try and protect brands' reputations. Mark Zuckerberg has announced controversial changes to messanger apps, with auto-encryption set to be rolled out. Finally, it has been announced that interracial couple emojis will be available this year following a petition by Tinder. Find out more about each of these stories below.  

Millions ready for 5G but is privacy an issue?

Up to 15 million UK…

In the world of startups and small businesses, there is a lot of misinformation and confusion about social media handles

We understand that when it comes to business, entrepreneurs want to make the right choice. They are careful about every step of the branding process, even social media handles, so it is no surprise that some people are hesitant to take a business name if the social media handles are taken. In the world of startups and small businesses, there is a lot of misinformation and confusion about social media handles. Many people don’t realize that, like a domain, a social media handle is a way that potential customers can find your business online. However, like domains, you do not always need an exact match social media handle. [si_guide_block id="82119" title="Download our Free Resource – 10 common social media marketing mistakes" description="Avoid the pitfalls that limit engagement with your…

Facebook called "digital gangsters" by UK government, Google rolling out click share for Search campaigns, big brands pull out of YouTube advertising, Marketing skills gap increasing and Ikea announces new sustainable store opening with water-cleaning bath boats

A new parliamentary report has found that Facebook has broken regulations and has called on the UK government to do more to bring it and similar sights under regulatory control. Google has started rolling out click share for Search campaigns, giving you more insights into the success of your text ads. A number of big brands have reportedly pulled out of advertising deals with YouTube after concerns were raised that paedophiles are using the platform to create communities. The marketing skills gap seems to be increasing, despite investment in training. Ikea is advertising the launch of its new sustainable Greenwich store with life-size bath boats that are helping to clean up London's waterways. Find out more about these stories…