Facebook Tests Its Own Mobile Ad Network
Facebook is taking a big step in a new direction by testing its own mobile ad network, which signals the company shifting away from traffic monetization and toward data monetization. The social network has also introduced a feature in its Pages Manager App allowing users to purchase Promoted Posts on their mobile devices. Meanwhile, a partnership between Expedia and Groupon might not make it to Europe. Read on for more news and information to get your day started on the right foot.
Industry News and Perspectives:
Facebook Tests Its Own Mobile Ad Network
Facebook has begun testing its own mobile ad network, which enables advertisers to target users with ads for app stores or websites based on their Facebook data gleaned from other apps and mobile sites. The somewhat intricate process basically boils down to an important shift for Facebook from using its traffic to utilizing its data to monetize. Facebook says privacy was “top of mind” when creating the ad program and that no personally identifiable information is shared with third parties. Meanwhile, Facebook also introduced the ability to purchase Promoted Posts on mobile devices via the Pages Manager App. (TechCrunch, Inside Facebook)
How Seamless Delivered Custom Ads to Boost App Downloads by 50%
Here’s a case study looking at how Seamless used custom in-email banner ads targeted by mobile platform to boost app downloads and other metrics. The relatively simple process led to a click-through rate twice as high as the control, clicks that were 120 percent higher, 35 percent more clicks overall, nearly 50 percent more app downloads and 90 percent more orders placed after downloads by clickers. (MarketingSherpa)
Lessons From Big Sites on How to Write Headlines
For blogs, the ability to target a separate headline for people browsing the site and people searching via search engines is an underused traffic-building tool. Here’s a look at how WSJ.com, NYTimes.com and NBCNews.com approach their headlines. While blogs don’t have to create a custom page title that’s different from the headline, they need to be sure their headlines avoid certain pitfalls. (Neuroscience Marketing)
Is Facebook Following Myspace’s Footsteps?
Facebook has seen a big drop in U.S. desktop usage by younger users, who have been the social network’s core users. Could we be witnessing a Myspace-like slide for Facebook? Myspace suffered when it began to focus on too many offerings and when a big player (Facebook) entered the fray. For Facebook, the mobile revolution might be the killer. Also, the reluctance from users to link their usage of sites with Facebook accounts isn’t helping. (ReadWriteWeb)
Clothing, Restaurants and Retail Lead Mobile Coupon Searches
According to new research from Chitika, 27.9 percent of mobile coupon searches during the first week of September were for clothing, followed by 22.4 percent for restaurants and 17.7 percent for retail. “Consumers who are on the go and looking for a good deal generally are focused on either dining out, or finding the best price for that new pair of shoes or leather jacket.” (Chitika)
Daily-Deals News:
Groupon Works Offers Small Businesses Its ‘Secret Sauce’
Groupon is figuring out how much it needs to hold the hands of mom-and-pop shops when guiding them through the process of gathering information. The company is trying to use its size to help these small businesses by giving them things they can’t get on their own, like tracking for deals and figuring out if deals are profitable. Groupon is set to expand Groupon Works, its business targeted at merchants, to customers outside North America. (Chicago Sun-Times)
CharlotteCoupons.com Collects Deals for Local Customers
CharlotteCoupons.com collects coupons and deals for customers in the Charlotte area from sources like Groupon, Yelp and LivingSocial. The site was launched when the founder realized how many emails he was receiving from different deals sites. (PR Newswire)
Groupon Helps People Avoid Full Health Club Memberships
Groupon and other daily-deals sites might be spelling trouble for traditional health clubs. With these sites offering deals for so many fitness classes at such low prices, how can health clubs compete? (Sun Sentinel: Moms & Dads)
The Real Deal STL Buys STL Super Deals
The Real Deal STL has acquired STL Super Deals LLC. The Real Deal is one of the last remaining survivors of the group of St. Louis-based daily-deals startups. (St. Louis Business Journal)
Expedia and Groupon’s Getaways Might Not Take Flight in Europe
Back in June, Expedia and Groupon partnered to provide local travel deals in the U.S. Efforts to bring this venture across the pond to Europe might not happen. The partnership was formed in the U.S. to expand Expedia’s reach, according to a company executive. (Tnooz)
Blogs of the Business:
Getting out the Vote
The Internet Votes is encouraging everyone, particularly Net natives, to register to and get out and vote. (A VC)
By Jason Hahn
