This curated list includes important updates and insights from the month of May. To stay updated on the latest updates from the digital landscape, read our Digital Marketing Apple Page.

Social Media 

1. For the first time in the last 5 years, Facebook lost share as the most important platform for marketers, dropping from 67% in 2018 to 61% in 2019. Get more insights at 2019 Social Media Marketing Industry Report. Download here

2. IGTV Now Supports Landscape Videos. Read more here

3. YouTube changes how real-time subscriber counts are displayed for creators with more than 1,000 subscribers. The announcement read

So what exactly will this look like? For channels with fewer than 1,000 subscribers, the exact (non-abbreviated) subscriber count will still be shown. Once your channel passes the 1000 subscriber milestone, we will begin to abbreviate your public subscriber numbers on a sliding scale. 

4. Instagram's redesigned Explore grid to feature Stories. Plus, new designs rolled out in Explore. Read the details here

5. Facebook rolls out two ranking updates based on surveys conducted. The announcement read

Using these survey results, we have updated our algorithm to prioritize the Pages and groups we predict an individual may care about most. Some of the indicators of how meaningful a Page or group is might include how long someone has followed a Page or been a part of a group; how often someone engages with a Page or group; and how often a Page or group posts.

Similar to the close friends update we announced earlier this month, these specific changes will not result in an increase of Page or group content. Rather, they will prioritize content from the Pages and groups we think you care about most so that you see them higher in News Feed.

6. Instagram introduces @shop account handled by an internal team which will curate shoppable posts from the app. More details here

7. Facebook updates its video ranking algorithm. The announcement read

We are sharing an update on three factors that impact video ranking on Facebook: 1) loyalty and intent, 2) video and viewing durations and 3) originality. These are not new principles, but we will be strengthening their influence among the multiple factors that determine video distribution. The changes will affect video distribution across Facebook, including News Feed, Facebook Watch and our “More Videos” recommendations.

8. YouTube announces changes to 'Preferred' Ad Offering; YouTube Originals become free to view. More details here

9. Twitter lets up to four users broadcast simultaneously. The announcement read

Starting today, your Tweets are going #IRL and now you can host a live video and invite up to three people as guests. Those you allow to join can be heard by everyone and can drop off at any time.

Digital Advertisement 

1. YouTube rolls out image-only Discovery Ads. The announcement read

Coming soon, Discovery ads are a simple and effective way to tap into the power of YouTube—and you don’t even need a video! Just upload your best images from your social campaign, then we’ll optimize your media mix for maximum performance across Gmail, Discover and the YouTube Home feed.

2. YouTube to roll out a new tool that uses machine learning to automatically create a six-second version from a longer ad. Read the report here

3. What businesses should know about the upcoming tool for managing off-Facebook activity.The announcement read

This feature may affect targeting. When someone disconnects their off-Facebook activity, we won't use the data they clear for targeting. This means that targeting options powered by Facebook's business tools, such as the Facebook pixel, can't be used to reach someone with ads. This includes Custom Audiences built from visitors to websites or apps. Businesses should bear this in mind when developing strategies for these kinds of campaigns in the second half of the year and beyond.

4. Facebook rolls out new ad options for mobile gaming advertisers; makes rewarded video and playable ads for game apps available via its Audience Network. The announcement read

We are sharing four updates related to game monetization for developers and advertisers:

• New research on in-app ad monetization for games, as well as new Audience Network stats
• Rewarded video expanding to all mobile game publishers and developers on Audience Network
• Playable ads now available on Audience Network within rewarded video and interstitial placements
• New metrics and simplified ad creation for advertisers using playable ads on Facebook and Audience Network
   

5. LinkedIn introduces a new Ads tab on Pages. The announcement read

In this tab, members will be able to view all the Sponsored Content (native ads running in the LinkedIn feed) that advertisers have run on LinkedIn in the past six months. Members can click on the ads, but the advertisers will not be charged for these engagements and the clicks will not impact campaign reporting.

6. Spotify tests voice-enabled ads with Unilever. More details here

7. Facebook simplifies video ad buying. The announcement read

Making ThruPlay the default optimization for video views campaigns will help simplify our video ad buying options and better align our offerings with what advertisers value. Starting in May, we will begin a phased migration from 10-second video views to ThruPlay optimization. And starting July 31, we will pause existing campaigns that use 10-second video views optimization, so be sure to adjust any campaigns you're running using 10-second video views optimization to now use ThruPlay optimization.

8. App ads to soon appear on the YouTube homepage feed. More details here

9. Google is retiring the text-only AdSense ad unit. More details here

10. Twitter experiments with displaying more ads to users. More details here

Search

1. Google to soon roll out a new look for search results. The announcement read

The name of the website and its icon appear at the top of the results card to help anchor each result, so you can more easily scan the page of results and decide what to explore next.

When you search for a product or service and we have a useful ad to show, you'll see a bolded ad label at the top of the card alongside the web address so you can quickly identify where the information is coming from.

2. Google Maps uses machine learning to recommend a restaurant’s most popular dishes. More details here

3. Google says mobile-First indexing by default for new domains. More details here

4. Users can use Google Search, Maps or the Assistant to order food. Read the announcement here