Weekly Digital Breakdown – 4.3.20
Weekly Digital Breakdown
Apr 03
Facebook Offers More Help For Small Businesses
Facebook is continuing to focus on small businesses by offering additional resources of support during this uncertain time. As part of its $100 million commitment to helping struggling businesses through COVID-19, they announced $40 million will be committed specifically for U.S. small business grants. The funds will be distributed nationwide, but New York and Seattle based companies will be first to receive the aid next week. The program will be a combination of cash and ad credits with the majority being financial help.
The company is also creating new tools to further help businesses in their efforts to stay afloat. Personal fundraising for businesses will now be permitted as well as custom digital gift cards and easier ways for businesses to update service changes to customers. All will be available for immediate use.
Sheryl Sandberg continues to lead this initiative as she recognizes Facebook is listening and learning from small businesses during this time. The company remains determined to help small businesses as they are important to not only Facebookâs business model, but are also the backbone of the American economy.
Google Commits $800 Million To Aid Businesses and Health Organizations
Google is also stepping up to help small and medium sized businesses (SMBs)as they address new economic challenges. Last week, the company committed over $800 million in support to small and medium sized businesses , health organizations and governments, and frontline healthcare workers. The funds will be broken up according to the categories with criteria around distribution.
As part of the commitment, $340 million in Google Ads credits will be available to SMBs that have active accounts over the past year. Businesses will receive credit notifications in their Google Ads accounts and can be used anytime during this calendar year on any Google product including search, display, and YouTube.
In addition, Google is also providing $20 million in ad grants to community financial institutions and nonprofit organizations in order to run public service announcements on relief funds or other services that may aid SMBs.
As COVID-19 continues to take its toll, SMBs seem to be taking the brunt of the financial hit. Recognition of this with continued financial support will hopefully allow some to keep their doors open longer and weather this storm.
Instacart Data Helps Shelves Stay Stocked
As consumers continue to keep their pantries stocked more than ever before, many supply chains are experiencing a change they could not have anticipated. This is leading to empty grocery aisles and frustrated shoppers.
To help alleviate this frustration, Instacart is sharing shopping data with Consumer Packaged Goods partners (CPGs) to help them better keep shelves stocked. Instacart brings the unique ability to view inventory across multiple grocery chains for better visibility into customer demand. Instacart began sharing real-time inventory data for CPG partners using their ad products.
The data sharing was originally slated for select partners but due to these new circumstances, the company is making the information more widely available. It has already been able to alert manufacturers to atypical shopping trends as a result of the pandemic, allowing them to better prepare and better stock items.
With Instacart usage continuing to grow, the company is proving to be a critical resource for CPGs and customers.
