Weekly Digital Breakdown – 4.24.20
Weekly Digital Breakdown
Apr 24
Nextdoor And Walmart Help Neighbors Connect
While the world is still grappling with change, many are looking for ways to help, especially within their communities. Nextdoor and Walmart are making it easier for those in need to ask for assistance with their new program, “Neighbors Helping Neighbors.”
The in-app feature will allow users to post a message on group feeds associated with local Walmart stores pinned under the “Groups” tab. The two parties can then connect and communicate via a message board or direct message to find out items needed, payment arrangements, home address and expected delivery times. While available for use by all members, it’s intended to assist those who are at high-risk due to medical conditions, the elderly, or other vulnerable members.
The feature is meant to offer a low-cost alternative to online grocery delivery services, which typically include a fee or tip and will be particularly useful for those who are facing financial hardship. It also will help reduce the number of shoppers in the Walmart store at a given time, making it safer for everyone.
Nextdoor is launching the feature nationwide, but it may take time for it to reach all areas. Since the pandemic outbreak, the app has seen usage of community groups offering help increase 7x and hopes this offers an additional resource to streamline the process.
Google Shopping Offers Free Product Listings
This week, Google announced they will release a free version of Google Shopping in response to the coronavirus prohibiting storefronts from being open, pushing consumers to shop online. By the end of April, Google Shopping results will be primarily free listings, allowing retailers to highlight available inventory for shoppers based on search results.
The change will give many retails a much larger audience reach and will give consumers more product selection. For paid advertisers, campaigns can now be accentuated with free listings. No additional action is needed to access the free listing options for existing users of the Merchant Center.
The changes will begin in the U.S. and extend globally by the end of 2020.
https://blog.google/products/shopping/its-now-free-to-sell-on-google/amp/
All Advertisers Will Now Be Verified On Google
Google is extending its verification program to all advertisers in response to misleading and malicious ads attempting to capitalize on COVID-19. All advertisers will be required to submit personal identification, business incorporation documents or other necessary information proving validity and location within 30 days. Google will stop ads for those that do not comply.
To increase transparency for users, they will start seeing disclosures with advertiser details on ads starting this summer. Google hopes this policy will make it easier for users to learn more about who is advertising and how they utilize advertising controls to filter what they see in searches.
The process will begin in the U.S. and is expected to take a few years to be fully in place.
https://www.adweek.com/digital/google-mandating-all-advertisers-prove-their-identities/?
