Here is today’s roundup of news related to local marketing and advertising, local media, technology, local commerce, consumer behavior and more.
Location & Privacy: Waiting for the Other Shoe to Drop (December 10, 2018)
LSA Insider: “During the Place Conference New York, we had two great discussions about privacy and location. There was little unanimity, however, with some speakers arguing that forthcoming US privacy rules would not be as burdensome as Europe and others asserting that California’s new law as well as anticipated federal rules would significantly impact digital marketing in the US.”
Study: Almost 90% of Consumers Now Consulting Local Reviews (December 10, 2018)
LSA Insider: “BrightLocal released its annual Local Consumer Review Survey, which covers a range of issues, including local business review habits, the trust and influence of online reviews, responding to and posting reviews. The study surveyed 1,000 US consumers.”
Evolving Our Lens for Local Ranking Factors (December 10, 2018)
Street Fight: “The aggregate results this year mirrored my own answers in terms of the rising influence of Google My Business and reviews—though perhaps in a bit more nuanced way. I’ve been skeptical of the impact of Posts in particular on rankings, but multiple respondents spoke directly to their positive influence.”
Report: Google PLA antitrust remedy turning comparison engines into agencies (December 10, 2018)
Search Engine Land: “A new report from Searchmetrics examines Product Listing Ad results in the UK, France and Germany and finds more competition since January. The report says, “the number and diversity of comparison shopping services appearing in Google Shopping units has dramatically increased.”
How ‘brick-and-mobile’ is transforming in-store shopping (December 10, 2018)
Mobile Marketer: “Nearly three-fourths (71%) of shoppers now access their phone while in stores to read product reviews, compare prices, navigate aisles, check out, pay or look for gift inspiration ahead of the holidays.”
Declining engagement, conversions cast shadows on otherwise sunny Black Friday weekend (December 6, 2018)
Marketing Land: “Marketers breathed a bit easier as record-breaking retail sales rolled in from the Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday stretch. Cart checkouts kept apace throughout the Thanksgiving weekend, totaling a record $7.9 billion in online sales on Cyber Monday alone, according to Adobe.”
