Wix Dives Deeper into Search Marketing
Wix is boosting its bundle. Its recently-launched ‘Google Ads with Wix’ lets its website customers create Google search ad campaigns, right within the Wix platform.
Mike Boland
May 25, 2023
Mike Boland
Mike Boland, senior analyst with Localogy, was one of Silicon Valley’s first tech reporters of the internet age as a staff reporter for Forbes magazine starting in 2000. His comments have appeared in The New Yorker, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times.
Big Tech Blitzes AI, Part I: Google
The AI land grab is underway. This could be seen in the past week alone, when Google and Microsoft held major events where AI took center stage. We unpack takeaways in this two-part series.
Mike Boland
May 24, 2023
GIF Giving: Meta Sells Giphy to Shutterstock
Meta has entered into an agreement with Shutterstock to sell Giphy for $53 million. It acquired the GIF engine in 2020 for $400 million, meaning that it will recoup about 13 percent of the original investment. That’s a big write-down but there’s more to it.
Mike Boland
May 23, 2023
How Likely are SMBs to Adopt SaaS Tools?
Benchmark Bytes is a series that examines Localogy’s original data on SMB tech deployment. Based on its recent Small Business Trends report, each installment drills down on a data excerpt and draws out meaning for Localogy Insider readers.
Mike Boland
May 22, 2023
Cox Connects the Las Vegas Strip
Cox Communications is taking over sin city, or at least a portion of it. The cable & media giant has deployed a private wireless network covering eight blocks around Fremont Street.
Mike Boland
May 18, 2023
Apple Launches into Local Events
Apple’s local commerce efforts continue to expand. Beyond ongoing Apple Maps improvements, its latest play is local event discovery. It’s bringing festival and concert content to two fitting places: Apple Music and Apple Maps.
Mike Boland
May 17, 2023
Amazon’s TikTok-Like ‘Inspire’ Launches
Amazon’s new TikTok-like shopping feed has rolled out to all U.S. users. Known as Inspire, it was previously available in closed beta, containing short-form videos and photos that feature products for sale on Amazon.
Mike Boland
May 16, 2023
How Satisfied are SMBs with SaaS?
Benchmark Bytes is a series that examines Localogy’s original data on SMB tech deployment. Based on its recent Small Business Trends report, each installment drills down on a data excerpt and draws out meaning for Localogy Insider readers.
Mike Boland
May 15, 2023
3 Takeaways from Google I/O
Google’s I/O annual developer conference had the standard slate of rapid-fire announcements from across the Googleverse. We we break down our three biggest takeaways to cap the week.
Mike Boland
May 12, 2023
Can AI Accelerate ‘T-Commerce’?
Now that AI has inflected in underlying capabilities and applicability, could this accelerate the promise of shoppable television? We examine the latest market evidence and outcomes from IAB NewFronts.
Mike Boland
May 10, 2023
Amazon Brings Custom Stores to Third-Party Apps
Amazon continues to find new places to sell you things. The latest is its “Amazon Anywhere” service that brings eCommerce to third-party apps and games, including customized and branded stores.
Mike Boland
May 9, 2023
What Are the Biggest Reasons SMB Don’t Adopt SaaS?
Benchmark Bytes is a series that examines Localogy’s original data on SMB tech deployment. Based on its recent Small Business Trends report, each installment drills down on a data excerpt and draws out meaning for Localogy Insider readers.
Mike Boland
May 8, 2023
Frontdoor Launches Remote Home Services App
Frontdoor has announced a new app to streamline service calls to Homeowners. Utilizing “see what I see,” remote guidance, it empowers homeowners to diagnose – and even fix – issues with the live help of experts and an upheld smartphone.
Mike Boland
May 5, 2023
Nextdoor Jumps on the AI Wagon
We can now add another local media and commerce player to the list of AI integrations: NextDoor. Specifically, the company has launched a feature that helps its users automate post creation.
Mike Boland
May 3, 2023
IKEA Makes a Play for SMB Loyalty
The latest player has joined the mix of retailers catering to SMBs: IKEA. The company launched the IKEA Business Network Loyalty Program to offer SMBs perks such as 5 percent discounts store-wide.
Mike Boland
May 2, 2023
What Are the Biggest Reasons for SMB SaaS Adoption?
Benchmark Bytes is a series that examines Localogy’s original data on SMB tech deployment. Based on its recent Small Business Trends report, each installment drills down on a data excerpt and draws out meaning for Localogy Insider readers.
Mike Boland
May 1, 2023
TikTok SMB Showdown: Slathered-Up Pork & Fishing Lures
We’re back now with the latest TikTok SMB Showdow. In the spirit of “showing rather than telling,” this series previews our favorite TikToks from worldwide SMBs, and what makes them successful.
Mike Boland
April 28, 2023
Snapchat+ Sets the Bar
The latest Snapchat+ milestone is that it has reached 3 million paid users. That’s up from 2 million in February and 1 million in August – indicating not only healthy user growth but accelerated adoption. We examine drives & dynamics.
Mike Boland
April 27, 2023
Shopify Expands Further into Fintech
Shopify continues to expand its functionality for one-stop-shop appeal, and to broaden its addressable market of SMBs. The latest move in this effort comes Shopify Bill Pay, helping SMBs manage vendor payments.
Mike Boland
April 26, 2023
Yelp Jumps on the AI Train For a Smarter UX
You can now add Yelp to the growing list of companies integrating AI to boost its user experience. And like much of the AI advancement and excitement over the past few months, this involves conversational AI and large language models.
Mike Boland
April 25, 2023