Street Fight Daily: Google’s Local Algorithm, Amazon’s Square Competitor
A roundup of today’s big stories in hyperlocal publishing, marketing, commerce, and technology
Google “Pigeon” Updates Local Search Algorithm With Stronger Ties To Web Search Signal (SearchEngineLand)
Google has released a new algorithm to provide a more useful, relevant and accurate local search results that are tied more closely to traditional web search ranking signals. The core changes impact local search results rankings and some local businesses may notice an increase or decrease in web site referrals, leads and business from the change.
The Sharing Economy Goes Behind the Counter (Street Fight)
Steven Jacobs: We tend to think of the sharing economy as a consumer movement that helps us hail a ride or find a place to stay. But the basic logic driving the shift — the concept that cloud-based software can help improve coordination and allow us to pool resources more effectively — will start to impact the more mundane aspects in the way some big industries conduct businesses.
Amazon Set to Launch Square-competitor in August as it Develops Biometric Payment Solutions (9to5Mac)
Amazon could be preparing to launch its own mobile credit card reading hardware in the coming weeks. According to documents, Staples stores will prepare next month to stock a new product called the “Amazon Card Reader” alongside existing card readers from Square, PayPal, and Staples’ own in-house brand.
How Customer Retention Plays Key Role in SMB Marketing (Street Fight)
Joe Morsello: Approximately 60% of SMBs spend the majority of their annual marketing budgets on customer retention, because it delivers such a strong return on investment. Within customer retention, email marketing is considered the most effective digital marketing tactic, followed by social media and content marketing
Car-Hailing Service, Lyft, Reaches Deal to Operate in New York City (New York Times)
Two weeks after delaying its New York City debut amid legal concerns, a car-hailing company that relies on drivers’ private vehicles reached an agreement with city and state officials on Friday. But its drivers will be subject to the same rules as those who already operate for-hire vehicles under the Taxi and Limousine Commission, according to the deal.
Foursquare: It’s Time to Be Open About Metrics (AdAge)
David Berkowitz: After five years of obfuscation, it’s time for Foursquare to decide if it’s going to be a real media company, one worthy of marketers’ attention. The lesson for Foursquare and its peers on the sell side is simple: Be open and transparent if you want to be taken seriously.
Homejoy Expands Beyond Cleaning With Beta Test Of Home Services (TechCrunch)
The company has invited customers to book and try out some of the new home services available in beta. Those include plumbing, handyman, landscaping services, pest control, furniture assembly & installation, painting services, moving and storage, electrical services, and carpet cleaning.
Hilton Books Upgraded Technology (Wall Street Journal)
The company plans to announce this week new technology intended for its 4,200 properties world-wide. Targeting younger travelers, Hilton is aiming to leapfrog competitors that already have rolled out new services like turning mobile phones into room keys.
Urban Airship Aims to Move On From CEO’s Assault Allegations (Recode)
Mobile notifications company Urban Airship is trying to find its way forward, three weeks after CEO Scott Kveton stepped aside amid allegations he sexually assaulted a former girlfriend. Interim CEO Mike Temple hosted a company-wide meeting to encourage the company to be a positive force in the push for the diversity in the tech industry.
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