News and Analysis
After Downgrading Publishers, Facebook Explores New Ways to Boost Them
We all remember the seemingly apocalyptic early 2018 announcement that Facebook would downgrade publishers in favor of foregrounding posts from users’ family and friends. Less discussed are the various changes Facebook has made since that announcement to give publishers on its platform a fighting chance.
With SimpleOrder Acquisition, Upserve Digs Into Back-House Operations
In a year that’s been marked by consolidation across the hyperlocal marketing space, Upserve’s recent acquisition of SimpleOrder should come as no surprise. It mirrors another hyperlocal acquisition announced just this week: full-suite marketing company Cheetah Digital’s purchase of loyalty specialist Stellar Loyalty.
Commentary
Revenue Flowing Faster to New Marketing Channels, But Integration Is Key
A recent advertising report from the IAB found that U.S. interactive advertising revenues hit an all-time high of $42.8 billion in 2013, with digital exceeding broadcast television advertising revenues ($40.1 billion) for the first time ever. But some brands who are succeeding at hyperlocal are integrating legacy channels rather than eliminating them…
Putting Small Businesses on the (New) Google Map
Google Maps is a key resource that businesses can use to get more local searchers to discover them online. But can it also help them get more leads? The simple answer is yes, but it’s a not as easy as simply claiming a listing. It’s only by taking advantage of all that Google Maps has to offer — and then tracking how traffic from your maps listing converts into leads and customers — that you can see just how powerful accurate, optimized maps listings can be…
Recent Studies Show Mobile’s Broadening Reach
The reports underline what we might call the inherently local nature of mobile search. Whether you are in a store contemplating a high-ticket purchase or downtown hoping to discover a new restaurant, the phone in your hand is your portal to timely and actionable information as well as marketing incentives that are increasingly likely to gain your attention…
Latest Posts
Locable Founder: Community Sites Need More Than News to Thrive
Not every community news site wants to become a network. But that doesn’t mean “one-off’s” can’t benefit from some of the advantages of scale. Locable founder Brian Ostrovsky spoke with Street Fight recently how single publishers can do quite well even in markets where they’re facing competitors who have chosen to go bigger…
Street Fight Daily: Square Denies IPO Plans, New Competitor for Foursquare
A roundup of today’s big stories in hyperlocal publishing, marketing, commerce, and technology…… At Square, Growth is Good — At Least It Could Be (Street Fight)… Can Another Company Deliver On The Promise Of Foursquare? (GigaOm)… Apple and IBM Release New Retail Apps (Street Fight)…
Apple and IBM Release New Retail Apps
Last summer, Apple and IBM announced a partnership to develop hundreds of new business applications exclusively for iOS devices. The fruits of the partnership, which were released this morning, include a handful of productivity and sales applications that could compete with a thriving category of startups selling software to brick-and-mortar retailers…
Getting Down to the Basics of Local Search Marketing
Small businesses can sometimes find out at their peril just how important it is to take control of how they are represented online. As professionals, we want to make sure businesses understand that our expertise has value, but not at the expense of scaring or confusing them. Instead we would do well to promote the idea that local search is accessible to all…
Street Fight Daily: Cities Sue Uber, Postmates’ Delivery API
A roundup of today’s big stories in hyperlocal publishing, marketing, commerce, and technology…… Uber’s Background Checks for Drivers Come Under Scrutiny (New York Times)… Postmates’ Plans Go Way Beyond Bike Messengers: Web Orders, Inventory Management And Major Partners (VentureBeat)… Porch Goes Beyond Data Services, Launches Tools To Connect Homeowners With Pros (TechCrunch)…
6 Networking Platforms for Local Merchants
In an effort to provide small business owners with a place to form bonds and the types of relationships that lead to cross-promotions and improved local sales, new hyperlocal platforms are being developed where independent entrepreneurs can connect online. Here are six social networking platforms for local merchants…
Street Fight Daily: Facebook Expands Search, Amazon Tests Same-Day Delivery
A roundup of today’s big stories in hyperlocal publishing, marketing, commerce, and technology…… Hands-On With Facebook Post Search: Strong Recommendations, Yelp Should Worry (TechCrunch)… Amazon Tests Bike Messengers For One-hour Delivery In New York City (MarketWatch)… Decline In Organic Reach Changes Facebook’s Value Proposition For SMBs (AdExchanger)…
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