Weekly Digital Roundup (10.21.13)

Last week featured several smaller updates with big impact. There's been healthy progress from a marketing perspective, but consequentially chipping away at your privacy online. Without further ado, here’s what we found to be the biggest news, so you may comfortably remain snuggled under a rock.

Tweets on Time

Twitter has finally given marketers the capability to schedule posts through their Analytics Platform. The feature works for both organic and paid tweets, and marketers can schedule up to a year in advance—how convenient!

Direct Messages Now Less Exclusive

DMs may be becoming less private on Twitter. There have been talks that Twitter will allow users to opt into receiving direct messages from users who follow them, but whom they don’t follow back. The feature is only available to select users as of right now, so to find out if you've got access, search for it under account settings. Many are worried that this will result in [even] more spam messages. As if there weren’t enough already.

Tailored Facebook Targeting

Facebook Ads should become more effective, with the release of a feature allowing businesses to target users who have visited their website or downloaded their mobile app. A simple code embedded on the website or app will allow Facebook to track users and aim ads accordingly. These advertisements can encourage users to continue a checkout process or access an app that hasn’t been used recently. Just another step toward a custom-fit digital experience.

Smells Like Teen Danger

Teens will now have less privacy on Facebook. The social network announced that it’s loosening privacy restrictions for teen accounts, allowing users between 13-17 years of age to post status updates, videos, and images that are visible to the public. This is a huge change, since previously teens’ content was only visible by friends. Facebook states that the change is intended to give teens more options, but many are questioning if their best interest is in mind.

Oh No Google Di’int

Don’t be surprised if your picture shows up in a Google ad. Google has updated its privacy policy to place users’ names, photos, and reviews in its new set of “shared endorsement” ads without asking or notifying users. An opt-out option is available, but many are up in arms over the possibility of “commercial endorsement without consent.” Hey, we gon’ be famous.

Always read the fine print, folks.