Weekly Digital Roundup (9.30.13)

Hashtags are all the rage this past week, with some other big updates on editing Facebook statuses, Google keyword data, and Twitter teaming with the NFL. Without further ado, here’s what we found to be the biggest news, so you may comfortably remain snuggled under a rock.

#Hashtag Mania

It’s been a big week for hashtags! Not only did Justin Timberlake and Jimmy Fallon create a viral video about the popular honorary punctuation, but also Google has given them a new spot to thrive. Hashtags from Google+ posts will now appear alongside Google Search results. When you include a hashtag with your regular search terms, you can view relevant Google+ content, along with regular search results. This addition brings Google another step closer to fully integrating its social platform with the rest of its products.

Vine Brings Home the Bread

Wendy’s latest #6SecondsFlat Vine Contest capitalized on users already posting Vines of the fast food chain’s latest flatbread sandwiches. With a mobile adaptive microsite, users can enter for a chance to win $6,000. Not to be left out, Instagram and Twitter are viable avenues for submission, as well. Wendy’s said this campaign exclusively focuses on the mobile social experience, since the brand is looking to attract a tech-savvy and hungry crowd. #smart

Edit Facebook Statuses

There’s nothing more anxiety provoking than spending time on a well-thought-out status update, just to find out you’ve misspelled a word after you hit the daunting "post" button. We all can breathe a sigh of relief now that Facebook has introduced the ability to edit status updates. In the past, users could edit photo captions and comments, but now they can quickly edit status updates without having to delete and start over.

Emergency Twitter Alerts

With Twitter becoming increasingly important for accessing breaking news, the social network just announced that it would allow users to receive special alerts from government and aid agencies during emergencies. Users can opt in to receive notifications through their Twitter mobile app or SMS text messages from a number of agencies who have signed up to be a part of the program.

Twitter Teams with NFL

Don’t miss a tweet during football season with the NFL’s new deal struck with Twitter, focusing on producing exclusive “programming.” NFL Twitter followers can find game highlights, clips from games that have aired on CBS and Fox, football news, game analysis, and fantasy football advice. Twitter’s Amplify platform is really heating up. Score!

Deep-sixing Keyword Data

This week Google abruptly pulled the plug on keyword data. While many SEO’s are still mourning the loss of their data and asking why Google would do this, some are looking at it as an opportunity to do better research and come up with more representative data.

Thanks for checking in!