Your Facebook data

I recently found out that you could check what data Facebook has on you. Well, the data that they let you know about, at least. You can see what you shared online, which messages you exchanged with your friends and so on. You can also see which applications have access to your Facebook information, … Continue reading Your Facebook data

Why is Unilever having second thoughts about advertising on Facebook?

Unilever’s chief marketing officer, Keith Weed, has said that the company might stop advertising on Facebook and other online platforms. This announcement goes against the trend in advertisement spend, as more and more companies are looking at online platforms as a cost-effective way of communicating with their customers. Online social networks (OSNs) – like Facebook … Continue reading Why is Unilever having second thoughts about advertising on Facebook?

Effectiveness of ads on smartphone vs TV

I came across this study, commissioned by Facebook, investigating how people respond to visual content delivered on a smartphone vs. a television. It was published in 2015, so you may know about it, already. But, if you don’t, read on as it is very interesting. The study exposed research participants to video ads on … Continue reading Effectiveness of ads on smartphone vs TV

News on Facebook create the illusion of knowledge and reduce motivation to search for information

Facebook, which has been heavily criticised (and is facing the threat of heavy fines) for failing to stop the publication of fake news on its platform, is now trying to educate its users on how to spot fake news. The company published a list of ten tips directing users to look for specific elements such … Continue reading News on Facebook create the illusion of knowledge and reduce motivation to search for information

Do social media competitions work?

Have you come across those social media posts where the people you follow say something nice about a company in order to be entered into a prize draw or some sort of competition? You can spot them because they use a specific hashtag, or they say something like ‘RT in order to win’. I … Continue reading Do social media competitions work?

From Facebook likes and Internet of Things, to insurance premiums

Last week, the news broke that Admiral car insurance planned to launch a new product aimed at new drivers, firstcarquote, whereby policy holders could get rebates on their annual premium, based on their social media activity. The Guardian reported that: Admiral Insurance will analyse the Facebook accounts of first-time car owners to look for … Continue reading From Facebook likes and Internet of Things, to insurance premiums

Facebook changes newsfeed algorithm, again. Now what?

Facebook did it again. Change its news feed algorithm, that is. Facebook’s Engineering Director, Lars Backstrom, announced that: "we are updating News Feed over the coming weeks so that the things posted by the friends you care about are higher up in your News Feed”. This move goes in the opposite direction of that … Continue reading Facebook changes newsfeed algorithm, again. Now what?

Instagram switching to relevance algorithm – what it means for you

Instagram announced that it is changing the way it presents content in our feeds from reverse chronological order to ‘presumed relevance’. According to the company’s press release: The order of photos and videos in your feed will be based on the likelihood you’ll be interested in the content, your relationship with the person posting and … Continue reading Instagram switching to relevance algorithm – what it means for you

February 2016 round-up

I am writing this post from Malta, where I am visiting as part of my post as Chair in Digital Marketing. It is the perfect ending to what was a very convoluted month, in the sense that it is bringing my mind back to research and, in particular, the impact of digitalisation on marketing. I … Continue reading February 2016 round-up