YOU Get a Sponge! 🧽 YOU Get a Sponge! 🧽

Shopify is shutting down its Reviews app… We learn what makes up Threads’ discovery algorithm. HubSpot has some nice updates. Google’s Bard is no more. And why can’t TikTok tell the difference between shoes and a sponge.

📰 Get our free daily newsletter

📞 Need marketing advice? Leave us a voicemail and we’ll get an expert to help you free!

📈 Advertising: Reach Thousands of Marketing Decision-Makers

🌍 Follow us on social media or contact us

GO PREMIUM!

Get these exclusive benefits when you upgrade:

✅ Listen ad-free

✅ Back catalog of 20+ marketing science interviews

✅ Get the show earlier than the free version

✅ Story links in show notes

✅ “Skip to story” audio chapters

✅ Member-exclusive Slack channel

✅ Member-only monthly livestreams with Tod

✅ Discounts on marketing tools

✅...and a lot more!

Check it out: todayindigital.com/premium

GET MORE FROM US

🆘 Need help with your social media? Check us out: engageQ digital

🤝 Our Slack community

⭐ Review the podcast

UPGRADE YOUR SKILLS

• Inside Google Ads with Jyll Saskin Gales

• Google Ads for Beginners with Jyll Saskin Gales

• Foxwell Slack Group and Courses

Some links in these show notes may provide affiliate revenue to us.

Today in Digital Marketing is hosted by Tod Maffin and produced by engageQ digital on the traditional territories of the Snuneymuxw First Nation on Vancouver Island, Canada.

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

[00:00.000 --> 00:03.640] It is Thursday, February 8th. [00:03.640 --> 00:06.860] Today Shopify is shutting down its reviews app. [00:06.860 --> 00:09.840] We learn what makes up Threads Discovery algorithm. [00:09.840 --> 00:11.720] HubSpot has some nice updates. [00:11.720 --> 00:14.320] Google's Bard is no more. [00:14.320 --> 00:20.200] And why can't TikTok tell the difference between a shoe and a sponge? [00:20.200 --> 00:21.200] I'm Tod Maffin. [00:21.200 --> 00:24.600] That's ahead today in Digital Marketing. [00:24.600 --> 00:28.560] We start today with a short but important story for those of you who use Shopify's product [00:28.560 --> 00:33.520] reviews app, the company announcing today, it will be shutting it down in three months. [00:33.520 --> 00:38.660] They didn't say why, though it's likely because the whole reviews ecosystem has moved well [00:38.660 --> 00:41.120] beyond their own in-house app. [00:41.120 --> 00:45.280] Platforms like Yathpo, which we use for our agency's clients, have advanced light years [00:45.280 --> 00:47.040] ahead of Shopify's own app. [00:47.040 --> 00:49.200] So May 6th is the shutdown. [00:49.200 --> 00:53.720] It might behoove you to start checking out Shopify's app store now to look for and start [00:53.720 --> 00:57.220] onboarding a replacement app if you use app functionality. [00:57.220 --> 01:01.440] And that will bring us to a trivia question. [01:01.440 --> 01:05.740] What was Shopify's original name before it became Shopify? [01:05.740 --> 01:10.940] Was it Snow Devil, Quick Cart, Trade Master, or e-market place? [01:10.940 --> 01:20.420] The answer at the end of today's episode. [01:20.420 --> 01:25.020] Threads met his answer to Twitter, has released some details about its discovery algorithm, [01:25.020 --> 01:28.780] and while there aren't any huge surprises on what makes things rank higher, it's still [01:28.780 --> 01:29.980] good to review. [01:29.980 --> 01:35.280] Like most of these algos, engagement points, like replies and likes and follows all give [01:35.280 --> 01:36.740] a bit of a boost. [01:36.740 --> 01:40.860] But there are also some other factors we haven't really seen a lot of, like how many posts [01:40.860 --> 01:46.660] you've seen so far in your session, how long it's been since you were active on Threads, [01:46.660 --> 01:51.860] and how many times any given post's account profile has been visited. [01:52.860 --> 01:59.580] As Threads continues to gain momentum with the platform now up to 130 million active users, [01:59.580 --> 02:03.620] more brands are testing the waters and seeing what sort of engagement they can drive in the [02:03.620 --> 02:09.260] new app, which honestly is probably not a lot for most businesses as yet. [02:09.260 --> 02:14.220] The Threads community still feels pretty sparse, while the algorithms driving the discovery [02:14.220 --> 02:19.740] in the app seem inconsistent with some posts gaining a heap of traction, while others are [02:19.740 --> 02:25.140] essentially DOA, and there's no obvious logic as to why one post goes big and another [02:25.140 --> 02:27.700] flops. [02:27.700 --> 02:32.180] Also interesting to note, since Meta's Threads was built on top of the Instagram code stack, [02:32.180 --> 02:36.860] some of Instagram's signals come into play, such as how often you visited the author's [02:36.860 --> 02:39.620] profile on Instagram. [02:39.620 --> 02:44.340] We have a link to the full Threads algorithm summary in today's email newsletter, which [02:44.340 --> 02:47.360] you can sign up to for free by tapping the link at the top of the show notes or going [02:47.360 --> 02:51.400] to today in digital.com slash newsletter. [02:51.400 --> 02:59.800] A great piece in the Verge today about TikTok's latest change to its experience, the app tries [02:59.800 --> 03:05.400] to detect products in a video, then provide links to buy those products in the catalogs [03:05.400 --> 03:07.640] of its various advertisers. [03:07.640 --> 03:09.920] In theory, it sounds great. [03:09.920 --> 03:14.520] If you see Taylor Swift wearing a sparkly dress, you can quickly go buy it. [03:14.520 --> 03:19.760] Or at least, TikTok will show you one like it, or it might show you a sponge. [03:19.760 --> 03:25.760] Yes, it seems TikTok's product detecting AI is a little off its rocker. [03:25.760 --> 03:29.200] Quoting the Verge, quote, as I was scrolling through my feed this week, a video from an [03:29.200 --> 03:35.080] account I don't follow popped up discussing actor Hunter Shaver's Grammy after-party outfit. [03:35.080 --> 03:39.520] As the video was ending, a button popped up, prompting me to view items in the TikTok shop [03:39.520 --> 03:41.520] related to the shoes. [03:41.520 --> 03:46.360] The blue and orange embellished heels retail for over $2,000 when could TikTok possibly [03:46.360 --> 03:48.960] have for sale that comes close to them? [03:48.960 --> 03:51.240] Apparently nothing. [03:51.240 --> 03:55.520] The shoes TikTok pushed me toward looked nothing like what was in the video. [03:55.520 --> 03:57.680] Many of the items were not even shoes. [03:57.680 --> 04:01.320] After a pair of black patent leather slip-ons and yellow and brown platforms, the shopping [04:01.320 --> 04:03.560] feed took several left turns. [04:03.560 --> 04:10.280] I was served a 10-pack of socks, a chair that I'd been looking at on Amazon a week prior, [04:10.280 --> 04:16.800] working sauces, a scrub daddy sponge, and nylon handbags, unquote. [04:16.800 --> 04:19.920] Interesting that it sounds like there's a connection with Amazon retargeting in there. [04:19.920 --> 04:23.800] To be clear, we are not talking about the system where influencers directly link two [04:23.800 --> 04:24.960] specific products. [04:24.960 --> 04:31.160] No, this is basically TikTok's educated guess as to what an object is, and its guesses [04:31.160 --> 04:33.360] are apparently terrible. [04:33.360 --> 04:37.720] So too, from what I understand is the overall TikTok experience in the US right now. [04:37.720 --> 04:41.880] That's where they've gone hog wild on TikTok's shop with many people complaining it's really [04:41.880 --> 04:44.560] just a glorified AliExpress store now. [04:44.560 --> 04:48.960] I'm in Canada, so far it doesn't seem like they've rolled that out here because at least [04:48.960 --> 04:53.160] my TikTok has been blissfully devoid of product pitches. [04:53.160 --> 04:57.960] But this product identification system raises many questions that so far there are no answers [04:57.960 --> 04:58.960] to. [04:58.960 --> 05:02.600] Again, quoting the Verge, quote, will creators have a say in it? [05:02.600 --> 05:06.480] Will they get a cut of whatever sales happen as a result of their video? [05:06.480 --> 05:11.440] TikTok's identification system is bad now, but what if it eventually could identify the [05:11.440 --> 05:17.000] brand of soap or a keyboard in a video and give viewers a direct link to buy it? [05:17.000 --> 05:20.720] What's in it for the person who peaked shoppers interest in the first place? [05:20.720 --> 05:24.440] TikTok didn't respond to our request for comment unquote. [05:24.440 --> 05:31.960] The CRM tool and marketing platform HubSpot has released some updates. [05:31.960 --> 05:36.960] On notable change, a simplified process for complying with the stricter email requirements [05:36.960 --> 05:42.360] set up by major email providers like Google, HubSpot has updated email headers for a one-click [05:42.360 --> 05:47.920] unsubscribe feature, and bolstered SPF DMARC authentication to help users meet those [05:47.920 --> 05:49.720] standards easily. [05:49.720 --> 05:52.760] Other highlights include increased limits for custom objects and properties. [05:52.760 --> 05:57.480] It's also refined its lead management features allowing for more detailed tracking and management [05:57.480 --> 05:58.480] of leads. [05:58.640 --> 06:04.280] For those focusing on inbound marketing, HubSpot now offers conditional form confirmation pages, [06:04.280 --> 06:10.680] giving a more tailored approach to lead routing, and HubSpot's introduction of a currencies API [06:10.680 --> 06:13.560] will help keep exchange rates up to date automatically. [06:13.560 --> 06:16.720] Definitely a nice touch for brands that operate on a global scale. [06:16.720 --> 06:21.200] Rounding it out, integration updates with Dynamics 365 and NetSuite now permit direct [06:21.200 --> 06:25.560] enrollment in sequences and booking of meetings from within those systems. [06:29.480 --> 06:34.840] I only made two New Year's resolutions this time, lose a little weight, and spend less [06:34.840 --> 06:37.400] time on meal planning and shopping. [06:37.400 --> 06:41.600] I do all the cooking for our family, and honestly after a week of work, all I want to [06:41.600 --> 06:42.600] do is chill. [06:42.600 --> 06:46.360] If you're in the same boat, you may want to look into factor. [06:46.360 --> 06:50.320] Factor is ready to eat meal delivery, takes the stress out of meal planning, and sets you [06:50.320 --> 06:52.640] up for success in the New Year. [06:52.640 --> 06:56.120] Skip the grocery stores, prep work, and cooking fatigue. [06:56.200 --> 07:01.640] Instead, get chef crafted, dietitian-approved meals delivered right to your door, with [07:01.640 --> 07:06.400] more than 35 meals to choose from per week, including options like keto, calorie smart, [07:06.400 --> 07:08.360] vegan and veggie, and more. [07:08.360 --> 07:14.280] Plus, more than 55 weekly add-ons, you'll have a ton of nutritious and flavorful options [07:14.280 --> 07:16.760] to kickstart your resolutions. [07:16.760 --> 07:23.080] Head to factormeals.com slash TodayPod50 and use code TodayPod50 to get 50% off. [07:23.080 --> 07:30.560] That's code TodayPod50 at factormeals.com slash TodayPod50 to get 50% off. [07:33.560 --> 07:37.600] One great thing about our digital marketing world, we have a plethora of tools, one for [07:37.600 --> 07:42.120] whiteboarding, another for collaboration, another for brainstorming, but these often [07:42.120 --> 07:44.880] live in silos, making it hard to manage. [07:44.880 --> 07:47.120] That's where Miro comes in. [07:47.120 --> 07:52.080] With Miro, you can bring everything and everyone together in one place. [07:52.080 --> 07:57.480] We consolidate different points of view and increase team collaboration all on one centralized [07:57.480 --> 07:58.720] board. [07:58.720 --> 08:02.240] We used Miro to figure out the right flow for our newsletter automations. [08:02.240 --> 08:07.240] It let us get our team all contributing, including our ads, agency people, and saved us a ton [08:07.240 --> 08:08.560] of time. [08:08.560 --> 08:14.880] And its new AI tool, which summarizes and clusters information automatically, was a game-changer. [08:14.880 --> 08:18.560] Find simplicity in your most complex projects with Miro. [08:18.560 --> 08:24.680] Our first three Miro boards are free when you sign up today at Miro.com slash podcast. [08:24.680 --> 08:34.760] That's three free boards at M-I-R-O dot com slash podcast, Miro dot com slash podcast. [08:34.760 --> 08:38.440] Google has killed its AI tool named Bard. [08:38.440 --> 08:41.720] But don't worry, it only killed the name. [08:41.720 --> 08:45.840] Its AI capabilities will live on under the new brand Gemini. [08:45.840 --> 08:48.920] Somebody also releasing a dedicated mobile app, a premium version. [08:48.920 --> 08:53.280] And most notably, they've integrated Gemini into their Google Assistant. [08:53.280 --> 08:58.520] This is definitely a shot over the bow at Apple, whose Siri Assistant has fallen well [08:58.520 --> 09:00.520] behind in this space. [09:00.520 --> 09:02.680] The mobile app is now available on Android. [09:02.680 --> 09:07.480] Google has integrated Gemini into the iOS Google app, the upgraded version, which they call [09:07.480 --> 09:11.520] Gemini Ultra, is available at about 20 bucks a month. [09:11.520 --> 09:15.760] Previously named Bard, it was only accessible through a website and was labeled everywhere [09:15.760 --> 09:18.440] as being in beta. [09:18.440 --> 09:26.720] Back to threads for a moment, they have started testing letting people save posts in the app. [09:26.720 --> 09:28.880] This has been one of the most requested features. [09:28.880 --> 09:33.280] We can also assume that too will be an engagement signal to be factored into the algorithm. [09:33.280 --> 09:39.040] In fact, the save function tends to be a pretty strong signal on most platforms, often given [09:39.040 --> 09:41.040] more waiting than likes. [09:41.040 --> 09:44.200] You probably don't have it right now unless you're in the test group. [09:44.200 --> 09:48.920] If you are, you will find it under the three dots menu on any post in your feed, which I [09:48.920 --> 09:53.320] learned the other day, I think is called the meatball menu. [09:53.320 --> 09:57.400] You can find your save posts in the profile menu. [09:57.400 --> 10:07.880] Oh, and as for the trivia question, what was Shopify's original name before it became Shopify? [10:07.880 --> 10:12.280] Your choices were Snow devil, quick cart, trade master, or e-market place. [10:12.280 --> 10:14.280] The answer? [10:14.280 --> 10:15.280] Snow devil. [10:15.280 --> 10:19.200] Yeah, in 2004, they just built an online store that sold snowboards. [10:19.200 --> 10:21.800] They never really meant to build an e-commerce platform. [10:21.800 --> 10:25.280] When they eventually transitioned it into an e-commerce platform, it still wasn't called [10:25.280 --> 10:26.280] Shopify. [10:26.280 --> 10:31.040] It was briefly called Jaden Pixel before they came up with their current name. [10:37.880 --> 10:46.440] So I'm kind of at a stalemate with my video gaming. [10:46.440 --> 10:51.520] There's really only two games that I've played in the last, I don't know, three years or so, [10:51.520 --> 10:55.960] Overwatch 2, which I had to quit because I was just getting too ragey. [10:55.960 --> 10:58.960] And then I've been playing Rainbow Six Siege, which I've got a little squad. [10:58.960 --> 10:59.960] They're fun. [10:59.960 --> 11:02.200] I don't know why they let me play with them because I'm just terrible at the game. [11:02.200 --> 11:04.640] I bring that right down, but whatever. [11:04.640 --> 11:10.360] But even that one I'm kind of, I don't know, souring on, so literally I've just been watching [11:10.360 --> 11:11.360] YouTube videos. [11:11.360 --> 11:15.640] But my wife is a big crafter, and I always kind of wanted to do some sort of crafting [11:15.640 --> 11:16.840] with her. [11:16.840 --> 11:21.600] I tried painting miniatures that didn't work, tried a couple of other things, but I found [11:21.600 --> 11:23.760] one on YouTube that looks really cool. [11:23.760 --> 11:28.560] And they're like, they're those miniature, I don't want to see die around, but they're [11:28.560 --> 11:34.600] like little miniature scenes, so it'll be like half of a bookstore or like an inside [11:34.600 --> 11:36.720] of a gardening shop or something. [11:36.720 --> 11:38.840] I watched a bunch of YouTube videos on it. [11:38.840 --> 11:43.440] I thought that basically all they did was they shipped you all of these little objects [11:43.440 --> 11:46.960] fully assembled, and your job was to just, you know, over the course of half an hour [11:46.960 --> 11:48.160] and just kind of put them there. [11:48.160 --> 11:50.400] But no, you build all of them, apparently. [11:50.400 --> 11:56.400] Like, the kits come, like the rose is a paper you've got to cut out individually and then [11:56.400 --> 12:00.560] craft and then glue and fold in a certain way, it actually looks kind of fun. [12:00.560 --> 12:04.240] So I will report back next week, I guess, on whether or not I actually stuck to this [12:04.240 --> 12:05.240] one. [12:05.240 --> 12:06.240] I'm Todd Maffin. [12:06.240 --> 12:07.240] Thanks for listening. [12:07.240 --> 12:08.240] See you tomorrow. Transcription results written to '/home/forge/transcribe3.sonicengage.com/releases/20240207165123' directory