Another week, another digest! Welcome to this week’s edition of our weekly roundup of all things digital. This week’s digest features a variety of Google specific news including pending algorithmic, Adwords and Google My Business updates as well as a variety of social news!
**Phantom IV – A New Hope for quality from Google?**
The search bloggers rumour mill is in overdrive once again with reports suggesting an updated version of the quality update has been rolled out. (link: http://blog.searchmetrics.com/us/2016/07/08/phantom-4/ text: According to Search Metrics), there have been reports of fluctuations in a number of sites which have previously been hit by Phantom. Although this is not confirmed by Google themselves, it may be worth keeping an eye on your sites and ensure they are providing the right experience for your users and avoid being hit by the ominous sounding Phantom!
**More users are experiencing new Adwords Interface**
Earlier this year, Google confirmed that they were rolling out a change to the interface of Adwords which, admittedly hadn’t seen much of a change before. This week, (link: http://searchengineland.com/confirmed-new-adwords-interface-rolling-users-255502 text: Google have confirmed) that more users will now be able to see the new interface when they go onto their accounts.
**Google My Business updates Analytics to show sources of views**
Our last bit of Google news this week with Google announcing that they have now updated their Google My Business (link: http://searchengineland.com/google-business-insights-updates-analytics-dropping-google-source-data-255413 text: Insights feature) meaning owners of businesses can easily view how many people have interacted with their local listings. The main feature included is how users have found the listing whether by direct or search. With Local at the forefront of SEO, the new interface makes it easier to report on stats.
**Snapchat removes filter due to racism claims**
This week, Snapchat, known for its extensive use of filters including face swap, a variety of cute animals and even delicious fruit has been in the news this week with (link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-37042475 text: criticism )of using a particular filter appearing to be mocking Oriental/Asian people. The outrage caused Snapchat to remove the filter after a day with the explanation that it were only meant to be an “homage to anime”. Better stick to filters of dogs, cats and pineapples next time Snapchat!
**Facebook fighting against ad blocking**
Facebook announced this week that they have (link: http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/facebook-combats-ad-blocking-giving-users-control-over-what-they-see-172879 text: the cure for ad blocking) by introducing a tool which enables people to control of what they see when using Facebook. The tool lets users add and remove particular interests based on they do and do not like. Whilst the week started well for Facebook by introducing this move and, (link: http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/well-didn-t-take-long-adblock-plus-has-workaround-facebooks-restrictions-172941 text: reports) show that AdBlock Plus have found a way to undo what Facebook have done and have created a code to remove Facebook Ads.
Facebook Messenger Bot now lets you message the President
Staying with Facebook, the **(link: http://www.cnbc.com/2016/08/11/you-can-now-contact-president-obama-via-facebook-messenger.html text: White House has confirmed)** that it is now possible to send the President a message via Facebook Messenger. President Obama already reads letters from people in order to stay in touch with the public who voted for him and Facebook will now form a part of that.
**Shazam looking at more ways to retain their users**
Shazam is well known as the tool to use when there is a particular song you just need to know the name of. What if you could do the same with brand logos? (link: http://www.thedrum.com/news/2016/08/08/how-shazam-approaching-challenge-advertising-such-rapid-user-flow text: Shazam is finding ways) in which people can use the app to not just find out the names and details of songs, but to also find out details of particular brands by using different video formats.
That’s it for our digest this week, join us next week for some more facts, stats and news on the world of digital!