Boomtown Internet Group

03/22/2022

How to Optimize Checkout Page(s) & Improve Cart Abandonment Rate
https://www.boomtownig.com/dmtrends/how-to-optimize-checkout-pages-improve-cart-abandonment-rate/

12/21/2021

How to Ask for a Review?
https://www.boomtownig.com/dmtrends/how-to-ask-for-a-review/

12/14/2021

UK’s antitrust watchdog is taking a look at Microsoft-Nuance – TechCrunch

Should #Microsoft be allowed to purchase #Nuance - #speechtotext technology for just under 20B? UK is investigating using regulatory policy.
https://techcrunch.com/2021/12/13/cma-microsoft-nuance/

The $19.7 billion acquisition of speech-to-text specialist Nuance by Microsoft, announced earlier this year, has attracted the attention of the U.K.’s active antitrust watchdog — which said today it’s taking a first look to assess whether there are reasons to be concerned about th…

12/14/2021

Major Google Algorithm Updates You Need To Know For 2022 Planning

Recapping the top 5 (out of thousands) of #Google #search #algorithm updates that may have impacted your website in 2021. Prep for 2022 with an #SEO plan!
https://www.searchenginejournal.com/major-google-updates-2021/425914/#close

Google makes thousands of algorithm updates each year – check out these most impactful ones and how they may affect your SEO strategy.

12/13/2021

7 WordPress Plugins Using Artificial Intelligence

It's likely that your #WordPress #website already is using an #AI platform - such as one that detects spam comments.
https://www.analyticsinsight.net/7-wordpress-plugins-using-artificial-intelligence/

Your WordPress site will likely keep evolving for some time after it is built. Plugins with artificial intelligence keep learning and performing, continuously improving your site. Check out 7 wordpress plugins using AI.

12/13/2021

Google is tracking you, but changing these settings can stop it

Want to turn off settings that allow #Google to #track your web activity and #locations?
https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/google-is-tracking-you-but-changing-these-settings-can-stop-it/

Google stores your location and data history when you use any of its apps. Here's how to turn off tracking for good.

12/13/2021

Facebook exec blames society for COVID misinformation

Should the onus for #misinformation be on individuals who share it rather than the #socialmedia outlet? #Meta execs say society is to blame, not #Facebook.
https://www.axios.com/facebook-bosworth-covid-misinformation-89a751dc-6875-4ad3-8103-33cd10b9972c.html

"You don't have an issue with Facebook. You can't put that on me."

12/13/2021

That Facebook ad may be a scam. Here’s how to avoid fraud when shopping for holiday gifts.

How to avoid spam #ads on #socialmedia like the counterfeit stamp fraud #scam.
https://www.inquirer.com/business/facebook-instagram-online-shopping-scam-fake-stamps-20211212.html

Online scams are wide ranging; some people report receiving screwdrivers after ordering cordless drills, another person ordered a rattan sofa but instead received a burlap bag.

12/13/2021

How Google and Yelp handle fake reviews and policy violations

There are major consequences for review violations on #Google and #Yelp. Read the policies before trying to get more #reviews.
https://searchengineland.com/how-google-and-yelp-handle-fake-reviews-and-policy-violations-374071

A side-by-side analysis of Google and Yelp's respective approaches, policies and punitive measures.

12/10/2021

Here is How to link WordPress to Google Docs and publish from Docs

Did you know you can create a doc in #GoogleDocs and port it over to your #WordPress site? #TheMoreYouKnow
https://www.dignited.com/88385/how-to-link-wordpress-to-google-docs-publish-posts-from-docs/

WordPress user that aren't fans of the WordPress Editor can now use Google Docs as their WordPress editor. Here's how to go about this.

12/10/2021

Google execs tell employees they won't raise pay companywide to match inflation

#Google nixes an across-the-board #inflation pay increase for employees saying that #labor costs have increased rapidly and Google already offers fair compensation. Wow...
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/09/google-execs-tell-employees-they-wont-raise-pay-to-match-inflation.html

Google executives nixed the idea of raising employee pay companywide to address inflation at an all-hands meeting on Tuesday.

12/10/2021

Reactive Graphics predicts the web design trends set to dominate 2022

Big, colorful, bold typefaces with an emphasis on #accessibility, #speed, and #usability on mobile will dominate 2022 #websitedesign
https://www.prweb.com/releases/reactive_graphics_predicts_the_web_design_trends_set_to_dominate_2022/prweb18363445.htm

LONDON (PRWEB) December 09, 2021 -- The web design company has listed six key web design features which look to make a big impact heading into the new year.

12/10/2021

Shoppers are right to worry about holiday supply chain problems

#SupplyChains concerns #stress customer service reps and propel consumers to #shop earlier.
https://martech.org/shoppers-are-right-to-worry-about-holiday-supply-chain-problems/

Consumers are concerned about holiday shopping issues, a new report shows. And they're right to be.

12/10/2021

Google rolling out new map and local interface in search

#Google is making changes to the #local #search display because it is easier to see the results and the map without #scrolling.
https://searchengineland.com/google-rolling-out-new-map-and-local-interface-in-search-377169

Google will show local results on the left and a map on the right of those results.

12/09/2021

Google Terms of Service – Privacy & Terms – Google

#Google is updating their #terms on January 5 again, changing warranty #disclaimers, actions they will take, settling disagreements, #clarity on what you and Google can expect. https://policies.google.com/terms/update?hl=en-GB

These Terms of Service reflect the way that Google’s business works, the laws that apply to our company, and certain things that we’ve always believed to be true. As a result, these Terms of Service help define Google’s relationship with you as you interact with our services. For example, thes...

12/09/2021

The cost of ignoring website accessibility

Here is why you should make #accessibility audits part of your #SEO service in 2022. https://searchengineland.com/the-cost-of-ignoring-website-accessibility-377129

Non-compliant sites are vulnerable to lawsuits, but SEOs can help protect them by advocating for accessibility, which can serve both differently-abled audiences as well as your business goals.

12/09/2021

Survey finds what makes reviews trustworthy — consumers want more than ratings

Since users value #reviews #quality over quantity - will #search #algorithms change in response?
https://blog.yelp.com/news/survey-finds-what-makes-reviews-trustworthy-consumers-want-more-than-ratings/

In today’s world, online reviews are ubiquitous so it’s important that consumers have access to review platforms with reliable and trustworthy information. A new survey* commissioned by Yelp and conducted by Kelton, a Material Company, polled 1,500 Americans to uncover what makes a review trustw...

12/09/2021

Search local stores and more with Microsoft Bing

#Bing now lets users #search #local stores to see if the product they want is #instock, saving you a call or a trip!
https://blogs.bing.com/search/december-2021/Search-local-stores-and-more-with-Microsoft-Bing

Time is important and shoppers are smart. Consumers increasingly check store stock availability and choose to buy online and pick up in-store. These options save time and effort, and searching with Bing or Bing Maps makes it even easier now to shop with convenience and certainty.

12/09/2021

Static HTML vs. WordPress Sites: Things to Consider

Read the pros and cons of static #HTML #websites vs. one built with #WordPress.
https://www.technotification.com/2021/12/static-html-vs-wordpress-sites.html

If you are an individual or part of a company that is thinking about creating a website, take a minute to read about HTML vs WordPress.

12/09/2021

Google’s Gmail app now lets you make voice and video calls

#Google keeps improving its #Gmail services adding the ability to make #voice and #video calls during a Google Chat session - the #app works on #IOS and #Android.
https://www.theverge.com/2021/12/7/22821985/gmail-audio-video-calls-google-chat-meet

As Gmail becomes Google’s central communications hub.

12/08/2021

Facebook's head of Messenger leaving company in 2022 as executive exodus continues

#Facebook's executives are still leaving the company - now the head of #Messenger says he's out.
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/07/facebook-head-of-messenger-stan-chudnovsky-leaving-company-in-2022.html

Facebook's executive exodus continued on Tuesday with Stan Chudnovsky, head of the company's Messenger division, announcing that he will be leaving in 2022.

12/08/2021

Microsoft seizes control of websites used by China-backed hackers – TechCrunch

#Microsoft redirects #search traffic away from #Chinese #hacking websites.
https://techcrunch.com/2021/12/06/microsoft-seizes-control-of-websites-used-by-china-backed-hackers/

Microsoft has seized control of a number of websites that were being used by a Chinese government-backed hacking group to target organizations in 29 countries, including the U.S. Microsoft’s Digital Crimes Unit (DCI) said on Monday that a federal court in Virginia had granted an order allowing the...

12/08/2021

New action to combat cyber crime

#Google takes new action to stop #botnets like Glupteba #malware infections, including both technical disruptions of commands and legal action against the #Russian organization.
https://blog.google/technology/safety-security/new-action-combat-cyber-crime/

Google disrupts Glupteba, a sophisticated botnet which targets Windows machines and protects itself using blockchain technology.

12/08/2021

US ed publishers sue Shopify over alleged selling of pirated material | Books+Publishing

Another allegation against an #ecommerce software company (#Shopify) selling pirated #content.
https://www.booksandpublishing.com.au/articles/2021/12/08/207552/us-ed-publishers-sue-shopify-over-alleged-selling-of-pirated-material/

Purchase a subscription to view job ads and other premium content on Books+Publishing.

12/07/2021

Seismic event or overblown rebrand: Local search experts weigh in on ‘death’ of Google My Business

How did #GoogleMyBusiness becoming #Google Business affect your #local business? Helpful charts.
https://searchengineland.com/seismic-event-or-overblown-rebrand-local-search-experts-weigh-in-on-death-of-google-my-business-376941

Google’s recent rebranding and new profile management options may be a sign that it’s improving features for multi-location brands, while driving adoption with SMBs via profile controls in Search and Maps.

12/07/2021

Python power-up: new image tool visualizes complex data

#Napari can help #Python programmers make #data more visual.
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-03628-7

The image viewing and analysis software napari has filled a gap in the programming language’s scientific ecosystem.

12/07/2021

Making healthcare options more accessible on Search

Do you think #Google's recent changes to #search to include more #healthcare information such as whether your #insurance is accepted are improvements?
https://blog.google/products/search/making-healthcare-options-more-accessible-search/

We’re helping people make more informed healthcare choices by adding more information to healthcare Business Profiles on Search and Maps.

12/07/2021

Climate Change Data Deluge Has Scientists Scrambling for Solutions

Will #AI finally help us make sense of the huge increase in #climate #data collected from satellites?
https://www.wsj.com/articles/climate-change-data-deluge-has-scientists-scrambling-for-solutions-11638720016

As earth-observing satellites, aircraft and ocean buoys churn out ever-rising amounts of information about our planet, data managers turn to cloud computing and artificial intelligence.

12/06/2021

GoDaddy Data Breach Impacts Wordpress Users With Managed Hosting Plans; 1.2 Million Accounts Impacted - CPO Magazine

We continue to stay on top of the #GoDaddy #data breach that impacted #WordPress users.
https://www.cpomagazine.com/cyber-security/godaddy-data-breach-impacts-wordpress-users-with-managed-hosting-plans-1-2-million-accounts-impacted/

An SEC filing has revealed that GoDaddy suffered a data breach that impacts some 1.2 million of its current and former managed hosting customers. Wordpress users may have had their email addresses exposed.

12/06/2021

Personal Data Is Worth Billions. These Startups Want You to Get a Cut.

Some companies want you to benefit from your #personal #data being collected by the #technology industry. It is worth #billions.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/personal-data-is-worth-billions-these-startups-want-you-to-get-a-cut-11638633640

Entrepreneurs, politicians and a real-estate mogul are trying to help consumers control the data that the tech industry collects.

12/06/2021

Best Programming Languages for Web Development

Is #JavaScript the best programming language for web #development?
https://www.analyticsinsight.net/best-programming-languages-for-web-development/

Choosing the best programming language for your web development project is a critical task. Check out the best programming languages for your web development.

12/03/2021

Spotify Wrapped shows how our personal data gets sliced and diced

#OhNo Did you share your personal #data when you shared your #SpotifyWrapped data yesterday?
https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/02/tech/spotify-wrapped-data/index.html

Like many other Spotify users, I opened the music streaming app on Wednesday and received a cheerful message: "Your 2021 Wrapped is here," it read, imploring me to explore the top songs, artists, and podcasts I listened to "in a year that was far from normal."

12/03/2021

Facebook, Instagram remove Chinese network over fake 'Swiss biologist' COVID claims

@Meta removes over 250 #fake accounts set up by #China for fake #Swiss scientist posting #COVID19 #Disinformation in the USA.
https://www.reuters.com/technology/facebook-instagram-remove-chinese-network-over-fake-swiss-biologist-covid-claims-2021-12-01/

Facebook owner Meta Platforms Inc said on Wednesday it had removed accounts used by an influence operation originating in China that promoted claims of a fake "Swiss biologist" saying the United States was interfering in the search for COVID-19's origins.

12/03/2021

Facebook risks meta flop, metaverse developers say

Should #Meta embrace "#digital ownership" before the #metaverse can become "real"?
https://www.reuters.com/technology/facebook-risks-meta-flop-metaverse-developers-say-2021-12-01/

Facebook risks missing the point of metaverse - and a coming shift in consumers' behaviour - if it fails to permit digital ownership, according to some of the virtual world's pioneers.

12/02/2021

Five Publishers Sue Shopify Over ‘Textbook Pirates’

Is it right to sue #Shopify for not removing merchants who are known to #sellcontent - pirated #content - such as PDFs, ebooks, or practice tests?
https://www.wsj.com/articles/five-publishers-sue-shopify-over-textbook-pirates-11638392284

Publishers say e-commerce company should be responsible for policing its customers, while Shopify says it takes actions against sellers that violate its policies.