Nothing is certain for Facebook
It’s earnings season yet again, and Facebook led the charge yesterday with their Q4 report. While the numbers beat expectations, there’s still plenty of uncertainty in Facebook’s future. Let’s take a look at the biggest figures:
Daily active users (DAUs): 1.84B (an 11% YoY increase).
Revenue: $28.07B (up 33% YoY).
Net income: $11.22B (up 53% YoY).
Facebook also shattered expectations in revenue per user and monthly active users, signaling good momentum for the company.
The Crew’s take: Facebook’s Q4 report was about as impressive as anyone could’ve hoped for – but investors are still wary. With iOS 14 privacy changes coming up, Facebook warned that it might be heading into turbulent waters over the coming year.
Who knows what’ll really happen, but we do know that Facebook’s ad revenue soared past $27B for the first time, which is impressive regardless. Check out the full report here.
ADVERTISING
Google and Facebook give you more updates about dealing with iOS 14 privacy changes
Unfortunately, this isn’t a joint update where both companies come together and try to make life easier for the advertiser.
Instead, it’s two separate updates that are meant to prepare you for both Google Ads and Facebook Ads.
+ Google’s update is small, but at least they’re saying something. They advise developers to upgrade to version 7.64 of the Google Mobile Ads SDK. For advertisers, all they have to recommend is to monitor performance and adjust accordingly, plus use the latest Google Analytics for Firebase if you are an app advertiser.
They are also starting an educational series to help partners prepare. You can register for the first episode that takes place on February 3, 2021 right here.
One interesting point is that Google will not show the ATT prompt but instead just not use information such as IDFA. This is Google’s way of saying they have quite a bit of data already, we think…
+ Moving to Facebook, the message is “Use Conversions API”. It doesn’t explicitly mention Apple, just privacy legislation and browser policies. It also mentions the Pixel loses effectiveness due to browser and mobile platform changes (this is where we got the hint).
With Conversions API, you should have more accurate first-party data. Facebook is also highlighting partnerships with WooCommerce and Shopify. Check out their full update to see how you can start using Conversions API in your business.
SPONSORED BY ADVIDI
Affiliate competition Kings of Advidi 2021 is back and it’s bigger than ever
It’s time to shake things up a bit while we are still on lockdown!
Kings of Advidi brings the most talented and creative affiliates from all over the world. It’s a competition that tests every possible angle that affiliates know. It’s a test of creativity, willpower, persistence and ambition. In the end, a select group of crowned winners flies to Amsterdam for 5 days.
A big addition this year are also the weekly prizes. Affiliates who are above the weekly threshold can win iPhone Pro Max, Apple Headphones, Segway Ninebot Scooter, GoPro Hero 9 and so much more.
This year there are 5 categories and 2 wild cards, meaning 7 chances to win an all-expenses-paid trip to Amsterdam.
The competition will be active for 2 months, starting on 1st February 2021. Sign up now and prepare yourself to claim the throne.
The Grand Prize
7 affiliates will live like Kings for 5 days/4 nights in Amsterdam. Each winner receives a return ticket to Amsterdam, 5-star hotel accommodation, invitation to private dinners, VIP parties, activities with the whole Advidi crew and more.
NEWSLETTERS
Turning a newsletter into an app without having to write any code
We’ve talked more than usual about newsletters this week, but there just seems to have been some interesting news about the topic.
This is less of a news item though and more of a guide by Rolf Mistelbacher that’s quite interesting.
Why would you create an app for a newsletter? It could be a better way for paid newsletters to give access to their content. It could be a way to expand beyond the inbox, if it makes sense for your subscribers.
The good thing is that you can use “no code” tools, which means you don’t have to be a programmer to create this app. Check out Rolf’s guide for the whole process.
By the way, would you read a newsletter in an app? More specifically, would you read a Stacked Marketer app? We never thought much about it but we want to take the chance now to hear from you. Let us know with a reply!
ROUNDING UP THE STACK
TWITTER: A brand refresh is coming to Twitter. The iconic bird logo stays, but everything around it is getting more colorful.
GOOGLE ADS: You will soon be able to run sports betting and online casino ads from state-licensed entities in Michigan.
SEO: Google Search Console made an “Oopsie!” and sent out countless messages to the wrong people about verifying their domain ownership.
TIKTOK: One of the popular hashtags on TikTok is #LearnOnTikTok and there’s a new tool for those who make educational content on the app. Creators can now add a Quizlet link to enhance their videos.
SEO: If you want to get the summary of the Google Search News for the past week, or just see how different John Mueller is on camera compared to his tweets check out this video.
BRAIN TEASER
You arrive at a hotel and immediately realize that you are bankrupt. How do you know?
You can find the solution here.
POOLSIDE CHAT
Cool tech, (funny) business, lifestyle and all the other things marketers like to chat about while sipping cocktails by the pool.
All marketers have their eyes on the Super Bowl
As is tradition, the Super Bowl is just as much about marketing as it is about football (the American kind).
This year isn’t different. Some of the brands that have already released their commercials for the Super Bowl are Michelob Ultra, Chipotle, Mercari and Vroom.
Aside from brands showing off their commercials, the other news is around brands that have broken tradition and decided to skip this year’s Super Bowl. The list includes Ford, Coca-Cola, Hyundai, Pepsi, and most notably, Budweiser.
For Budweiser, it’s a bit more complicated. Anheuser-Busch is the owner, and won’t air an ad for Budweiser but they are still planning to run ads for Bud Light, Bud Light Seltzer Lemonade and Michelob Ultra (these brands are also owned by Anheuser-Busch).
They are also redirecting part of their ad spend to the Ad Council to run public information campaigns for the COVID-19 vaccine.
It will be a different kind of Super Bowl this year. Who are you betting on? We think Huggies is taking the ads crown this year.