Digital marketing never stands still. Whether you are a seasoned marketer or just getting started, keeping up with the latest developments is essential for success. In Sunday Rundown #114, we dive into the most recent news and updates in the digital marketing world.
YouTube adds new creative options for Shorts
YouTube’s rolling out some new features for Shorts, including a bunch of creative options to help customise and expand your Shorts usage.
First off, YouTube’s adding auto layout, initially for Shorts created on Android, which aims to make it easier to convert your longer videos into Shorts clips.
Auto layout will track the main subject of your video, essentially narrowing the field of view, which can better optimise your content for the thinner Shorts format. It could be a good way to maximise your content, though results, of course, will vary.
YouTube’s also copying TikTok’s popular text-to-speech option, which provides automated narration on your clips.
“With Text to Speech, creators will have even more ways to express themselves by having text on your Short narrated or spoken out loud. After you record a Short, add your text and tap the “Add voice” icon in the top left where you can find four voices to choose from.”
Shorts clips continue to gain traction on YouTube, and are now driving over 70 billion daily views in the app. What is more, creators are increasingly finding ways to use Shorts in building their broader YouTube presence.
Google confirms ranking boost for country code domains
Google’s Gary Illyes confirmed that country code domain names perform better in search results because Google gives an edge to local sites.
Domain names that are specific to countries are called ccTLDs (Country Code Top Level Domains). These are domain names that target specific countries. Examples of these ccTLDs are .de (Germany), .in (India) and .kr (Korea). These kinds of domain names do not target specific languages, they only target Internet users in a specific country.
A lot of people want to rank better in a specific country and one of the best practices for doing that is to register a domain name that is specific to the country. Google will give it a ranking boost over other sites that are not explicitly targeting a specific country.
Embracing humour in your writing
Humour can be a powerful marketing tool that can increase brand awareness and customer loyalty, but many marketers shy away from using it. They worry about offending people or think they are not naturally funny.
However, Lianna Patch, founder of Punchline Conversion Copywriting, explains that using humour in marketing has several important benefits. First, it makes people feel good and activates the brain’s fulfilment and enjoyment centres—like eating ice cream. Humour is a pleasurable experience that can create positive associations with your brand.
Bonus links
- The 11 Best Digital Marketing Courses Free & Paid (2024)
- How Tagging Strategies Transform Marketing Campaigns
- How to Write SEO Headlines That Rank & Get Clicked
Thank you for taking the time to read our Sunday Rundown #114. If you have a story that you want to see in this series, reply to us below or contact us.