Not unexpectedly, Google shut down their Google+ social media platform in late 2018. Google+ was launched in 2010 as an effort to compete with the popular Facebook social media platform, but it never experienced the same level of success. It catered primarily to niche audiences, such as people in the tech industry. Still, its number of users was slowly dwindling in the shadows of other social media giants. Then in March of 2018, there was a major data breach on Google+ that saw the personal and private accounts of 500,000 users illegally shared. The fallout caused by the breach seemed to be the nail in the coffin for Google+.

It remains to be seen whether Google will create another social media platform. Meanwhile, check out the current list of social media platforms ranked in order of how many users they have.

Facebook – 2.23 billion

YouTube – 1.9 billion

WhatsApp – 1.5 billion

Messenger – 1.3 billion

Instagram – 1 billion

Tumblr – 642 million

Twitter – 335 million

Reddit – 330 million

LinkedIn – 294 million

SnapChat – 255 million

Pinterest – 250 million

Where can your brand be seen?

Following Facebook's lead, Google has announced that they are now giving users greater control over the advertising they are shown. Google users have long been able to adjust their ad settings to let Google know what topics do and don't interest them. Advertisers used this information, along with gender and age data, to find pre-qualified new customers. Google users have also been able to turn ad personalization off entirely, to ensure no business using the Google Display Network can serve ads based on habits and demographics.   What has changed is that Google has added an extra section to ad settings for "Your Reminder Ads." This section will show you a list of entities that are currently "following" you with remarketing, or as Google calls them, "reminder" ads. Muting an ad will remove it from your screen for 90 days. After 90 days, you'll be eligible to be advertised to again. If you want to see the ads you've muted, you can find them in the "Muted Reminder Ads" section. The "Mute This Ad" function will remove the ad across devices and will eventually be available in Google's Display Network, You Tube, Search, and Gmail. Despite these changes, all is not lost! Advertisers can strive to avoid the dreaded 90-day mute by creating high-quality, highly relevant ads. Also consider capping the frequency of retargeting ads, so your brand doesn't gain a reputation for being a royal nuisance. Lastly, if someone already purchased your product, don't send them retargeting ads. Note that there are still hundreds of other ad networks out there who can use whatever they know about you to selectively advertise to you.

Google just announced it will lower the search rankings of websites that use annoying pop-up ads.

Shut the door! The Post Office LOWERED postage rates last month! This hasn't happened in 97 YEARS! A first class stamp dropped from .49 to .47. Commercial rates dropped too. Did you know you can mail large postcards, brochures, and other marketing pieces for just 17.6 cents each? Get more customers with direct mail. Call us for more details. 800-378-0944

Order 5000 flyers from CDESIGNS, and we'll design them for free! Advertise for your fall sales and promotions.

Meet Martha, our sponsored animal of the month at Best Friends Animal Society! We just sent a $25 donation to Martha. Martha is a beautiful long-haired tabby who is very friendly and playful. She has some neurological problems, so she is sometimes off-balance and trembles, but that doesn’t stop her spirited nature and lifestyle! You can donate as little as $5 to help Martha or any of the other 1700 animals rescued by Best Friends. Or just share this post to help raise awareness about the great work being done by www.bestfriends.org.