Digital Marketing News: Snapchat Growth Booms, Facebook Usage Falls, B2B Buyers Seek Greater Loyalty, Podcast Ads Succeed

Report: Facebook usage drops a stunning 26% since 2017
Facebook usage has dropped 26 percent since 2017, according to newly-released report data, also showing that the social media giant’s monthly usage average fell from 14 hours to 9 among U.S. users. Fast Company

IAB: First-half 2019 online ad spending reaches $58 billion, but growth is slowing
During the first half of 2019 digital advertising spending climbed to $58 billion according to new data from IAB, also showing 16.9% year-over-year growth, down from last year’s 23.1%, while mobile ad revenue led the way with the strongest growth. Marketing Land

B2B Online Shoppers Want Loyalty and Simplicity: Report
B2B online shoppers are increasingly seeking more loyalty and ease-of-use in the buying process, new survey data reveals. Some 56% use loyalty programs, as B2B buyers look for greater B2C-like streamlining. Chief Marketer

YouTube to end support for third-party pixels early 2020
Early in 2020 YouTube will stop allowing third-party pixel tracking, Google recently announced. The search and video giant looks to allay concerns that the move will give it even greater control over ad measurement and fewer alternatives for digital marketers. Marketing Land

Snapchat beats in Q3, adding 7M users & revenue up 50%.
Snapchat exceeded third-quarter performance forecasts, as the firm recently released earnings and usage data showing some seven million new users and revenue that has increased by 50 percent. Snapchat now boasts 210 million daily active users who open the app an average of 30 times per day. TechCrunch

Facebook opens search ads to all advertisers
Facebook announced that it has expanded search advertising options after a year of limited testing, bringing digital marketers new news-feed and marketplace search result ad options specifically targeting commercial product and service searches within the social platform. Marketing Land

Study: Podcast Ads Increase Brand Favorability With Super Listeners
Podcast ads continue to see some of the highest success rates in the digital marketing industry, according to newly-release study data. Among those listening to at least five hours of podcasts daily, some 60 percent have favorable views of the advertisers on their podcasts, the study data reveals. MediaPost

Greater numbers of consumers are willing to share their personal data online when they are assured of transparency, according to newly-released report data showing that some 73 percent now say that they’re willing when transparency concerns are met. Additional, 93 percent consider it important that every brand interaction is an excellent one. Marketing Dive

Amazon’s Share of Search Ad Spend Forecast to Grow 30% in 2019
While Google’s search ad spending share still stands at a strong 73 percent, Amazon has continued to expand its portion of the search market, with newly-released forecast data predicting the firm will reach 30 percent of the market during 2019. Adweek

UX Professionals Expect AI to Be an Important Trend in Coming Years
Artificial intelligence, voice search, automation, the Internet of Things, and omni-channel experiences are the top five trends in digital user experience, according to newly-released survey data of interest to digital marketers. MarketingCharts

ON THE LIGHTER SIDE:

A lighthearted look at innovation and risk by Marketoonist Tom Fishburne — Marketoonist

Cover Story: 25 years after that first banner ad, what we saw coming. And what we missed — Which-50

Mazda Is Helping National Geographic Find Its Next Photographer — Adweek

TOPRANK MARKETING & CLIENTS IN THE NEWS:

• Lee Odden — Key Trends and Takeaways from MPB2B 19 ‘hood — PANcomm
• Lee Odden — PR vs Marketing: Is This Still a Thing? — Mike Connell

If you’ve found your own favorite B2B content marketing or digital advertising stories from the past week, please let us know in the comments below.

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