Meta expands affiliate link options
Meta has introduced new features to help creators monetise through affiliate links on Facebook by making these links more visible within posts, including Reels, photos, videos, and text posts. The update aims to provide greater exposure for affiliate partnerships and increase monetisation opportunities.
The affiliate links now have a more prominent display, occupying the bottom section of Reels and videos. In text posts, the company has redesigned how affiliate links appear, ensuring they are more noticeable. Additionally, the company has improved the visibility of affiliate links within comment sections, offering even more opportunities for exposure.
Online electronics sale quickens through shift to qcomm
Consumers moved thousands of crores worth of electronics shopping online this year , including for large appliances, a trend strengthened by the entry of quick commerce into the segment.
Online channels accounted for 34% of the consumer electronics sales in the country this year, up from 32% in 2023, shows data from market researcher NielsenIQ. This 2 percentage point increase means sales of around ₹11,000 crore have shifted to ecommerce from offline retail, , the researcher said.
Online sales of all electronic products including smartphones, laptops, TVs, air-conditioners and refrigerators are estimated to be Rs 2 lakh crore in calendar 2024, it said.
Google Tests AI Sales Assistant in Search Results
Google is testing a new AI-powered conversational Sales Assistant directly within its search results, aiming to revolutionize online shopping. This assistant, visible beneath organic search listings, provides tailored product recommendations, comparisons, and detailed descriptions, mimicking the role of an in-store expert. For instance, a search for “non-stick pan” might display curated options with brief summaries and a product carousel, all without requiring users to leave the search page.
Key features of the Sales Assistant:
- Interactive guidance: Helps users choose products by offering detailed insights, such as material comparisons and durability tips.
- Product carousels: Displays a selection of items from the searched brand, though it’s unclear how items are ranked.
- Streamlined experience: Eliminates pop-ups and speeds up the shopping process
Dark Patterns in E-commerce Flash Sales Makes Apple Users Pay More
The Advanced Study Institute of Asia (ASIA) report ‘Prime[D] to Buy: Flash Sales and Deceptive Design’, delves into the issue of dark patterns used in flash sales on digital platforms, impacting millions of consumers in India’s rapidly growing e-commerce sector.
The report highlights manipulative practices such as artificial urgency, gamification, and pricing discrimination by e-commerce platforms, urging policymakers and industry leaders to implement stringent consumer protection measures.
Key Findings From the Report
- 26/26 of all the analysed platforms used an average of five dark patterns
- 14% of the analysis of the price of 25 products across one platform showed Iphone users paid more, on average, than Android users.
- E-commerce websites used the most dark patterns, followed by quick commerce, travel booking, payment platforms, and gaming platforms.
- Flash sales are a hotspot for manipulative tactics, using cluttered designs, false urgency, and data-driven targeting to exploit users, who are susceptible to driving impulsive decisions.
- Regulatory frameworks address general deceptive practices but lack specific provisions for emerging patterns observed during flash sales, highlighting a need for focused oversight.
Magicpin and Ola Dash Enter India’s 15-Minute Food Delivery Market
E-commerce platforms Magicpin and Ola have entered the quick commerce sector, launching their 15-minute and 10-minute food delivery services, respectively, as perreports.
Magicpin’s entry into quick commerce
Magicpin has launched magicNOW which aims to deliver food from restaurants within a 1.5 to 2-kilometre radius of customers across tier 1 cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai. During its one-month pilot phase, the platform claims to have completed 75,000 food deliveries through its network of multiple partner restaurants. It will be available within the food delivery vertical of the Magicpin app and its deliveries will be carried out by the company’s third-party logistics partner, Velocity.
Launched in 2015, Magicpin is a “hyperlocal retail ecosystem” offering customers products and services across fashion, food, electronics, grocery, pharmacy, etc. In March 2023, the platform joined the Open Network For Digital Commerce (ONDC) initiative, becoming the largest restaurant aggregator on the network and registering a 15 times surge in growth over 15 months. For context, ONDC is a digital project by the Indian government to develop an open UPI-like architecture for the e-commerce industry.
Revival of Ola Dash
Along with Magicpin, Ola is also one of the latest companies to join the quick food delivery bandwagon. Currently operational in Bengaluru, Ola Dash offers food delivery from restaurants within a 1-kilometre radius. The service is located within Ola’s main app. However, the company has made no formal announcement regarding the service as of now.
Previously in 2022, Ola Dash was launched as the company’s 10-minute grocery delivery arm, but was shut down within six months, with the company citing ‘reassessment of its priorities’. Further, the company has had a rocky past with the food delivery and quick commerce sector, shutting down previous ventures like Ola Cafes, Foodpanda, and Ola Foods.
Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking: Google’s new reasoning model can show ‘thoughts’
Google has unveiled its first reasoning-focused AI model, Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking, marking a significant leap in artificial intelligence capabilities. Positioned as a direct competitor to OpenAI’s o1-series, this experimental model incorporates a unique “Thinking Mode” that explicitly demonstrates its reasoning process while solving complex problems.
According to Google, this feature offers superior analytical abilities compared to the base Gemini 2.0 Flash model, setting a new standard for transparent and effective AI reasoning.
The new Thinking Mode is available as an experimental feature through Google AI Studio and Vertex AI, offering developers access via the Gemini API.
Jeff Dean, Chief Scientist at Google DeepMind, shared insights on the revolutionary model through a post on X (formerly Twitter). Built on the foundation of the Gemini 2.0 Flash, the Thinking Mode is designed to enhance reasoning by explicitly showcasing its thought process.
And some interesting work from bcwebwise stable
BC Web Wise secures Digital Mandate for SIWS College
BC Web Wise, a digital marketing agency known for its innovative and impactful strategies, has been awarded the full digital mandate for SIWS College (N. R. Swamy College of Commerce & Economics and Smt. Thirummalai College of Science). SIWS College, recognized for its commitment to inclusive education, community service, and youth empowerment, boasts a NAAC “A” Grade Accreditation and prestigious Autonomous Status, making it one of India’s top educational institutions. The college also mentors over 10 colleges as a distinguished mentor institution selected by the University of Mumbai.
As part of this new partnership, BC Web Wise will design and implement a robust digital strategy to enhance SIWS College’s visibility and community engagement. The agency will focus on creating engaging content that strengthens the college’s connection with its existing community and extends its influence to aspiring students across various platforms.
R. Radhakrishnan, Chairperson of the SIWS Group of Institutions, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership:”We are proud to collaborate with BC Web Wise, an agency that understands the pulse of digital transformation. Together, we aim to elevate our digital presence, ensuring that SIWS College continues to lead with its vision of inclusive education and community development. I am confident this partnership will help us connect with a wider audience of students.”
Success Stories | Zuno General Insurance – Rebranding
Call Us Today
Want to get more out of digital marketing? Reach out to us
Want to get more out of your digital marketing? Click here to send us your interest and we will reach out to you asap.