Today in Digital Marketing - When Blue Checkmarks Go Rogue: Meta’s New Hacking Problem

Starting point is 00:00:00 It's Monday, May 8th. Today, Facebook fraud. How Meta's blue checks have turned into an opportunity for hackers to target digital marketers. Also, Microsoft speeds its chat bot ahead with an ads AI. What this month's Google ads announcements might include. And the one thing LinkedIn really, really does not need is coming to the platform. I'm Steph Gunn, sitting in for Todd Maffin. That's ahead today in digital marketing. While your legitimate meta ads have been rejected, the company's own ad approval system is giving the green light to scam ads coming from verified pages. And not just any pages, those which claim to be meta itself. TechCrunch reports that a number of verified Facebook pages

Starting point is 00:00:46 were recently hacked and used to distribute malware through paid posts to mislead users into downloading suspicious tools. These compromised accounts included pages with official-sounding names like Meta Ads and Meta Ads Manager, which shared shady links to thousands of followers. Some of these scam pages impersonated major tech companies. One hacked a verified account which previously belonged to an Indian singer and actress with more than 7 million followers, posed as Google AI, and directed users to fake links for its AI chatbot, Barge. Although Meta says all the impersonator pages have been disabled, fake accounts and compromised pages remain a problem for brands on Facebook and Instagram.

Starting point is 00:01:29 Quoting TechCrunch, What's most egregious in these cases is that the hacked pages were not only impersonating major tech companies, including Meta itself, but that they were able to purchase Facebook ads and go on to distribute suspicious download links. In spite of very recent account name changes, those ads were apparently approved without issue in Meta's automated ad system, unquote. Of course, Meta recently launched its verified program that promises proactive account protection for $14.99 per month to secure a higher level of customer support. But it seems even verified accounts aren't safe. Microsoft is pushing fast on its chatbot, today introducing its Ads for Chat API,

Starting point is 00:02:19 which will let website publishers, online services, and apps deliver ads through its new chatbot. Advertisers will be able to customize their chat experience and choose from different ad formats. The new chat API can serve ads on Microsoft or other chat platforms. Advertisers using the platform will have their ads displayed in chats based on the same outcomes-based metrics that determine the ads displayed on other Microsoft assets, such as search and video games. The company said it is actively seeking feedback from its partners and engaging with advertisers to shape the future of this experience. Meanwhile, the biggest e-commerce company in the world has revealed its plans to compete with Microsoft and Google in the AI space. The information reports that Amazon is building a team to develop AI tools that can generate photos and videos

Starting point is 00:03:05 for media buyers to use in their ad campaigns. Job postings for the AI advertising team called CreativeX detail plans to make creative for various advertisers on its platform, including big brands, agencies, and small self-service businesses and marketers. While Amazon is looking to push retailers towards new ad formats with generative AI, the company's CEO told analysts last week it is also exploring more ways to place ads across its range of businesses. Do you have business insurance? If not, how would you pay to recover from a cyber attack, fire damage, theft, or a lawsuit? No business or profession is risk-free. Without insurance, your assets are at risk from major financial losses,

Starting point is 00:03:51 data breaches, and natural disasters. Get customized coverage today starting at $19 per month at zensurance.com. Be protected. Be Zen. In light of advances in AI and user behavior changes, there have been several reports recently regarding how Google will change its search engine. Search Engine Roundtable's Barry Schwartz compiled a list today of features the tech giant might unveil at its developer conference this week. His predictions include BARD integrated into Google Search, more visual

Starting point is 00:04:21 grid formats, and more short videos in search results. Other anticipated features include the expansion of Google Explore and Explore Within Snippets, the launch of Perspectives, online forum Q&A, and pros and cons in videos. Other speculation says Google might add new sidebar filter menus, scrollable knowledge panels, and larger video layouts in search. The big Google event kicks off Wednesday at 1 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. If you're looking to target the youth of the nation in your next campaign, new data from Adobe and research firm Knit has found that Gen Z consumers worldwide

Starting point is 00:05:01 spend an average of four and a half hours daily on their smartphones, mainly, of course, using social media. Here's how those social platforms break down. YouTube is where Gen Zers go to keep up with their favorite content creators and learn new things, while TikTok provides entertainment during free time. Instagram is popular for staying up to date with fashion trends, and Snapchat is the go-to messaging app for documenting life events. Although many Gen Zers find Facebook outdated, they still use it to connect with family and friends and stay informed about current events. When it comes to streaming services, the report notes that content,

Starting point is 00:05:39 quality, and cost are the two most relevant factors for Gen Z and presumably everyone else. And finally, LinkedIn has hopped on the generative AI bandwagon. First, it was profile summaries and job descriptions, but now the AI overlords are coming for your thoughts with AI-penned feed posts. The professional network is testing an update assistant that gets users started on a post, like their opinions on a new trend, advice on careers or projects, or new things that they've learned. See? Nothing to worry about. The robots aren't taking our jobs, they're just taking our brains. And speaking of LinkedIn, we actually have a LinkedIn newsletter. It's called The Top Story

Starting point is 00:06:25 and it will send you our top digital marketing story each day directly to your inbox and in your LinkedIn feed. You can sign up at todayindigital.com slash top story. It's free. There's also a link in the show notes. And I'm still de-stressing from my weekend. We went to Ikea. I haven't been in probably more than a decade my husband has never been he compared the shopping experience to being squeezed through a tube but now the real fun part comes of actually having to build what we bought from ikea together i might have to temporarily move back in with my parents while that all goes down. Thanks for listening. Todd will be back tomorrow. It's the season for new styles and you love to shop for jackets and boots.

Starting point is 00:07:32 So when you do, always make sure you get cash back from Rakuten. And it's not just clothing and shoes. You can get cash back from over 750 stores on electronics, holiday travel, home decor, and more. It's super easy. And before you buy anything, always go to Rakuten first. Join free at rakuten.ca. Start shopping and get your cash back sent to you by check or PayPal. Get the Rakuten app or join at rakuten.ca. R-A-K-U-T-E-N dot C-A.

Today in Digital Marketing - When Blue Checkmarks Go Rogue: Meta’s New Hacking Problem

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