Local Search Apps Complain About Google; Marketers And Technologists Are Disconnected

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Search Lurch

Following a drumbeat of complaints about Google’s app-install ad policies and potentially anti-competitive algorithm tweaks, local search players like Yelp and TripAdvisor noted last weekend they were getting buried in Google search results. Google responded by telling Re/code’s Mark Bergen, “The issues cited were caused by a recent code push, which we’re working quickly to fix.” Google fights hard against the narrative that it’s a monopolistic platform, but it’s hard to dispute its algorithm pushing users away from competitors even when search queries include company names like “Yelp,” “ZocDoc” and “Foursquare.” Read it.

Stormy C’s

A 2015 CMO survey shows profound disconnects between the marketers and technologists at brands and agencies. Technology has become more consumer-facing, meaning company tech teams must take on some of the responsibilities of marketers, like concern over user experience. On the other hand, brand marketers are trying (and mostly failing) to learn new tech skills. But maybe collaboration isn’t so important: Only 20% of all marketers and 4% of IT executives said “working together has improved alignment.” More at Ad Age.

Vertical Integration

TV networks got hosed in this year’s upfronts, but the industry has been making up for the lost ground with a thriving spot sale market, where broadcast inventory is sold closer to the run date. However, a pair of WSJ reporters broke the news Tuesday that the Justice Department is probing alleged “monopolization or attempted monopolization” of the spot sales market. The problem comes down to the fact that many local pay-TV providers rely on heavyweights like Comcast or AT&T’s DirecTV to sell their spot ads, and the company that does spot cable buys for the nation’s biggest advertisers, NCC Media, happens to be owned by Comcast. More.

An Incomplete Fusion

A year ago, Fusion’s content team responsible for platform distribution had two people producing Instagram and Vine videos. Now, it’s a 12-person team, including eight responsible solely for Snapchat, according to Lucia Moses at Digiday. Distribution helps expand the audience base, but measurement and ROI challenges make it unclear whether monetization will follow. “We’re acutely aware that not only is there a lack of standardization but [also] tools to do that,” said Fusion CDO Daniel Eilemberg. More.

But Wait, There’s More!