The Year in Review in ONE Minute: Skim for What You Missed

Finally! Instagram embraced links and allows you to click on the “link sticker” to add a link in your stories.
Instagram really went hog-wild and added desktop usability, so you’re not forced to do everything from your phone!
Google My Business changed its name to Google Business Profile. All the same great tools, just with a new name.
Google added the continuous scroll feature, which is super awesome. Instead of hitting the end of the first page of results, continue to scroll and get more options!
TikTok explodes, rivaling Facebook and YouTube for views. This means we can see TikTok-esque videos on Facebook/Instagram=Reels and YouTube=Shorts. As of December 2021, TikTok has 689 million monthly active users and growing!
Want to buy now, but pay later? Well the aptly named “Buy Now, Pay Later” is a 2021 sensation and game changer for businesses. Almost 62% of adults 18-24 used BNPL in 2021, a 61% increase over the previous year!
With so many businesses being more digitally based, it’s helped many of them become even more profitable. Data from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce & SBDC shows that 61% of businesses that feel “Digital tools are a core part of our business strategy and critical to our overall performance” have already reached or surpassed pre-pandemic levels.
Google was certainly extra this year, rolling out a brand new way to be #1 in results- above the 3 pack of Google Local Listings called, “Google Local Services Ads“
It’s back! 2021 saw a revitalized importance of direct mail. Everyone is spending more time than ever before at home, and mail is a wonderful touch point and break from digital.