Cookies and milk

Clamping Down on Cookies and What it Means for Marketers

In 2021, a cookie is so much more than a tasty treat enjoyed with a hot drink. But the digital world is changing, with pending updates set to shake up how cookies are tracked. We take a look into cookies, how they work in Marketing, and what the new updates mean for us.

What are Cookies?

In the digital world, a cookie is a tiny snippet of data that gets stored on the user’s browser. This data is about you and the way you use the internet and is used to customise your online experience. You will have noticed that almost every website will ask if you consent to the use of cookies when you first enter it.

There are lots of benefits of this for users. For example, not having to re-enter your personal information continually and websites remembering your user preferences.

Ever wondered why that pair of shoes you added to your shopping cart once now seems to pop up on every other website you visit? This is also down to cookies, as many companies use them as a key part of their digital marketing.

 

Cookies and milk

Cookies and Digital Marketing

Cookies allow organisations to collect a vast amount of data about internet users, this data then allows them to create more targeted marketing campaigns. They are able to filter their target audience based on variables such as:

  • Age
  • Location
  • Gender
  • Interests
  • Behaviour on websites
  • Behaviour on Search engines

One of the main uses for this information is Ad Retargeting.

This is when website creators have added a specific tracking code into a page on their website, for example, the checkout page. This data then allows them to show you a specific ad, relevant to you, that will appear on other websites when you browse the internet.

Cookies also allow marketers to monitor the success of their website. It allows them to track how users have found their website; Google search, social media, direct or other. It also allows them to see how long users spend on each area of the website and where they are losing visitors. If a user clicks on a page and then clicks straight back off, they know something is wrong. This is called the Bounce Rate.

This subject is huge, and we really have only scratched the surface here. If you would like to know more or would like to know how digital marketing can help your business, get in touch with a member of our team today.

Whilst all of this is great for marketers, not everyone likes having their internet activity tracked. This has led to many companies and organisations trying to find ways to limit it.

Let’s take a look at a few.

Gener8

You may have seen the recent Dragon’s Den pitch by Gener8 which is currently taking the internet by storm and was even called “the best pitch I have ever heard” by one of the Dragons.

Gener8 is a piece of software that users can download onto their device and it will allow them control over how cookies are stored. The system claims to ‘give power back’ to the user.

The software will allow you to do one of two things, turn cookies off completely, or be rewarded for the data that you agree to share.

‘In rewards mode Gener8 monetises your data on your behalf by tailoring the adverts that you see and by anonymising your data and using it for research. In return, you earn points which you can exchange for products, vouchers or donations to charity in our marketplace.’

 

Apple Logo

Apple’s IOS 14 Update

Apple is making huge changes in order to protect user privacy. In the latest update, upon downloading any app, the user will be asked to opt in to allow cookies to be tracked. If the user says no, the app creators will not receive any data from that user.

This will be a big change for many marketers with large amounts of data coming from mobile apps such as Facebook, as well as limiting the way in which they will be able to track the success of their own apps.

Google’s New Update

Trying to crack the Google algorithm is an impossible quest that many marketers are on. The next big update is set to really shake things up when it comes to third party tracking. In a nutshell – it won’t be allowed.

However, as we all know, Google makes a lot of money from advertising and what may look on the surface like a crackdown on tracking, may in fact be Google tightening its grips on the advertising industry.

Using a new system called FLoC, Google says users will be placed into target audience groups, and marketers will be able to target campaigns towards these groups or ‘Cohorts’ rather than individuals, thus increasing user personal privacy.

 

Google logo

What does this mean for Marketers?

Digital Marketing is a fast and ever-changing world, so we are used to being kept on our toes. Now more than ever, marketers need to be willing to keep learning. The platforms we use daily are changing and we need to keep up to date in order to stay ahead.

None of these proposed updates will put a stop to what we do, they will just push us to do things in a new way. If we can’t track data from Apple Apps in the same way, then we need to change our systems to focus on website traffic and android users. Google’s update will mean that we will need to work a little harder to suss out the audiences we need to be focusing on.

User and customer privacy is important. We need people to love what we offer but feel safe whilst using it.

It’s important that we look at these changes with excitement and an enthusiasm to learn and adapt.

If you need help with any of this or are looking for assistance with your brand’s digital marketing, get in touch today.


The first Mask free Musical Festival is Here

On Sunday 2nd May, Festival Republic will be hosting an outdoor concert at Liverpool’s Sefton Park that will be attended by 5,000 people. Once they are through the gates, the crowd will not be required to wear face coverings or socially distance. 

             

So basically, it sounds like a normal festival…where you can dance and not worry about the shame of breaking the 2m rule when you accidentally brush past a stranger…surely not? 

With tickets for the festival priced at £29.50 and artists such as the Blossoms, The Lathums and Liverpool singer-songwriter Zuzu performing, it all sounds too good to be true! 

But whilst people will definitely be enjoying themselves, the purpose of the festival is to get scientific data about how events could be permitted to safely reopen as part of the roadmap out of lockdown, commencing no earlier than June 21st. 

The Sefton Park Pilot is part of the Governments Events Research Programme which last Sunday, meant that 4,000 people were able to attend the FA Cup Semi-Final at Wembley Stadium. The programme is being run in partnership with Culture Liverpool to trial approaches to managing and mitigating transmission risks at outdoor events. 

At the festival, the crowd will be monitored by researchers and ticket holders are asked to: 

  • Take a lateral flow test at a local test centre 24 hours prior to entry. 
  • Show proof of a negative test result to gain entry to the festival. 
  • Take a test after the event to ensure any transmission of the virus is properly monitored and contained.
  • Provide contact details for NHS Test and Trace to ensure that everyone can be traced in the event of a positive test. 

The information gathered from events as part of the Research Programme will be crucial to how all venues – from major sport stadiums and theatres to wedding venues, conference centres and nightclubs – could operate safely this summer. The programme of pilots will explore how different approaches to social distancing, ventilation and testing protocols could ease opening and maximise participation.

For the events and hospitality industry this means that there will be (hopefully) clear government policies, informed by concrete scientific data, about the conditions of their re-opening. The programme’s collection of scientific data will also increase public confidence in the safety of the events and hospitality industry and encourage people to return.  

Managing Director of Festival Republic, Melvin Benn says;

‘This event is not about pushing vaccines or passports , we do not want to limit attendance to our events in any way. Working with the government we want to create a universal blueprint for reopening and demonstrate we can do it safely. Live music is a vital part of so many people’s lives. This event is the first step in getting festivals back on track this year. It’s about demonstrating our absolute commitment that we can and will open on June 21st. We want to get festival fans back at events safely this year. We all need a summer of live music.’

Over the past year the hospitality and events industry has been neglected and any guidance given has been unclear and vague. So, it is certainly exciting to see a research programme being created and implemented now, to prepare for the future and ensure that the industry is ready and raring to come back better than ever this summer.


Time to start paying for Clubhouse?

This week, Clubhouse users have received a message informing them of the latest changes to the app. But what does it all mean?

What is Clubhouse?

Clubhouse lets you drop into different chat rooms and listen to conversations. It’s a bit like dropping into your favourite podcast or radio show, but this time you can also join in on the conversation (if the chat moderate allows this). Clubhouse hit the scenes just as the world was entering lockdown, so it created the perfect space to stay connected. Today, Clubhouse has over 10 Million active weekly users.

The conversations cannot be recorded, enabling people to speak more freely, without the worry that what they have said could be in the headlines the following day. This also gives an extra layer of exclusivity to anyone who has joined the chat room. To learn more about this, head to our previous article.

 

 

Who Uses It?

When it first launched, the App was frequented by A list celebs. Today, it is a platform that most CEOs and Entrepreneurs can be found on. It is a great space to grow your network and engage with like minded people.

Clubhouse is an invite-only app, with each user given a small number of invites to share with their contacts.

So, why do I have to pay?

Starting this week, all Clubhouse users are able to pay creators that hold talks or rooms on the app. Currently however, only a limited number of people are able to receive these payments, until further testing is carried out. At the moment, Clubhouse are saying that they will not take a cut from these payments and creators will receive 100% of the money.

To pay those creators who are able to receive payment, simply tap on their profile, then tap ‘Send Money’ and choose how much you want to send them. You will also need to pay a small transaction fee that goes to Clubhouse’s payment partner, Stripe.

Think of it as a virtual tip jar.

Last month Clubhouse announced their accelerator programme. Twenty creators will be selected and assisted by Clubhouse to grow and manage their audience.

These two new features have been introduced by Clubhouse in the hope of retaining their users and incentivising them to stay. With many platforms including Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn all now introducing similar features, Clubhouse knows that the competition is high.

 

 

Is this a smart move by Clubhouse?

Many would say yes. Influencers have to work incredibly hard to get paid on platforms like Instagram, often relying on brands for payment, in return for them showing off or talking about their products. Many creators have to take their audience away from the platform in order to monetise what they are doing.

This donation system is not dissimilar to platforms like OnlyFans, where users are able to gift creator’s additional money, on top of their subscription fee.

With Clubhouse currently not taking any money at all from this, it looks like a great idea.

However, I think everyone can agree that it is very unlikely to stop here. Clubhouse have already announced that this is the first of many new features and monetisation formats.

I don’t have an iPhone, when can I join?

Unfortunately not for another few months. Clubhouse is still only available on Apple platforms. An Android version is being developed, but for now; the FOMO continues for Android users.


Friends in Garden

Navigating Life After Lockdown

If the government’s roadmap out of lockdown goes to plan, all restrictions could be eased by the 21st June. 

Whilst some of us may be fantasising about being in a crowded pub, squished up to our friends whilst we wait for a drink at the bar, others may be feeling a little apprehensive about coming out of lockdown, because well, it’s been a while.  

If you are a part of the latter group, you are not alone! With all the Instagram posts about what restaurants people are missing and the relentless TikToks of people’s outfit ideas of what to wear to a pub garden, it may feel like you are, but trust me, you’re not. 

From going in and out of national lockdowns, life has been unpredictable, and it has been a difficult year for us all. The idea of life going back to ‘normal’ is quite daunting when it is hard to even remember what that ‘normal’ is like. Throughout the pandemic, we have adapted and changed our routines to feel safer, and so, it is completely normal to feel worried, anxious or stressed about suddenly returning to old patterns of life.  

The team here at Posh Cockney have been chatting and have put together some steps you can take to make the transitional return back to life after lockdown a little less daunting, and a little more manageable. 

 

Go at your own pace 

Reactions to restrictions easing will vary from person to person. Some people will want to see everyone and do everything at 100 mph, whereas others may be more reluctant to return to socialising. It is important to be mindful and respectful of how other people are feeling. 

If you are feeling anxious, perhaps meet up with just one or two people at first to gently ease yourself back into social settings. One thing we have learnt throughout this year is that rushing doesn’t solve anything, take your time and go at your own pace.

Friends in Garden

Make some plans! 

If you decide to take your time in returning back to social settings, making plans is a great way to do it in an organised and achievable way. 

Perhaps it’s going over to a friend’s house or going to a restaurant; jot down what you want to do and focus on achieving one thing at a time to prevent yourself getting overwhelmed. 

Be flexible

Now, I know I said to make plans, but I think lockdown has made us realise how quickly plans can be disrupted and things can change overnight. 

Perhaps limit how far into the future you plan (e.g., look at what’s happening each week as opposed to months in advance). This will not only limit the chances of disappointment if things do get cancelled, but it will enable you to feel a greater sense of control over the present. 

In with the new…

From going on a daily walk to setting aside an hour a day to read, many of us have created new lockdown habits. And just because things will be returning back to normal, it doesn’t mean that they have to be left behind! 

Lockdown has highlighted the importance of self-care and finding some ‘me-time’ amid a busy day. Make sure you find the time to keep doing the things that make you happy, no one else will!

Out with the old

But perhaps you’ve also picked up some bad lockdown habits… Maybe you’re waking up at noon every day because well, you don’t need to commute to work, or maybe you’ve fallen victim to ordering Deliveroo every night. Well, coming out of lockdown is the perfect time to break these bad habits, reset, and start afresh. 

Finding a new routine and setting yourself goals will relieve stress and anxiety, keep you motivated and keep you focussed. 

Be present. 

The lead up to what people are describing as the Big Day of Freedom is exciting, but yes, it’s okay to admit that it makes you feel apprehensive. 

It took time to adjust to lockdown and it will take time to adjust coming out of it. So as the roadmap out of lockdown progresses, try implementing some of these tips into your life to make it a little easier. 

Take a deep breath, focus on the present, and take one step at a time.

 


Making the most of the Rule of Six

Boris’ roadmap out of lockdown means that as of the 29th of March we are finally able to meet outside in groups of six or with one other household, whilst still practising social distancing of course. That will take us one step closer to the 21st of June, where hopefully all restrictions will be finally coming to an end. So, while we wait let’s make the most out of the rule of six.  

We have put together some of the best games and activities to do in your group of six. Some games work best in pairs, some need four players, but which games work best in sixes?

Boardgames and Cards

Cluedo, it’s your time to shine. A game of mystery and crime-solving, based around six characters. The game is at its best when played by six people. Notepads at the ready, was it you Miss Scarlett?

Game of Thrones fans, this one’s for you. Six is the optimal playing number for this board game, inspired by the TV show. This is a game of planning, strategy and betrayal, as you fight for your place on the Iron Throne.

Whilst enjoyable with any number or players, UNO is a sure way to keep people entertained. Other card games like Go Fish and Rummy are a great, fun way to pass the time.

Outdoor Activities

The weather is getting warmer and that definitely calls for a garden party, albeit a smaller one than you’re probably used to. Nevertheless, garden parties are a great way to utilise the rule of six whilst adhering to the government rules. 

Whilst on the subject of warmer weather, throwing a barbeque is another great activity to do in a group of six. Not only can you mark the beginnings of the upcoming summer with this classic smokey activity, but who doesn’t love a good barbeque. 

Scavenger hunts. With Easter coming up just around the corner, we’ll be able to celebrate it with a classic scavenger hunt. Scavenger hunts don’t just have to be for the kids either. Adults alike can get in on the fun and now we’ll be able to do it with six of our closest friends or our favourite household. 

During our numerous lockdowns, a lot of us have taken up fitness and exercise but group sport activities have been truly missed. With the new lifted restrictions, group sports are a great way to spend time with our chosen six as well keeping fit. 

Movies

And to finish our list, a good old film night. Hosting a film night watching either family favourites or the new blockbusters are the perfect activity to do with your friends and family. Why not get your hands on Celestial Cinema’s Home Edition boxes and take your movie night outside!?