As the coronavirus pandemic rages on, a number web and technology companies are responding in different ways to help businesses, healthcare providers and users to get faster knowledge and to assist the global response to the pandemic.
- Schema.org adds coronavirus-related structured data types
Schema has added “SpecialAnnouncement” and “EventAttendanceMode” types to help businesses provide event updates in the search results. It also added “CovidTestingFacility” type to inform whether they are part of medical facilities or temporary adaptations to the emergency.
Google and Bing adopted ‘SpecialAnnouncement’ structured data for COVID-19 and have started showing these on search results.
Announcement at: http://blog.schema.org/2020/03/schema-for-coronavirus-special.html
- Google now showing ‘specialists’ tab in health condition knowledge cards on mobile
Google added “Specialists” tab to their Health knowledge graph, by which users can find doctors who specialize in that particular health condition. Currently, it is available in mobile search only.
3. Google’s mobile-first indexing for the whole web
In their Webmasters blog, Google has announced that they will be switching to mobile-first indexing for all websites starting September 2020. In the meantime, they said, they will continue moving sites to mobile-first indexing when their systems recognize that they're ready.
Google has added some instructions and recommendations on their blog regarding this. Read it here: https://webmasters.googleblog.com/2020/03/announcing-mobile-first-indexing-for.html
4. Twitter Launches Its Own Take on Stories With 'Fleets'
Twitter has announced its own variation on Stories, which it is calling 'Fleets'.
It works like this:
Users with Fleets available will see a new, rounded profile icon at the top of their Twitter feed, as you can see in the first image below. If your connections have posted Fleets, they'll appear in their own round bubbles, which is obviously very similar to the common Stories format on Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, etc.
Official tweet: This week, Twitter has announced its own variation on Stories, which it's calling 'Fleets'.
5. Facebook’s new Desktop Redesign
Facebook has finally announced that all users can now switch over the new Facebook desktop layout. Dark mode option also available with this new update.
The new desktop design offers easy navigation through tabs for Groups, Marketplace, Watch and more atop the home screen. The home page and transitions also load more quickly.
View a new and old version comparison at https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Facebook-Redesign-New-vs-Old-1.png
6.Reddit introduces a New Offering for Advertisers: Trending Takeover
In its official blog, Reddit said, “With this new offering, brands looking to position themselves at the center of discussion on Reddit now have premium venues in two of the most commonly visited areas of the platform: Reddit’s Search tab and Popular feed. “
Trending Takeovers will last for 24 hours, and as you can see in the images above, they'll take up a major block of space at the top of the Reddit feed.
Read the official blog at https://redditblog.com/2020/03/09/introducing-reddits-new-offering-for-advertisers-trending-takeover/
7. Pinterest Adds New 'Today' Tab for Trending Topic
‘Today’ tab is a source of daily inspiration with curated topics and trending Pins that makes it easy to explore popular and timely ideas.
As explained by Pinterest:
"Just click ‘Today’ at the top of your home feed from your iOS or Android app for new ideas each day. Recommendations will include a handful of topics. We’ll start with ideas curated by the Pinterest team and in the future will also feature guest editors."
