The Weekly Download – May 22, 2020

Happy Friday and thanks for joining us for another edition of The Weekly Download!

Let’s catch up on this week’s top digital marketing news together: Facebook unveils Shop for businesses, Instagram tests new stories design options, the latest in COVID-19 memes, tips from IKEA for staying at home, Google and Apple release new exposure notification APIs, and Friday Fun courtesy of Mindy Kaling.

Facebook and Instagram Launch Shop for Business Profiles

A new, easier way to turn your Facebook or Instagram business profile into a storefront has arrived, thanks to new e-commerce functionality. Facebook Shop will allow Facebook and Instagram users to make purchases without ever having to leave the app. 

The new functionality is a welcome addition for small businesses trying to stay afloat during these trying times. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg described Shop as a way to help businesses suffering in the wake of COVID-19, though he acknowledged it will not “undo all the economic damage.”

According to Instagram’s vice president of product, Vishal Shah, nearly 1 million businesses have already signed up for the feature’s global test.

Participating businesses will be able to create a Facebook Shop for free. They just upload their catalog, choose the products they want to feature, then customize it with a cover image and accent colors. Visitors can then browse, save and order products.

Instagram Adds New Design Options to Stories

Getting bored of the same old design choices that are available to you on Instagram Stories? Then you’ll be excited to learn this news!

The Facebook-owned app is rolling out new font options for Stories, including new background effects to make your text stand out.

The new design options are currently being tested with a small percentage of users — are you one of the lucky ones?

What’s the Last ‘Normal’ Photo on Your Phone?

A new meme is asking Twitter users to share the last ‘normal’ photo on their phone with the world. 

Since the initial tweet was posted on May 16, thousands of people have shared their last pre-pandemic photos of family gatherings, restaurants, concerts, and more, with no physical distancing or face masks in sight.

Tell us: what’s the last ‘normal’ photo in your camera roll?

IKEA Shares Instructions to Make Forts Out of Furniture and Other Home Objects

IKEA is helping people make the best of their time spent at home, coming up with creative ways to build forts out of furniture and other home objects.

The Höuse and Cåmpingtent are two of IKEA’s six fort designs, built using IKEA products like the Stefan chair and Ölmstad table. In typical IKEA fashion, the instructions are totally image-based — but won’t cause you the headache that can often accompany their furniture.

What will you be building this weekend?

Apple and Google Launch Exposure Notification API

Earlier this week, Apple and Google launched their respective exposure notification APIs to assist local public health authorities with COVID-19 contact tracing.

Named the Exposure Notification system, the tech partners maintain that user privacy will be preserved around identifying information and location data. The launch means that health authorities can now use the API in apps released to the public.

Friday Fun

Mindy Kaling Serves Up the Zoom Advice We Didn’t Know We Needed

We can always count on you, Mindy.