Two Out of Three Brits "Social Media Stalk" Potential Dates by Erik Sass

The only real surprise here is that the number is so low: according to a new survey of 1,922 single British adults by online dating service parship.co.uk, roughly two-thirds (65%) said that they search for potential dates' social media profiles online before stepping out on the town -- otherwise known as "social media stalking." ...Read the whole story

  • Facebook Exchange Integrates Search Data With Ad Targeting by Laurie Sullivan

    Chango will roll out a programmatic advertising platform for Facebook using search data pulled from Google, Bing, Yahoo and other engines to support ad targeting inside the social network. ...Read the whole story

  • entertainment Grammys Social Game No Trivial Matter by Aaron Baar

    The Recording Academy, which puts on the awards, has launched a social trivia game (running through Jan. 29) "Get Me to the Grammy's," that will award players with seven weekly prizes from each of the Grammy's six participating partners. ...Read the whole story

  • research Companies Still Lack Content Marketing Skills by Tanya Irwin

    There is still opportunity for companies to improve their content marketing strategies to drive deeper engagement with customers, according to a multi-industry survey undertaken by IMN. The survey revealed that while content marketing is important to businesses across industries (including automotive, direct selling, franchise, financial services and insurance), companies still have inroads to make. ...Read the whole story

  • Instagram Clarifies Ad Plans, Responds To User Revolt by Steve Smith

    In record time, Instagram issued a clarification of its controversial new privacy and service terms late Tuesday, explaining that its intent is to experiment with native ad formats. ...Read the whole story

  • automotive Mini Website Is Brand Central by Karl Greenberg

    For BMW's Mini division, MiniUSA.com and the digital strategy supporting it is the maypole around which its marketing strategy orbits. "It was a low purchase-funnel site, but that's changing," says Tom Salkowsky, marketing manager for Mini U.S.A. ...Read the whole story

my turn SantaCon As Social Metaphor by Drew Neisser

Unless you've been hiding under a sleigh somewhere, chances are you've noticed the annual gathering of sloppy Saint Nicks otherwise known as SantaCon. At first glance, it's simply a raucous day of naughty carols, random gifting and extreme silliness. But dig a bit deeper, and you'll find a near-perfect metaphor for the state of social media. ...More

  • Instagram To Users: You're All Unpaid (But Cherished) Interns Now by Steve Smith

    Instagram is getting deservedly slammed this week, but it isn't just about the prospect of turning personal images into ads. It is about how these new goliaths of media treat their users. ...More

  • It's Too Early To Be Complacent by Bryan Boettger

    Already the pace of posts, tweets and shares is starting to level off. Less than a week since the tragedy in Connecticut, we are returning back to where we were before. But, it's too early. No matter what side of gun control or mental health support you stand on, it's too early to stop the debate. Now is the time to discuss, inform and become informed. Every column I've written for Social Media Insider has been about helping businesses. This one is not. This column is about using social media to help ourselves. ...More