1.Google launches insights tools for travel industry
Google announced the launch of a dedicated website that provides demand trends to travel sector participants including hotels, travel start-up, and booking agents. [Source: Live Mint]
2. Facebook to offer more security features in 2021
Facebook said it will start allowing users to prepare physical safety keys as a way to confirm their identity before logging into the social network’s mobile app, beginning next year. [Source: Times Now News]
3. Twitter expands API features for developers tracking the public conversation
Twitter is rolling out new features to its developer community with an update to its recently rebuilt Twitter API. [Source: TechCrunch]
4. Google Search Console brings back request indexing tool
Google has reenabled the request indexing tool, within the URL Inspection tool in Google Search Console. [Source: Search Engine Land]
5. Zoom may launch an email service and calendar app to compete with Google and Microsoft
Zoom is looking to expand beyond workplace video chat and into new territories, specifically email and calendar services. [Source: The Verge]
6. YouTube Adds New ‘Shorts’ Shortcut Button to User Home Screens in India
YouTube is testing a new shortcut option for its TikTok-like ‘Shorts’ feed, as it seeks to establish the option in the Indian market. [Source: Social Media Today]
7. Google confirms passage indexing is not yet live
Google’s Danny Sullivan has confirmed that Google has not yet rolled out passage indexing. It was expected to roll out in 2020 but that seems unlikely now. [Source: Search Engine Land]
8. Twitter’s new verification policy will drop in January 2021
Twitter is planning to launch a new account policy in 2021. This will include a fresh verification process, as well as a way to highlight bots and accounts of the deceased. [Source: The Next Web]
9. Google is training computers to better understand more Indian languages
Google on announced a variety of features to help deliver a better language experience to millions of Indian users. [Source: Financial Express]
10. Telegram, nearing 500 million users, to begin monetizing the app
Instant messaging app Telegram is “approaching” 500 million users and plans to generate revenue starting next year to keep the business afloat. [Source: TechCrunch]