Top Story: Social Media & The Presidential Debates
In an age where social media dominates our lives, as well as in a year in which the Presidential election is still too close to call only two weeks away, it’s no surprise that social media has infiltrated the debate on the candidates and issues.
According to Fox News, during the first presidential debate, there were more than 10.3 million tweets sent relating to politics. However, it seems as if social media platforms, most notably Twitter, are being used to discuss the insignificant details of the debates, rather than the hard issues.
In the first presidential debate, #bigbird became an instant trending topic after Governor Mitt Romney alluded to “getting rid of” PBS. After the second Presidential debate, #bindersfullofwomen became not only a trending topic, but a popular meme and blog topic after Governor Romney made the mistake of saying he was given “binders full of women” to fill his cabinet in Massachusetts. (For a laugh, click here).
News also broke about the alleged Google scandal with Mitt Romney. If you go to Google, type in “completely wrong”, and filter to images, what comes up? Numerous pictures of Governor Mitt Romney. Google has stated that the results are completely organic, but some analysts say otherwise.
It seems as if the Twitterverse, and other social media platforms, are reducing the important topics of the election to trending topics, memes, and campaigns against firing Big Bird. Although humorous, they don’t have any position on the real issues that should determine this election. For tonight’s debate, I challenge you to balance out your Twitter feed. Follow a mix of credible sources as well as parody accounts – it’s all about being a well-rounded voter, right? Here are some suggestions on who to follow during tonight’s debate, as well as the hashtags to keep track of.
Credible
Hilarious
Hashtags to Keep Track Of
Under the Radar: Mobile Facebook Ads are Clicked 23 More Times than Desktop Versions
Attention businesses, if you’re not using Facebook mobile ads, you should probably get on it right away. While you may be inclined to think that Facebook users would be more likely to click an ad on their desktop computer than on their mobile device, you’d be wrong. A new report from TBG Digital shows that U.S. Facebook users actually click on mobile Facebook ads 23 more times than on desktop ads. Believe it or not, that pushes average U.S. click-through rates 99% in Quarter 3 (and 81% worldwide).
So why are users clicking on mobile ads so much more than desktop ads? Well, we hate to be negative, but part of it could be due to user error. TechCrunch speculates on the same thing we were thinking about when we heard mobile ad click-throughs were so high. Perhaps users aren’t yet used to seeing Facebook ads show up on their phone and thus are click because they don’t realize they’re ads or because they want to see where the ad takes them. If this is the case, we predict a sharp decline in mobile ad click-through rates as the months go on and users get used to seeing them. And furthermore, will Facebook users in other countries show such an affinity to mobile ads that U.S. users do?
While ads are Facebooks primary method of generating revenue right now, they’ve also been busy expanding programs, like selling real-life gifts and allowing individual users to pay $7 to promote their own posts. What do you think will end up being Facebook’s sweet spot when it comes to generating revenue? Or will it continue to change?
Tool of The Week: Microsoft Surface Release
Microsoft’s new Surface Tablet is now available for pre-order. This is Microsoft’s first attempt at diving into the tablet wars, but how does it stand up against the iPad and Kindle Fire?
This 10.6-inch Windows 8 tablet is only available for Wi-Fi use, unlike the iPad which is available on cellular networks. It has a slightly larger display that the iPad and the Kindle Fire, and better battery life. It’s price beats the Apple iPad, starting at $499 for a 32GB (as compared to $599 for a 32GB iPad), but the Kindle Fire still out-prices both of it’s competitors.
The Surface tablet ships with a built-in kickstand, but the attachable Touch Cover keypad is not included in the shipping price.
It is up in the air how the new Surface tablet will compete in the already competitive tablet-wars, but for those loyal Microsoft fans who have been anxiously awaiting its arrival, it will be available to ship on October 26th.
Around The Hub: The Head of the Charles Breaking Records
This weekend Boston held one of its largest yearly events; the 49th Head of the Charles, featuring rowing teams from around the world for a series of races. Saturday brought the hottest day ever recorded here, with the temperature reaching 76 (previous high was 68), as well as record attendance, which is believed to be just over 175,000 for Saturday alone.
The weekend impressed the organizers of the regatta so much that they may be planning a 3rd day of events for next year.
Check out some of the best photos we found on Twitter using #HeadOfTheCharles – there were a LOT of great ones. Have some more great shots from the weekend? Tweet them to us @451Heat and we will share!
