Cloudflare adds automated Signed Exchanges for Google Search
Signed Exchanges enable non-AMP sites to cache pages with Google Search for near-instant delivery. The open standard is complex and has had a slow adoption rate, but Cloudflare has fully automated the process, making it trivial for sites to use
The dark patterns of Network Solutions
Registering a domain name at Network Solutions can be tricky and pricey, and transferring a domain away from them is an unwarranted waiting game.
Substack now takes bitcoin on select crypto publications
The cryptocurrency payment gateway OpenNode announced it would power Bitcoin payments on-chain and through the Lightning Network for a few crypto-focused newsletters.
WP Engine adds Web Rules as an .htaccess alternative
WP Engine restored some of the lost functionality when they deprecated .htaccess files. The new Web Rules feature provides the ability to create rules for allowing and denying IPs.
Apple’s search engine is Spotlight and it’s looking more like Google
Spotlight search in the iOS and iPadOS 15 betas have gained rich results, and web images search results. Apple's Spotlight is poised to take market share away from Google Search because searches bypass Google's search engine entirely.
Updated: WordPress to improve plugin name checks to remove ‘WP’ trademark confusion
The WordPress Plugin Review Team is rejecting plugins that use WP in the name and slug. The messaging and code made it appear like a trademark issue, but it wasn't. A ticket has been created by a WordPress contributor to remove the confusion.
Why WebKit supports AVIF but Safari does not
WebKit added support for the AVIF image format in April 2021, but it’s still unavailable in Safari. Its absence is because Apple chose an unconventional method for decoding images in its browser.
Google recommends author page URL be added to ‘Article’ Schema structured data
Google updated its Schema-based structured data recommendations to include linking to an author’s bio page to help it disambiguate the correct author for an article.
Google extends its 2% surcharge to ads served in India and Italy
The Regulatory Operating Cost will add 2% on top of all transactions for advertisers in these locations. But the surcharge may cause billing headaches for marketers.
Verisign raises dot com domain name prices again
The price for a .com domain is going up again thanks to ICANN’s 2020 decision to allow Verisign to increase wholesale prices indefinitely. Verisign is expected to make hundreds of millions of dollars more after agreeing to pay ICANN, the non-profit in charge of coordinating domains worldwide, twenty million dollars.
Facebook adds more writers to Bulletin, its answer to Substack
Facebook closely curates the writers on its initial version of the newsletter product, Bulletin. Writers on the platform include celebrities like Malala Yousafzai, Tan France, Malcolm Gladwell, and Mitch Albom.
WordPress 5.8 adds native WebP image format support
The latest version of WordPress now fully supports WebP images without the need for plugins or additional code.
Backblaze makes its cloud backup service faster and more efficient
Backblaze released a new version of its cloud backup service that supports significantly faster online backups, reduces hard drive writes and does a better job at managing bandwidth and system load. The update also coincides with a price increase.
Google gives marketers a reprieve on third-party cookies until 2023
Google's web browser will support third-party cookies until mid-2023 and phase them out at the end of 2023. The original deadline was the end of 2022.
‘Big Mail’ first look: New email app attempts to make reading email enjoyable again
The Not So Big Company launched its Apple-centric multi-platform email client, Big Mail. The new email app has a stunning design, distraction-free reading, and a contact filtering tool that’s similar to Basecamp’s HEY.
Neeva makes invites available and adds Slack integration
The ad-free, privacy-first, and highly personalized search engine, Neeva, provided current users with invite links and added the ability to search Slack workspaces.
Things don’t look good for FLoC
The alternative to third-party cookies has been panned by privacy-focused companies. But cookies aren't dead.
LinkedIn adds pronouns to Profiles
Timed with the start of the LGBTQ+ Pride Month, LinkedIn has added the option to include pronouns to Profiles.
Schema Markup Validator launches, replacing Google’s Structured Data Testing Tool
Google will be deprecating its Structured Data Testing Tool soon. Its replacement, the Schema Markup Validator, quietly went live as a beta version.
What is an NFT, and why should you care?
Think of NFTs like baseball cards, Beanie Babies, and something out of a dystopian novel. But, like, a fun one.
