This Month in Ecommerce - April 2021

April of 2021 is coming to a close and with it we had a few ecommerce developments that are worth some attention. These sorts of announcements are easy to miss if you’re not looking out for them.

No worries though, we’ve got your covered.

Here’s everything important in the ecommerce world that you may have missed this month.

Microsoft Ads product updates

Microsoft Ads released info on some new updates including API support for Google Import, countdown customizers for Responsive Search Ads, UET Tag Helper Dynamic Remarketing support, new seasonal segments for In-market Audiences, and a multi-factor authentication migration delay. Microsoft also mentioned some upcoming features that we should hear more about soon including flyer extensions, new verticals for Dynamic Remarketing, and Customer Match.

Google Product Data Specs Update

The focus of this year's Google product data specs update is on improving the quality of product information across free listings and Shopping ads. The update includes Checkout price enforcement, specifiable region-specific shipping speed, backorder and preorder functionality, new apparel size values, changes to cross-border payment plan functionality, product identification enforcement, changes to timezone designation, and a new situational shipping requirement.

Google prioritizes Shopping web app

Google is shutting down its Shopping mobile app in favor of its universal web app, effectively ending support for the Google Shopping apps on Android and iOS. This move enables Google to conserve resources and results in a more consistent experience across devices.

Facebook introduces new audio products

Facebook announced plans to build a whole suite of new audio products, including a set of audio creation tools, a push into traditional podcasts, and Live Audio Rooms, a feature that challenges the Clubhouse app.

Pinterest and Shopify expand partnership

To help merchants around the world get their products online, Pinterest and Shopify are expanding their partnership to 27 new countries. Participating merchants also now have access to Dynamic Retargeting. Pinterest is also launching Multi-feed support for Catalogs, a new feature that allows businesses to easily upload their products in multiple product feeds within the same business account.

Amazon expands In-Garage Delivery program

Amazon expanded their Key by Amazon In-Garage Grocery Delivery program to everywhere grocery delivery from Amazon is available. Originally launched in just five cities last November, the program can now be used in more than 5,000 US cities and towns.

Walmart expands InHome delivery program

Walmart expanded its InHome delivery program to Northwest Arkansas, expanded in Southeast Florida, and plans to add Atlanta in July.